Coordinating and subordinating conjunctions

1. What are conjunctions in Dutch?

• Conjunctions (voegwoorden) connect two parts of a sentence.
• In this chapter you work with:
• Coordinating conjunctions – they connect two main clauses.
• Subordinating conjunctions – they introduce a subclause (bijzin).
• om / zonder + te + infinitive – to express purpose or something you do not do.
• The most important thing: word order changes or stays the same, depending on the conjunction.

2. Coordinating conjunctions – word order stays normal

Typical coordinating conjunctions you need now:

• en (and)
• maar (but)
• of (or)
• want (because)

They connect two main clauses. The rule is simple:

• In each clause: [Subject] – [finite verb] – …
• The conjunction does not change the word order after it.

Common error to avoid

• Do not move the verb after the conjunction:
• Ik ga met pensioen en geniet ik van mijn vrije tijd.
• Correct: Ik ga met pensioen en ik geniet van mijn vrije tijd.

Quick self-check:

• Can you clearly see a subject right after the conjunction?
• Is the finite verb the second element in that clause?
• If yes → you are using a coordinating conjunction correctly.

3. Subordinating conjunctions – verb goes to the end

Subordinating conjunctions you need now:

• als (when / if)
• dat (that)
• of (if / whether)
• omdat (because)

They introduce a subclause (bijzin). In a subclause the rule is:

• [conjunction] + [subject] + … + [finite verb at the end]

Common errors to avoid

• Putting the verb in second position in the subclause:
• Ik hoop dat ik kan gauw met pensioen gaan.
• Correct: Ik hoop dat ik gauw met pensioen kan gaan.

Quick self-check:

1. Find the subordinating conjunction (als, dat, of, omdat).
2. Find the subject right after it.
3. Move the finite verb (kan, ben, heb, wil, mag, doe…) all the way to the end of the subclause.
4. Everything else (time, place, objects) goes between subject and final verb.

If this is true, your subclause word order is correct.

4. Main clause + subclause vs subclause + main clause

You can put the subclause at the end or at the beginning.

• Option 1: Main clause first

Pattern:

• [Main clause: S – V – …] + comma + [als / omdat / dat / of + S … V]

Example:

• Ik ga minder werken, omdat ik meer vrije tijd wil.

• Option 2: Subclause first

Now the whole subclause counts as position 1. In the main clause that follows:

• the finite verb comes directly after the comma.
• the subject comes after the verb.

Common error to avoid

• Als ik met pensioen ben, ik ga meer reizen.
• Correct: Als ik met pensioen ben, ga ik meer reizen.

Quick self-check for “subclause first” sentences:

1. Look after the comma.
2. Is the first word a verb? (e.g. ga, werk, woon, heb)
3. Is the subject (ik, hij, wij, mijn partner, etc.) after that verb?

If yes, the structure is correct.

5. The double function of of

of can be:

• a coordinating conjunction: “or”
• a subordinating conjunction: “if / whether”

How to recognise which one it is?

• If you can translate it as “or” between two options → coordinating, normal word order.
• If you can translate it as “whether / if” introducing an indirect question → subordinating, verb at the end.

6. om / zonder + te + infinitive – purpose and contrast

These constructions use “te + infinitive” (full verb).

• om … te + infinitive = to / in order to
• zonder … te + infinitive = without (doing something)

Form rule

• om / zonder + te + infinitive
• “te” is always directly before the infinitive.
• The infinitive is the full dictionary form: werken, rusten, reizen, sparen.

Common errors to avoid

• Piet gaat met pensioen om rusten te.
• Piet gaat met pensioen om te rust.
• Correct: Piet gaat met pensioen om te rusten.

Quick self-check:

1. Find om or zonder.
2. Check: Is te directly before the infinitive?
3. Check: Is the infinitive complete (werken, reizen, sparen), not cut off?

7. Step-by-step: decide the word order

Use this small decision tree when you build a sentence:

1. What conjunction do I use?
   • en, maar, of, want → coordinating.
   • als, dat, of (whether), omdat → subordinating.
   • om, zonder + te → infinitive construction.
2. Coordinating?
   • Keep normal word order: [S – V – …] on both sides.
3. Subordinating and subclause is at the end?
   • Make the subclause: [conjunction + S + … + V at the end].
4. Subclause first?
   • Subclause: [conjunction + S + … + V at the end].
   • Main clause after comma: [V – S – …].
5. om / zonder + te?
   • Pattern: om / zonder + te + infinitive.

8. Short practice: can you explain these to yourself?

Use these as a quick self-test. Try to say the rule in your own words.

1. Why is this correct?
   Ik stop met werken, want ik ben 67 jaar.
   • Ask yourself: Is want coordinating or subordinating?
   • Where is the verb in the second clause?
2. Why is the verb at the end here?
   Ik vraag mij af of ik genoeg pensioen heb.
   • What kind of conjunction is of here?
   • Can you identify the subclause?
3. Can you transform this?
   Start: Ik ga met pensioen, omdat ik meer wil reizen.
   Change the order:
   • Result should be: Omdat ik meer wil reizen, ga ik met pensioen.
   • Check: verb at the end of the subclause, verb first in the main clause.
4. Can you add an “om te” purpose?
   Start: Ik ga minder werken.
   Add a purpose with om te.
   • Example: Ik ga minder werken om meer tijd met mijn familie te hebben.
   • Check “om … te + infinitive”.

If you can answer these questions and correct your own sentences, you are ready to use these conjunctions in conversations about retirement and work.