Complex Sentence Structures (B2 Level)

At the B2 level, you move beyond simple sentences and basic conjunctions (en, maar, want, of, dus) to construct and understand more complex sentences involving multiple clauses, including nested structures. This allows for more nuanced and detailed expression.

Key Concepts:

1. Main Clause (Hoofdzin): Contains a finite verb, usually in the second position (unless it's a question or starts with the verb). Can stand alone as a complete sentence.

• Ik ga naar de winkel. (I am going to the shop.)

1. Subordinate Clause (Bijzin): Contains a finite verb, typically at the end of the clause. Cannot stand alone and depends on a main clause. Introduced by subordinating conjunctions (dat, omdat, terwijl, als, nadat, etc.), relative pronouns (die, dat), or question words in indirect questions.

• ... omdat ik boodschappen nodig heb. (... because I need groceries.)
• De man die daar loopt ... (The man who is walking there ...)
• Ik weet niet of hij komt. (I don't know if he is coming.)

Combining Clauses (B2 Focus):

• Multiple Main Clauses: Linked by coordinating conjunctions.
• Ik wilde naar buiten gaan, maar het begon te regenen. (I wanted to go outside, but it started to rain.)

• Main Clause + Subordinate Clause:
• Ik ga naar binnen omdat het regent. (I am going inside because it is raining.) - Subordinate clause after main clause.
• Omdat het regent, ga ik naar binnen. (Because it is raining, I am going inside.) - Subordinate clause before main clause (causes inversion in the main clause).

• Relative Clauses: A type of subordinate clause modifying a noun (the antecedent).
• De fiets die ik gisteren heb gekocht, is rood. (The bike that I bought yesterday is red.) - The relative clause die ik gisteren heb gekocht modifies De fiets.

• Nested Clauses: A subordinate clause within another clause. This is common at B2 level.
• Ik denk dat hij niet weet wanneer de vergadering begint. (I think that he doesn't know when the meeting starts.)
• Main clause: Ik denk ...
• Subordinate dat-clause: dat hij niet weet wanneer de vergadering begint
• Nested subordinate question clause: wanneer de vergadering begint (inside the dat-clause)
• De vrouw die, terwijl ze wachtte, een boek las, heet Anna. (The woman who, while she was waiting, read a book, is called Anna.)
• Main clause: De vrouw ... heet Anna
• Relative clause: die, terwijl ze wachtte, een boek las
• Nested subordinate temporal clause: terwijl ze wachtte (inside the relative clause)

Common Structures to Master:

• Sentences starting with a subordinate clause (Als/Wanneer/Omdat/Terwijl... , V-S ...).
• Dat-clauses as subject (Dat je hier bent, is fijn.) or object (Ik zie dat je moe bent.)
• Relative clauses modifying subjects or objects.
• Infinitive clauses (om ... te ..., clauses with te + infinitive after certain verbs like proberen, beginnen).
• Hij beloofde om op tijd te komen. (He promised to come on time.)
• Het is belangrijk om dit te begrijpen. (It is important to understand this.)
• Indirect questions (Ik vraag me af wie dat heeft gedaan., Zij weet niet hoeveel het kost.)

Importance for B2:

• Understanding complex sentences is crucial for reading authentic materials (news, articles, books) and following extended speech.
• Producing complex sentences allows for more precise, detailed, and sophisticated communication in both writing and speaking.
• Helps connect ideas logically using appropriate conjunctions and structures.

Practice breaking down long sentences into their component clauses and identifying the function of each part.