te + Infinitive

To + Infinitive

Level 3

The te + infinitive structure connects two verbs. In a main clause, the first verb is conjugated while the second verb remains in the infinitive form preceded by te at the end of the sentence.

How It Works

The te + infinitive construction links a governing verb to a secondary action.

1. Word Order:
In a main clause, the conjugated verb follows the verb-second rule. However, in a subordinate clause, the conjugated verb moves to the end of the sentence to join the verb cluster (e.g., ...omdat ik hem probeer te bellen). The te + infinitive cluster is placed after the middle field.

2. Core Usage Cases:
Beyond following specific verbs, this construction is used after adjectives (e.g., Dat is makkelijk te doen) and as a subject clause, often introduced by a dummy subject (e.g., Het is leuk om te zwemmen).

3. Separable Verbs:
With separable verbs, te is placed between the prefix and the root. These are written as three separate words (e.g., op te bellen).

4. Progressive Aspect:
Dutch uses te with posture verbs like staan, liggen, zitten, hangen, and lopen to show an action is ongoing. For example: Hij loopt te klagen (He is [walking around] complaining).

5. The use of 'Om':
While om te is often optional, it is mandatory in purpose clauses, after nouns expressing time or desire, and in te + adjective + om te constructions.

6. Exceptions:
Do not use te with most modals (willen, kunnen, moeten, mogen, zullen), verbs of motion, or perception. However, you must use it with hoeven.

Examples (4)

  1. Ik probeer vanavond op tijd te slapen.

    I am trying to sleep on time tonight.

    Word by Word: I try tonight on time to sleep.

    The main verb 'probeer' is in the second position, and 'te slapen' is at the end.

  2. Zij is vergeten haar moeder op te bellen.

    She forgot to call her mother.

    Word by Word: She is forgotten her mother up to call.

    For the separable verb 'opbellen', 'te' is placed between the prefix 'op' and the root 'bellen'.

  3. Het begint eindelijk hard te regenen.

    It is finally starting to rain hard.

    Word by Word: It begins finally hard to rain.

    The verb 'beginnen' is a common verb that triggers the 'te + infinitive' construction.

  4. Hij belooft zijn huiswerk te maken.

    He promises to do his homework.

    Word by Word: He promises his homework to make.

    The object 'zijn huiswerk' comes before the 'te + infinitive' cluster.

Common Mistakes

  • Writing 'te' as one word with separable verbs.

    Ik probeer optebellen.
    Ik probeer op te bellen.

    Unlike the infinitive itself, when 'te' is inserted into a separable verb, it is written as three separate words: [prefix] [te] [verb].

  • Forgetting 'te' with the verb 'hoeven'.

    Je hoeft niet komen.
    Je hoeft niet te komen.

    While most modal verbs take a bare infinitive, hoeven takes 'te' in standard Dutch. A bare infinitive after 'hoeven' is heard in casual speech but is not standard.

  • Placing the infinitive before the object.

    Ik probeer te lezen een boek.
    Ik probeer een boek te lezen.

    In Dutch, the 'te + infinitive' cluster must come after the objects and adverbs in the sentence.

How It Connects

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

te + InfinitiveLevel 3To + Infinitive

Learn This First

To use 'te + infinitive', you first need to be comfortable with basic verb conjugation for the main verb. You also need to understand Dutch sentence structure, specifically how verbs are often pushed to the end of the sentence (verb clusters), similar to how modal verbs work.

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.

And 12 more in the full list.

Words in This Pattern

te