Learn to give advice in Dutch using key expressions like "Ik adviseer je om..." and "In jouw plaats..." along with the correct use of the infinitive with 'om' and the conditional form (onvoltooid verleden toekomende tijd).
  1. With the onvoltooid verleden toekomende tijd you can give advice to someone.
  2. In the expressions with 'om', you only use the infinitive.
Uitdrukking (Expression)Voorbeeld (Example)
Ik adviseer je om... (I advise you to...)Ik adviseer je om je toekomst goed te plannen. (I advise you to plan your future well.)
In jouw plaats... (If I were you...)In jouw plaats zou ik je dromen realiseren. (If I were you, I would realise your dreams.)
Als ik jou was... (If I were you...)Als ik jou was, zou ik een beroep kiezen dat ik leuk vind. (If I were you, I would choose a profession that I like.)
Ik raad je aan om... (I advise you to...)Ik raad je aan om je wens snel te vervullen. (I advise you to fulfil your wish quickly.)
Ik zou... (I would...)Ik zou reizen rond de wereld. (I would travel around the world.)

Exercise 1: Advies geven

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

In jouw plaats, Ik adviseer je, Als ik jou was, zou, Ik raad je aan om

1.
..., zou ik vaker dromen najagen.
(If I were you, I would chase dreams more often.)
2.
... nog eens na te denken over dat onmogelijke idee.
(I recommend you to think again about that impossible idea.)
3.
... zou ik kiezen voor een creatief beroep.
(If I were you, I would choose a creative profession.)
4.
Ik ... een wens vervullen als ik de kans kreeg.
(I would grant a wish if I got the chance.)
5.
Je ... de wereldreis nu al kunnen voorbereiden.
(You could already start preparing the world trip.)
6.
... om nu te beginnen met plannen.
(I advise you to start planning now.)
7.
..., zou ik een wereldreis maken volgend jaar.
(If I were you, I would go on a world trip next year.)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct sentence in which advice is given according to the rules of the past future tense or the infinitive with 'om'.

1.
Incorrect word order and missing 'om' before the infinitive.
Incorrect usage; with 'I advise you' the infinitive with 'om' should be used, not a subordinate clause with 'that'.
2.
Wrong construction; 'om' is not used with the past future tense.
Incorrect tense and form; it should be 'I would take' to give advice.
3.
Incorrect word order and missing verb form 'I would'.
Unnecessary use of 'om' when giving advice in this construction.
4.
Wrong; it should be the infinitive with 'om', not a subordinate clause with 'that'.
Missing the preposition 'aan' and 'om' with the infinitive after 'I recommend you'.

Giving Advice in Dutch

This lesson focuses on how to express advice in Dutch, particularly useful for everyday conversations and formal suggestions. It covers expressions that allow you to politely recommend actions or choices to others using specific grammatical constructions.

Key Expressions for Giving Advice

  • Ik adviseer je om... (I advise you to...)
  • In jouw plaats... (In your place...)
  • Als ik jou was... (If I were you...)
  • Ik raad je aan om... (I recommend you to...)
  • Ik zou... (I would...)

These phrases are commonly followed by either the infinitive form of a verb introduced by om or the imperfect future tense (onvoltooid verleden toekomende tijd).

Grammar Notes

The infinitive with om is used after advising expressions like Ik adviseer je om and Ik raad je aan om. The imperfect future tense, formed with zou plus an infinitive, is typical after expressions such as In jouw plaats, Als ik jou was, and Ik zou. For example, “Ik adviseer je om je toekomst goed te plannen.” means “I advise you to plan your future well.”

Usage Tips

  • Use the infinitive with om only when the advising verb requires it.
  • Apply the imperfect future tense for hypothetical or polite suggestions.
  • Remember, when using om, it is followed solely by the infinitive form of the verb.

Comparison to English

In English, advice often takes the form "I advise you to..." or "If I were you, I would..." Dutch uses similar structures but requires attention to verb forms and prepositions. The infinitive is introduced with the preposition om, which can be translated as "to" in English. For example:

  • Dutch: Ik adviseer je om te studeren. — English: "I advise you to study."
  • Dutch: Als ik jou was, zou ik reizen. — English: "If I were you, I would travel."

Understanding these distinctions helps in forming correct and natural advice phrases in Dutch.

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Kato De Paepe

Business and languages

KdG University of Applied Sciences and Arts Antwerp

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Last Updated:

Saturday, 30/08/2025 23:50