Dutch sentence structure
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In this chapter you will learn the basic Dutch sentence structure. You can find the explanation of the Dutch main clauses, negations and interrogatives.
Lesson outline
Hide- 1.Elements in Dutch sentences
- 1.1.The subject (onderwerp)
- 1.2.The finite verb (persoonsvorm)
- 1.3.The direct object (lijdend voorwerp)
- 1.4. The indirect object (meewerkend voorwerp)
- 1.5.The prepositional object (voorzetselvoorwerp)
- 1.6.Adverbial clause
- 2.Types of Dutch sentences
- 2.1.Dutch main clauses
- 2.2.Dutch negative clauses
- 2.3.Dutch interrogatives
- 2.4.Dutch conditionals
- 2.5.Dutch relatives
- 2.6.Dutch conjunctions
Elements in Dutch sentences
The Dutch sentences contains various elements; the most important are subject, verb, the direct object and the indirect object:
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1) The subject (onderwerp)
The subject is the person, or object that performs the action in a sentence. The subject can be one or more words.
To find the subject in de sentence, you can ask the question: 'Who or what does something in the sentence?'
| Example | Translation | Subject |
|---|---|---|
| Hij gaat morgen naar school. | He is going to school tomorrow. | Hij (he) |
| Paula eet veel kaas. | Paula eats a lot of cheese. | Paula |
Not all sentences have a subject, for example sentences with an imperative have no subject.
2) The finite verb (persoonsvorm)
The finite verb tells you what something or someone is doing. A sentence can contain multiple verbs, but only one is the finite verb.
To determine what verb of the sentence is the finite one, you can change the tense of the sentence. The verb that changes when doing this, is the finite verb.
| Example | Translation | Finite verb |
|---|---|---|
| Zij kookt eten vanavond. | She cooks dinner tonight. | Kookt (cooks) |
| Herman en Helma zijn tien jaar getrouwd. | Herman and Helma have been married for ten years. | Zijn (have) |
3) The direct object (lijdend voorwerp)
The direct objects undergo the actions of the sentence.
| Example | Translation | Direct object |
|---|---|---|
| Ik eet een banaan. | I eat a banana. | Banaan (banana) |
| Zij zoeken een boek. | They are looking for a book. | Boek (book) |
Not all sentences have direct objects.
4) The indirect object (meewerkend voorwerp)
The indirect object is the one which receives the direct object of the sentence.
| Example | Translation | Indirect object |
|---|---|---|
| Ik ga naar het strand met mijn moeder. | I go to the beach with my mum. | Mijn moeder (my mum) |
| Hij geeft de rozen aan haar. | He gives her roses. | Haar (her) |
Not all sentences have direct objects.
5) The prepositional object (voorzetselvoorwerp)
The prepositional object is a part of the sentence with a fixed preposition. The prepositional object always starts with a preposition that belongs to the main verb in the sentence.
To find the prepositional object the following three aspects are important:
1. The part of the sentence starts with a preposition.
2. The preposition can not be replaced by another preposition without changing the meaning of the sentence.
3. The preposition forms a fixed combination with the predicate.
| Example | Translation | Prepositional object |
|---|---|---|
| Ik wacht op de bus. | I wait for the bus. | Op de bus (for the bus) |
| Hij lijkt op zijn moeder. | He looks like his mum. | Op zijn moeder (like his mum) |
6) Adverbial clause
In Dutch the adverbial clause gives more information about what is expressed in the predicate. The adverbial clause can consist of:
- An adverb
- A noun
- A part of the sentence with a preposition
- A subclause
You can find the adverbial clause by asking one of the following questions:
- Where?
- When?
- How?
- How many?
- How often?
- Where to?
- Why?
- With what?
| Example | Translation | Adverbial clause |
|---|---|---|
| Gisteren ging hij zwemmen. | Yesterday he went swimming. | Gisteren (yesterday) |
| Ik heb vijftig kilometer gefietst. | I biked fifity kilometers. | Vijftig kilometer (fifty kilometers) |
Types of Dutch sentences
1) Dutch main clauses
The Dutch main clauses are independent sentences.
- Ik blijf thuis. = I stay home.
- Mijn ouders zijn oud. = My parents are old.
2) Dutch negative clauses
The Dutch negation is indicated by 'niet' or 'geen'.
- Sara heeft geen broer. = Sara has no brother.
- Het eten is nog niet klaar. = The meal is not ready yet.
3) Dutch interrogatives
The Dutch interrogatives are formed by having the verb and the subject switch places.
- Hoe is het weer? = How is the weather?
- Hebben jullie al een tafel gereserveerd? = Have you already booked a table?
4) Dutch conditionals
A conditional is used to describe a certain proviso and the result if the condition is fulfilled.
- Als het regent, neemt zij een paraplu. = When it rains, she takes an umbrella.
- Als hij meer had gestudeerd, zou hij al afgestudeerd zijn. = If he had studied more, he would have graduated already.
5) Dutch relatives
The relative clauses are used to refer to something in the main clause. The clauses begin with a relative pronoun or adverb.
- Ik hoop dat ze niet te laat aankomen. = I hope they do not arrive too late.
- Wij hebben jouw zus ontmoet met wie Jan nu danst. = We have met your sister with whom Jan is dancing now.
6) Dutch conjunctions
A conjunction usually connects sentences (or sentence parts). The Dutch language knows two kinds of conjunctions:
- Nevenschikkende voegwoorden (coordinating conjunctions)
- Onderschikkende voegwoorden (subordinating conjunctions)
Examples:
- Ze eten bananen en peren. = They eat bananas and pears.
- Ik zou graag Nederlands leren omdat een belangrijk taal is. = I would like to learn Dutch because it is an important language.
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Lessons for beginners to advanced learners (B2 to C1), with a methodical and structured approach
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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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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!
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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 !
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.
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
Y. .
Emilia is a very kind and supportive teacher. With a reasonable amount of lessons I am now able to conduct business meetings completely in Dutch and feel more confident after each lesson. I would highly recommend Emilia as a teacher to anyone interested in learning a new language. Learning a new language is a journey of self improvement and opens you up to new cultures and friends since you can have more authentic conversations. Do yourself a favor and learn a new language!
Emilia I.
Hello, my name is Michel and I'm a Dutch primary school language teacher. I lived in France for 7 years and I worked for an international school that is well known all over France. I moved to Madeira, Portugal and started to work as online Dutch language teacher 4 years ago. Teaching children and adults is my passion aswel as having fun with learning a new language.
My lessons are adapted to your level and due to my job and experience I have acces to teaching methodes to learn you the basics of the Dutch language or to improve your level. I can help you to improve your level of writing and speaking or help you learn your first words and phrases.
C. P.
Johannes is a very good teacher. My friends and I have a group lesson with him every Tuesday night and love that moment. He is very nice, patient, funny, explains really well... in short the best online teacher you can have ! :) We can see we are doing progress every week!
Michel B.
I am Senna Slangen. I teach Dutch and English to non-native speakers in Utrecht and Den Bosch. The classes are from A1 to C1 level. The people I teach are refugees (integration exam and state exam), or expats who have to learn Dutch for work or school. Then it's more about business in Dutch. I would like to help you learn the Dutch language.
I. L.
I can really recommend Senna as a Dutch teacher! She is always on time, there is no problem with communication(I had a few teachers before so I see a difference;)) The material is very diverse - we do a lot of grammar and speaking exercises but also discuss articles from newspapers which contain also more informal Dutch. After 4 months of lessons I see a big progress in my Dutch. Moreover Senna is just a nice and patient person so there is no stress during the lesson :)
Senna S.