Main clauses and yes/no questions

1. Two sentence types: main clause and yes/no question

In this unit you work with two very common sentence types:

• Hoofdzin (main clause): a normal statement.
• Ja/nee-vraag (yes/no question): a question you can answer with ja or nee.

The words are the same. Only the order changes.

2. Step 1: Find subject, verb and “rest”

First, see the three main parts in a simple Dutch sentence:

• Subject (who or what does the action?) – often: ik, jij, hij, zij, wij, jullie, u, Jan, mijn collega, …
• Verb (the conjugated verb) – for example: woon, woont, is, zijn, werk, werkt.
• Rest (everything after the verb) – place, time, object, etc.

Self-check: Can you point to the subject, verb and rest in the examples from your book?

3. Main clause: subject – verb – rest

In a simple main clause, the rule is very stable:

• 1st position: subject
• 2nd position: verb
• Then: the rest

Examples:

• Ik kom uit Engeland.
• Ik woon nu in Utrecht.
• Jan leest een boek in zijn kamer.

Keep the verb very early in the sentence (2nd position). That is typical Dutch.

4. Yes/no questions: verb – subject – rest

For a yes/no question, you move the verb to the front.

• 1st position: verb
• 2nd position: subject
• Then: the rest (same order as before)

Important: Only the order of subject and verb changes. The rest stays where it was.

5. Step-by-step: from main clause to yes/no question

1. Start from a correct main clause (subject – verb – rest).
2. Switch the first two elements: put the verb first, then the subject.
3. Keep the rest exactly the same.
4. Add a question mark.

Example 1:

• Main clause: Jij werkt morgen thuis.
• Question: Werk jij morgen thuis?

Example 2:

• Main clause: Wij wonen al twee jaar in Nederland.
• Question: Wonen wij al twee jaar in Nederland?

Self-check: Cover the examples and try to form the question yourself. Then compare.

6. Step-by-step: from yes/no question back to main clause

1. Start from the question (verb – subject – rest).
2. Switch the first two elements: put the subject first, then the verb.
3. Keep the rest the same.

Example 1:

• Question: Ga je morgen naar de gemeente?
• Main clause: Jij gaat morgen naar de gemeente.

Example 2:

• Question: Werken jullie op zaterdag?
• Main clause: Jullie werken op zaterdag.

Tip: This is very useful in conversation. Repeat a question as a statement to check information.

7. Questions with zijn (to be)

The verb zijn follows exactly the same order rules.

Common mistake:

• Jouw postcode is 1234 AB? (spoken Dutch sometimes, but not a clear yes/no question form)
• Correct: Is jouw postcode 1234 AB?

8. Watch out for verb endings with jij/je

In Dutch, the verb form sometimes looks different in a question with jij/je than in a statement.

More examples:

• Jij werkt in Amsterdam. → Werk jij in Amsterdam?
• Je krijgt morgen bezoek. → Krijg je morgen bezoek?
• Je ontvangt vaak e-mails. → Ontvang je vaak e-mails?

Rule to remember: With jij/je directly after the verb in a question, the verb usually loses the -t.

9. Quick self-check: do I have the order right?

Use this mini checklist when you are not sure:

1. What type of sentence do I want?
   • Statement → hoofdzin.
   • Yes/no question → ja/nee-vraag.
2. Where is my verb?
   • Hoofdzin → verb is in 2nd position.
   • Ja/nee-vraag → verb is in 1st position.
3. Is the rest still in the same order?
   • Place, time, object, etc. stay together after subject+verb.
4. Is my verb form correct?
   • Especially with jij/je in questions: check the -t.

10. What you should now be able to do

• Recognise subject, verb and rest in a simple Dutch sentence.
• Make a correct hoofdzin with the order: subject – verb – rest.
• Turn that hoofdzin into a ja/nee-vraag by moving the verb in front of the subject.
• Turn a yes/no question back into a main clause.
• Pay attention to the -t with jij/je in questions.

If you can do these five points with the sentences in the unit, you are ready to use them in conversation.