Dutch grammar: gebruik van relatieve bijzinnen met voorzetselvooropplaatsing

What this grammar point covers

In Dutch, you can start a relative clause with a preposition. This is called 'preposition stranding' in relative clauses. The preposition comes before the relative pronoun (like 'waar', 'wie'), not at the end of the clause.

When to use it

Use this structure to link two sentences when the preposition is important for the meaning, and you want to be formal or clear. It is common in written Dutch or more formal speech.

Key forms

• voorzetsel + waar + prepositie (waarmee, waarop, waaraan, etc.)
• voorzetsel + wie (voor wie, met wie, aan wie, etc.)

Examples

Tips

• Do not put the preposition at the end of the clause in formal Dutch.
• Use 'waar' + preposition for things, and 'wie' with a preposition for people.
• This structure is more formal; in spoken Dutch, people often put the preposition at the end.

Exceptions and edge cases

• Some fixed expressions do not use preposition fronting.
• With 'wie', only use for people, not for things.