The neutral word order is subject – verb – object (SVO), but it can be changed for emphasis without losing the meaning, because the cases show who does what.
Adjectives and the genitive normally come before the noun they modify.
Es lasu grāmatu.
I am reading a book.
Grāmatu es lasu.
It is a book that I am reading. (emphasis)
liela māja
a big house
brāļa māja
the brother’s house
The finite verb usually stands second, and the word placed first is emphasised. Time or place expressions often open the sentence.
Šodien es strādāju mājās.
Today I am working at home.
Vakarā viņi skatās televizoru.
In the evening they watch TV.
Mātes māja ir liela.
Mother’s house is big.