The adverb: er

What “er” does (and why it’s so common)

Er is a small Dutch word with several jobs. The main idea is:

• It prevents repetition (like “there/it/of it/of them”).
• It helps Dutch sentence structure (especially with “there is/there are”).
• It combines with prepositions (erop, erin, ermee…)

Think of er as a practical “placeholder word” that points back to something already known or introduces something new.

Quick choice: which “er” do you need?

1. Do you mean “there is/there are”?
   • Use er as a provisional subject.
   • Er is (singular) / Er zijn (plural)
2. Do you mean “(of) it / (of) them” with a number?
   • Use er before the number: Ik neem er twee.
3. Do you need “preposition + it/that” (on it, in it, with it)?
   • Use er + preposition: erop, erin, ermee, erover…
4. Are you referring back to a place/thing/experience already mentioned?
   • Use er to avoid repeating the noun.

1) “Er” as provisional subject: “There is/There are”

• Er is + one thing/person
• Er zijn + multiple things/people

Self-check: Can you replace it with English “there is/there are”? If yes, Dutch usually needs er.

2) “Er” to avoid repetition: “there / about it / from it”

When you already named a place or thing, Dutch often uses er instead of repeating the noun.

• Zie je die apotheek? Ik heb er gewerkt. (= in that pharmacy)
• Heb je al eens een vaccin laten zetten? Ja, ik heb er veel last van gehad. (= from that)

Tip: If English would naturally use there or it without naming the noun again, Dutch often uses er.

3) “Er + preposition” (erop, erin, ermee…): one word

If you mean on it / in it / with it / about it / for it, Dutch often uses:

er + preposition → one word

Common mistake: er op is usually wrong in this meaning. Write erop, erin, ermee, etc.

4) “Er” before numbers: “two of them”

If the noun is known, Dutch uses er + number:

• Hoeveel tabletten neem je? Ik neem er twee. (= two of them)
• Heeft u nog capsules nodig? Ja, ik wil er drie. (= three of them)

Self-check: Can you say “two of them” in English? Then Dutch likely needs er.

5) “Er” in passive sentences: “something is being done”

In Dutch passive, er often appears when the doer is not important or not mentioned.

• Er wordt met medicijnen behandeld. (= treatment is done with medication)
• Er wordt vandaag extra gecontroleerd. (= extra checks are being done today)

Focus: the action, not who does it.

Mini checklist: are you using “er” correctly?

1. Er is/Er zijn for “there is/there are”.
2. Er + number for “two/three of them”.
3. Er+preposition is written as one word: erop/erin/ermee/erover.
4. If you repeat a noun, ask: Can I replace it with “er”?

If you can explain what er refers to (place/thing/experience/quantity), you’re using it consciously—and that’s the key at B1.