te + Infinitive Constructions (B1)

In Dutch, the structure te + infinitive (often preceded by om) is used in various situations, similar to the infinitive form in English (e.g., 'to do', 'to go'). Understanding these constructions is key for B1 level proficiency.

Main Uses of (om) te + infinitive:

1. om te + infinitive (Purpose/Goal):

• Expresses the purpose or reason for an action, equivalent to English 'in order to' or 'to'.
• Structure: Main Clause + , + om + [optional extra info] + te + Infinitive.
• Example: Ik ga naar de winkel om brood te kopen. (I am going to the shop [in order] to buy bread.)
• Example: Hij studeert hard om goede cijfers te halen. (He studies hard [in order] to get good grades.)
• om is almost always required when expressing purpose.

1. te + infinitive after Certain Verbs: Many verbs are directly followed by te + infinitive without om. This often occurs with verbs expressing attempt, beginning, decision, promise, refusal, forgetting, etc.

• Structure: Subject + Conjugated Verb + [optional objects/adverbs] + te + Infinitive.
• Common Verbs: proberen (to try), beginnen (to begin), besluiten (to decide), beloven (to promise), weigeren (to refuse), vergeten (to forget), lijken (to seem), schijnen (to seem/appear), durven (to dare), hoeven (to need - used with negation).
• Example: Ik probeer Nederlands te spreken. (I try to speak Dutch.)
• Example: Zij begint het boek te lezen. (She begins to read the book.)
• Example: Hij besloot te vertrekken. (He decided to leave.)
• Example: Je hoeft dat niet te doen. (You don't need to do that.)
• Example: Het lijkt te regenen. (It seems to be raining.)

1. te + infinitive after Certain Adjectives and Nouns: Some adjectives (often expressing ease, difficulty, possibility, necessity) and nouns (expressing plan, desire, opportunity) can be followed by (om) te + infinitive.

• With Adjectives:
• Structure: Het is + Adjective + om + ... + te + Infinitive.
• Example: Het is moeilijk om Nederlands te leren. (It is difficult to learn Dutch.)
• Example: Het is belangrijk om op tijd te zijn. (It is important to be on time.)
• Example: Dit boek is makkelijk te lezen. (This book is easy to read - om is often omitted here.)
• With Nouns:
• Structure: Noun + om + ... + te + Infinitive.
• Example: Ik heb zin om naar de film te gaan. (I feel like going to the movies.) - zin hebben om
• Example: Het is tijd om te vertrekken. (It's time to leave.)
• Example: Hij maakt plannen om te verhuizen. (He is making plans to move.)

Placement of te:

• te comes directly before the infinitive verb it belongs to.
• In separable verbs, te comes between the prefix and the verb stem.
• Example: Ik probeer de deur dicht te doen. (I try to close the door.) - Verb: dichtdoen
• Example: Hij vergat zijn jas aan te trekken. (He forgot to put on his coat.) - Verb: aantrekken

Key Differences from English:

• The use of om is more specific (mainly purpose, with certain expressions) than the general use of 'to' in English.
• Placement with separable verbs requires attention.

Mastering (om) te + infinitive constructions allows for expressing purpose, modality (with certain verbs), and linking actions or ideas in more sophisticated ways typical of B1 communication.