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.
The Dutch sentences contains various elements; the most important are subject, verb, the direct object and the indirect object:
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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.
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) |
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.
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.
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) |
In Dutch the adverbial clause gives more information about what is expressed in the predicate. The adverbial clause can consist of:
You can find the adverbial clause by asking one of the following questions:
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) |
The Dutch main clauses are independent sentences.
The Dutch negation is indicated by 'niet' or 'geen'.
The Dutch interrogatives are formed by having the verb and the subject switch places.
A conditional is used to describe a certain proviso and the result if the condition is fulfilled.
The relative clauses are used to refer to something in the main clause. The clauses begin with a relative pronoun or adverb.
A conjunction usually connects sentences (or sentence parts). The Dutch language knows two kinds of conjunctions:
Examples:
And now train your skills with the exercices below!
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Hello, my name is Michel and I'm a Dutch primary school language teacher. I moved to France in 2013 and for 7 years I worked for an international school that is well known all over France. Teaching children and adults is my passion.
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.
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Dutch lessons (all levels).
I specialize in teaching you how to apply grammar, have a fluent conversation and to improve your writing skills. Moreover, I have helped Dutch speaking students to pass their NT1 exams as well as NT2 students with their language-exams.
So....
Would you like to take some extra lessons, before, in between or after your regular courses or prepare specifically for your exams? Contact me for a trial lesson.
Are you a Dutch student, struggling with the NT1 exams? Book a lesson with me and we can do this together.
Are you an expat, new resident or student in the Netherlands and looking for a loyal language companion who helps you through the dazzling maze of the Dutch language? Book with me and let me know how I can be of any help.
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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.
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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 :)
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Hi, Mi name is Paul. I'm a certified (TEFL, ELE) teacher with over 10 years of experience in language teaching. I am actually teaching business clients and individuals.
I always try to keep the classes informal and relaxed. It's important that the students like the class, and that they feel comfortable. That results in progress, and that's exactly what we want.
The focus is on conversation (so pronunciation!) and understanding but also reading and writing are important to improve active vocabulary.
Now grammar is also important to understand the structure of a language, but I only touch grammar when needed, so that depends a lot on the level (from A1 to C2).
For lower-level students who still need some native language in class, I speak fluently Spanish, Dutch and some German and French.
The first class is free of charge, so just try it! I'm sure you'll like it.
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Paul has done well gauging my level and then setting up lessons to match. With a combination of grammar, pronunciation, and learning new words. And now with more focused work and being able to come up with sentences.
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My name is Brenda and I am born in the Netherlands. At the moment I live in Nijmegen, the oldest city of the Netherlands. A lot of foreign students live here because it is a university city.
I have been interested in languages from an early age. That is why I have learned English, German, French and Spanish. But in my area I am mainly known for my excellent Dutch language skills and my eye for spelling and grammar.
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Brenda is a very friendly and easy-going teacher. She is very well-organised and flexible. During each lesson time just flies cause it's really enjoyable. I am an absolute beginner and I was afraid to start learning a new language from scratch but now I'm confident that I will make it. She can help you learn the language really fast with no stress or tension. Looking forward to my next lesson!
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I am learning Czech with Dita since a few weeks and I willingly recommend her. She has very good communication skills and she makes sure that the lessons are motivating. The lessons are a good mix of dialogues, reading and exercises. Of course there is also some grammar, but limited to what is needed, never too long.
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We focused a lot on pronunciation of words and Linda was very helpful, particularly on all those Dutch sounds so difficult for foreigners!
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Dutch lessons (all levels).
I specialize in teaching you how to apply grammar, have a fluent conversation and to improve your writing skills. Moreover, I have helped Dutch speaking students to pass their NT1 exams as well as NT2 students with their language-exams.
So....
Would you like to take some extra lessons, before, in between or after your regular courses or prepare specifically for your exams? Contact me for a trial lesson.
Are you a Dutch student, struggling with the NT1 exams? Book a lesson with me and we can do this together.
Are you an expat, new resident or student in the Netherlands and looking for a loyal language companion who helps you through the dazzling maze of the Dutch language? Book with me and let me know how I can be of any help.
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Monique is an incredibly patient, warm, and encouraging teacher, I feel much more competent in my language skills and testing abilities after only a few lessons. Highly recommend!
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Hello,
I'm offering informal Dutch and English lessons based on conversation and will conduct my lessons for as much as possible in the target language.
I use text, weblinks to tv shows to get us talking and am a fan of the TPRS method.
There's a lot of information on that method online. Basically it's getting to know the structure Dutch and English through simple conversation. (questions about 1 or several sentences on any topic)
I have some useful weblinks to tv shows in Dutch (with subtitles in Dutch) adjusted to your level and the shows are entertaining too. :-)
We can discuss the shows preferably in the target language of course.
I can explain some grammar too if needed and have articles and books ready to read from. This again will be adjusted to your proficiency. But of course if you'd like to focus on a topic which has your interest that is possible as well. This makes it more personal and more fun.
I've been teaching for about a year now on another platform to students from all over the world and really enjoy having the experience again as I used to be a vocal coach back in the days when I attended conservatory in the Netherlands.
I hope to see you here on Co language. :-)
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Less is knowledgeable about teaching. He was positive and encouraging. During the lessons we followed a good routine. Reading aloud and accent corrections. Then review of homework followed by a TPRS exercise. He was always well prepared and punctual. I highly recommend him.
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I'm a venezuelan living in France since 2013 where I teach Spanish at university level and prepare my PhD. I love languages and communication, I am also interested in knowing different cultures and their history.
In my classes I help my students to feel comfortable when they speak Spanish, I also explain grammar and answer all questions about any subject related to Spanish language. For over five years I've been teaching Spanish in France and online full time.
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Paul is a great teacher, very patient and motivating. The lessons are prepared and personalised. I definitely recommend taking lessons with Paul!
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Dutch lessons (all levels).
I specialize in teaching you how to apply grammar, have a fluent conversation and to improve your writing skills. Moreover, I have helped Dutch speaking students to pass their NT1 exams as well as NT2 students with their language-exams.
So....
Would you like to take some extra lessons, before, in between or after your regular courses or prepare specifically for your exams? Contact me for a trial lesson.
Are you a Dutch student, struggling with the NT1 exams? Book a lesson with me and we can do this together.
Are you an expat, new resident or student in the Netherlands and looking for a loyal language companion who helps you through the dazzling maze of the Dutch language? Book with me and let me know how I can be of any help.
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Hello, I’ve had two lessons with Monique till now but I’d like to keep having lessons with her. She is an exceptional experienced teacher and I like her learning approach, as well as the material she uses in order to help me reach my goals. She is also patient, communicative, supportive and she encourages me to become even better. I am really looking forward to keep up learning Dutch with Monique.
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