Present simple tense: regular verbs

Present tense of regular verbs: what is the goal?

• Say what you or someone else does now or regularly.
• Use the correct form for ik, jij, hij/zij, wij, jullie, zij.
• Pay special attention to spelling changes in the stem.

After this explanation you should be able to think: “I know how to make the Dutch present tense, and I see where spelling changes and -t endings come from.”

Step 1 – Find the stem (stam)

The stem is the base form of the verb. You need it for almost all persons.

1. Take the infinitive (the dictionary form, usually ending in -en).
   werken, maken, antwoorden, blijven, reizen
2. Remove -en.

• In most cases, infinitive − en = stem.
• Some spelling changes happen to keep the pronunciation correct. These are shown in the next section.

Step 2 – Spelling changes in the stem (maak, blijf, reis)

Sometimes the spelling of the stem changes when you remove -en. These are regular, predictable patterns.

2a. One vowel + one consonant → double the vowel (maken → maak)

Pattern: the verb has one vowel + one consonant + -en.

Examples: maken, lezen, koken.

• maken → mak → maak
• lezen → lez → lees
• koken → kok → kook

Why? In Dutch, a single vowel before one consonant is usually short. To keep the vowel long, you write it double: a → aa, e → ee, o → oo, u → uu.

2b. v → f in the stem (blijven → blijf)

Pattern: infinitive ends in -ven.

• blijven → blijf (v → f)
• schrijven → schrijf
• geven → geef

At the end of a syllable, Dutch does not write v, but f, even though you still hear a /v/ sound.

2c. z → s in the stem (reizen → reis)

Pattern: infinitive ends in -zen.

• reizen → reis (z → s)
• lezen → lees
• verhuizen → verhuis

At the end of a syllable, Dutch does not write z, but s, even though you still hear a /z/ sound.

Step 3 – Add the endings for each subject

Once you know the stem, the endings are simple. For regular verbs:

So the basic pattern is:

• ik: stem
• jij / hij / zij: stem + t
• wij / jullie / zij (plural): infinitive (-en)

Step 4 – The special case: jij in questions and after the verb

This is a point many learners find confusing. Dutch makes a small change when jij / je comes after the verb.

• Normal order (subject first): jij + stem + t
  • Jij werkt hier.
  • Je maakt een afspraak.
• In a yes/no question (verb first): stem (no -t) + jij/je
  • Werk jij hier?
  • Maak je een afspraak?
  • Blijf jij hier tot ik terugkom?

So:

• Jij + verb → usually -t.
• Verb + jij in a question → usually no -t.

Wrong examples (cross these out in your head):

• Werk jijt hier?
• Maak jijkt een afspraak?

Step 5 – Extra t or not? (antwoord / antwoordt)

Another typical doubt: antwoord vs antwoordt.

• ik → no -t: ik antwoord
• jij / hij / zij (subject before verb) → add -t: jij antwoordt, hij antwoordt
• jij? (verb first in a question) → no -t: Antwoord jij snel?

It looks heavy in writing (a lot of consonants), but the rule is still the same:

• ik: stem
• jij/hij/zij: stem + t (unless jij comes after the verb)

Step 6 – Quick overview with the verbs in the table

Step 7 – Mini self-check: can you do this?

Use these questions to check if you understand the system. If you can answer them, you are ready to practise in conversation.

1. Stem check
   Can you quickly find the stem of these verbs?
   werken, bellen, lezen, blijven, reizen, maken
   → Say them aloud: werk, bel, lees, blijf, reis, maak.
2. Pronoun check
   Can you produce the form for all persons?
   Example verb: maken.
   • ik …
   • jij …
   • hij …
   • wij …
   • jullie …
   • zij …
   Compare with: ik maak, jij maakt, hij maakt, wij maken, jullie maken, zij maken.
3. Question check with jij
   Can you turn this into a yes/no question?
   Jij werkt nu thuis.
   → Werk jij nu thuis?
4. Spelling check
   Do you know why we write ik blijf and not ik blijv, and ik reis and not ik reiz?
   If yes, you understand the v→f and z→s rules.

If one of these questions feels difficult, go back to that step and look again at the pattern and the examples. Work slowly and say the forms aloud – this helps you connect spelling and sound.