komen + Infinitive

Level 3

The Dutch construction komen + infinitive is used to describe physical motion with a specific purpose. It translates to 'coming to [do something].'

How It Works

The verb komen (to come) acts as a semi-auxiliary verb of motion.

1. Sentence Structure:
In the present and past tense, komen is conjugated, and the second verb (the purpose) appears at the end of the sentence as an infinitive. No 'te' is used.
Example: Zij komt ons helpen. (She is coming to help us.)

2. The Perfect Tense (IPP):
Because komen is a verb of motion, it always uses zijn as its auxiliary. When used with another infinitive in the perfect tense, it triggers the double infinitive (IPP) effect. You use the infinitive komen instead of the past participle gekomen.
Example: Hij is ons komen helpen. (He came to help us.)

3. Nuance vs. Gaan:
While gaan + infinitive often indicates future intent or moving away, komen + infinitive strictly emphasizes arriving at a destination to do something.

Examples (4)

  1. Ze komt vanavond bij ons eten.

    She is coming to eat at our place tonight.

    Word by Word: She comes tonight by us eat.

    Here, 'komen' is conjugated for 'ze', and 'eten' is the bare infinitive at the end.

  2. Mijn broer is me gisteren komen helpen.

    My brother came to help me yesterday.

    Word by Word: My brother is me yesterday come help.

    This shows the perfect tense with the auxiliary 'is' and the double infinitive 'komen helpen'.

  3. Kom je even kijken naar mijn nieuwe auto?

    Are you coming to take a quick look at my new car?

    Word by Word: Come you just look to my new car?

    A common question using 'komen' + 'kijken' to invite someone to see something.

  4. De buren zijn gisteren op bezoek komen praten.

    The neighbors came to talk during a visit yesterday.

    Word by Word: The neighbors are yesterday on visit come talk.

    Another example of the IPP (double infinitive) construction in the past.

Common Mistakes

  • Adding 'te' before the second infinitive.

    Hij komt ons te helpen.
    Hij komt ons helpen.

    Learners often translate the English 'to' literally. In this Dutch construction, the infinitive must be bare (no 'te').

  • Using the past participle 'gekomen' in a verb cluster.

    Ik ben gekomen helpen.
    Ik ben komen helpen.

    When 'komen' is followed by another verb in the perfect tense, the 'Infinitivus Pro Participio' (IPP) rule requires using the infinitive form 'komen'.

  • Using 'hebben' as the auxiliary verb.

    Ik heb komen eten.
    Ik ben komen eten.

    Because 'komen' is a verb of motion, it must always use 'zijn' in the perfect tense.

How It Connects

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komen + InfinitiveLevel 3

Learn This First

To use 'komen + infinitive', you need to know how to conjugate 'komen' in the present tense and understand that, like 'gaan' or modal verbs, it is followed by a bare infinitive at the end of the sentence without the word 'te'.

Words in This Pattern