Dutch word order 2 – recaps the basic Dutch word order rules and guides you to the next step: sentences of two parts, or more.
This blog on how to build a Dutch sentence is the last one in a series of two. It was preceded by Dutch word order 1.
But, you may wonder, why all the fuss about word order? Does a Dutchman not understand me when I use the right words, but in the wrong order?
Usually, it is clear what you want to communicate, but you sound clumsy- for some employers a reason to keep you away from functions in which language is important.
Now, let me guide you to the next step: First: how to use en, maar, want, of en dus, and second: where to place the verbs.
Estimated reading time 6 minutes
Margreet Kwakernaak, author of Dutch for Dummies and seven other Dutch textbooks
Recap of the three basic Dutch word order rules
First, we recap the three basic rules of the first blog in this series: Dutch word order 1.
Then we learn about the place of the verb after the conjunctions en, maar, want, of en dus.
New is what we learn about a different kind of sentence, in which all the verbs come in the end.
Rule 1: the verb comes second
Ik ben Anna; Mijn naam is Anna
As you can see, the first position can also consist of a group of words: Mijn naam, Een jaar geleden.
Besides, you may have noted that a sentence may contain more than one verb: heb gewoond, hebben gevonden.
Rule 2: Time and place may come either third, or first
Either: Ik heb eerst in Amsterdam gewoond or: Eerst heb ik in Amsterdam gewoond
Whatever happens to words of time or place: the verb comes second.
Rule 3: only in some questions or commands does the verb come first
Is je naam Anna?
Zit! (to your dog)
Use Dutch word order 1 to find explanations and examples. Besides, you can exercise, turning theory into practice.
Two kinds of sentences
As we all know, different people have different names. How else could we distinguish them? We also give different names to different sentences. Those names come in handy when mastering Dutch word order.
The grammar name of the most typical Dutch sentence is hoofdzin (main clause). In the hoofdzin, the verb is always in the second position. In case there are more verbs than one, the other verbs are a the end of the sentence.
Ik woon in Amsterdam – ik heb in Amsterdam gewoond.
The main sentence may stand alone. However, we often make longer sentences. We use conjunctions for that, words that connect sentences. Let’s have a look at the examples:
Wij hebben in Amsterdam gewoond en wij wonen nu in Almere.
Ik woon in Almere, maar ik werk in Amsterdam.
We wonen nu in Almere, want wonen in Amsterdam is erg duur.
Wij wonen in een dorp bij Groningen (a village near Groningen) of wij wonen in den Haag. In den Haag wonen onze kinderen en wij hebben daar een appartement.
We wonen in een dorp bij Groningen dus wij moeten 240 km rijden naar den Haag.
The first kind of sentence is de hoofdzin (main clause). It has the verb in the second position.
Now, let’s analyze these Dutch word order 2 examples.
First, we used the conjunctions en, maar, want, of en dus.
Second, we did not only use a verb in the main sentence before the conjunction but, after the conjunction, we used a verb as well. Whenever there is a verb, we have a sentence. So, we made two sentences, connecting them by either en, maar, want, of, or dus.
Third, in which position is the verb in the sentence after the conjunction? It is in the second!
Last, what kind of sentence we made? Een hoofdzin (main clause)
From these examples we can derive word order rule 4: the conjunctions en, maar, want, of or dus are followed by a hoofdzin (main clause)
The second kind of sentence: de bijzin (subordinated clause). The verbs are at the end
Here is the next series of examples:
Wij hebben in Amsterdam gewoond voordat wij naar Almere kwamen.
Ik woon in Almere terwijl ik in Amsterdam werk.
We wonen nu in Almere omdat wonen in Amsterdam erg duur is.
Wij wonen in een dorp bij Groningen (a village near Groningen) terwijl wij ook een appartement in den Haag hebben.
We wonen in een dorp bij Groningen hoewel onze kinderen en kleinkinderen in den Haag wonen.
Now it’s your turn to analyze:
- Did we use the conjunctions en, maar, of, dus en want?
- Where is the verb, and, when more than one, in which position are the verbs?
Now we have found Dutch word order rule 5: when we start a sentence with any other conjunction than en, maar, want, of en dus, follows a bijzin (subordinate clause). In the bijzin, all verbs are at the end.
After theory, it’s time to practice. Here is your exercise in Dutch word order 2
Can you distinguish hoofdzin from bijzin?
a= hoofdzin, b= bijzin
You find the answers at the bottom of this page.
1. Sinds twee jaar woon ik in Nederland. a/b
2.Veel is goed, maar ik houd niet van het klimaat. a/b
3.In november is er wind of er is regen.a/b
4.In januari ben ik depressief omdat er geen zon is.a/b
5.Zes maanden lang is het minder dan 20 C zodat ik het vaak koud heb.a/b
6.Het regent veel dus wij blijven binnen. a/b
7.Nederlanders praten Engels met mij hoewel ik Nederlands probeer te leren.a/b
8.De buren zeggen dat wij te hard praten.a/b
9.Nederlanders dansen nooit als zij een feestje hebben.a/b
10.Contact met Nederlanders is kort want zij koken niet voor hun gasten.a/b
Did you get 7 or more of the 10 answers right? Then continue to the conclusion, and learn all 5 rules by heart. Knowing those rules by heart will be a great help in mastering Dutch word order.
Conclusion
The five rules of Dutch word order are:
1. In the main sentence the verb comes second
2. Time and place may come third, or first
3. In questions and commands, the verb may come first
4. The conjunctions en maar want of en dus are followed by a hoofdzin (main clause)
5. All other conjunctions are followed by a bijzin (subordinate clause). In a bijzin, all verbs are at the end.
With these 5 rules, you can tackle any Dutch sentence. Read the basics in Dutch word order 1
Exercise Dutch word order in Suitcase talen’s Dutch classes
Suitcase talen’s Dutch classes are twice a week, always in the evening and online. By using The Delft method with conversation classes you learn to speak Dutch in a shorter time than with a traditional course. The Delft method focuses on practice and vocabulary.
Because some students feel a need for more grammar than the Delft method itself offers, we realized two optional grammar modules.
The Suitcase talen modular system is flexible. Modules take 5 weeks, ending with a test. After having passed that test, you decide whether you want to continue. Please study courses for the program and the schedule.
Suitcase talen students are highly educated and reserve 4 hours per week for the preparation of their course. Classes are short but intensive.
Use contact for an answer to your personal questions.
Answers to the exercise: 1a, 2a, 3a, 4b, 5b, 6a, 7b, 8b, 9b, 10a
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