Dutch grammar: gebruik van voorzetseluitdrukkingen

What this grammar point covers

Prepositional phrases (voorzetseluitdrukkingen) in Dutch are groups of words that start with a preposition and give more information about time, place, reason, or manner.

When to use it

Use prepositional phrases in Dutch to clarify when, where, how, or why something happens. They are also used to make your sentences more precise and formal.

Key forms

• voorzetsel + zelfstandig naamwoord (e.g. 'op basis van')
• voorzetsel + adjectief + zelfstandig naamwoord (e.g. 'in grote lijnen')
• vaste combinaties (e.g. 'met betrekking tot', 'in plaats van')

Examples

Tips

• Learn common prepositional phrases as fixed expressions.
• The meaning of a prepositional phrase is often different from the literal meaning of its parts.
• Pay attention to the preposition used; changing it can change the meaning.

Exceptions and edge cases

• Some prepositional phrases have irregular forms or meanings that are not logical from the individual words.