Image Credit: iamwahid

Word order in Dutch is one of the grammar topics that many non-native Dutch speakers notice a difference with. I know it is something that trips me up quite often, especially when I am making longer sentences.

Word order isn’t something that I can cover in one post, so do watch out for further posts. Not to mention, if you know a trick, tip or better way of explaining something, do jump in. Sometimes hearing the same thing in another way can make all the difference. So let’s start out simple with word order in main clauses.

In a main clause (hoofdzin) the conjugated verb takes the second position. The other sentence parts (place, objects, adverbs of time, etc) come after the verb.

Jan werkt op vrijdag in de tuin.

There are of course exceptions, the main three are:

1. When the subject is not the first part of the sentence, the verb stays in the second position and the subject moves to the third.

Vandaag werkt Jan hard.

2. When the sentence is a yes/no question, the verb moves to the first position.

Werkt Jan morgen hard?

3. When the sentence is in the command form, it begins with the verb.

Kom vanavond naar de bioscoop!

Learn this chant: “time, manner, place”

Where the other sentence parts go in the clause isn’t just randomly picked. They typically follow the order: time, manner, place.

Jan werkt op vrijdag hard in de tuin.

The “Tongs” Construction

When a main clause contains more than one verb (auxiliary, main verb, modal, etc) the ‘helping’ verb is conjugated to match the subject and is placed in the second position. The other verb(s), usually in the infinitive or past participle form, move to the end of the clause. The rest of the clause is squeezed between the two verb parts.

Jan kan met de trein naar zijn werk gaan.

Jan is vandaag met de trein naar zijn werk gegaan.

Practice: Because we haven’t covered everything about word order, for example subordinated clauses and conjunctions, I don’t recommend that you go out dissecting every Dutch sentence you see. Instead, try looking for sentences that do follow what we have covered above. In particular, scope out sentences that have word order in the time, manner, place structure.

Answers from Thursday’s Post

1. Wie is je beste vriendin?
2. Wat wil je eten?
3. Welke/Wat voor kleur zoekt u?
4. Hoe laat vertrekt de trein naar Rotterdam?
5. Welke bus rijdt naar het centrum?
6. Wat kost een enkele reis naar Den Haag?