Phrasal Verbs with Particles

Level 3

Dutch particle verbs (scheidbare werkwoorden) consist of a prefix and a verb. In main clauses, the prefix moves to the end of the sentence, while the verb stays in the second position.

How It Works

Particle verbs are a fundamental part of Dutch. They function as a single unit of meaning but split apart depending on the sentence structure.

1. Word Order in Main Clauses
In a standard sentence, the verb follows the V2 rule and is placed in the second position, while the particle moves to the end of the 'verb bracket'.
Example: Ik bel je morgen op.

2. The Imperative (Commands)
When giving an imperative command, the verb moves to the first position, and the particle still moves to the end of the clause.
Example: Bel me op! (Call me up!)

3. With Modal Verbs
When you use a modal verb (like willen, kunnen, or moeten), the particle verb stays together as a full infinitive at the end of the sentence.
Example: Ik wil je morgen opbellen.

4. The Stress Rule and Dual Prefixes
This is the most important way to distinguish them from inseparable verbs. In a separable verb, you emphasize the prefix: ÚÍTgaan. Some prefixes (like over-, onder-, door-, om-, or voor-) can be either separable or inseparable depending on the meaning. If the stress is on the prefix, it splits; if the stress is on the verb root, it stays together.

5. Past Participles
When forming the perfect tense, the prefix ge- is placed between the particle and the verb.
Example: opbellen → opgebeld.

6. Te-constructions
If you use te + infinitive, the word te also goes in the middle.
Example: Het is leuk om uit te gaan.

7. Subordinate Clauses
In a subordinate clause, the verb and particle usually stay together at the end and are written as a single word.
Example: ...omdat ik je opbel.

Examples (6)

  1. Ik maak de kamer schoon.

    I clean the room.

    Word by Word: I make the room clean.

    The verb is 'schoonmaken'. The particle 'schoon' moves to the end of the main clause.

  2. Bel me morgen even op!

    Call me tomorrow for a moment!

    Word by Word: Call me tomorrow just up!

    In the imperative (command) form, the verb starts the sentence and the particle moves to the end.

  3. De trein komt om tien uur aan.

    The train arrives at ten o'clock.

    Word by Word: The train comes at ten hour at.

    The verb is 'aankomen'. Note how 'aan' is placed at the end of the verb bracket.

  4. We zijn gisteravond uitgegaan.

    We went out last night.

    Word by Word: We are yesterday-evening out-gone.

    In the perfect tense of 'uitgaan', the 'ge-' is placed between 'uit' and 'gaan'.

  5. Vergeet niet om je moeder op te bellen.

    Don't forget to call your mother.

    Word by Word: Forget not for your mother up to call.

    In a 'te' construction, 'te' is placed between the particle 'op' and the verb 'bellen'.

  6. Ik wil je morgen opbellen.

    I want to call you tomorrow.

    Word by Word: I want you tomorrow up-call.

    When used with a modal verb like 'willen', the particle verb stays together as an infinitive at the end.

Common Mistakes

  • Keeping the verb together in a main clause.

    Ik opbel je morgen.
    Ik bel je morgen op.

    In a main clause, the particle must move to the end. You cannot keep 'opbellen' as one word when it is the conjugated verb.

  • Placing 'ge-' at the beginning of the past participle.

    Ik heb hem geopbeld.
    Ik heb hem opgebeld.

    For separable verbs, the 'ge-' prefix must be sandwiched between the particle and the base verb.

  • Splitting the verb in a subordinate clause.

    Ik weet dat hij de kamer maakt schoon.
    Ik weet dat hij de kamer schoonmaakt.

    In subordinate clauses, the verb and particle typically stay together at the end of the clause.

How It Connects

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

Phrasal Verbs with ParticlesLevel 3

Learn This First

To understand particle verbs (separable verbs), you first need to know how to conjugate regular verbs. You also need to understand the concept of separable verbs in Dutch and the specific word order rules that dictate where the particle moves in a sentence.