-erwijs

Adverb Suffix (Manner)

Level 5

The suffix -erwijs (or -erwijze) transforms adjectives into formal adverbs. It often frames an entire statement, but it can also describe how an action is done.

How It Works

The suffix -erwijs is a formal tool primarily found in written Dutch, legal documents, and academic texts.

1. Morphology:
This suffix is a fossilized relic of a historical case inflection combined with the noun wijze (manner). It is not a productive rule for all adjectives; instead, it is most commonly found with:
• Adjectives ending in -lijk (e.g., redelijkerwijs, mogelijkerwijs).
• Adjectives ending in -ig (e.g., toevalligerwijs, gelukkigerwijs).
• Adjectives ending in -isch (e.g., logischerwijs).
• Present participles ending in -end (e.g., spelenderwijs, treffenderwijs).

2. Function:
It functions as an adverbializer with two primary roles:
• Sentence Adverbial: Modifying the truth value or context of the entire proposition (e.g., gelukkigerwijs meaning 'fortunately').
• Manner Adverb: Describing the specific way an action is performed (e.g., spelenderwijs meaning 'through play' or 'in a playing manner').

3. Register:
This pattern is highly formal. In everyday conversation, speakers would typically use simpler constructions like waarschijnlijk instead of mogelijkerwijs, or gelukkig instead of gelukkigerwijs. Using -erwijs in casual speech can make you sound overly stiff or academic.

Examples (4)

  1. Mogelijkerwijs heeft de verdachte het land al verlaten.

    Possibly, the suspect has already left the country.

    Word by Word: Possibly has the suspect the land already left.

    Here, 'mogelijkerwijs' modifies the entire possibility of the suspect leaving, not the action of leaving itself.

  2. Men kan redelijkerwijs niet verwachten dat dit probleem morgen is opgelost.

    One cannot reasonably expect this problem to be solved by tomorrow.

    Word by Word: One can reasonably not expect that this problem tomorrow is solved.

    The adverb 'redelijkerwijs' frames the expectation as being within the bounds of reason.

  3. Kinderen leren de taal vaak spelenderwijs.

    Children often learn the language through play.

    Word by Word: Children learn the language often playing-wise.

    This example shows the suffix attached to a present participle (spelend), meaning 'in a playing manner'.

  4. Gelukkigerwijs raakte er niemand gewond bij het ongeval.

    Fortunately, no one was injured in the accident.

    Word by Word: Fortunately touched there no one injured at the accident.

    This uses the suffix to express the speaker's stance on the outcome of the event.

Common Mistakes

  • Thinking the '-er-' indicates a comparative degree.

    Dit is nog mogelijkerwijs dan dat.
    Dit is waarschijnlijker dan dat.

    The '-er-' in '-erwijs' is a historical case ending, not a comparative suffix. It does not mean 'more'.

  • Using '-erwijs' with nouns instead of '-gewijs'.

    We doen dit stapperwijs.
    We doen dit stapsgewijs.

    The suffix '-erwijs' is for adjectives. For nouns like 'stap' (step), you must use '-gewijs'.

  • Using it in casual conversation.

    Blij-erwijs kom ik naar je feestje!
    Ik kom met veel plezier naar je feestje!

    This suffix is strictly for formal registers. Using it in a casual context sounds unnatural and overly stiff.

How It Connects

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

-erwijsLevel 5Adverb Suffix (Manner)

Learn This First

The suffix -erwijs is used to transform adjectives or nouns into adverbs of manner or perspective. To understand it, learners should be familiar with how adjectives are inflected and how Dutch words are combined using linking elements.

Words in This Pattern

-wijs