How it works

Subordinate Clause: The Verb Kicker ⚽

In a Main Clause, the verb is King (Position 2). But in a Subordinate Clause (a sentence that can't stand alone), the verb loses its status and gets kicked to the very end.

The Triggers (Conjunctions)

Watch out for "Kicker Words" like:

• Omdat (Because)
• Als (If / When)
• Dat (That)
• Terwijl (While)

The Rule

When you see a Kicker Word, send the finite verb to the end of the line.

Main: Ik ga naar huis. (I go home.) Subordinate: ... omdat ik naar huis ga. (... because I home go.)

Examples

• Normal: Hij is ziek. (He is sick.)

• With Omdat: Ik kom niet, omdat hij ziek is. (I come not, because he sick is.)

• Normal: Jij werkt hard.

• With Als: Als jij hard werkt, krijg je promotie. (If you hard work, get you promotion.)

Pro Tip 💡

This is the hardest habit for English speakers to break. We want to say: "...because I am sick." Dutch says: "...because I sick am." Think of the Conjunction (Omdat) as a magnet that repels the verb to the far side! 🧲