dat

That (Conjunction)

Level 2

The conjunction dat connects a main clause to a dependent clause. It is used after verbs of thinking, saying, or knowing (e.g., 'I think that...').

How It Works

The word dat functions as a bridge between a main statement and the information that follows. Unlike English, where 'that' is often optional, Dutch learners should consistently use dat to maintain clarity and correct grammar.

1. Word Order (Verb-Final)
The most important rule when using dat is the subordinate clause word order. In a standard sentence, the verb is in the second position. However, after dat, the verb is pushed to the end of the sentence. If there are multiple verbs, the entire verb cluster moves to the end.
Example: Hij is ziek (He is sick) becomes Ik denk dat hij ziek is.
Example: Hij wil gaan becomes Ik weet dat hij wil gaan.

Note on Verb Clusters: When multiple verbs appear at the end, their internal order can often vary. You might see both dat hij wil gaan and dat hij gaan wil. This is known as green and red word order.

Note on Separable Verbs: In a dat-clause, separable verbs do not split. The prefix and the verb stay together at the end.
Example: Hij belt op (He calls) becomes Ik zie dat hij opbelt.

2. Dat vs. Of (Statements vs. Questions)
It is important to choose the right conjunction based on the type of information you are introducing. Use dat for declarative statements (facts, opinions, hopes, or beliefs). Use of only for indirect yes/no questions (meaning 'whether').
Example: Ik hoop dat hij komt. (I hope that he is coming - Statement)
Example: Ik vraag me af of hij komt. (I wonder if/whether he is coming - Indirect Question)

3. Distinguishing 'Dat'
It is important to distinguish this conjunction from other uses of dat:

  • Demonstrative: Dat boek is van mij. (That book is mine.)
  • Relative: Dutch uses dat for 'het'-words (Het huis dat daar staat) and die for 'de'-words and plurals (De man die daar loopt).

4. Omitting 'Dat'
In English, you can often say "I think he is sick." In Dutch, omitting dat is mostly limited to informal speech and is best avoided in formal or written contexts. If you do omit it, the sentence structure changes from a complex sentence to two independent main clauses, meaning the second part uses standard V2 word order.
Example: Ik denk: hij is ziek. (Informal/Spoken) vs. Ik denk dat hij ziek is. (Standard/Written).

Examples (5)

  1. Ik weet dat hij vandaag komt.

    I know that he is coming today.

    Word by Word: I know that he today comes.

    The verb 'komt' moves to the end because of the conjunction 'dat'.

  2. Zij zegt dat ze geen tijd heeft.

    She says that she has no time.

    Word by Word: She says that she no time has.

    Even with negation like 'geen', the conjugated verb 'heeft' must still go to the very end.

  3. Ik hoop dat we morgen naar het strand gaan.

    I hope that we are going to the beach tomorrow.

    Word by Word: I hope that we tomorrow to the beach go.

    The verb 'gaan' is placed at the end of the subordinate clause.

  4. Het is jammer dat je niet kunt komen.

    It is a pity that you cannot come.

    Word by Word: It is pity that you not can come.

    When using two verbs (kunt komen), they both cluster at the end of the clause.

  5. Dat hij ziek is, weet ik niet.

    That he is sick, I don't know.

    Word by Word: That he sick is, know I not.

    When the 'dat'-clause starts the sentence, the main clause uses inversion (verb 'weet' before subject 'ik').

Common Mistakes

  • Using main clause word order (Verb in 2nd position) after 'dat'.

    Ik denk dat hij is ziek.
    Ik denk dat hij ziek is.

    In Dutch, 'dat' is a subordinating conjunction, which requires the verb to move to the end of the clause.

  • Placing 'niet' (not) after the final verb.

    Ik weet dat hij komt niet.
    Ik weet dat hij niet komt.

    Negation words like 'niet' must come before the final verb cluster in a subordinate clause.

How It Connects

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datLevel 2That (Conjunction)

Learn This First

To use 'dat' as a conjunction, you need to understand how Dutch subordinate clauses work. Unlike English, the verb in a Dutch 'dat'-clause moves to the very end of the sentence. Therefore, you must be comfortable with basic sentence structure and verb forms before learning how to rearrange them in this pattern.

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