Leaving Out dat
Ek dink hy is reg. (I think he is right.) Without dat, the second clause keeps normal word order.
How It Works
1. Two correct versions.
- With dat: Ek dink dat hy reg is. (verb at the end)
- Without dat: Ek dink hy is reg. (verb in second place)
Both mean I think he is right. Leaving out dat is very common in speech and in everyday writing.
2. Which verbs? Dat is often left out after verbs such as dink (think), sê (say), weet (know), glo (believe), hoop (hope), besluit (decide), verstaan (understand) and laat weet (let know). A good rule: if English can leave out that, Afrikaans can usually leave out dat too.
3. Choose one pattern. Do not mix them. Without dat, the verb must stay in second place. With dat, it must go to the end.
4. Negation. If the first verb is negative, the final nie comes at the very end of the whole sentence: Ek dink nie hy sal kom nie. (I don't think he will come.)
Tip: This is also how people often report speech: Sy sê sy kom môre. See reported speech.
Examples (6)
- Ek dink hy is reg.
I think he is right.
Word by Word: I think he is right.
- Sy sê sy kom môre.
She says she is coming tomorrow.
Word by Word: She says she comes tomorrow.
- Ek weet jy kan dit doen.
I know you can do it.
Word by Word: I know you can it do.
Without dat, kan stays in second place and doen goes to the end, as in any main clause.
- Ek hoop jy voel gou beter.
I hope you feel better soon.
Word by Word: I hope you feel soon better.
- Hy glo dit gaan vanaand reën.
He believes it is going to rain tonight.
Word by Word: He believes it goes tonight rain.
- Ek dink nie hy sal kom nie.
I don't think he will come.
Word by Word: I think not he will come not.
The final nie comes at the end of the whole sentence.
Common Mistakes
Leaving out dat but still sending the verb to the end.
Ek dink hy reg is.Ek dink hy is reg.Without dat, the second clause is a normal main clause, so the verb stays in second place.
Keeping dat but leaving the verb in second place.
Ek dink dat hy is reg.Ek dink dat hy reg is.Dat sends the verb to the end of its clause.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Dat can be left out after verbs of saying and thinking.
Related Patterns
- Reported Speech
Reported speech very often leaves out dat.
Level 3 - Verb at the End in Subordinate Clauses
The word order used when dat is present.
Level 2 - Basic Word Order
The verb-second order used when dat is left out.
Level 1 - nie ... nie Across ClausesDouble Negation Across Clauses
Where the final nie goes when a sentence has two clauses.
Level 4
Words in This Pattern
Practice Leaving Out dat in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes Afrikaans lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
