Dropping -t Before Jij

Level 1

In Dutch, the second-person singular (you) usually adds a -t to the verb stem (e.g., jij loopt). However, if the word order changes so that 'you' is the subject and comes after the verb, that -t disappears (e.g., loop jij?).

How It Works

In a standard Dutch sentence, the verb follows the subject: Jij werkt. But Dutch uses inversion, meaning the verb and subject swap places in certain situations.

When jij or je is the subject of the sentence and follows the verb, the -t suffix is removed, leaving just the verb stem.

When does this happen?

  • Questions: Werk jij vandaag? (Do you work today?)
  • Fronted words: Nu werk je. (Now you are working.)

Important: Subject vs. Object
This rule only applies when 'jij/je' is the person performing the action (the subject). If 'je' is the object, the verb ending does not change. Compare:

  • Subject: Hoor je dat? (Do you hear that? — -t is dropped)
  • Object: Hoort hij je? (Does he hear you? — -t remains because 'hij' is the subject)

Special Spelling Rule (-d stems):
For verbs whose stem ends in -d (like worden or vinden), the normal form is jij wordt (stem + t). In inversion, the -t drops, so it reverts to the bare stem: Word jij...?.

Other Exceptions:

  • This rule never applies to the polite pronoun u. It is always u werkt and werkt u?
  • It does not apply to the past tense.
  • It does not apply if je is a possessive pronoun meaning 'your' (e.g., Werkt je vader?).

Examples (5)

  1. Jij loopt naar huis. Loop jij naar huis?

    You walk home. Are you walking home?

    Word by Word: You walk to house. Walk you to house?

    In the statement, 'jij' is before the verb, so we add -t. In the question, 'jij' follows the verb, so the -t is dropped.

  2. Wat zeg je daarvan?

    What do you say to that?

    Word by Word: What say you there-of?

    Because 'je' follows the verb 'zeg' (stem of zeggen), no -t is added.

  3. Morgen ga jij naar de kapper.

    Tomorrow you are going to the barber.

    Word by Word: Tomorrow go you to the barber.

    Even though this isn't a question, the word 'Morgen' triggers inversion, causing the -t to drop from 'gaat'.

  4. Word je al moe?

    Are you getting tired yet?

    Word by Word: Become you already tired?

    The stem of 'worden' is 'word'. In inversion, we use the bare stem without the extra -t.

  5. Bent u daar? Ben je daar?

    Are you (formal) there? Are you (informal) there?

    Notice that 'zijn' is irregular. The formal 'u' keeps the -t (bent), but the informal 'je' drops it (ben).

Common Mistakes

  • Keeping the -t in a question with jij.

    Werkt jij vandaag?
    Werk jij vandaag?

    This is the most common error. In Dutch, 'Werkt jij' is always grammatically incorrect; the -t must be dropped.

  • Dropping the -t for the polite 'u'.

    Ben u moe?
    Bent u moe?

    The -t drop rule only applies to 'jij' and 'je'. The polite 'u' always keeps its -t in the present tense.

  • Dropping the -t when 'je' means 'your' (possessive).

    Woon je broer in Amsterdam?
    Woont je broer in Amsterdam?

    Here, 'je' is not the subject; 'je broer' (your brother) is the subject. Since 'brother' is 3rd person (hij), the verb must keep the -t.

How It Connects

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Dropping -t Before JijLevel 1

Learn This First

To understand why the -t is dropped in 'jij inversion', you first need to know the standard conjugation for 'jij' in the present tense. You also need to understand basic word order to recognize when a verb and subject have swapped places, as this specific spelling rule only applies when the pronoun 'jij' or 'je' follows the verb.

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