-d/-t/-dt
Word, Wordt or Wordt?
In the present tense, verbs with stems ending in -d (like worden) add a -t for jij, hij, zij, het, and u. This results in a -dt ending that sounds exactly like a single -d or -t.
How It Works
The dt-rule (dt-regel) is one of the most famous spelling challenges in Dutch. It is purely a matter of writing, not speaking.
1. The Basic Rule
To conjugate a verb in the present tense, you first find the verb stem. The stem is the ik-form of the verb. To find it, you take the infinitive and apply spelling rules for vowels and consonants (e.g., maken → maak, reizen → reis).
- Ik (1st person): Just the stem. (ik word)
- Jij/Hij/U (2nd/3rd person): Stem + t. (hij wordt)
- Wij/Jullie/Zij (Plural): The full infinitive. (wij worden) — Plurals never have the -dt issue.
2. Why -dt?
If a stem ends in -d (e.g., worden → word), the rule still applies: word + t = wordt. However, if a stem already ends in -t (e.g., zitten → zit), we do not add another -t because Dutch never doubles the same consonant at the end of a word.
3. The 'Lopen' Test
If you aren't sure whether to add a -t, replace the verb in your head with lopen (to walk).
- Ik word... → Ik loop (No 't' sound, so no 't' in word)
- Hij wordt... → Hij loopt (Clear 't' sound, so you must write wordt)
Note: This mnemonic only works for present tense conjugations. Do not use it for past participles (like gebeurd), which follow the 't kofschip rule.
4. The Inversion Exception
When jij or je (as a subject) follows the verb, the -t is dropped. This is known as jij inversion.
- Jij wordt (You become) → Word jij? (Do you become? — No 't'!)
Important Exceptions:
- The formal 'u': Unlike jij, the formal u always keeps the -t, even in inversion: Wordt u?
- Possessive 'je': If je means 'your' (possessive), it is not the subject. The verb follows the 3rd person rule: Wordt je broer lid? (Does your brother become a member?)
Examples (5)
- Ik word elke dag een beetje beter in Nederlands.
I am becoming a little better at Dutch every day.
Word by Word: I become every day a little better in Dutch.
The subject is 'ik', so we use the bare stem 'word' without an extra 't'.
- Hij vindt dat een heel goed plan.
He thinks (finds) that is a very good plan.
Word by Word: He finds that a very good plan.
The stem of 'vinden' is 'vind'. Since the subject is 'hij', we add a 't', resulting in 'vindt'.
- Wordt u al geholpen door mijn collega?
Are you being helped already by my colleague?
Word by Word: Becomes you already helped by my colleague?
Even in questions, the formal 'u' keeps the 't'. Only 'jij/je' drops it.
- Wat vind jij van dit nieuwe boek?
What do you think of this new book?
Word by Word: What find you of this new book?
Because 'jij' follows the verb, the 't' is dropped from the stem 'vind'.
- Het gebeurt niet vaak dat het in mei sneeuwt.
It doesn't happen often that it snows in May.
Word by Word: It happens not often that it in May snows.
The stem of 'gebeuren' is 'gebeur'. Since it doesn't end in 'd', we just add a normal 't'.
Common Mistakes
Adding a -t to the 'ik' form.
Ik wordt moe.Ik word moe.The first person singular ('ik') never takes a -t ending in the present tense, even if the stem ends in -d.
Forgetting to drop the -t when 'jij' follows the verb.
Vindt jij dat ook?Vind jij dat ook?When 'jij' or 'je' acts as the subject and comes after the verb, the -t suffix is removed.
Confusing 'je' as a subject with 'je' as a possessive.
Wat vind je vader?Wat vindt je vader?In 'Wat vindt je vader?', the subject is 'je vader' (he), not 'je' (you). Therefore, the -t remains.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To learn the -d/-t/-dt spelling rule, you must first understand how to find a verb's stem and how regular present tense endings (-t) are added to that stem. It is also helpful to understand final devoicing, which explains why 'word' and 'wordt' sound exactly the same despite their different spellings.
- -t/-en Endings
The -d/-t/-dt rule is an application of the standard present tense conjugation rules (-t ending for second and third person singular) to verbs with stems ending in -d.
Level 1 - Finding the Verb Stem
To correctly apply the -dt spelling, one must first be able to identify the verb stem and recognize when it ends in the letter -d.
Level 1 - Final Devoicing
Understanding that -d and -t sound identical at the end of a word in Dutch explains why this spelling rule is a common point of confusion for learners.
Foundations
Related Patterns
- Dropping -t Before Jij
This rule explains why the -t is dropped when 'jij' follows the verb.
Level 1 - Verb Stems Ending in -t
Explains why verbs like 'zitten' (stem: zit) do not get an extra -t in the 3rd person.
Level 1 - wordenTo Become (Worden)
The verb 'worden' (to become) is the most common example of the -dt spelling pattern.
Level 1 - 't Kofschip
While -dt is for the present tense, 't kofschip helps determine -d or -t endings in the past participle.
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
Practice -d/-t/-dt in Bubblegum
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