Teaching guidelines +/- 15 minutes

Learn Dutch adverbs of frequency such as altijd (always), nooit (never), dikwijls (often), and soms (sometimes). Discover their usage and typical word order in main and subordinate clauses to describe how often actions occur in daily life.
  1. The adverb usually follows the verb directly in a main clause.
  2. The adverb usually comes before the verb in a subordinate clause.
Bijwoord (Adverb)Voorbeeld (Example)
Altijd (Always)Ik sport altijd in de sportschool. (I always work out at the gym.)
Nooit (Never)Ik doe nooit aan sport. (I never do sports.)
Dikwijls (Often)Ik loop dikwijls naar de stad. (I often walk to town.)
Soms (Sometimes)Ik sport soms in de middag. (I sometimes exercise in the afternoon.)
Af en toe (From time to time)Wij gaan af en toe naar de bioscoop. (We go to the cinema now and then.)
Telkens (Every time)Telkens als ik daar ben, ga ik hardlopen. (Every time I am there, I go running.)

Exercise 1: Bijwoorden van frequentie (soms, vaak, nooit, ...)

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

vaak, soms, nooit, Telkens, af en toe, altijd

1.
Ik sport ... in de sportschool.
(I often work out at the gym.)
2.
Als ik tijd heb, sport ik ... in de middag.
(If I have time, I sometimes exercise in the afternoon.)
3.
Ik fiets ... naar het werk, want ik heb geen auto.
(I always cycle to work because I don't have a car.)
4.
Hij speelt ... tennis met vrienden.
(He plays tennis with friends occasionally.)
5.
Je bent een beetje lui, want jij doet ... aan sport.
(You are a bit lazy because you never do any sport.)
6.
Ik houd niet zo van sport, daarom doe ik het ....
(I don't like sport very much, that's why I never do it.)
7.
... als ik een wedstrijd heb, bereid ik me goed voor.
(Whenever I have a match, I prepare well.)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct solution

1. Ik sport ___ in de sportschool.

(I ___ exercise in the gym.)

2. Wij gaan ___ naar de bioscoop.

(We go ___ to the cinema.)

3. Hij loopt ___ hard in het park.

(He ___ runs fast in the park.)

4. Zij doet ___ mee aan voetbal.

(She ___ participates in football.)

5. Ik loop ___ naar het werk.

(I ___ walk to work.)

6. ___ als ik ga zwemmen, word ik blij.

(___ I go swimming, I get happy.)

Adverbs of Frequency in Dutch: Understanding Usage and Placement

In this lesson, you will learn about Dutch adverbs of frequency, words that describe how often an action takes place. Common examples include altijd (always), nooit (never), dikwijls (often), soms (sometimes), and af en toe (occasionally).

Key Examples

  • Ik sport altijd in de sportschool. (I always work out at the gym.)
  • Ik doe nooit aan sport. (I never play sports.)
  • Wij gaan af en toe naar de bioscoop. (We go to the cinema occasionally.)

Grammar Highlights

Adverbs of frequency usually appear directly after the verb in a main clause, for example, in Ik sport altijd. However, in subordinate clauses (bijzin), the placement changes and the adverb generally comes before the verb, as in Dat ik altijd sport, is belangrijk (That I always exercise is important).

Common Usage

Using these adverbs helps you describe habits and routines clearly. For learners at A1 level, mastering their correct placement is essential for natural conversation and writing.

Differences Between English and Dutch

Unlike English, where frequency adverbs often precede the main verb (I always exercise), in Dutch main clauses, the adverb tends to follow the verb (Ik sport altijd). This can take some adjustment but becomes natural with practice. Also, some phrases like af en toe translate as "occasionally," offering nuanced ways to express frequency.

Useful phrases include:

  • altijd – always
  • nooit – never
  • dikwijls – often
  • soms – sometimes
  • af en toe – occasionally

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This content has been designed and reviewed by the coLanguage pedagogical team: About coLanguage

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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, 29/05/2025 16:33