Master the Modal Verb Construction
An essential structure for B1 proficiency.
Ready to practice?
Jump straight into interactive exercises with this structure.
How it works
Modal Verbs: The "Dutch Sandwich" 🥪
This is the most famous feature of Dutch mechanics. When you use a "helper verb" (Modal Verb) like want, can, or must, you trigger a special word order called the Sandwich.
The Formula
- Top Bun (Position 2): The Modal Verb (wil, kan, moet, mag).
- Filling (Middle): Time, Object, Place, Adverbs.
- Bottom Bun (End): The Main Verb (Infinitive).
Formula: [Subject] + [Modal] + [Filling] + [Infinitive]
Why a Sandwich?
In English, we keep verbs together: "I must work today." In Dutch, we split them apart to hold everything else together: "I must today work."
- Ik moet vandaag werken.
- Example: "Ik moet [de hele dag hard] werken."
The Big 4 Modals
| Modal | Meaning | Example | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Kunnen | Can / Ability | Ik kan dat doen. (I can do that.) | | Willen | Want | Ik wil naar huis gaan. (I want to go home.) | | Moeten | Must / Have to | Ik moet nu slapen. (I must sleep now.) | | Mogen | Allowed to | Ik mag hier niet roken. (I may not smoke here.) |
Common Mistakes
- ❌ Ik wil gaan naar huis. (English order)
- ✅ Ik wil naar huis gaan. (Dutch Sandwich)
Pro Tip 💡
Don't be afraid of the gap! You can put a LOT of stuff in the middle.
- Ik wil [met jou morgen in Amsterdam een broodje] eten.
- (I want to eat a sandwich with you in Amsterdam tomorrow.)
Example Sentences
Ik moet de grond schoonmaken.
I must clean the floor.
We moeten de termijn halen.
We must meet the deadline.
Je moet hier je OV-chipkaart laten zien.
You have to show your public transport card here.
We moeten de bomen in het park beschermen.
We must protect the trees in the park.
Ik moet onthouden om mijn medicijnen in te nemen.
I must remember to take my medication.