Teaching guidelines +/- 15 minutes

This lesson explains the Dutch sentence order, focusing on the 'voorzetselgroep' (prepositional phrase) like 'op het werk' and the position of verbs such as 'heeft' and past participles like 'gegeten'. Learn to recognize components like onderwerp (subject), persoonsvorm (finite verb), and lijdend voorwerp (object).
  1. Sometimes there is a second verb in the sentence. This verb usually comes at the end of the sentence.
  2. A prepositional phrase is a part of a sentence that begins with a preposition.
  3. A prepositional phrase can stand before or after the second verb.
Plaats (Place)Voorbeeld (Example)Toelichting (Explanation)
1e plaatsPietOnderwerp (Subject)
2e plaatsheeftPersoonsvorm (finite verb)
3e plaatseen banaanLijdend voorwerp (Direct object)
4e plaatsgegeten2e werkwoord (second verb)
5e plaatsop het werk.Voorzetselgroep (prepositional phrase)

Exercise 1: Voorzetselgroep

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

aan de balie, gecontroleerd, op de luchthaven, in de cockpit, gevolgd, veiligheidsgordel

1.
Wij hebben de instructies van de stewardess ...
(We followed the instructions of the flight attendant)
2.
Ik toon mijn identiteitskaart ....
(I show my identity card at the counter.)
3.
Hij checkt in ....
(He checks in at the airport.)
4.
Zij draagt haar ... in het vliegtuig.
(She is wearing her seatbelt on the plane.)
5.
De piloot blijft ... tijdens de turbulentie.
(The pilot stays in the cockpit during the turbulence.)
6.
De stewardess heeft de veiligheidsgordel ... voor de start.
(The flight attendant checked the seatbelt before the start.)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct sentence with the proper general sentence structure according to the fixed order: subject + finite verb + time + direct object + place.

1.
Incorrect order: the finite verb (checks) must be directly after the subject, here it is too far back.
Incorrect word order: the finite verb is not in the second position; the subject must come directly after the finite verb.
2.
The finite verb must come directly after the subject; here it is too far back.
In a normal declarative sentence, the finite verb may not precede the subject.
3.
Time must be in the third position; here it is incorrectly before the finite verb and subject.
Time must come after the finite verb and before the direct object; here the time is too late in the sentence.
4.
Time must come directly after the finite verb and before the direct object.
Time must be in the third position, after subject and finite verb, not before the subject.

Understanding the 'Voorzetselgroep' in Dutch Sentences

This lesson focuses on the concept of the voorzetselgroep, which is a prepositional phrase providing additional details such as place or direction within a sentence. Common examples include expressions like op straat (on the street), bij de bakker (at the bakery), and in de klas (in the classroom).

Sentence Structure Overview

Dutch sentences with a voorzetselgroep typically follow a fixed word order. The general sequence is:

  • 1st position: Subject (onderwerp), for example, Piet
  • 2nd position: Verb (persoonsvorm), for example, heeft
  • 3rd position: Direct object (lijdend voorwerp), like een banaan
  • 4th position: Second verb (2e werkwoord), often placed at the end, such as gegeten
  • 5th position: Prepositional phrase (voorzetselgroep), for instance, op het werk

Note that sometimes sentences include a second verb, which generally appears towards the end of the sentence. The prepositional phrase either precedes or follows this second verb.

Examples of Prepositional Phrases

  • op straat – on the street
  • bij de bakker – at the bakery
  • in de klas – in the classroom

Key Points for Dutch Learners

  • Prepositional phrases begin with a preposition.
    Example: op (on), bij (at), in (in)
  • The word order is important for clarity and natural expression.
  • The verb often moves towards the end when a second verb is present.

Differences Between English and Dutch Sentence Structure

Unlike English, Dutch generally insists the finite verb appears in the second position of the sentence (the verb-second rule), and additional verbs are placed at the end. Prepositional phrases can appear after the object or after the secondary verb.

This means a sentence like "The passenger checks his ticket at the airport at 10 o'clock" in Dutch would be ordered as:

De passagier controleert om 10 uur zijn ticket op het vliegveld.

Useful words and phrases:

  • onderwerp – subject
  • persoonsvorm – finite verb
  • tweede werkwoord – second verb
  • lijdend voorwerp – direct object
  • voorzetselgroep – prepositional phrase

Keep in mind, precise word order is essential in Dutch to convey the intended meaning clearly and sound natural.

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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 16:38