doordat

Doordat (Because of)

Level 3

Use doordat to explain why something happened when the cause is an external force, accident, or natural event. It triggers a subordinate clause where the verb moves to the end.

How It Works

In formal Dutch, there is a distinction between a 'reason' and a 'cause', though the lines are blurring in modern speech.

1. Cause vs. Reason:
Use doordat for an objective cause (e.g., 'The road is slippery because it froze'). Use omdat for a subjective reason or motive (e.g., 'I stayed home because I was tired').

2. The Question Test:
A helpful way to choose is to look at the question being asked:

  • Use omdat to answer Waarom? (Why? / What was the motive?).
  • Use doordat to answer Waardoor? (Through what mechanism? / What was the cause?).

3. The 'Omdat' Safety Net:
In modern Dutch, omdat has become a universal conjunction that can be used for both reasons and causes. If you are unsure, omdat is the safer choice. However, you should avoid using doordat for personal choices, because omdat is the normal word there.

4. Fixed Phrases:
In the construction 'Dat komt...' (That is because...), doordat is often used when explaining a cause: Dat komt doordat de batterij leeg is.

5. Word Order:
As a subordinating conjunction, doordat triggers SOV word order, placing the verbs at the end. If the doordat-clause starts the sentence, the main clause uses inversion: Doordat het stormde, bleven de schepen in de haven.

Examples (4)

  1. Doordat de brug openstond, kwam ik te laat.

    Because the bridge was open, I arrived late.

    Word by Word: Because the bridge open-stood, came I too late.

    The bridge being open is an external cause, not a personal choice, so 'doordat' is used. Note the verb 'openstond' at the end of the first clause.

  2. De ruit is gebroken doordat er een vogel tegenaan vloog.

    The window is broken because a bird flew against it.

    Word by Word: The window is broken because there a bird against-it flew.

    A bird flying into a window is a mechanical cause. The verb 'vloog' moves to the end.

  3. Doordat het hard regende, werd alles nat.

    Because it rained hard, everything got wet.

    Word by Word: Because it hard rained, became everything wet.

    Weather is a classic example of an objective cause that suits 'doordat'.

  4. De computer crashte doordat er een stroomstoring was.

    The computer crashed because there was a power outage.

    Word by Word: The computer crashed because there a power-outage was.

    Technical failures are impersonal causes.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'doordat' for a personal choice.

    Different MeaningIk ga naar bed doordat ik moe ben.
    Ik ga naar bed omdat ik moe ben.

    The sentence is fine Dutch, but 'doordat' presents a mechanical cause. Going to bed is a choice, so 'omdat' (a reason) is the more natural word here. Both are understood.

  • Using main clause word order after 'doordat'.

    Doordat het regende hard...
    Doordat het hard regende...

    Like all subordinating conjunctions, 'doordat' requires the verb to go to the end of the clause.

How It Connects

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

doordatLevel 3Doordat (Because of)

Learn This First

To understand 'doordat', you first need to be comfortable with Dutch subordinate clause word order (where verbs move to the end). It is also helpful to understand 'omdat' (because), as 'doordat' is its counterpart used specifically for unintentional causes rather than motivated reasons.

Words in This Pattern

doordat