Dutch word order: verb second, verb last

The verb comes second in a Dutch sentence — whatever comes first. After omdat, dat and als it goes to the end. And infinitives and participles always wait at the end. Three rules, with examples.

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The Dom Tower of Utrecht seen from the Oudegracht canal
Photo: Michielverbeek, CC BY-SA 4.0, resized.

In short: in a main clause the conjugated verb is second (Morgen ga ik). In a subordinate clause — after omdat, dat, als, wanneer, toen, hoewel — all verbs go to the end (…omdat ik ziek ben). Infinitives and participles stand at the end of their clause (*Ik wil morgen komen*; *Ik heb* gewerkt).

Rule 1: the verb is second

Whatever stands first — the subject, a time, a place, an object — the conjugated verb comes next, and the subject moves behind it:

FirstVerbSubjectRest
Ikwerk—morgen in Utrecht.
Morgenwerkikin Utrecht.
In Utrechtwerkikmorgen.
Datweetikniet.

Morgen ga ik naar de gemeente.

Literally: Tomorrow I am going to the municipality.

Meaning: morgen first, so gaan second and ik after it — not morgen ik ga.

En, maar, want, of do not count as the first element: …, want ik ben ziek. With jij after the verb the -t drops — see pronouns.

Rule 2: the verb goes to the end after omdat, dat, als …

After a subordinating conjunction — omdat (because), dat (that), als (if/when), wanneer (when), toen (when, past), hoewel (although), of (whether), terwijl (while) — every verb goes to the end:

Ik kom niet, omdat ik moet werken.

Literally: I'm not coming because I have to work.

Meaning: omdat → moeten and werken at the end.

Ik kom niet, want ik moet werken.

Literally: I'm not coming, because I have to work.

Meaning: want keeps normal order: verb second.

Als het regent, blijf ik thuis.

Literally: If it rains, I stay at home.

Meaning: The als-clause comes first, so the main clause starts with the verb: blijf ik (blijven).

Rule 3: infinitives and participles at the end

With a modal or an auxiliary, the second verb waits at the end of the clause: Ik kan morgen niet komen ([kunnen](/conjugation/dutch/kunnen), [komen](/conjugation/dutch/komen)); *We hebben gisteren lang gewerkt*; *Ze is naar Rotterdam verhuisd* ([verhuizen](/conjugation/dutch/verhuizen)). Separable verbs split the same way: *Ik sta om zeven uur op*** — see separable verbs.

Time, manner, place

In the middle of the sentence Dutch likes time – manner – place: Ik ga morgen met de trein naar Amsterdam. Not a strict rule, but it sounds natural.

Why it matters in the exams

Raters in the writing and speaking exams look for connected sentences with omdat, want and als — and word order mistakes are the most common they see. Practise the three rules with the verbs you use most: zijn, hebben, gaan, willen, moeten.

Word order, by feel

16Word’s Sentences track has a page per grammar point, A2 to B1 — word order comes with every sentence you type. Page 1 is free.

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All our Dutch grammar guides

Frequently asked questions

Where does the verb go in a Dutch sentence?

Second in a main clause, whatever comes first: Morgen ga ik. At the end in a subordinate clause: omdat ik morgen ga.

What is the difference between omdat and want?

Both mean because. After omdat the verb goes to the end (omdat ik ziek ben); after want the order stays normal (want ik ben ziek).

Why do Dutch sentences end with a verb?

Infinitives and past participles stand at the end of their clause: Ik wil morgen komen. Ik heb gisteren gewerkt.

What happens after als at the start of a sentence?

The whole als-clause counts as the first element, so the main clause starts with its verb: Als het regent, blijf ik thuis.

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