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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As non-native parents it is certainly not easy to teach your children Dutch or to help with the fluency of the new language. Who wants some extra exercise for his children? I can help you with that. As their vocabulary becomes more and more extensive and their sentences become increasingly fluid, your children will get more and more self-confident. To speak well the Dutch language will surely benefit them now and later.
Do your children need some help with their homework, especially with their Dutch, then I can help with that.
Even as non-native-speaking adults, it is sometimes difficult to have enough exercise. That is why also adults who want to make progress in speaking the Dutch language are welcome here! We can practice the everyday language together.
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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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