The separable verb is not the finite verb

The separable verb is not the finite verb

If the OV consist of only one verb, the separable verb remains intact:

[FF](#/lesson/WordOrder.04) | [DIROB](#/lesson/WordOrder.16) | [PF](#/lesson/WordOrder.25) | [OV](#/lesson/WordOrder.24)

1. De tulpen zullen | heel veel water | -- | opnemen

The tulips will absorb a lot of water.

If the OV consist of more than one verb, we place the separable compound at the very end. As you can read in the chapter about [auxiliary verbs](#/lesson/Verbs.Au01), the [independent verb](#/lesson/Verbs.Au02) generally goes last. Since there are no separable compound verbs that can function as auxiliary verbs, the separable compound verb is always the independent verb, and thus placed at the end.

We can do two things, the first thing being the easiest solution:

1. We leave the PF attached to its verb.
2. We place the PF immediately before the OV.

[FF](#/lesson/WordOrder.04) | [DIROB](#/lesson/WordOrder.16) | [PF](#/lesson/WordOrder.25) | [OV](#/lesson/WordOrder.24)

1. De tulpen zullen | heel veel water | -- | blijven opnemen
2. De tulpen zullen | heel veel water | op | blijven nemen

The tulips will keep absorbing a lot of water.

Whether the first or the second solution is used, depends on what Dutch speaking region you visit. In many regions in Flanders, the first solution is more common, while in the west of the Netherlands, you will mostly hear and read examples of the second. In the rest of this chapter, we will stick to the second alternative.

If a separable compound verb is supported by an auxiliary verb that needs to be followed by _te_, the word _te_ stands between the prefix and the verb.

[FF](#/lesson/WordOrder.04) | [DIROB](#/lesson/WordOrder.16) | [TIME](#/lesson/WordOrder.13) | [PF](#/lesson/WordOrder.25) | [OV](#/lesson/WordOrder.24)

Ze beloofde | de opdracht | morgen | af | te maken

She promised to finish the assignment tomorrow.

Even though the separable compound verb _afmaken_ (to finish) appears as an infinitive, it is separated because the auxiliary verb _beloven_ is always followed by _te_. And this little word simply insists on being placed between the prefix and the verb.