Dutch grammar: inversie

What this grammar point covers

In Dutch, 'inversie' means that the verb comes before the subject in a sentence. This often happens when a sentence does not start with the subject.

When to use it

You use inversie in Dutch when you start a sentence with something other than the subject, like a time, place, or another part of the sentence. This is common after words like 'maar', 'want', or after a question.

Key forms

• Time/Place/Other element + verb + subject + rest
• Morgen ga ik naar school.
• Daar woont mijn vriend.

Examples

Tips

• Remember: when the sentence starts with something other than the subject, switch the subject and verb.
• After conjunctions like 'maar' or 'dan', use inversie.
• Do not use inversie after 'en' or 'want'.

Exceptions and edge cases

• After 'en' (and) and 'want' (because), the verb does not move; no inversie.