Understanding Dutch Subject-Verb Agreement
In Dutch, just like in English, the subject of a sentence and the verb must agree with each other. This means that the form of the verb changes depending on who or what is doing the action. Let's explore how this works!
Basic Rules of Subject-Verb Agreement
Important Points
- The verb changes form depending on the subject.
- For singular subjects, the verb usually ends in '-t'.
- For plural subjects, the verb usually ends in '-en'.
- The first person singular (I) has a unique form, often without '-t'.
- The second person singular (you) usually adds '-t' to the verb.
- The third person singular (he, she, it) also usually adds '-t'.
Now, let's see how these rules apply to real sentences.
Examples of Subject-Verb Agreement
Examples
- Ik loop naar school. (I walk to school.)
- Jij loopt naar school. (You walk to school.)
- Zij lopen naar school. (They walk to school.)
Special Cases and Exceptions
Important Points
- With the subject 'u' (formal you), the verb may or may not have '-t'.
- In questions, the subject and verb order can change, but agreement rules still apply.
- Some verbs are irregular and do not follow the standard rules.
Examples
- U loopt naar school. (You walk to school.)
- Loop jij naar school? (Do you walk to school?)
- Hij is blij. (He is happy.)
By remembering these rules and practicing with different subjects and verbs, you will become more comfortable with Dutch subject-verb agreement. Keep practicing, and soon it will become second nature!