Teaching guidelines +/- 15 minutes

Learn Dutch frequency adverbs like altijd (always), soms (sometimes), nooit (never), and dikwijls (often) to describe how often actions occur. Practice using these words correctly in sentences to talk about your daily routines and habits.
  1. The adverb usually follows the verb directly in a main clause.
  2. The adverb usually comes before the verb in a subordinate clause.
Bijwoord (Adverb)Voorbeeld (Example)
Altijd (Always)Ik sport altijd in de sportschool. (I always work out at the gym.)
Nooit (Never)Ik doe nooit aan sport. (I never do sports.)
Dikwijls (Often)Ik loop dikwijls naar de stad. (I often walk to town.)
Soms (Sometimes)Ik sport soms in de middag. (I sometimes exercise in the afternoon.)
Af en toe (From time to time)Wij gaan af en toe naar de bioscoop. (We go to the cinema now and then.)
Telkens (Every time)Telkens als ik daar ben, ga ik hardlopen. (Every time I am there, I go running.)

Exercise 1: Bijwoorden van frequentie (soms, vaak, nooit, ...)

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

vaak, soms, nooit, Telkens, af en toe, altijd

1.
Ik sport ... in de sportschool.
(I often work out at the gym.)
2.
Als ik tijd heb, sport ik ... in de middag.
(If I have time, I sometimes exercise in the afternoon.)
3.
Ik fiets ... naar het werk, want ik heb geen auto.
(I always cycle to work because I don't have a car.)
4.
Hij speelt ... tennis met vrienden.
(He plays tennis with friends occasionally.)
5.
Je bent een beetje lui, want jij doet ... aan sport.
(You are a bit lazy because you never do any sport.)
6.
Ik houd niet zo van sport, daarom doe ik het ....
(I don't like sport very much, that's why I never do it.)
7.
... als ik een wedstrijd heb, bereid ik me goed voor.
(Whenever I have a match, I prepare well.)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct solution

1. Ik sport ___ in de sportschool.

(I ___ exercise in the gym.)

2. Wij gaan ___ naar de bioscoop.

(We go ___ to the cinema.)

3. Hij loopt ___ hard in het park.

(He ___ runs fast in the park.)

4. Zij doet ___ mee aan voetbal.

(She ___ participates in football.)

5. Ik loop ___ naar het werk.

(I ___ walk to work.)

6. ___ als ik ga zwemmen, word ik blij.

(___ I go swimming, I get happy.)

Frequency Adverbs in Dutch (Bijwoorden van frequentie)

This lesson focuses on learning common Dutch adverbs that indicate how often an action takes place. These words help you describe frequency in everyday conversations and writing.

Common Frequency Adverbs

  • altijd – always
  • nooit – never
  • dikwijls – often
  • soms – sometimes
  • af en toe – every now and then
  • telkens – each time, every time

How to Use Frequency Adverbs

Frequency adverbs in Dutch usually follow the verb in a main clause. For example: Ik sport altijd in de sportschool. (I always exercise at the gym.)

In subordinate clauses, the adverb usually comes before the verb: Telkens als ik daar ben, ga ik hardlopen. (Every time I am there, I go running.)

Understanding Placement and Meaning

Learning the position of these adverbs helps in understanding and forming correct Dutch sentences. These small words carry important meaning about how often something happens.

Useful Notes on Dutch and English Differences

English frequency adverbs also describe how often an action occurs but often have more flexible word order. In Dutch, placement differs between main and subordinate clauses, which is important to remember. For example, "always" is altijd in Dutch, and it generally comes right after the verb in main sentences.

Some practical examples include:

  • altijd – always
  • nooit – never
  • soms – sometimes
  • dikwijls – often
  • af en toe – occasionally
  • telkens – every time

These adverbs will help you describe routines, habits, and repeated actions clearly in Dutch.

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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:

Thursday, 17/07/2025 21:54