Behind the closing verb
A German main clause is framed by the finite verb and the closing part: a participle, an infinitive or a separable prefix. This frame is the Satzklammer. The slot after the closing part is the Nachfeld. Moving something there that could also stand inside the frame is called Ausklammerung (bracketing out).
The same statement, framed and bracketed out
Ich habe lange über deinen Vorschlag nachgedacht.
I've thought about your suggestion for a long time.
Everything inside the frame. Neutral, fits any register.
Ich habe lange nachgedacht über deinen Vorschlag.
I've thought for a long time about your suggestion.
Bracketed out. Spoken, relaxed, the topic comes last.
What belongs in the Nachfeld anyway
Some material stands after the closing verb in every register. Subordinate and infinitive clauses go there as a rule. Comparisons with als and wie usually do too; only short ones also sit comfortably inside the frame.
Subordinate and infinitive clauses
Sie hat mich gefragt, ob ich mitkomme.
She asked me whether I was coming along.
Wir haben beschlossen, das Projekt zu verschieben.
We've decided to postpone the project.
Comparisons with als and wie
Die Reparatur hat länger gedauert als gedacht.
The repair took longer than expected.
Sie hat genauso reagiert wie ihre Mutter damals.
She reacted exactly the way her mother did back then.
Bracketing out on purpose
Prepositional phrases are the main candidates for Ausklammerung. Moving one out has three effects: the frame stays short and easy to follow, the phrase gains weight at the end, and the sentence sounds more spoken.
Where it fits
Speech: normal and relaxed
Ich hab mich so gefreut über deine Nachricht.
I was so pleased about your message.
Das müssen wir noch klären vor der Sitzung.
We still need to sort that out before the meeting.
Writing: to relieve a long frame
Die Regierung will die Steuern senken für Familien mit kleinen Kindern.
The government wants to cut taxes for families with small children.
Die Ergebnisse werden vorgestellt im Rahmen einer Pressekonferenz am Donnerstag.
The results will be presented at a press conference on Thursday.
In formal writing, a short phrase bracketed out for no reason looks careless: Wir haben gesprochen mit ihm reads like a transcript. Keep short phrases in the frame and move out only long ones that would delay the closing verb.
Compared with English
English puts objects and adverbials after the verb as a matter of course, so learners feel the urge to empty the German frame. Objects without a preposition resist that urge: Akkusativ and Dativ objects stay inside the frame.
