Dit is de stoel waarop ik altijd zit.
English: This is the chair on which I always sit.
- Language
- Dutch
- Level
- B2
- Unit
- Bijzinnen en samengestelde zinnen
- Practice types
- 0
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
Het boek waarin ik geïnteresseerd ben, ligt op tafel.
English: The book in which I am interested is on the table.
De collega met wie ik samenwerk, is erg vriendelijk.
English: The colleague with whom I work is very friendly.
De reden waarvoor ik kwam, is belangrijk.
English: The reason for which I came is important.
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.