want / omdat

Want or Omdat?

Level 3

Dutch has two common ways to say 'because'. Want is a coordinating conjunction (like 'and' or 'but') and keeps the verb in its normal spot. Omdat is a subordinating conjunction and pushes the verb to the very end of the clause.

How It Works

In Dutch, the choice between want and omdat depends on how you want to structure your sentence.

1. Want (Coordinating Conjunction):
It connects two independent sentences. Because of this, the word order remains the same as a standard sentence (Verb-Second). You almost always place a comma before want.
Example: Ik blijf thuis, want ik ben ziek. (I stay home, because I am sick.)

2. Omdat (Subordinating Conjunction):
It creates a dependent clause. In Dutch, all subordinate clauses move the conjugated verb to the end of the sentence. Omdat is also the only one of the two that can start a sentence.
Example: Ik blijf thuis omdat ik ziek ben. (I stay home because I sick am.)

3. Nuance:
While they are often interchangeable, omdat is used to provide an objective reason or cause. Want is often used for a subjective justification or a logical conclusion. Crucially, if someone asks you a question starting with waarom (why), you must answer with omdat.

Examples (5)

  1. Ik drink water, want ik heb dorst.

    I am drinking water, because I am thirsty.

    Word by Word: I drink water, because I have thirst.

    Here 'want' is used. Notice the verb 'heb' stays in the second position, just like a normal sentence.

  2. Ik drink water omdat ik dorst heb.

    I am drinking water because I am thirsty.

    Word by Word: I drink water because I thirst have.

    Here 'omdat' is used. The verb 'heb' is kicked to the very end of the sentence.

  3. Omdat het regent, draag ik een jas.

    Because it is raining, I am wearing a coat.

    Word by Word: Because it rains, wear I a coat.

    You can start a sentence with 'omdat'. When you do, the entire first clause acts as the first 'block', causing inversion in the second clause.

  4. Zij gaat niet naar school, want ze is moe.

    She isn't going to school, because she is tired.

    Word by Word: She goes not to school, because she is tired.

    Using 'want' maintains the standard Subject-Verb order (ze is).

  5. Zij gaat niet naar school omdat ze moe is.

    She isn't going to school because she is tired.

    Word by Word: She goes not to school because she tired is.

    Using 'omdat' requires the verb 'is' to move to the end.

Common Mistakes

  • Using main clause word order after 'omdat'.

    Ik ben te laat omdat ik heb de bus gemist.
    Ik ben te laat omdat ik de bus heb gemist.

    English speakers often forget to move the verb to the end after 'omdat'. In Dutch, 'omdat' always triggers verb-final order.

  • Putting a 'want' clause before its main clause.

    Want ik heb geen geld, koop ik het niet.
    Omdat ik geen geld heb, koop ik het niet.

    A 'want' clause must follow the clause it explains. To put the reason first, use 'omdat' or 'aangezien'.

  • Answering 'Waarom?' with 'want'.

    Waarom? Want ik ben moe.
    Waarom? Omdat ik moe ben.

    'Omdat' is the standard way to answer 'Waarom?'. 'Want' joins two statements, so it is not the usual answer to a question.

How It Connects

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want / omdatLevel 3Want or Omdat?

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Words in This Pattern

want