Phrases After the Final Verb

Level 5

A phrase with a preposition may move after the final verb: Ek het lank gewag vir die bus. = Ek het lank vir die bus gewag. (I waited a long time for the bus.)

How It Works

1. Two correct orders. The textbook order puts everything before the final verb (see STOMPI). A prepositional phrase may also follow it:

  • Ek het lank vir die bus gewag. (standard order)
  • Ek het lank gewag vir die bus. (phrase after the final verb)

2. Long phrases move most easily. A long phrase before the verb makes the listener wait for the verb, so it often moves: Sy het gepraat oor haar reis na Europa. This is common with verbs that take a fixed preposition (see verbs with fixed prepositions).

3. Subordinate clauses too. The same happens at the end of a subordinate clause: Ek weet dat hy gesoek het na sy sleutels.

4. What may not move. Only prepositional phrases move. A direct object without a preposition, an adjective after a linking verb and the particle of a separable verb stay before the final verb: Ek het 'n nuwe kar gekoop, never Ek het gekoop 'n nuwe kar.

5. The closing nie. In a negative sentence the closing nie still comes last, after the moved phrase: Hulle wil nie praat oor wat gebeur het nie. See double negation.

Tip: If you are unsure, keep the phrase before the final verb. That order is always correct.

Examples (5)

  1. Ek het lank gewag vir die bus.

    I waited a long time for the bus.

    Word by Word: I have long waited for the bus.

    Also correct: Ek het lank vir die bus gewag.

  2. Sy het gepraat oor haar reis na Europa.

    She talked about her trip to Europe.

    Word by Word: She has talked about her trip to Europe.

  3. Hy het gister gebel met goeie nuus.

    He called yesterday with good news.

    Word by Word: He has yesterday called with good news.

  4. Ek weet dat hy gesoek het na sy sleutels.

    I know that he was looking for his keys.

    Word by Word: I know that he searched has for his keys.

    The phrase follows the final verbs of the subordinate clause.

  5. Hulle wil nie praat oor wat gebeur het nie.

    They don't want to talk about what happened.

    Word by Word: They want not talk about what happened has not.

    The closing nie still comes at the very end.

Common Mistakes

  • Putting a direct object after the final verb.

    Ek het gekoop 'n nuwe kar.
    Ek het 'n nuwe kar gekoop.

    Only phrases that start with a preposition can follow the final verb. A direct object such as 'n nuwe kar must come before gekoop.

  • Putting the closing nie before the moved phrase.

    Ek het nie gewag nie vir die bus.
    Ek het nie gewag vir die bus nie.

    The closing nie is always the last word of the sentence, so it comes after vir die bus. Keeping the phrase before the verb also works: Ek het nie vir die bus gewag nie.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

Phrases After the Final VerbLevel 5

Learn This First

Some phrases can come after the verbs at the end.