Core Sentence Structure

In Dutch, core sentence structure is relatively consistent, following the Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) order in simple sentences. However, in more complex sentences or with auxiliary verbs, Dutch syntax can change to Subject-Verb-Other-Verb (SVO-V), especially in subordinate clauses. Let’s go over the basic rules to help Dutch learners grasp this structure:

1. Simple Sentence Structure (SVO)

In basic sentences, the structure is:

• Subject (S) + Verb (V) + Object (O)

  Example: "Ik eet een appel."

  Ik (Subject) + eet (Verb) + een appel (Object) = "I eat an apple."

2. Questions (Inversion of S and V)

To form questions, the verb comes first:

• Verb + Subject + Object

  Example: "Eet jij een appel?"

  Eet (Verb) + jij (Subject) + een appel (Object) = "Are you eating an apple?"

3. With Two Verbs (Auxiliary Verb Construction)

When there’s an auxiliary verb (helping verb), the main verb moves to the end:

• Subject + Auxiliary Verb + Other Parts + Main Verb

  "Ik wil een appel eten."

  Ik (Subject) + wil (Auxiliary Verb) + een appel (Object) + eten (Main Verb) = "I want to eat an apple."

4. Subordinate Clauses (SOV)

In subordinate clauses (introduced by conjunctions like "omdat," "als," "wanneer"), the main verb goes to the end.

• Subordinate Conjunction + Subject + Other Parts + Verb

  Example: "Ik eet een appel omdat ik honger heb."

  "Ik eet een appel" (Main clause) + omdat (because) + ik (Subject) + honger (Object) + heb (Verb) = "I eat an apple because I am hungry."

5. Position of Adverbs

Adverbs of time or place usually come after the verb:

• Subject + Verb + Time/Place + Object

  "Ik eet vandaag een appel."

  Ik (Subject) + eet (Verb) + vandaag (Adverb) + een appel (Object) = "I eat an apple today."

6. Negation with "niet" or "geen"

• Niet (not) is used at the end of the clause, or after the verb in the case of emphasis.

  "Ik eet niet." = "I do not eat."

• Geen (no/not any) is used to negate nouns:

  "Ik heb geen appel." = "I have no apple."