inversie grammar in Dutch

Language: Dutch
Level: B2
Unit: Zinsstructuur en woordvolgorde
Practice types: 0

What this grammar point covers

In Dutch, 'inversie' means that the verb comes before the subject in a sentence. This happens when the sentence does not start with the subject.

When to use it

Use inversie in Dutch when you start a sentence with something other than the subject, like a time, place, or an adverb. It is also used after conjunctions in compound sentences.

Key forms

Time/Manner/Place + verb + subject + rest
Conjunction + verb + subject + rest

Examples

Morgen ga ik naar school.

English: Tomorrow I go to school.

Na het eten leest hij een boek.

English: After dinner he reads a book.

Daar staat de auto.

English: There stands the car.

Omdat het regent, blijft zij thuis.

English: Because it is raining, she stays at home.

Toen ik jong was, speelde ik buiten.

English: When I was young, I played outside.

Tips

Remember: When the sentence starts with something other than the subject, the verb comes before the subject.
After conjunctions like 'omdat', the verb comes right after the comma.
Do not forget to move the subject after the verb.

Exceptions and edge cases

In questions, the verb also comes before the subject, but this is not called inversie.
Some short sentences allow the subject to come first for emphasis.