ii–V–IV–I in D Major

Pattern: ii – V – IV – I Chords: Em – A – G – D

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
ii	Em (details)	minor	Supertonic
V	A (details)	major	Dominant
IV	G (details)	major	Subdominant
I	D (details)	major	Tonic

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through Em (Supertonic) → A (Dominant) → G (Subdominant) → D (Tonic).

A ii–V that detours through the subdominant before arriving at the tonic, combining authentic and plagal cadential motion. The IV chord softens the resolution, giving it a gospel-inflected warmth.

Song Examples

Body and Soul — Johnny Green
Misty — Erroll Garner

Chord Details

Em A G D

More Progressions in D Major

I–IV–V–I I–V–vi–IV I–vi–IV–V ii–V–I I–IV–V I–♭VII–IV vi–IV–I–V I–V–vi–iii–IV–I–IV–V I–IV I–V IV–V IV–I