Ik eet een appel.
English: I eat an apple.
- Language
- Dutch
- Level
- B1
- Unit
- Woordvolgorde en zinsstructuur
- Practice types
- 0
What this grammar point covers
In Dutch, 'woordvolgorde in hoofdzin' means the word order in a main clause. It describes how to organize the subject, verb, and other parts of a sentence.
When to use it
Use this word order in regular, independent sentences (main clauses) when making statements, asking questions with question words, or giving information.
Key forms
- Subject + verb (in second position) + other elements
- Example: Ik lees een boek.
- When another element comes first, the verb is still in the second position: Morgen ga ik naar school.
Examples
Morgen werk ik thuis.
English: Tomorrow I work at home.
Mijn broer speelt voetbal.
English: My brother plays soccer.
In de zomer ga ik naar het strand.
English: In the summer I go to the beach.
Tips
- The main verb always comes in the second position of the sentence, even if another element (like time or place) comes first.
- Do not put two verbs together in a main clause; the second verb usually comes at the end in subordinate clauses, not here.
- Watch out: if you start the sentence with a time or place, the subject comes after the verb.
Exceptions and edge cases
- In yes/no questions, the verb comes first.
- With subordinate clauses, the word order changes.