When you’re learning Dutch, one of the biggest challenges is word order or sentence structure. In this blog, we focus on the position of the verb, because the verb is the key element in most Dutch sentences. The position of the verb can change depending on the type of sentence, which can make it tricky. Luckily, there are a few basic rules that give you a solid starting point. Just remember, this is only the beginning! Dutch word order can be more complex than it seems.
By understanding where verbs go, you will also see how subjects, objects, and adverbs fit around them. Once you master these rules, forming correct Dutch sentences will become much easier.
1. Main Clause (Hoofdzin)
In a normal main clause, the subject usually comes first. The conjugated verb (the verb that changes with the subject: ik kom, jij komt, hij komt) always takes the second position.
If there are additional verbs in the sentence, such as infinitives or past participles, they move to the end of the sentence.
Examples:
- Ik – werk – bij – de bakker.
I work at the bakery. - Ik – heb – vorige week – een stroopwafel – gegeten.
I ate a stroopwafel last week. - Ik – wil – vanavond – met vrienden – gaan eten.
I want to go out for dinner with friends tonight.
Memory trick: The first verb always goes in second place.
1a. Inversion (Starting With Something Other Than the Subject)
Sometimes a sentence begins with something other than the subject, like an adverbial phrase (Vorige week, or Vandaag,).
In that case, the conjugated verb still comes second, but the subject follows the verb. This is called inversion.
Examples:
- Morgen – ga – ik – naar – het strand.
Tomorrow I’m going to the beach. - Vorige week – heb – ik – een stroopwafel – gegeten.
Last week I ate a stroopwafel. - Vandaag – gaat – hij – naar school.
Today he is going to school.
Memory trick: Start with an adverb? The verb still stays second, and the subject follows it.
2. Questions and Imperatives
In yes/no questions without a question word (wat, hoe, waarom), the verb comes first.
Examples:
- Ga je vanavond sporten?
Are you going to work out tonight? - Kun je me daarbij helpen?
Can you help me with that?
In imperative sentences (commands), the verb also comes first:
- Schrijf je naam op!
Write down your name! - Pak je jas maar.
Go get your coat.
Memory trick: In questions and commands, the verb comes first.
3. Subordinate Clause (Bijzin)
A subordinate clause is a clause that is part of a larger sentence and usually begins with a conjunction such as dat, omdat, hoewel, terwijl, als, of, etc.
In subordinate clauses, all verbs go to the end. If the clause starts with a conjunction, the conjugated verb moves to the very end, and the other verbs follow in order. This can create what looks like an “inverted” order compared to the main clause.
Examples:
- Hij vertelde dat hij gisteren een nieuw boek heeft gekocht. (or: gekocht heeft)
He said that he bought a new book yesterday.
(Bijzin: dat hij gisteren een nieuw boek heeft gekocht.) - Ik vroeg hem of hij met me mee naar de bioscoop wilde komen.
I asked him if he wanted to come with me to the cinema.
(Bijzin: of hij met me mee naar de bioscoop wilde komen.)
“End of the clause” doesn’t always mean literally the last word. Sometimes a long adverbial phrase can follow the verbs:
- Hij vertelde dat hij gisteren een nieuw boek heeft gekocht bij die boekwinkel die pas geopend is in de stad.
He said that he bought a new book yesterday at that bookstore that just opened in the city.
You can also place heeft gekocht completely at the end:
- Hij vertelde dat hij gisteren, bij die boekwinkel die pas geopend is in de stad, een nieuw boek heeft gekocht.
In general, subordinate clauses or additional phrases that are not central to the sentence can still follow the verbs.
Memory trick: In subordinate clauses, all verbs go to the end.
4. Separable Verbs (Scheidbare werkwoorden)
Some verbs consist of a base verb + prefix, for example meekomen, opbellen, uitgaan. These are called separable verbs. When the conjugated verb is in the second position of a main clause, the prefix moves to the end of the sentence.
Examples in the present tense:
- Ik kom vandaag met je mee. (meekomen)
I’m coming along with you today. - Hij belt zijn moeder elke avond op. (opbellen)
He calls his mother every evening. - We gaan vanavond laat uit. (uitgaan)
We’re going out late tonight.
Memory trick: A separable verb splits: the verb part goes in second position, and the prefix goes to the end.
Conclusion
These patterns – main clause, inversion, questions and imperatives, and subordinate clauses – cover the most common sentence structures in Dutch. Once you understand them, you can already form many correct sentences.
However, Dutch word order is more complex and nuanced than these rules alone. Longer sentences, multiple verbs, adverbial phrases, and separable verbs can create subtle variations. Think of these rules as a solid starting point: with practice, the patterns will start to feel natural, and you’ll gradually get a sense of the exceptions.
At Level Up Academy, we’re here to guide you through Dutch word order, one step at a time. It might feel hard at first, but with the help of our teachers, sentences will start to feel natural, and you’ll gain confidence in speaking and writing.
Check out our website to explore our individual lessons and our group courses.