placht

Used to (Archaic)

Level 5

The verb placht (plural: plachten) is a formal, literary way to say 'used to' or 'would' (habitually) in the past. It is always followed by te + infinitive.

How It Works

The verb placht is the past tense of plegen when it means 'to be accustomed to.' In modern Dutch, this form is considered highly formal, archaic, or literary.

1. Conjugation:
The singular form is the same for every person:

  • Ik placht te... (I used to...)
  • Jij placht te... (You used to...)
  • Hij/zij placht te... (He/she used to...)
  • Wij/jullie/zij plachten te... (We/you/they used to...)

2. Syntax:
It functions as a semi-auxiliary verb. You must always include te + infinitive at the end of the clause.

3. Distinction from 'pleegde':
It is crucial to distinguish between the two meanings of plegen:

  • Habitual: 'To be used to.' Past tense: placht.
  • Action/Crime: 'To commit' (e.g., a murder or consultation). Past tense: pleegde.

4. Usage Context:
You will rarely hear this in spoken Dutch. It is found in 19th-century literature, legal documents, or religious texts (such as the 'Tale Kanaäns'). In daily life, speakers prefer zou or simply the imperfectum.

Examples (4)

  1. Mijn grootvader placht te zeggen dat eerlijkheid het langst duurt.

    My grandfather used to say that honesty lasts the longest.

    Word by Word: My grandfather used to to say that honesty the longest lasts.

    Here 'placht' indicates a recurring habit or a characteristic saying of the grandfather.

  2. In die tijd plachten de dorpelingen op zondag naar de kerk te gaan.

    In those days, the villagers would go to church on Sundays.

    Word by Word: In that time used the villagers on Sunday to the church to go.

    The plural form 'plachten' is used here to describe a collective social custom.

  3. Des avonds placht hij urenlang in zijn studeerkamer te lezen.

    In the evenings, he used to read for hours in his study.

    Word by Word: Of the evening used he hours-long in his study-room to read.

    This example shows the literary tone often associated with 'placht', combined with the archaic genitive time expression 'des avonds'.

  4. Zij placht haar gasten altijd met grote hartelijkheid te ontvangen.

    She used to always receive her guests with great cordiality.

    Word by Word: She used her guests always with great cordiality to receive.

    Note the placement of 'te ontvangen' at the very end of the sentence.

Common Mistakes

  • Adding a -t to the third-person singular.

    Hij plachtt elke dag te wandelen.
    Hij placht elke dag te wandelen.

    Because 'placht' is a preterite-present verb, the singular form is the same for all persons (ik/jij/hij). Do not add an extra 't'.

  • Using 'placht' for committing a crime.

    De dader placht een ernstig misdrijf.
    De dader pleegde een ernstig misdrijf.

    When 'plegen' means 'to commit', the past tense is the regular 'pleegde'. 'Placht' is strictly for habits.

  • Omitting the word 'te'.

    Ik placht vroeger veel roken.
    Ik placht vroeger veel te roken.

    Just like 'plegen te', the past form 'placht' requires the particle 'te' before the infinitive.

How It Connects

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

plachtLevel 5Used to (Archaic)

Learn This First

To understand 'placht', you need to be familiar with the 'te + infinitive' structure, as 'placht' always precedes it. Additionally, since 'placht' is a past tense form, knowledge of the Dutch imperfectum and the modern equivalent 'plegen te' is necessary to understand its habitual aspect and archaic nature.

Words in This Pattern

plegen