bijvoeglijk gebruikte voltooid deelwoorden grammar in Dutch

Language: Dutch
Level: B1
Unit: Bijvoeglijke naamwoorden en vergelijking
Practice types: 0

What this grammar point covers

In Dutch, 'bijvoeglijk gebruikte voltooid deelwoorden' are past participles used as adjectives. They describe a noun, showing that something has already happened.

When to use it

Use this form to describe a noun that has been affected by an action. For example, to talk about a door that is already closed or a letter that has been written.

Key forms

ge- + verb stem + -d/-t (for regular verbs), e.g. 'gesloten', 'gemaakt'
Some irregular forms, e.g. 'geschreven', 'gelopen'
Add -e ending to agree with the noun: 'de gesloten deur', 'een gemaakte fout'

Examples

De gesloten deur is zwaar.

English: The closed door is heavy.

Hij leest een geschreven brief.

English: He reads a written letter.

De gebakken taart ruikt lekker.

English: The baked cake smells good.

Dat is een verloren kans.

English: That is a lost opportunity.

We hebben een gebroken raam.

English: We have a broken window.

Tips

Always add -e to the participle when it comes before a noun.
Remember that some participles are irregular, so their forms can change.
Do not use 'ge-' for participles of verbs with prefixes like 'be-', 'ver-', 'ont-'.

Exceptions and edge cases

Some verbs have irregular participle forms, like 'geschreven' (from 'schrijven').
No 'ge-' prefix for participles from verbs with certain prefixes (e.g. 'vergeten', not 'gevergeten').