Dutch main clauses
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In this subchapter you will learn about the Dutch main clauses. The main clauses are independent sentences. To understand the main clauses, the word order must be explained.
Dutch word order
To understand the word order in the Dutch language, we divide the sentence in six different sections. The table below shows the different sections and what words can be placed there.
| Place | 1. First position | 2. Verb | 3. Subject | 4. Middle part | 5. Last verb place | 6. Final position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| What words can take the places. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The main clause is an independent sentence. The Dutch main clause contains the most important elements: the subject and verb. The object or another verb can be added to the main clause as well. Below you will find the word order of Dutch main clause sentences.
Only subject and finite verb in Dutch sentence
There could be only a subject and verb in a Dutch basic sentence.
| 1. Subject | 2. Finite verb | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| De bel | ging. | The bell rang. |
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Subject, verb and object in Dutch sentence
To give more meaning to a sentence an object can be added, called 'het lijdend voorwerp' in Dutch.
| 1. Subject | 2. Finite verb | 3. Object | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zij | koopt | de bloemen. | She buys the flowers. |
Subject, finite verb, object and more verbs in Dutch
The Dutch language also sometimes adds a verb at the end of the sentence. This is usually the past perfect or infinitive.
| 1. Subject | 2. Finite verb | 3. Object | 4. Past perfect / infinitive | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zij | heeft | de bloemen | gekocht. | She has bought the flowers. |
The time and place are put behind the finite verb, time before place.
The subordinate clause is dependent on the main clause and connected through conjunctions. The first verb in these type of clauses is usually at the end of the sentence.
Train your skills with the Dutch sentence structure exercises below!
Exercises
Exercise Dutch main clauses 1
Exercise Dutch main clauses 2
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Hello,I would love to help you improve your knowledge of English.I adapt the lessons following your wishes : are you a beginner and need to get some basic knowledge with grammar and easy texts or do you want to improve your conversation skills. I can help you either way.Looking forward to meeting you !
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It is my goal to adapt my lessons as much as possible to the wishes of the student. This means that, besides offering regular learning methods, I am open to initiatives like talking about subjects that are of interest to the student, for example reading and discussing articles, watching and discussing educational videos and/or current happenings in the world.
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Do you want to improve your Dutch for work and daily life in the Netherlands? I help young expats enhance their Dutch skills, so you can speak and write with more confidence. Not because you have to, but because you want to! My lessons are practical and focused on what you truly need, whether you’re a beginner or already at a higher level.
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Exercises that fit your work and life in the Netherlands
Focus on building confidence and keeping your self-respect, as you find your place as a new resident
Long-term collaboration, aimed at lasting progress and making the most of your new country
In my lessons, you’ll not only learn the language but also how to communicate your unique value and fully use the opportunities in your new home. This way, you’ll get to know the Netherlands better and make your own special contribution!
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Focus on building confidence and keeping your self-respect, as you find your place as a new resident
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In my lessons, you’ll not only learn the language but also how to communicate your unique value and fully use the opportunities in your new home. This way, you’ll get to know the Netherlands better and make your own special contribution!
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Do you want to improve your Dutch for work and daily life in the Netherlands? I help young expats enhance their Dutch skills, so you can speak and write with more confidence. Not because you have to, but because you want to! My lessons are practical and focused on what you truly need, whether you’re a beginner or already at a higher level.
What you can expect:
Lessons for beginners to advanced learners (B2 to C1), with a methodical and structured approach
Exercises that fit your work and life in the Netherlands
Focus on building confidence and keeping your self-respect, as you find your place as a new resident
Long-term collaboration, aimed at lasting progress and making the most of your new country
In my lessons, you’ll not only learn the language but also how to communicate your unique value and fully use the opportunities in your new home. This way, you’ll get to know the Netherlands better and make your own special contribution!
Ready to improve your Dutch? Contact me and let’s explore the possibilities!
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Do you want to improve your Dutch for work and daily life in the Netherlands? I help young expats enhance their Dutch skills, so you can speak and write with more confidence. Not because you have to, but because you want to! My lessons are practical and focused on what you truly need, whether you’re a beginner or already at a higher level.
What you can expect:
Lessons for beginners to advanced learners (B2 to C1), with a methodical and structured approach
Exercises that fit your work and life in the Netherlands
Focus on building confidence and keeping your self-respect, as you find your place as a new resident
Long-term collaboration, aimed at lasting progress and making the most of your new country
In my lessons, you’ll not only learn the language but also how to communicate your unique value and fully use the opportunities in your new home. This way, you’ll get to know the Netherlands better and make your own special contribution!
Ready to improve your Dutch? Contact me and let’s explore the possibilities!
J. V.
Monique is very sweet and attentive to my needs. It has been a pleasure to navigate the Dutch language with her help!
Monique M.
Hello! My name is Emilia and I am an experienced language tutor and translator from/to Bulgarian, Spanish, English and Dutch. My biggest passion are foreign languages and I have passed this passion to many of my students throughout the years. Despite the fact I have a Master degree in Economics and International Business and I have worked few years as an economist, my heart always takes me back to my teaching and translation jobs. With 20 years of teaching experience, a great level of patience and dedication to my work, and a great number of happy students, I am here to help you learn Bulgarian and Spanish at your own pace and convenience. Hope to hear from you soon! Best regards, Emilia
I. C.
Emilia is a very experienced teacher. I enjoy every lesson with her, she is able to make it fun, but also full of structured information. In this way I was able to see a progress without much effort on my own. I work full time, therefore the lessons with her became my oasis of learning bites outside work. I strongly recommend her as a teacher. Due to her knowledge of other languages she is able to pinpoint why I make some of the mistakes (I sometimes translate the structure of sentences from other languages), and in this way the learning process is easier . She is always pacient in explaining every new grammar topic and I appreciate her skills in coming up with captivating conversation topics in the language learning process.
Emilia I.
Hello,I would love to help you improve your knowledge of English.I adapt the lessons following your wishes : are you a beginner and need to get some basic knowledge with grammar and easy texts or do you want to improve your conversation skills. I can help you either way.Looking forward to meeting you !
G. .
I have been with franscoise for nearly 20 lessons now. She has excellent command of English so it is easy to learn the Dutch expression equivalent to the one in english. She can focus on routine grammar stuff as well as useful daily conversation phrases such as “don’t jump the queue “ etc . She can definitely tailor the programme according to my need but in a discreet manner . Franscoise would give me homework such as exercise from the text or essay to help me consolidate what I have learnt , or simply prepare for the next lesson. She travelled a lot and has international perspective as well as cultural sensitivities but keeping her sense of humour. A kind and understanding person to be with. Definitely has a passion to teach and to share. Definitely not a money grabber ! Lucky to have her in my journey of Dutch learning.
Francoise D.
Hi! I live in Germany since 2014, I live in the Frankfurt am Main area. I teach German to refugees since the beginning of 2017 and I have been teaching Dutch at several language schools, at peoples homes and in-house at several companies. I passed the C1-level Test for German at the Goethe Institut.
It is my goal to adapt my lessons as much as possible to the wishes of the student. This means that, besides offering regular learning methods, I am open to initiatives like talking about subjects that are of interest to the student, for example reading and discussing articles, watching and discussing educational videos and/or current happenings in the world.
I look forward to meeting you online!
R. G.
Marlijn is a great teacher. I feel much more confident to talk in Dutch. She is very helpful and patient.
Marlijn S.