The pattern
In a main clause (a normal statement or question), the conjugated verb (the form that changes for ik, jij or hij) takes its usual place and the prefix moves to the end, after the object and time words. In the infinitive (the dictionary form), for example after wil or kan, the prefix stays attached.
- A phrase can sometimes follow the prefix, especially in speech: Ik bel je op na het eten.
- With te, the infinitive splits after all: Ik probeer je op te bellen.
- Common prefixes: op, af, aan, uit, mee, terug, weg, in, door.
- The prefix carries the stress: OPbellen, MEEnemen, AFwassen.
Examples
| Ik bel je morgen op. | I'll call you tomorrow. |
| Ik wil je morgen opbellen. | I want to call you tomorrow. |
| Neem jij de taart mee? | Are you bringing the cake? |
| De trein komt om acht uur aan. | The train arrives at eight. |
| Fatima wast vanavond af. | Fatima is doing the dishes tonight. |
| Carlos komt morgen terug. | Carlos is coming back tomorrow. |
| Ik moet om vijf uur weggaan. | I have to leave at five. |
Why it works this way
Think of the end of the sentence as the verb's home. In a normal sentence the conjugated verb goes to work at the front (see Verb second: the golden rule), but the prefix stays home. After wil or kan, the infinitive stays home too, so verb and prefix stay together.
Remember: the verb goes to work, the prefix stays home.
English does this too (you pick the kids up), but Dutch pushes the prefix past time words as well: Ik haal de kinderen om drie uur op.
The stressed prefix is your clue that a verb can split. Verbs with be-, ver- or ont- never split, and neither do a few verbs with door; see the next lesson.
Watch out
FalschIk opbel je morgen.
RichtigIk bel je morgen op.
in a normal sentence the prefix splits off
FalschNeem jij mee de taart?
RichtigNeem jij de taart mee?
the prefix comes after the object
FalschIk sta op altijd om zeven uur.
RichtigIk sta altijd om zeven uur op.
time words come before the prefix
FalschIk wil je op bellen.
RichtigIk wil je opbellen.
the infinitive is one word
Quick check
- Fill in the gaps with terugbellen: Joris ... zijn moeder ... .
- Fix the sentence: Emma meeneemt haar fiets.
- Choose: Yara wil de radio (zet uit / uitzetten).
- Which part of uitgaan carries the stress: uit or gaan?
Antworten zeigen
- Joris belt zijn moeder terug. (the prefix goes to the end)
- Emma neemt haar fiets mee. (verb second, prefix at the end)
- uitzetten (after wil, the infinitive stays whole)
- uit (the prefix carries the stress: UITgaan)
Use it today
Tonight, say your plans for tomorrow out loud with three separable verbs. For example: Ik sta om zeven uur op. Ik neem mijn laptop mee. Ik kom om zes uur terug.