Coordinate conjunctions (en, maar, of, want)

1. What are coordinating conjunctions in Dutch?

In this lesson you see four very common Dutch conjunctions:

• en = and
• maar = but
• of = or
• want = because

They are called nevenschikkende voegwoorden (coordinating conjunctions).

• They connect two things of the same type:
• two words (bread and cheese)
• two phrases (in the morning and in the evening)
• two full sentences (I drink coffee and I eat bread)

2. The one big word order rule

The most important thing for A1:

• With en, maar, of, want, the word order in Dutch is like normal main clause order.

So after these words you get:

• subject + conjugated verb + ...

Conjunction	Correct	Wrong
en	Ik drink koffie en ik eet brood.	Ik drink koffie en eet ik brood.
maar	Ik wil thee, maar ik heb geen suiker.	Ik wil thee, maar heb ik geen suiker.
of	Wil je thee of koffie?
want	Ik eet soep, want het is koud.	Ik eet soep, want koud is het.

Compare with English:

• Dutch: Ik eet soep, want het is koud.
• English: I eat soup, because it is cold.

Structure is very similar here. Use that as a support.

3. Meaning: when do I use which word?

• en – add information (A + B)

Use en when both things are true or both happen.

• Ik eet brood en kaas.
• We koken rijst en groente.

• maar – contrast (A, but B)

Use maar when the second part is different, a problem, or a limit.

• Ik wil koffie, maar ik heb geen tijd.
• Hij kookt graag, maar hij werkt laat.

• of – choice / alternative (A or B)

Use of for options.

• Wil je thee of koffie?
• Eten we pasta of soep vanavond?

• want – reason (because)

Use want to give a simple reason. It feels a bit like spoken "because".

• Ik neem water, want ik heb dorst.
• We eten vroeg, want we werken later.

4. Where can the conjunction stand?

At A1, use these safe positions:

1. Between two words (same function)

• Ik eet brood en kaas.
• Hij wil koffie of thee.
• De soep is warm maar zout.

2. Between two short sentences

• Ik kook. Mijn partner wast af.
  → Ik kook en mijn partner wast af.
• Ik wil sporten. Ik ben moe.
  → Ik wil sporten, maar ik ben moe.
• We eten thuis. Het regent.
  → We eten thuis, want het regent.

Tip: in writing, put a comma before maar and often before want. This is optional in very short sentences, but it helps to read.

5. Typical mistakes and how to avoid them

• 1. Forgetting the subject after the conjunction

Dutch wants a clear subject again:

• Correct: Ik drink koffie en ik eet brood.
• Correct (shorter, only with two verbs): Ik drink en eet brood.
• Wrong: Ik drink koffie en eet brood. (sounds incomplete in A1-style sentences)

As a beginner, play safe: repeat the subject.

• 2. Moving the verb to the end after "want"

Remember: want = coordinating, not like "omdat".

• Correct: Ik eet soep, want het is koud.
• Wrong: Ik eet soep, want het koud is.

• 3. Using "of" when both are true

"Of" is for a choice. If both are true, use en.

• Correct: Ik eet brood en kaas. (I eat both)
• Correct: Wil je brood of kaas? (choose)
• Wrong: Ik eet brood of kaas. (this means: one of them, not clear which)

• 4. Mixing up "maar" and "want"

Think:

• Is the second part a problem / contrast? → use maar.
• Is the second part a reason? → use want.

Compare:

• Ik wil wandelen, maar het regent. (I want X, problem Y)
• Ik neem een jas, want het regent. (I do X, reason Y)

6. Quick decision guide: en, maar, of, want

Question	Use	Example
Are both parts true / happening?	en	Ik werk thuis en ik kook veel.
Is it a choice between A or B?	of	Wil je wijn of bier?
Is the second part a problem, limit or opposite?	maar	Ik heb tijd, maar ik heb geen energie.
Is the second part a reason?	want	Ik ga vroeg naar bed, want ik ben moe.

7. Step‑by‑step: build a longer Dutch sentence

Use these steps to combine two short sentences.

1. Write two simple sentences.

• Ik werk thuis.
• Ik heb veel online meetings.

2. Ask: what is the relation?

• Both are true → use en.

3. Put the conjunction between them.

• Ik werk thuis en ik heb veel online meetings.

4. Check word order after the conjunction.

• Subject first, then verb: ik heb, not *heb ik*.

Do the same with contrast and reason:

• Ik wil sporten. Ik ben moe.
  → Contrast → Ik wil sporten, maar ik ben moe.
• Ik neem koffie. Ik ben moe.
  → Reason → Ik neem koffie, want ik ben moe.

8. Self‑check: can you do this?

Use these questions to test yourself. Answer in your head or on paper.

• 1. Word order

1. After en, maar, of, want, do I put the subject before the verb?
2. Can I correct this? Ik ga naar huis, want moe ben ik.

Target answer: Ik ga naar huis, want ik ben moe.

• 2. Choosing the right conjunction

1. Can I say a sentence with a choice using of?
   • Example pattern: Wil je A of B?
2. Can I say one sentence with a reason using want?
   • Example pattern: Ik doe X, want ik ...
3. Can I say one sentence with a contrast using maar?
   • Example pattern: Ik wil X, maar ik ...

• 3. Short conversation preparation

Try to prepare 3–4 sentences about food or your workday:

• Use at least one en, one maar, and one of.
• Check quickly: is the conjunction meaning correct? Is the verb in second position after the subject?

If you can do these points without thinking too long, you are ready to use en, maar, of, want in conversation.