Master the Present Tense Main Clause (V2)
An essential structure for B1 proficiency.
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How it works
The Golden Rule of Dutch: Verb Second (V2)
If there is only one rule you remember about Dutch grammar, make it this one:
In a standard main clause, the conjugated verb always comes in position 2.
This simple rule is the key to sounding like a native speaker. It doesn't matter how long the first part of your sentence is; the verb must appear immediately after it.
The Concept
Imagine a Dutch sentence as a train.
- The Locomotive (Position 1): Can be the Subject ("Ik"), a Time ("Vandaag"), or a Place ("In Amsterdam").
- The Connector (Position 2): MUST be the Finite Verb (e.g., werk, woon, ben).
- The Wagons (Rest): Everything else (Object, Time, Place) follows in the "Middle Field".
Examples
1. The Basic SVO (Subject-Verb-Object)
When you start with the Subject, it looks just like English.
-
Ik werk in Amsterdam.
- (I work in Amsterdam.)
- Pos 1: Ik (Subject)
- Pos 2: werk (Verb)
-
De moeder kookt elke dag.
- (The mother cooks every day.)
- Pos 1: De moeder
- Pos 2: kookt
2. The Inversion (VSO)
When you start with something else (like Time), the verb stays in Position 2, but the Subject moves to Position 3. This is called Inversion.
-
Vandaag werk ik thuis.
- (Today I work at home.)
- Pos 1: Vandaag (Time)
- Pos 2: werk (Verb)
- Pos 3: ik (Subject)
-
In Amsterdam wonen veel mensen.
- (In Amsterdam live many people.)
- Pos 1: In Amsterdam (Place)
- Pos 2: wonen (Verb)
- Pos 3: veel mensen (Subject)
Common Mistakes
Here are the most common traps for English speakers:
-
Thinking "Position 2" means "Second Word"
- Wrong: [Mijn broer en zus] [wonen] in Rotterdam. (Wait, this is actually correct!)
- Wait, let's look at a mistake: "Mijn broer en zus" is ONE element (The Subject). So the verb "wonen" is still in Position 2.
- Real Mistake: [Vandaag] [ik] werk thuis. (Error! Subject 'ik' is blocking the verb).
- Correction: [Vandaag] werk [ik] thuis.
-
Delaying the Verb
- Wrong: In de zomer wij gaan naar Spanje.
- Correction: In de zomer gaan wij naar Spanje.
Pro Tip 💡
When you want to emphasize when something happens (e.g., "Tomorrow", "Next week"), put that time phrase at the start. It makes your Dutch sound much more dynamic! Just remember the golden rule: Time phrase + Verb + Subject.
Morgen ga ik sporten. (Tomorrow I go strictly sporten).
Example Sentences
De moeder kookt alle dagen een nieuwe maaltijd.
The mother cooks a new meal every day.
De chief regelt de belangrijke deal.
The chief arranges the important deal.
De trein vertrekt om acht uur van het station.
The train leaves the station at eight o'clock.
De zon regeert de lucht in de zomer.
The sun governs the sky in the summer.
De dokter meet momenteel haar bloeddruk.
The doctor is currently measuring her blood pressure.