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This lesson on "Zinsbouw: inversie" teaches how to correctly place the subject (onderwerp), verb (persoonsvorm), and time expressions (tijd) in Dutch sentences using inversion. Key words include 'onderwerp', 'persoonsvorm', and example phrases like 'Gisteren at Pedro een banaan.'
  1. Sometimes, instead of the subject, another part of the sentence is placed first; in that case, the subject must move to the third position.
  2. The finite verb is always in the second position.
Positie in de zin (Position in the sentence)Zin zonder inversie (Sentence without inversion)Functie (Function)Zin met inversie (Sentence with inversion)Toelichting (Explanation)
1PedroOnderwerp (Subject)GisterenTijd (Time)
2atPersoonsvorm (finite verb)atPersoonsvorm (finite verb)
3gisterenTijd (Time)PedroOnderwerp (Subject)
4een banaanLijdend voorwerp (direct object)een banaanLijdend voorwerp (direct object)
5op het werkPlaats (Place)op het werk.Plaats (Place)

Exercise 1: Zinsbouw: inversie

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

hebben, heeft, ga, zal, wandelden, staan

1. Hebben:
Gisteren ... Piet de wandelschoenen gepakt.
(Yesterday, Piet packed the walking boots.)
2. Zullen:
Morgen ... de rivier stijgen door de regen.
(Tomorrow the river will rise because of the rain.)
3. Staan:
Vanavond ... ik wandelen in het bos.
(Tonight I am going for a walk in the forest.)
4. Staan:
In het natuurgebied ... veel bomen.
(There are many trees in the nature reserve.)
5. Wandelen:
Gisteren ... we rustig door het bos.
(Yesterday we walked quietly through the forest.)
6. Hebben:
Op de top ... we een prachtig uitzicht.
(At the top, we have a magnificent view.)
7. Zullen:
Morgen ... ik de route volgen.
(Tomorrow I will follow the route.)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the sentence with the correct word order when using inversion according to Dutch rules.

1.
The finite verb is not in second position; here 'ben' is in third position, which is wrong in inversion.
The subject 'ik' is not directly after the finite verb, which is wrong in inversion.
2.
The finite verb must be in second position; here 'ga' is in third position, which is wrong.
The finite verb 'ga' must always be in second position; here 'ga' is before 'vaak', which is wrong.
3.
The order of the direct object and adjective is incorrect, which is wrong in natural sentence structure.
The subject 'je' is not directly after the finite verb 'zie', which is wrong in standard sentence structure.
4.
The subject 'ik' must be directly after the finite verb; here 'ik' is too far back, which is wrong in word order.
The finite verb must be in second position; here 'maak' is in third position, which is wrong in inversion.

Sentence Structure: Inversion in Dutch

This lesson focuses on the grammatical structure of inversion in Dutch sentences, which is an important feature in Dutch syntax affecting word order.

What is Inversion?

In Dutch, inversion means that the subject is moved from its usual first position in a sentence to a later position, typically following the finite verb. This happens especially when another part of the sentence (such as a time or place phrase) is placed in front of the verb.

Key Rules for Inversion

  • The finite verb (persoonsvorm) always occupies the second position in the sentence.
  • If a sentence begins with a phrase other than the subject (for example, a time phrase like "Gisteren"), the subject moves to the third position.
  • The rest of the sentence components remain in their usual order after the subject.

Example Breakdown

Position in the sentenceWithout inversionFunctionWith inversionExplanation
1PedroSubjectGisterenTime
2atFinite verbatFinite verb
3gisterenTimePedroSubject
4een banaanDirect objecteen banaanDirect object
5op het werkPlaceop het werk.Place

Practical Tips

  • When starting a sentence with a time phrase like "Gisteren" (Yesterday), expect the subject to move after the verb: "Gisteren at Pedro een banaan."
  • Always look for the finite verb in the second position as a clue to correct inversion.
  • Objects and other modifiers usually stay where they are, after the subject.

Difference Between Dutch and English Word Order

In English, word order is usually fixed: the subject comes before the verb regardless of what phrase starts the sentence. For example, "Yesterday, Pedro ate a banana." In Dutch, the verb must be in the second position, so if a time phrase begins the sentence, the subject follows the verb.

Useful Dutch phrases and their English equivalents to remember:

  • Persoonsvorm – finite verb (the verb that shows tense, e.g., "at" in "Pedro at een banaan")
  • Onderwerp – subject (who or what performs the action, e.g., "Pedro")
  • Tijd – time (e.g., "Gisteren" means "Yesterday")
  • Lijdend voorwerp – direct object (what receives the action, e.g., "een banaan")
  • Plaats – place (e.g., "op het werk" means "at work")

Summary

This lesson on inversion equips you with the skill to correctly reorder Dutch sentences when elements other than the subject start the sentence. Mastering this structure will improve your sentence formation and understanding of spoken and written Dutch at the A2 level.

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Kato De Paepe

Business and languages

KdG University of Applied Sciences and Arts Antwerp

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Last Updated:

Tuesday, 02/09/2025 01:46