When you start learning Dutch, you might notice something strange.

You learn the vocabulary, you learn the pronunciation, but when you try to put a sentence together, native speakers might look at you a little confused.

That is because Dutch sentence structure is different from English.

In English, we are very flexible with where we put our words. In Dutch, the rules are much stricter.

If you put the verb in the wrong spot, the sentence can sound clunky or even change meaning.

But don’t worry!

While it seems complicated at first, Dutch word order actually follows a few very consistent logical rules. Once you know the “Golden Rule” of Dutch verbs, you will be able to build sentences with confidence.

Here is a simple breakdown of how to build Dutch sentences correctly.

The golden rule: verb second (V2)

If you remember only one thing from this guide, remember this:

In a standard Dutch sentence, the conjugated verb is always the second idea.

Linguists call this the “V2 Rule.”

In a normal sentence, this looks exactly like English. You have the Subject (who is doing it), the Verb (the action), and the Object (what is being acted on).

In these examples:

1. Subject (Ik / Hij)
2. Verb (drink / koopt)
3. Object (koffie / een boek)

Simple, right? This is why Dutch feels easy at the beginning.

But, the rule isn’t “Subject First.” The rule is “Verb Second.”

What happens when you start with time or place?

This is where English speakers often make mistakes.

In English, we can say: “Today I am going to the store.” We keep the Subject (I) and Verb (am) together.

In Dutch, you cannot do this.

If you start your sentence with a time word (like “today” or “tomorrow”) or a place, that word takes up the first position.

Because the verb must be in the second position, the subject has to move to the third position.

We call this “Inversion.”

(Literally: Today go I to the store.)

(Literally: Tomorrow eat we pizza.)

Notice how ga (go) and eten (eat) stayed firmly in the second spot?

If you said “Vandaag ik ga…”, it would be incorrect.

Here is a quick comparison table:

Position 1 (Topic)	Position 2 (Verb)	Position 3 (Subject)	Rest of sentence
Ik (I)	leer (learn)	-	nu Nederlands.
Nu (Now)	leer	ik	Nederlands.
In Amsterdam	woont	hij	gelukkig.

The order of things: time, manner, place

Okay, so you know where the verb goes. But what about all the other details?

If you want to say “I am going to the station by bus at 3 PM,” where do you put the time and the bus?

In English, we usually put the Place before the Time. (I am going [to the station] [now].)

In Dutch, it is the opposite. We usually put Time before Place.

There is a handy mnemonic (memory trick) for this: TMP.

• Time (Wanneer? - When?)
• Manner (Hoe? - How?)
• Place (Waar? - Where?)

Here is how you would order a complex sentence:

Let’s break that down:

• Subject: Ik
• Verb: ga
• Time: vandaag
• Manner: met de trein
• Place: naar Amsterdam

If you swap the time and place (Ik ga naar Amsterdam vandaag), people will understand you, but it won’t sound natural.

The verb sandwich (modal verbs)

Sometimes you have more than one verb in a sentence.

This happens when you use “helping verbs” (modals) like:

• willen (to want)
• moeten (must/have to)
• kunnen (can/to be able to)
• zullen (will/shall)

When you use two verbs in a standard sentence, you have to make a “Dutch Sandwich.”

1. The Conjugated Verb (the helping verb) goes in the standard Position 2.
2. All the extra information (Time, Manner, Place) goes in the middle (the filling).
3. The Main Verb (infinitive form) goes at the very end of the sentence.

(Literally: I want Dutch to learn.)

(Literally: We must tomorrow to school go.)

This can be difficult for beginners because you have to wait until the very end of the sentence to hear the main action!

The kicker: sentences with “dat” and “omdat”

Just when you think you have mastered the V2 rule, Dutch throws a curveball.

The rules change when you use a “subordinate clause.” These are parts of a sentence that usually start with words like:

• dat (that)
• omdat (because)
• als (if/when)

In these clauses, all verbs get kicked to the end of the sentence.

Take a look at how the word order changes when we add omdat:

Standard sentence:

With “omdat” (because):

(Literally: …because he happy is.)

If you have a helping verb and a main verb, both go to the end.

(Literally: I think that I it can do.)

This takes a lot of practice. My advice? Don’t stress too much about it in the beginning. If you mess up this word order, people will still understand what you mean.

Summary

Dutch sentence structure is logical, like a puzzle. Once you know the pieces, it becomes much easier.

Here is your checklist for perfect Dutch sentences:

1. V2 Rule: The conjugated verb is always in the second spot in main sentences.
2. Inversion: If you start with Time or Place, swap the Subject and Verb.
3. TMP: Keep your details in the order of Time, Manner, Place.
4. Sandwich: If using helping verbs, put the main verb at the very end.
5. The Kicker: Words like omdat and dat send all verbs to the end.

To learn more about Dutch basics, check out these guides:

• Common Dutch Phrases for Beginners
• How to Conjugate Dutch Verbs
• Dutch Pronunciation Guide

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