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Verbs according to function 4
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Main verbs 10 minLecture1.1
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Auxiliary verbs 45 minLecture1.2
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Copular verbs 20 minLecture1.3
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Verb exercises: verbs according to function 10 minLecture1.4
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Verbs according to meaning 7
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Transitive and intransitive verbs 10 minLecture2.1
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Reflexive verbs 30 minLecture2.2
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Modal verbs 45 minLecture2.3
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Modal verbs: zou 30 minLecture2.4
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Modal verbs: hoeven te 30 minLecture2.5
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Position verbs 30 minLecture2.6
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Verb exercises: verbs according to meaning 45 minLecture2.7
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Verbs according to form 3
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Separable verbs 30 minLecture3.1
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Phrasal verbs 15 minLecture3.2
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Verb exercises: verbs according to form 30 minLecture3.3
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Verbs according to conjugation 6
For purposes of conjugation Dutch verbs can be divided into regular and irregular verbs. Regular verbs follow a certain pattern in the way they are conjugated, whereas irregular verbs do not follow a pattern at all. The group of regular verbs is the largest, and this group can be divided further into weak verbs and strong verbs. The conjugation of a new verb (e.g. a verb borrowed from English) normally follows the rules of weak verbs.
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Weak verbs 30 minLecture4.1
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Strong verbs 20 minLecture4.2
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Irregular verbs 30 minLecture4.3
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Conjugation of new verbs 20 minLecture4.4
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List of strong and irregular verbs 40 minLecture4.5
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Verb exercises: verbs according to conjugation 30 minLecture4.6
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Tenses 9
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Infinitives and finite verbs 15 minLecture5.1
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Present tense 01 hourLecture5.2
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Past tense (imperfect) 30 minLecture5.3
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Perfect tense 01 hourLecture5.4
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Perfect or imperfect? 30 minLecture5.5
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Pluperfect 10 minLecture5.6
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Durative aspect 45 minLecture5.7
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Future aspect 50 minLecture5.8
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Verb exercises: tensesLecture5.9
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Revision exercises: verbs 1
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Revision exercisesLecture6.1
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Separable verbs
Introduction
Some Dutch verbs have a complex structure, e.g.: oversteken, voorstellen, plaatsvinden, aankomen. Verbs which are structured like this are called separable verbs, because the first element, the so-called prefix, can be separated from the verb. The prefix of each of these verbs (over-, af-, plaats- and aan-) are also words in their own right (mainly prepositions or adverbs but also nouns or adjectives).
In these verbs the prefix carries the main stress. In the infinitive these stressed prefixes are joined to the verbs, but in their finite forms (the conjugated form of the verb) they can be separated from the verb. This happens in particular in main clauses, where the separable prefix occurs towards the end of the sentence, usually in the final but sometimes in the penultimate position.
Use
Look at the examples below. In each first sentence the infinitive of the separable verb appears (so the verb is not separated). In each second sentence the prefix has been separated from the verb and appears in final or penultimate position.
Je moet hier het kruispunt oversteken.
You have to cross the crossroads here.
Je steekt hier het kruispunt over.
You cross the crossroads here.
Zal ik me even voorstellen?
Shall I introduce myself?
Hanna stelt Karin voor aan Alan.
Hanna introduces Karin to Alan.
Waar zal het Filmfestival plaatsvinden?
Where will the Film Festival take place?
Het Filmfestival vindt rond de Kruiskade plaats.
The Film Festival takes place around the Kruiskade.
Wanneer zullen ze aankomen?
When will they arrive?
Ze komen altijd te laat aan.
They always arrive late.
Note that in the formation of the past participle, the prefix and the verb become one word again; -ge- is inserted between the prefix and the verb:
Wanneer zijn ze aangekomen?
When have they arrived?
In subclauses the finite separable verb occurs at the end of the subclause and is connected to the separable prefix (see Sentence structure):
Ik denk dat ik om tien uur aankom.
I think I will arrive at ten o’clock.
Note that the separation of the prefix in these separable verbs also occurs in other forms of the verbs, for instance in imperatives or questions:
Steek het plein over.
Cross the square.
Nodig je jouw broer ook uit?
Do you invite your brother as well?