Verb Stems Ending in -t

Level 1

Dutch verb forms do not end in a double 'tt'. If a verb stem already ends in 't', the 2nd and 3rd person singular forms (jij, hij, zij, u) look exactly like the stem.

How It Works

To conjugate a Dutch verb in the present tense, you first find the verb stem. For many verbs, this stem ends in the letter -t.

The standard rule for regular present tense is:

  • Ik: Stem
  • Jij/Hij/Zij/U: Stem + t

When the stem already ends in -t, applying the '+ t' rule would result in a double 'tt' at the end of the word. Dutch spelling rules do not allow a double 't' at the end of a verb form. Because of this, the suffix 't' is not written.

Important Note on Inversion:
When the subject follows the verb (in a question), the rules for jij and u differ:

  • For jij inversion, the suffix -t is normally dropped (e.g., jij loopt becomes loop jij?). However, if the stem ends in -t, that 't' stays because it is part of the stem (e.g., zit jij?).
  • For the formal u, the suffix -t is never dropped (e.g., loopt u?). But for stems ending in -t, we still only write one 't' due to the spelling rule (e.g., wacht u?).

This rule is purely about spelling and does not change how the word is pronounced, as Dutch uses final devoicing.

Examples (6)

  1. zitten (stam: zit)

    to sit (stem: zit)

  2. Hij zit op de bank.

    He is sitting on the couch.

    Word by Word: He sits on the couch.

    The stem is 'zit'. We don't add another 't' because 'zitt' is not allowed.

  3. wachten (stam: wacht)

    to wait (stem: wacht)

  4. De trein wacht op het station.

    The train is waiting at the station.

    Word by Word: The train waits on the station.

    Even though 'trein' is a 3rd person subject, we keep the stem 'wacht' as is.

  5. Zit jij daar?

    Are you sitting there?

    Word by Word: Sit you there?

    In inversion with 'jij', the 't' stays because it belongs to the stem 'zit'.

  6. Wacht u op de bus?

    Are you (formal) waiting for the bus?

    Word by Word: Wait you on the bus?

    For 'u', the 't' is always kept. Since the stem 'wacht' already ends in 't', we don't add a second one.

Common Mistakes

  • Writing a double 'tt' at the end of a verb.

    Hij wachtt op de bus.
    Hij wacht op de bus.

    Dutch spelling does not write a double 'tt' at the end of a verb form like this. The stem 'wacht' already ends in -t, so the third person adds nothing.

  • Removing the stem 't' during inversion with 'jij'.

    Zi jij op de stoel?
    Zit jij op de stoel?

    You only drop the suffix -t, never the stem -t. Since 'zit' is the stem, the 't' must stay.

  • Confusing -t stems with -d stems.

    Hij antwoord op de vraag.
    Hij antwoordt op de vraag.

    If a stem ends in -d (antwoord), you MUST add a -t. The 'no double consonant' rule only applies if the letters are the same (tt).

How It Connects

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

Verb Stems Ending in -tLevel 1

Learn This First

To understand why we don't add a -t to verbs like 'zitten' (hij zit), you first need to know how to find the verb stem and understand the standard present tense conjugation rules. Additionally, familiarity with basic Dutch spelling conventions regarding double consonants helps explain the logic behind this rule.