This page explains the Dutch past future tense "Onvoltooid Verleden Toekomende Tijd" used for polite requests, unfinished actions, doubt, advice, and wishes. It teaches A2 learners how to form and use this tense with examples like "Zou u de huur willen betalen voor 8 juni, alstublieft?" and "Ik zou graag in die buurt wonen." The lesson highlights the formula "zou/zouden + infinitive" and shows how to use "mogen" or "kunnen" with polite questions involving "ik" or "wij." It discusses sentence structure, common uses, and provides practical phrases for real-life communication. The content includes guidance on differences with English, such as the use of conditional and modal verbs for politeness and hypothetical expressions in Dutch. The description is learner-friendly, avoiding keyword stuffing, and designed for effective self-study and easy navigation through clear headings and examples.
- Formula: zou/zouden + infinitief
| Gebruik (Usage) | Voorbeeld (Example) |
|---|---|
| Beleefde vraag of verzoek (Polite question or request) | Zou u de huur willen betalen voor 8 juni, alstublieft? (Would you please pay the rent before 8 June?) |
| Iets dat nog niet klaar of gebeurd is (Something that is not yet finished or happened) | We zouden een huis in Amsterdam kopen. (We would buy a house in Amsterdam.) |
| Twijfel (Doubt) | Zou ik dit huis kopen? (Would I buy this house?) |
| Advies (Advice) | Als ik jou was zou ik eerst nog wat sparen, voordat je een huis koopt. (If I were you, I would save some more first before buying a house.) |
| Wens (Wish) | Ik zou graag in die buurt wonen. (I would like to live in that neighbourhood.) |
Exceptions!
- In polite questions with ik or wij: use 'mogen' or 'kunnen'. For example: 'Zou ik de makelaar even kunnen spreken?'
Exercise 1: Onvoltooid verleden toekomende tijd
Instruction: Fill in the correct word.
zou ondertekenen, zouden, zou huren, betalen, zou bellen, zou, kopen, zijn, zou bevestigen
1.
Huren:
Hij zei dat hij een huis ... in de stad.
(He said that he would rent a house in the city.)
2.
Zijn:
Volgens de advertentie ... het appartement volledig gerenoveerd ....
(According to the advertisement, the apartment would be completely renovated.)
3.
Kopen:
We ... een appartement ... vlakbij het centrum.
(We would buy an apartment near the centre.)
4.
Bellen:
De makelaar zei dat hij morgen terug ....
(The estate agent said that he would call back tomorrow.)
5.
Kopen:
Als ik meer geld had, ... ik een appartement ... in plaats van huren.
(If I had more money, I would buy an apartment instead of renting.)
6.
Betalen:
Ik ... de servicekosten deze week ....
(I would pay the service charges this week.)
7.
Ondertekenen:
Hij zei dat hij het huurcontract deze week ....
(He said that he would sign the lease contract this week.)
8.
Bevestigen:
Ik wist niet of ik de aankoop ....
(I did not know whether I would confirm the purchase.)
Exercise 2: Multiple Choice
Instruction: Choose the correct sentence in each group with the past imperfect future tense. Pay attention to polite questions, wishes, doubt, and advice in the context of buying and selling houses.
1.
'Zouden' is for plural; with 'ik' 'zou' is correct.
Incorrect word order: the infinitive must come directly after 'zou'.
2.
Incorrect word order: subject and direct object are wrong.
With 'jij' this does not form the past imperfect future tense for a polite question; 'zou' fits politeness forms better.
3.
Past imperfect future tense requires the infinitive, not the past participle.
Incorrect word order; 'in that neighborhood live' is correct.
4.
Past imperfect future tense requires the infinitive, not the past participle.
Double modal verbs: this is unnecessary and incorrect in this construction.
