Subject Control

Level 6

Subject Control occurs when a main verb (like 'proberen' or 'hopen') shares its subject with a dependent infinitive clause. The subject 'controls' the action of both verbs.

How It Works

Subject Control is a fundamental part of Dutch syntax. It involves a matrix (main) verb that requires an infinitival complement to complete its meaning.

1. The Structure
The standard word order is: [Subject] + [Main Verb] + [Optional 'om'] + [Other elements] + [te + Infinitive].
Example: Zij weigert de brief te schrijven. (She refuses to write the letter.)

2. The Role of 'om'
The use of 'om' depends on the specific main verb:
• Optional: With verbs like proberen (to try) or besluiten (to decide), 'om' is optional but common in speech.
• Prohibited: With verbs like beginnen (to start), durven (to dare), dienen (to ought), and hoeven (to need), 'om' is normally left out.
• Mandatory: 'om' is required when expressing purpose ('in order to'), after te + adjective (e.g., te koud om te zwemmen), and, in most cases, after nouns like tijd (time), zin (desire), or plan (plan) (e.g., Ik heb geen tijd om te wachten).

3. Control vs. Raising
It is important to distinguish control verbs from raising verbs like schijnen (to seem) or blijken (to appear). In control constructions, the subject is an active participant in the main verb's action. In raising constructions, the subject is not 'doing' the main verb; the verb simply modifies the whole statement. Raising verbs never allow the particle om.

4. The 'Beloven' Exception
The verb beloven (to promise) is a classic subject control verb that can take an indirect object. Even though there is another person mentioned (the one receiving the promise), the subject of the main verb remains the one who will perform the infinitive action: Ik beloof hem te komen (I promise him [that I will] come).

Examples (4)

  1. Zij weigert de brief te schrijven.

    She refuses to write the letter.

    Word by Word: She refuses the letter to write.

    Here, 'Zij' is the subject of both 'weigert' and 'schrijven'.

  2. Hij belooft zijn moeder op tijd te zijn.

    He promises his mother to be on time.

    Word by Word: He promises his mother on time to be.

    Even with the indirect object 'zijn moeder', the subject 'Hij' is the one who will be on time.

  3. Ik heb geprobeerd hem op te bellen.

    I have tried to call him.

    Word by Word: I have tried him up to call.

    This shows 'extraposition' where the infinitive clause moves to the end, and 'te' is placed inside the separable verb 'opbellen'.

  4. Wij hopen volgend jaar naar Japan te gaan.

    We hope to go to Japan next year.

    Word by Word: We hope next year to Japan to go.

    A standard use of 'hopen' as a subject control verb.

Common Mistakes

  • Using English word order by placing the infinitive before the object.

    Ik probeer te lezen het boek.
    Ik probeer het boek te lezen.

    In Dutch, the infinitive (and its 'te' marker) must go to the end of the clause, after the objects.

  • Forgetting the 'te' marker by treating control verbs like modals.

    Ik hoop gaan.
    Ik hoop te gaan.

    Unlike modal verbs (kunnen, willen, etc.), control verbs require 'te' before the infinitive.

  • Misplacing 'te' in separable verbs.

    Ik probeer hem te opbellen.
    Ik probeer hem op te bellen.

    When using separable verbs, 'te' must be placed between the prefix and the verb stem.

How It Connects

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

Subject ControlLevel 6

Learn This First

To understand subject control constructions, you first need to be comfortable with basic verb conjugation and the 'te + infinitive' structure. This pattern involves a main verb (the 'control' verb) that determines the implied subject of a following infinitive phrase.

Words in This Pattern

teom