This topic does not directly relate to the Dutch word order since 'er' is just an adverb. However, as the little word 'er' 1) is used so frequently and 2) sometimes makes the word order even more complicated, a few pages will be dedicated to this adverb here.
In Dutch, the little word _er_ is used very frequently, for five different purposes:
- _er_ as the unstressed form of _daar_, expressing location
- _er_ in combination with a preposition, replacing the pronouns _het/hem_ (it) and _ze_ (plural 'it')
- _er(van)_ in the sense of _of it_ or _of them_ (definite and indefinite numbers)
- extra _er_ at the beginning of a sentence
- _er_ as a subject
The position of _er_ in a sentence depends on the type of _er_ we are dealing with.