When a Dutch main clause (a sentence that can stand on its own) has two verb parts, they split up. The conjugated verb, the form that matches the subject, takes position two. The other verb part goes to the end: _Ik wil morgen fietsen_, _Ik heb het boek gelezen_, _Ik bel je op_.
The pattern
In a main clause, the conjugated verb sits in position two and the other verb parts go to the end. Most other words go in between.
- The end: an infinitive (dictionary form: _fietsen_), a past participle ("done" form: _gelezen_) or a separable prefix (the part that breaks off: _op_ from _opbellen_).
- With another verb in position two, a separable verb stays in one piece at the end: _Ik wil je opbellen_. More in [Separable verbs](#/lesson/separable-verbs).
- A few things, like a clause with _dat_, can follow the last verb part.
Examples
| Ik wil morgen fietsen. | I want to cycle tomorrow. |
|---|---|
| Ik heb het boek gelezen. | I have read the book. |
| Ik bel je morgen op. | I'll call you tomorrow. |
| Sanne moet vandaag werken. | Sanne has to work today. |
| Priya heeft de huisarts gebeld. | Priya called the GP. |
| Fatima neemt een taart mee. | Fatima is bringing a cake. |
Why it works this way
The conjugated verb does the grammar work: it matches the subject and shows the tense. The last verb part often carries the meaning: _Ik doe het raam open_ (I open the window) and _Ik doe het raam dicht_ (I close the window) differ only in the last word. So listen to the end of a Dutch sentence.
English and Spanish keep the verbs together ("I want to cycle"), so their speakers often glue them together in Dutch too.
Remember: picture the two verb parts as the arms of a pair of pliers (_de tang_, hence the Dutch name _tangconstructie_): one arm in position two, one at the end, gripping the rest of the sentence.
Watch out
- Not: _Ik heb gelezen het boek._ Say: _Ik heb het boek gelezen._ (participle at the end)
- Not: _Mei wil drinken koffie._ Say: _Mei wil koffie drinken._ (infinitive at the end)
- Not: _Ik opbel je morgen._ Say: _Ik bel je morgen op._ (the prefix breaks off)
- Not: _Ik wil je bellen op._ Say: _Ik wil je opbellen._ (after _wil_ it stays in one piece)
Quick check
- Fix the word order: _Bas heeft gekocht een nieuwe fiets._
- Choose the right word: _Lotte wil morgen een jas ..._ (_koopt_ / _kopen_ / _gekocht_)
- It is raining. Fill in both gaps with the present tense of _meenemen_: _Ik ... vandaag een paraplu ..._
- Choose the correct sentence: (a) _Ik moet Emma opbellen._ (b) _Ik moet Emma bellen op._ (c) _Ik moet opbellen Emma._
Answers
- _Bas heeft een nieuwe fiets gekocht._ (participle at the end)
- _kopen_ (after _wil_ you need the infinitive)
- _neem_ and _mee_: _Ik neem vandaag een paraplu mee._ (the prefix breaks off)
- (a) (after _moet_, the separable verb stays in one piece)
Use it today
Send a friend three Dutch sentences: one with _Ik heb_ (something you did today), one with _Ik wil_ (a weekend plan) and one with a separable verb. Check that the second verb part sits at the end.