er (kwantitatief)
Partitive Er
In Dutch, you usually cannot leave a number or quantifier 'naked' when the countable noun it refers to is left out. Use the particle er (meaning 'of them') to anchor the sentence.
How It Works
The partitive er (kwantitatief er) is a key feature of Dutch syntax used when referring back to a quantity of something already mentioned.
1. Countable Nouns and Triggers:
For countable nouns (apples, books), er is normally needed when the noun itself is omitted. This is triggered by numbers, quantifiers like veel or wat, and the words een and geen. Note that in this construction, een functions as a numeral or pronoun (often pronounced as 'één') rather than a simple article. Example: 'Heb je een pen?' 'Ja, ik heb er een.'
2. Mass Nouns vs. Countable Nouns:
Quantitative er is needed mainly with countable nouns. For mass nouns (water, milk), the quantifier can often stand alone ('Ik heb genoeg'), and er is also possible with words like wat ('Ik heb er wat'). You can also use the er ... van construction (prepositional er) to say 'I have enough of it'.
3. Indefinite vs. Definite:
Er only works with indefinite quantifiers. You cannot use er with definite words like deze, die, or possessives like mijn. For these, you must use the er ... van construction or object pronouns.
4. Adjective Inflection:
A crucial rule is that any adjective used in this construction must take an -e ending. Even if the noun was a het-word, you say: 'Ik heb er een grote' (I have a big one).
5. Strong Quantifiers:
Quantifiers like alle (all) and beide (both) are definite and use the object pronoun ze or the van-construction instead of partitive er.
6. Double Er:
When a sentence requires both an existential er (there is/are) and a partitive er, they do not merge. Both must be present in the sentence. Example: 'Er liggen er drie op tafel' (There are three [of them] lying on the table). See Two Ers in One Clause for more details.
7. Word Order:
Er sits early in the middle field, usually right after the verb or subject, while the quantifier appears later.
Examples (5)
- Hoeveel appels heb je? Ik heb er drie.
How many apples do you have? I have three [of them].
Word by Word: How many apples have you? I have there three.
Here, 'er' refers back to the countable noun 'appels'. Without 'er', the sentence 'Ik heb drie' would sound incomplete.
- Heb je nog melk? Ja, ik heb genoeg.
Do you still have milk? Yes, I have enough.
Word by Word: Have you still milk? Yes, I have enough.
For mass nouns like 'melk', the quantifier 'genoeg' can be used alone. Mass nouns do not need the partitive 'er' in this way.
- Ik wilde vijf appels, maar ik heb er maar drie rode.
I wanted five apples, but I only have three red ones.
Word by Word: I wanted five apples, but I have there only three red.
When an adjective is used with partitive 'er', it must always take the -e ending, even if the original noun was a het-word.
- Hoeveel van die boeken heb je gelezen? Ik heb er drie van gelezen.
How many of those books have you read? I have read three of them.
Word by Word: How many of those books have you read? I have there three of read.
The er ... van construction is often used to emphasize the 'out of' or 'of them' relationship.
- Heb je de boeken? Ja, ik heb ze allebei.
Do you have the books? Yes, I have both of them.
Word by Word: Have you the books? Yes, I have them both.
The words allebei (both) and 'alle' (all) are definite; they use the object pronoun 'ze' instead of 'er'.
Common Mistakes
Using 'er' with definite quantifiers like demonstratives.
Ik heb er deze.Ik heb deze.Partitive 'er' only works with indefinite quantifiers (numbers, 'veel', 'wat'). For definite references like deze or die, you cannot use 'er'.
Using partitive 'er' together with the noun it stands for.
Ik heb er melk.Ik heb melk.'Er' replaces a noun that is left out, so you cannot use it with the noun 'melk' in the sentence. Say 'Ik heb melk.' or, with the noun left out, 'Ik heb er wat van.'
Forgetting the -e ending on adjectives.
Ik heb er drie rood.Ik heb er drie rode.In a partitive construction with 'er', any accompanying adjective must take the inflected -e form.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand the partitive 'er', you need to know how to express quantities and use the preposition 'van' (of), as 'er' acts as a pronoun replacing the noun being counted.
- vanOf/From
The partitive 'er' replaces a phrase starting with 'van' (of) to indicate a quantity of something previously mentioned.
Level 1 - Numbers 1-10
Partitive 'er' is most commonly used in combination with numbers to specify how many of a group are being discussed.
Level 1 - hoeveelHow Much/Many
The question word 'hoeveel' (how many) frequently triggers a response using the partitive 'er'.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- er (presentatief)Er as a Placeholder Subject
The expletive 'er' is used as a placeholder subject (There is/are), which is often confused with the partitive 'er'.
Level 3 - er (plaats)There (Locative)
Locative 'er' is a weak form of 'daar' (there), sharing the same spelling but a different grammatical origin.
Level 2 - Er with Numbers/Quantifiers
This explains the specific rules for where 'er' sits in relation to numbers and amounts.
Level 4 - Two Ers in One Clause
Explains how to handle sentences where two different functions of 'er' appear at the same time.
Level 5 - Where Er Goes
General rules for the placement of 'er' within the Dutch middle field.
Level 3 - veel/weinigMuch and Little
These quantifiers almost always trigger the use of partitive 'er' when the noun is omitted.
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
Practice er (kwantitatief) in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes Dutch lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
