er (presentatief)

Er as a Placeholder Subject

Level 3

In Dutch, 'er' acts as a placeholder subject for indefinite things. It typically fills the first position in a sentence, but moves to the middle field if another word takes the lead. It is also essential for describing actions where no specific person is mentioned.

How It Works

The placeholder er (often called the 'expletive' er) is a versatile tool in Dutch syntax:

1. Introducing Indefinite Subjects
Dutch requires er to introduce a subject that is indefinite (new information). Starting a sentence directly with an indefinite subject often sounds unnatural. While er often fills the first slot to satisfy the verb-second rule, it follows standard word order. If a time or place adverb starts the sentence, er moves to the third position (after the verb).

  • Er staat een auto voor de deur. (There is a car in front of the door.)
  • Vandaag staat er een auto voor de deur. (Today there is a car in front of the door.)

2. Questions with Wie and Wat
When asking a question with wie (who) or wat (what) where the subject is indefinite, er is commonly used to fill the subject position.

  • Wie loopt er in de tuin? (Who is walking in the garden?)
  • Wat gebeurt er? (What is happening?)

3. The Impersonal Passive
In the passive voice without a specific subject, er fills the subject role. If another element starts the sentence, er moves or can sometimes be omitted (e.g., Hier wordt gewerkt). This construction works with verbs describing activities performed by an agent, including animals or non-intentional human actions.

  • Er wordt gedanst. (There is dancing / People are dancing.)
  • Er wordt geslapen. (There is sleeping / People are sleeping.)
  • Er wordt geblaft. (There is barking / Dogs are barking.)

4. Definite Subjects (Lists and Presentation)
While er usually introduces 'new' (indefinite) information, it can be used with definite subjects when listing things or presenting them. For example: Er is ook nog de directeur die we moeten spreken. (There is also still the director we need to speak to.)

Examples (5)

  1. Er is een probleem.

    There is a problem.

    Word by Word: There is a problem.

    Here, 'er' introduces the indefinite subject 'een probleem'. The verb 'is' is singular to match the subject.

  2. Er zijn veel mensen op het feest.

    There are many people at the party.

    Word by Word: There are many people on the party.

    Notice that the verb 'zijn' is plural because the real subject 'veel mensen' is plural.

  3. Er wordt hier veel gewerkt.

    There is a lot of work being done here.

    Word by Word: There becomes here much worked.

    This is an impersonal passive. 'Er' acts as the subject because there is no specific person mentioned as the worker.

  4. Vandaag zijn er twee brieven gekomen.

    Two letters arrived today.

    Word by Word: Today are there two letters come.

    Because 'Vandaag' starts the sentence, 'er' moves to the third position after the verb.

  5. Er loopt een kat in de tuin.

    There is a cat walking in the garden.

    Word by Word: There walks a cat in the garden.

    Dutch often uses specific verbs like 'lopen' (walk) or staan (stand) with 'er' instead of just 'zijn' (to be).

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'er' with a definite subject in a simple descriptive sentence.

    Er staat de man bij de bushalte.
    De man staat bij de bushalte.

    While 'er' can be used with definite subjects in lists or for presentation, it is generally avoided in simple descriptions. If you are just stating where a specific person is, start with the subject.

  • Failing to change the verb to plural for plural subjects.

    Er is drie honden in het park.
    Er zijn drie honden in het park.

    In English, people often say 'There's' for everything, but in Dutch, the verb must agree with the real subject ('drie honden').

  • Using 'het' instead of 'er' as a general placeholder for existence.

    Het zijn veel boeken op de tafel.
    Er zijn veel boeken op de tafel.

    'Het' is used for weather or time, but 'er' is required when introducing the existence of indefinite things.

How It Connects

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

er (presentatief)Level 3Er as a Placeholder Subject

Learn This First

To understand expletive 'er', you first need to be comfortable with the basic 'there is/there are' (er is/er zijn) structure. You also need to understand Dutch word order (V2) because 'er' often occupies the first position, pushing the real subject after the verb. Finally, knowing how indefinite subjects work is crucial, as 'er' is specifically used to introduce new or non-specific information.

Words in This Pattern