Dutch grammar: inversie

What this grammar point covers

In Dutch, 'inversie' means that the verb comes before the subject in a sentence. This happens in certain situations, not in normal main clauses.

When to use it

You use inversie in Dutch when the sentence does not start with the subject. For example, after words that tell when, where, or how something happens, or after some connecting words.

Key forms

• Time/place/object + verb + subject + rest
• Vandaag ga ik naar school.
• Daar woont mijn vriend.
• Nu eet hij ontbijt.

Examples

Tips

• If the sentence does not start with the subject, put the verb before the subject.
• Only the first verb moves; other verbs stay at the end.
• Pay attention when using words like 'maar' or 'en': sometimes you don't need inversie.

Exceptions and edge cases

• After 'en', 'maar', 'of', the normal word order often stays (no inversie).