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Dutch Word Order Builder

Master Dutch sentence structure with the position system. Every element has its place!

The Golden Rule: In Dutch main clauses, the conjugated verb is always in position 2 (V2 rule). Everything else arranges around it.
1: Subject + Verb
2: Direct Object
3: Time
! Specifier (niet/zeker)
4: Prep Phrases
5: Indirect Object
6: Secondary Verb

Basic Sentence Structure

Main Clause Formula

[Subject + Verb] + [Direct Object] + [Time] + [Place/Prep] + [Secondary Verb]

The verb is always in position 2. Time comes before place.

English 1: Subject+Verb 2: Direct Obj 3: Time 4: Prep Phrases
I work in Amsterdam ik werk in Amsterdam
I work in Amsterdam tomorrow ik werk morgen in Amsterdam
I will see a friend tomorrow ik zie morgen een vriend
I will see my friend tomorrow ik zie mijn vriend morgen
I see this movie every year ik kijk deze film elk jaar
Note: "een vriend" (a friend) = indefinite, goes in position 4. "mijn vriend" (my friend) = definite, goes in position 2.

Modal Verbs (willen, moeten, kunnen)

Modal Verb Formula

[Subject + Modal] + [Object] + [Time] + [Place] + [Infinitive Verb]

The modal verb takes position 2, the main verb goes to the end as infinitive.

English 1: Subj+Modal 2: Direct Obj 3: Time 4: Prep Phrases 6: Infinitive
I must work in Amsterdam tomorrow ik moet morgen in Amsterdam werken
I want to sleep in my bed tonight ik wil vanavond in mijn bed slapen
I want to go to an Italian restaurant tonight ik wil vanavond naar een Italiaans restaurant gaan
I go watch a film with my friend ik ga met mijn vriend een film kijken

Negation (niet, geen)

Where does "niet" go?

niet → after time, before prep phrases OR after direct object

geen = "not a/any" - replaces een/indefinite. niet = "not" - used with definite objects.

English 1: Subj+Verb 2: Direct Obj 3: Time !: Specifier 4: Prep Phrases
I don't work in Amsterdam tomorrow ik werk morgen niet in Amsterdam
I don't know Amanda ik ken Amanda niet
I will not see my friend tomorrow ik zie mijn vriend morgen niet
I will not go with Amanda today ik ga vandaag niet met Amanda
I don't know any Amanda (geen) ik ken geen Amanda
"zeker" (certainly) goes in the same specifier position: "Ik zie mijn vriend morgen zeker."

Subordinate Clauses (omdat, nadat, als)

Subordinating Conjunctions

omdat/nadat/als + [subject] + [objects] + [time] + [place] + [VERB at END]

The verb moves to the end of the clause!

Coordinating vs Subordinating

want, en, maar, of = coordinating (word order stays the same)

omdat, nadat, als, dat, terwijl = subordinating (verb to end)

English 0: Conj Subject Pred/Phrase Verb (END)
I will go to the park ik ga naar de park
...because it is good weather (want) ...want het is lekker weer
...because it is good weather (omdat) ...omdat het lekker weer is
Sam is going to the police Sam gaat naar de politie
...and her purse has been stolen ...en haar portemonnee is gestolen
...after her purse has been stolen ...nadat haar portemonnee is gestolen

Separable Verbs (scheidbare werkwoorden)

Separable Verb Formula

Main clause: [Subj + verb stem] + ... + [prefix at END] With modal: [Subj + modal] + ... + [prefix-verb together at END] Perfect: [Subj + hebben/zijn] + ... + [ge- between prefix and stem]

Examples: uitlezen (finish reading), instappen (step in), opstaan (get up)

English 1: Subj+Verb 2: Object 3: Time 5: Prefix ge- 6: Verb
I read that book ik lees dat boek
I read that book out (uitlezen) ik lees dat boek uit
I must read that book out today ik moet dat boek vandaag uit- lezen
I have read that book out yesterday ik heb dat boek gisteren uit- ge- lezen
You step directly in the train je stapt direct de trein in
You can directly step in the train je kunt direct de trein instappen
I have stepped in the train ik heb de trein ingestapt

Reflexive Verbs (zich)

Reflexive Pronouns

ik → me | jij/je → je | hij/zij/het → zich | wij → ons | jullie → je | zij → zich

Common reflexive verbs: zich voelen, zich voorstellen, zich interesseren, zich herinneren

English 1: Subj+Verb 2: Reflexive 3: Time !: Spec 6: Rest
I didn't feel good (zich voelen) ik voel me niet lekker
Tanya didn't feel good today Tanya voelt zich vandaag niet lekker
I shall introduce myself ik zal me voorstellen
I am interested in your work ik interesseer me voor jouw werk
He does not remember it hij herinnert het zich niet

Practice: Build Sentences

Exercise 1 of 10

I want to go to the cinema tonight.

Arrange the words in correct Dutch order:

Quick Rules to Remember

  1. V2 Rule: Conjugated verb ALWAYS in position 2 in main clauses
  2. Time before Place: morgen in Amsterdam (not: in Amsterdam morgen)
  3. Modal verbs: Main verb goes to infinitive at the end
  4. niet: After time, before prep phrases (or after definite object)
  5. Subordinate clauses: Verb goes to the END after omdat/nadat/als/dat
  6. Separable verbs: Prefix separates and goes to end in main clause
  7. Perfect tense: ge- goes between prefix and stem (uit-ge-lezen)

Inversion: When Something Else Comes First

Inversion Rule

[Time/Place/Conjunction] + [Verb] + [Subject] + [Rest of sentence]

When time, place, or another element starts the sentence, subject and verb swap positions (but verb stays in position 2!).

English 0: First Verb+Subj Rest End Verb
I want to sleep in my bed tonight ik wil in mijn bed slapen
Tonight, I want to sleep in my bed vanavond wil ik in mijn bed slapen
Sometimes, I go watch a film with my friend soms ga ik met mijn vriend een film kijken
When will you go watch a film tonight? wanneer ga je vanavond een film kijken
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