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Chapter 14: Word Order in Subordinate Clauses (Bijzinnen)

Introduction: The Verb-at-the-End Rule

A crucial aspect of Dutch sentence structure is the difference in word order between main clauses (hoofdzinnen) and subordinate clauses (bijzinnen).

  • Main Clause: A sentence that can stand alone. Standard word order: Subject + Finite Verb + Rest. (e.g., Ik drink koffie.)
  • Subordinate Clause: A clause that depends on a main clause and cannot stand alone. It often starts with a subordinating conjunction (like omdat, terwijl, dat, als). The key rule is that in a subordinate clause, the finite verb (the verb that is conjugated according to the subject and tense) moves to the very end of the clause.

Structure of Subordinate Clauses

Structure: Subordinating Conjunction + Subject + (Rest of Clause - Objects, Adverbs, etc.) + Finite Verb

If there are multiple verbs (e.g., in perfect tense or with modals), the finite verb (the auxiliary or modal) goes last, and any other verbs (infinitives, past participles) go just before it.

Structure (with auxiliary/modal): Conjunction + Subject + (Rest) + Other Verb(s) + Finite Verb

Common Subordinating Conjunctions and Examples

Let's look at how this works with common conjunctions:

  1. omdat (because) - Gives a reason.
  • Main Clause: Ik blijf thuis. (I am staying home.)
  • Main Clause: Ik ben ziek. (I am sick.)
  • Combined: Ik blijf thuis, omdat ik ziek ben. (I am staying home because I am sick.)
  • Note: ben is the finite verb and moves to the end of the omdat clause.
  • Example (Perfect Tense): Hij komt te laat, omdat hij de trein heeft gemist. (He is coming late because he missed the train.)
  • Finite verb heeft is last; participle gemist is just before it.
  1. dat (that) - Introduces reported speech or content clauses.
  • Main Clause: Ik denk. (I think.)
  • Content: Het is mooi weer. (The weather is nice.)
  • Combined: Ik denk dat het mooi weer is. (I think that the weather is nice.)
  • Finite verb is moves to the end.
  • Example (Modal Verb): Zij zegt dat ze niet kan komen. (She says that she cannot come.)
  • Finite modal kan is last; infinitive komen is just before it.
  1. als (if/when) - Introduces conditional or temporal clauses.
  • Main Clause: Ik bel je. (I'll call you.)
  • Condition: Ik heb tijd. (I have time.)
  • Combined: Ik bel je als ik tijd heb. (I'll call you if/when I have time.)
  • Finite verb heb moves to the end.
  • Example: Als het morgen regent, blijven we binnen. (If it rains tomorrow, we will stay inside.)
  • When the subordinate clause comes first, the main clause starts with the verb (inversion).
  1. terwijl (while) - Indicates two actions happening simultaneously.
  • Main Clause: Ik lees de krant. (I am reading the newspaper.)
  • Simultaneous Action: Zij kookt. (She is cooking.)
  • Combined: Ik lees de krant terwijl zij kookt. (I am reading the newspaper while she cooks.)
  • Finite verb kookt moves to the end.
  1. voordat (before) - Indicates sequence.
  • Main Clause: Poets je tanden. (Brush your teeth.)
  • Sequence: Je gaat slapen. (You go to sleep.)
  • Combined: Poets je tanden voordat je gaat slapen. (Brush your teeth before you go to sleep.)
  • Finite verb gaat is last; infinitive slapen is before it.
  1. nadat (after) - Indicates sequence.
  • Main Clause: Ik ging naar buiten. (I went outside.)
  • Sequence: Ik had gegeten. (I had eaten.)
  • Combined: Ik ging naar buiten nadat ik had gegeten. (I went outside after I had eaten.)
  • Finite verb had is last; participle gegeten is before it.

Separable Verbs in Subordinate Clauses

Remember that separable verbs rejoin in subordinate clauses. The reunited verb (conjugated) then moves to the end.

  • Main Clause: De trein komt om 8 uur aan. (The train arrives at 8.)
  • Subordinate Clause: Ik weet dat de trein om 8 uur aankomt. (I know that the train arrives at 8.)
  • aankomt is reunited and goes to the end.
  • Main Clause (Perfect): Ik ben vanmorgen opgestaan. (I got up this morning.)
  • Subordinate Clause (Perfect): Hij vraagt of ik vanmorgen ben opgestaan. (He asks if I got up this morning.)
  • Finite verb ben is last; participle opgestaan is before it.

The verb-at-the-end rule for subordinate clauses (bijzinnen) is fundamental to Dutch syntax. Identify the subordinate clause (usually starting with a conjunction like omdat, dat, als, terwijl, etc.), locate the finite verb (the one conjugated for tense/subject), and move it to the very end of that clause. If other verbs are present, they precede the final finite verb. Mastering this structure is key to forming complex sentences correctly.