Separable Verb Word Order

Level 2

In Dutch, many verbs have a prefix (like 'op', 'uit', or 'mee') that detaches from the main verb in simple sentences. The verb stays in the second position, while the prefix jumps to the end.

How It Works

Separable verbs consist of a prefix and a base verb. The meaning often changes significantly when a prefix is added (e.g., bellen = to call; opbellen = to phone).

1. Main Clauses:
When you conjugate a separable verb in a simple sentence, the prefix 'splits' off and moves to the end. The base verb follows the standard verb-second rule.
Example: Ik bel je later op.

2. Past Participles:
In the perfect tense, the prefix ge- is inserted between the separable prefix and the verb stem.
Example: Ik heb je opgebeld.

3. Subordinate Clauses:
In clauses starting with words like omdat or dat, the verb and prefix rejoin at the end of the sentence.
Example: ...omdat ik je opbel.

4. Te-Infinitive:
When using te + infinitive, the word te is placed between the prefix and the verb.
Example: om je op te bellen.

5. Modal Verbs:
When used with a modal verb (like willen, kunnen, or moeten), the separable verb stays together as one word at the end of the sentence.
Example: Ik wil je morgen opbellen.

Note: Inseparable Prefixes
Verbs starting with be-, ge-, er-, her-, ont-, and ver- are inseparable. They never split, and they do not take the 'ge-' prefix in the past participle (e.g., vergeten stays vergeten).

Examples (6)

  1. Ik maak de kamer schoon.

    I am cleaning the room.

    Word by Word: I make the room clean.

    The verb is 'schoonmaken'. In a main clause, 'maak' stays in the second position and 'schoon' moves to the end.

  2. We hebben de hele dag schoongemaakt.

    We cleaned the whole day.

    Word by Word: We have the whole day clean-made.

    In the past participle, 'ge' is placed between the prefix 'schoon' and the stem 'maakt'.

  3. Ik wil je morgen opbellen.

    I want to phone you tomorrow.

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

    When used with a modal verb, the separable verb stays together as one word at the end.

  4. Ik weet dat zij morgen meekomt.

    I know that she is coming along tomorrow.

    Word by Word: I know that she tomorrow along-comes.

    In a subordinate clause, the prefix and verb stay together at the end.

  5. Vergeet niet om de lichten uit te doen.

    Don't forget to turn off the lights.

    Word by Word: Forget not for the lights out to do.

    With te + infinitive, the 'te' is placed inside the separable verb 'uitdoen'.

  6. Zij vertelt een verhaal.

    She is telling a story.

    Word by Word: She tells a story.

    The verb 'vertellen' has an inseparable prefix 'ver-'. It never splits and does not take 'ge-' in the past participle.

Common Mistakes

  • Keeping the verb together in a main clause (English word order).

    Ik opbel je vanavond.
    Ik bel je vanavond op.

    In Dutch main clauses, the prefix must move to the end. You cannot keep 'opbel' as one word in the second position.

  • Splitting an inseparable verb.

    Ik tel het verhaal ver.
    Ik vertel het verhaal.

    Verbs starting with be-, ge-, er-, her-, ont-, or ver- are inseparable. They never split, even in main clauses.

  • Splitting the verb when used with a modal verb.

    Ik wil je bellen op.
    Ik wil je opbellen.

    When a separable verb is the infinitive at the end of a sentence (e.g., after 'willen' or 'kunnen'), it remains as one single word.

How It Connects

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Separable Verb Word OrderLevel 2

Learn This First

To learn separable prefix placement, you first need to recognize separable verbs as a category. You also need a firm grasp of basic Dutch word order (V2) to understand where the prefix lands in a main clause, and knowledge of the perfect tense to understand how the prefix interacts with the past participle.

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