Learn the Dutch concept of sentence inversion, where starting a sentence with a time or place element shifts the subject behind the finite verb. This A2-level lesson explains the word order rules in Dutch sentences, with examples like "Gisteren at Pedro een banaan." Understand the placement of verbs and subjects and how it differs from English to enhance your Dutch grammar skills.
- Sometimes, instead of the subject, another part of the sentence is placed first; in that case, the subject must move to the third position.
- 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pedro | Onderwerp (Subject) | Gisteren | Tijd (Time) |
| 2 | at | Persoonsvorm (finite verb) | at | Persoonsvorm (finite verb) |
| 3 | gisteren | Tijd (Time) | Pedro | Onderwerp (Subject) |
| 4 | een banaan | Lijdend voorwerp (direct object) | een banaan | Lijdend voorwerp (direct object) |
| 5 | op het werk | Plaats (Place) | op het werk. | Plaats (Place) |
Exercise 1: Zinsbouw: inversie
Instruction: Fill in the correct word.
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 the rules of Dutch.
1.
The finite verb is not in the second position; here 'am' is in the third position, which is incorrect for inversion.
The subject 'I' is not directly after the finite verb, which is incorrect for inversion.
2.
The finite verb must be in the second position; here 'go' is in the third position, which is incorrect.
The finite verb 'go' must always be in the second position; here 'go' is before 'often', which is incorrect.
3.
The order of the direct object and adjective is incorrect, which is wrong in natural sentence structure.
The subject 'you' is not directly after the finite verb 'see', which is incorrect in standard sentence construction.
4.
The subject 'I' must be directly after the finite verb; here 'I' is too far back, which is incorrect in the word order.
The finite verb must be in the second position; here 'make' is in the third position, which is incorrect for inversion.
