Ik blijf thuis omdat ik ziek ben.
English: I stay at home because I am sick.
- Language
- Dutch
- Level
- B1
- Unit
- Woordvolgorde en zinsstructuur
- Practice types
- 0
What this grammar point covers
In Dutch, you can combine a main clause (hoofdzin) and a subordinate clause (bijzin) to make more complex sentences. The main clause can stand alone, but the subordinate clause depends on it.
When to use it
You use this structure to connect two ideas, explain reasons, give conditions, or add extra information in Dutch sentences.
Key forms
- Hoofdzin + voegwoord + bijzin
- Bijzin (met voegwoord) + hoofdzin
Examples
Als het regent, neem ik een paraplu mee.
English: If it rains, I take an umbrella.
Ze belt mij wanneer ze tijd heeft.
English: She calls me when she has time.
Omdat hij hard werkt, krijgt hij goede cijfers.
English: Because he works hard, he gets good grades.
Tips
- In the bijzin, the verb goes to the end of the clause.
- After a bijzin comes first, the main clause starts with the verb.
- Common conjunctions (voegwoorden) are: omdat, als, wanneer, terwijl, dat.
Exceptions and edge cases
- Sometimes in spoken Dutch, word order can be more flexible, but in writing, always put the verb at the end of the bijzin.
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