HomeLessons › Word Order

Direct object starting with a cardinal number

B1Word Order · lesson 22 of 69

All direct objects that begin with cardinal numbers are non-specific. Cardinal numbers are 'one', 'two', 'three', etc. (not 'first', 'second', or 'third').

[FF](#/lesson/WordOrder.04) | [MANNER](#/lesson/WordOrder.14) | [DIROB](#/lesson/WordOrder.16) | [OV](#/lesson/WordOrder.24)

De leerlingen moesten | in korte tijd | drie opstellen | schrijven

The students had to write three essays within a short time.

Sometimes, it is not so obvious that the direct object is non-specific:

[FF](#/lesson/WordOrder.04) | [MANNER](#/lesson/WordOrder.14) | [DIROB](#/lesson/WordOrder.16) | [OV](#/lesson/WordOrder.24)

Mijn collega heeft | deze zomer | drie weken vakantie | opgenomen

This summer, my colleague took three weeks vacation.

We could argue that _drie weken vakantie_ is not specific as it does not specify _which_ three weeks of vacation. Just take it as a rule that all direct objects that begin with a cardinal number are non-specific. And so the direct object is placed at the end of the middle part.

Proper name as a direct object Direct object - indefinite pronoun
Practice this, don't just read it

Play the grammar games (de/het, die/dat, geen/niet, word order and more), track your streak, and get feedback on every answer. Part of the full Dutch Fluency dashboard. 7 days free, then €19/month, cancel any time.

Start 7 days free Play the games