This lesson teaches key Dutch adverbs like binnenkort (soon), pas (just), misschien (maybe), graag (gladly), and anders (otherwise), essential for expressing time, preference, and possibility clearly in daily conversations.
Bijwoord (Adverb)Betekenis (Meaning)Voorbeeldzin (Example sentence)
binnenkort (soon)In de nabije toekomst (In the near future)Ik begin binnenkort mijn eigen bedrijf. (I will start my own company soon.)
pas (just)Net of onlangs (Just)Ik heb pas de boekhouding gedaan. (I have just done the bookkeeping.)
misschien (maybe)Onzekerheid, mogelijkheid (Uncertainty, possibility)Misschien investeer ik volgende maand in iets groots. (Maybe I will invest in something big next month.)
graag (gladly)Met plezier, wens (With pleasure, wish)Ik werk graag samen met mijn collega's. (I gladly work together with my colleagues.)
anders (otherwise)Alternatief, waarschuwing (Alternative, warning)Je moet het anders aanpakken om winst te maken. (You have to approach it differently to make a profit.)

Exercise 1: Bijwoorden: binnenkort, pas, misschien, graag, anders

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

binnenkort, graag, Misschien, Binnenkort, Pas

1.
... moet ik meer in de marketing investeren.
(Misschien moet ik meer in de marketing investeren. )
2.
... starten we een nieuw bedrijf in de stad.
(Binnenkort starten we een nieuw bedrijf in de stad.)
3.
Mijn collega helpt ... met de boekhouding.
(Mijn collega helpt graag met de boekhouding.)
4.
... na het vergaderen maak ik de winst bekend.
(Pas na het vergaderen maak ik de winst bekend.)
5.
Ik werk ... met mijn collega samen.
(Ik werk graag met mijn collega samen.)
6.
... heeft de concurrent een beter idee.
(Misschien heeft de concurrent een beter idee.)
7.
Ik begin ... met mijn nieuwe administratie.
(Ik begin binnenkort met mijn nieuwe administratie.)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct sentence with the right adverb from the options. Pay close attention to the correct use of the adverbs: binnenkort, pas, misschien, graag, anders.

1.
"Pas" means recently or just, but the combination with "straks" (later) is ungrammatical and illogical in this sentence.
The combination and order of "misschien" and "binnenkort" is confusing and unnatural here.
2.
"Graag" expresses preference, but here "pas" fits better because it concerns a recent action.
"Binnenkort" refers to the future, but the sentence is in past tense; therefore it is incorrect.
3.
The word "al" (already) at the end is unnecessary here and sounds unnatural.
The word order is incorrect; in a main clause the verb always occupies the second position.
4.
The word order is wrong; "graag" should come after the verb.
The combination "anders graag" is grammatically incorrect and illogical.

Adverbs: binnenkort, pas, misschien, graag, anders

This lesson focuses on important Dutch adverbs that express time, preference, or possibility. Understanding these words will help you describe when something happens, your likes, or alternatives in everyday situations.

What You Will Learn

  • binnenkort – means "in the near future" and helps you talk about upcoming events.
  • pas – indicates something happened just recently or a short time ago.
  • misschien – expresses uncertainty or possibility, similar to "maybe" in English.
  • graag – shows willingness or pleasure, like saying "gladly" or "with pleasure."
  • anders – used to suggest an alternative or issue a warning, meaning "otherwise" or "differently."

Examples Explained

For instance, Ik begin binnenkort mijn eigen bedrijf. means you will start your own business soon. Using pas as in Ik heb pas de boekhouding gedaan. shows you did the bookkeeping just recently. Misschien appears in sentences like Misschien investeer ik volgende maand in iets groots. to indicate uncertainty about a future action.

Expressing preferences with graag is natural in Dutch: Ik werk graag samen met mijn collega's. And for giving alternatives or warnings, anders fits well: Je moet het anders aanpakken om winst te maken.

Important Differences and Useful Tips

Unlike English, where word order is more flexible, Dutch requires specific positions, especially for adverbs like misschien, which usually comes at the start or just before the verb. For example, correct Dutch word order in statements is subject–verb–adverb. Saying Misschien ik investeer... is incorrect because the verb must be second.

Useful words and comparisons:

  • binnenkort = "soon" (near future)
  • pas = "just recently" (recent past)
  • misschien = "maybe" (possibility)
  • graag = "gladly" or "like to" (preference)
  • anders = "otherwise" or "differently" (alternative)

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This content has been designed and reviewed by the coLanguage pedagogical team: About coLanguage

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Kato De Paepe

Business and languages

KdG University of Applied Sciences and Arts Antwerp

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Last Updated:

Monday, 01/12/2025 21:59