Two Ers in One Clause

Level 5

In Dutch, when multiple functions of 'er' coincide in one clause, they usually merge into a single word. The primary exception is the 'double er', which occurs when an existential placeholder ('there') is combined with a quantitative er ('of them').

How It Works

Dutch grammar often deals with multiple functions of 'er' in a single sentence. To become proficient in advanced Dutch, you must recognize when these functions merge (haplology) and when they remain separate.

1. The Four Functions of Er
Before looking at double constructions, remember that 'er' can be: 1) Existential (placeholder subject), 2) Quantitative (referring to an amount), 3) Prepositional (a pronominal adverb replacing a prepositional object), and 4) Locative (a weak reference to a place).

2. The General Rule: Haplology
When different types of 'er' meet, one is often dropped to avoid repetition. This is called haplology. For example, if an existential 'er' and a prepositional 'er' (like 'erover') occur together, formal Dutch usually drops one: Er wordt over gepraat. Stacking them (Er wordt erover gepraat) is common in informal spoken Dutch.

3. The Ceiling Rule
Identical functions always merge. You can never have two locative 'er's or two quantitative 'er's in the same clause; they must become one.

4. The Quantitative Requirement
The most common reason to see two 'er's is the combination of the Existential + Quantitative functions. This is mandatory in main clauses when a quantifier stands alone: Er zijn er drie. (There are three of them). However, in subordinate clauses, the existential 'er' is almost always omitted if a quantitative 'er' is present.

5. Avoiding the Triple Er
Dutch never allows three 'er's in a row. If a sentence requires an existential, a quantitative, and a locative function, you must replace the locative 'er' with daar or a specific location to avoid the 'er er er' sequence: Er zijn er daar drie.

6. Prepositional Splitting
When using prepositional combinations, 'er' often splits from its preposition, especially when a quantifier is involved: Ik heb er drie van (I have three of them).

Examples (5)

  1. Hoeveel koekjes zijn er nog? Er zijn er drie.

    How many cookies are left? There are three (of them).

    Word by Word: How-many cookies are there still? There are there three.

    The first 'er' is the placeholder subject; the second 'er' is the quantitative pronoun representing 'koekjes'.

  2. Er wordt erover gepraat.

    It is being talked about.

    Word by Word: There becomes there-about talked.

    In spoken Dutch, the existential er and the pronominal er (erover) are often both kept. In formal writing, one is usually dropped: 'Er wordt over gepraat'.

  3. Ik denk dat er nog drie zijn.

    I think that there are three (of them) left.

    Word by Word: I think that there still three are.

    In a subordinate clause, the existential 'er' is omitted when a quantitative er is present. Only the quantitative 'er' remains.

  4. Ik heb er drie van gekocht.

    I bought three of them.

    Word by Word: I have there three of bought.

    This demonstrates splitting, where the prepositional er is separated from the preposition 'van' by the quantity 'drie'.

  5. Er zijn er daar drie.

    There are three of them over there.

    Word by Word: There are there there three.

    To avoid three 'er's in a row (which is never allowed), the locative er is replaced by daar.

Common Mistakes

  • Omitting the second 'er' (The English Error).

    Er zijn drie.
    Er zijn er drie.

    In English we can just say 'There are three.' In Dutch, when the noun is left out, the quantitative 'er' is normally added to carry the number.

  • Merging the two 'er's because of general 'er' rules.

    Er is nog een.
    Er is er nog een.

    Learners often learn that 'er + er' merges into one 'er'. That works for location, but with a quantity the two 'er' words normally stay separate.

How It Connects

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

Two Ers in One ClauseLevel 5

Learn This First

To understand 'dubbele er', you must first be comfortable with the different functions of 'er'. Specifically, you need to know how 'er' acts as a placeholder subject (existential) and how it acts as a partitive pronoun (referring to quantities). This pattern explains what happens when these two functions occur in the same clause.

Words in This Pattern