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Learn the general Dutch sentence structure with key elements: onderwerp (subject), persoonsvorm (verb), tijd (time), lijdend voorwerp (object), and plaats (place). Example: "Pedro eet om 12 uur een banaan op het werk."
  1. Structure: onderwerp + persoonsvorm + tijd + lijdend voorwerp + plaats.
Plaats (Place)Voorbeeld (Example)Toelichting (Explanation)
1e plaats (1st position)PedroOnderwerp (Subject)
2e plaats (2nd position)eetPersoonsvorm (Finite verb)
3e plaats (3rd position)om 12 uurTijd (Time)
4e plaats (4th position)een banaanLijdend voorwerp (Direct object)
5e plaats (5th position)op het werk.Plaats (Place)

Exercise 1: Algemene zinsbouw

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

de instructies, Ik, identiteitskaart, De piloot, controleert

1.
De stewardess ... de veiligheidsgordel voor het opstijgen.
(The flight attendant checks the seatbelt before takeoff.)
2.
Piet toont zijn ... aan de balie.
(Piet shows his identity card at the counter.)
3.
... check in bij de balie op de luchthaven.
(I check in at the desk at the airport.)
4.
Wij volgen ... van de stewardess goed.
(We follow the instructions of the stewardess carefully.)
5.
... bestuurt het vliegtuig op een veilige manier.
(The pilot flies the aircraft in a safe manner.)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct sentence with proper general sentence structure according to the fixed order: subject + finite verb + time + direct object + place, suitable for practical situations at the airport and in the airplane.

1.
The finite verb 'checks' should be right after the subject; 'at 10 o'clock' is now between the subject and finite verb, which is incorrect.
The finite verb 'checks' must come immediately after the subject 'The traveler'. Time indications at the beginning of a declarative sentence cause incorrect word order without inversion, which is not correct here.
2.
This sentence lacks a subject before the finite verb, making it look like a question; the fixed word order for declarative sentences is not followed.
The time indication 'today' must come immediately after the finite verb; placing 'today' after the direct object breaks the fixed order.
3.
The subject 'We' must come before the finite verb; the direct object must not be at the beginning of the sentence, as it disrupts the sentence structure.
The time indication 'at 2 p.m.' must come immediately after the finite verb; here it is too far behind, disrupting the fixed order.
4.
The subject 'The staff' must come before the finite verb; here the sentence begins with the direct object, which is not correct for the fixed order.
The time indication 'at 8 o'clock' should come immediately after the finite verb and before the direct object; here it is too far at the end.

Introduction to General Sentence Structure in Dutch

This lesson covers the general word order in Dutch sentences, a fundamental aspect of mastering Dutch sentence construction. Understanding the fixed sequence of elements helps you form clear and grammatically correct sentences, enhancing both your speaking and writing skills at the A2 level.

The Basic Sentence Elements and Their Order

In Dutch, a simple sentence generally follows a strict order: subject, finite verb, time, direct object, and place. This structure is key to forming sentences that Dutch speakers find natural and easy to understand.

PositionExampleExplanation
1st positionPedroSubject
2nd positioneetFinite verb
3rd positionom 12 uurTime
4th positioneen banaanDirect object
5th positionop het werk.Place

The overall structure is: subject + finite verb + time + direct object + place.

Key Vocabulary in Sentence Construction

  • Onderwerp (Subject): The person or thing performing the action, e.g., Pedro, De reiziger (The traveler).
  • Persoonsvorm (Finite verb): The main verb that shows tense and agrees with the subject, e.g., eet (eats), checkt (checks).
  • Tijd (Time): When the action occurs, e.g., om 12 uur (at 12 o’clock), vandaag (today).
  • Lijdend voorwerp (Direct object): The recipient of the action, e.g., een banaan (a banana), zijn koffer (his suitcase).
  • Plaats (Place): Where the action happens, e.g., op het werk (at work), bij de balie (at the counter).

Differences Between English and Dutch Sentence Structure

English often allows a more flexible word order in simple sentences, but Dutch adheres to a stricter sequence, especially the mandatory position of the finite verb as the second element in main clauses. For example, adjectives and time expressions come directly after the verb, and the subject must precede the verb without interruption unless the sentence starts with another element causing inversion.

Useful phrases demonstrating this include:

  • De reiziger checkt om 10 uur zijn koffer in bij de balie. – "The traveler checks in his suitcase at the counter at 10 o’clock." Here, "checkt" (checks) immediately follows the subject "De reiziger" (the traveler).
  • Wij kiezen om 14 uur een comfortabele stoel bij het raam. – "We choose a comfortable seat by the window at 2 o’clock." Time expression "om 14 uur" is right after the verb "kiezen" (choose).

Summary

Mastering the onderwerp + persoonsvorm + tijd + lijdend voorwerp + plaats sentence order is essential for forming clear Dutch sentences. Remember to keep the finite verb in the second position, place time expressions just after the verb, and follow with the direct object and the place. These elements form the backbone of understandable communication in everyday contexts such as traveling or work.

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Kato De Paepe

Business and languages

KdG University of Applied Sciences and Arts Antwerp

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Last Updated:

Tuesday, 02/09/2025 06:31