---
title: "Separable verbs in subordinate clauses"
level: A2
chapter: "Word order"
canonical: https://www.dutchfluency.com/grammar/separable-in-subclauses
updated: 2026-10-09
author: Dutch Fluency
license: CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
---

# Separable verbs in subordinate clauses

In a subordinate clause (a clause that starts with a word like _dat_, _omdat_ or _of_), a separable verb such as _opbellen_ (to phone) goes back together at the end: _Hij zegt dat hij morgen opbelt._ With an extra verb such as _wil_, the separable verb usually stays whole: _dat hij morgen wil opbellen_. In the perfect, the participle (the _ge-_ form) is one word too: _dat hij heeft opgebeld_.

## The pattern

> In a subordinate clause, the conjugated verb (the one that matches the subject) goes to the end, right next to its prefix (the front part, like _op_), so the two become one word. With an extra verb, the separable verb usually stays whole at the end.

- In a main clause, the prefix splits off: _Hij belt morgen op._ The basics are in [Separable verbs: opbellen, meenemen](https://www.dutchfluency.com/grammar/separable-verbs).
- One verb: prefix and verb join at the end: _omdat ik om zeven uur opsta_.
- Extra verb, such as _wil_, _moet_, _gaat_ or _kan_: the separable verb is an infinitive (its dictionary form) and stays whole: _dat ik morgen moet opstaan_. You will also see _dat ik morgen op moet staan_. That is correct too, but the whole version is easier.
- Perfect: the participle is one word, usually with _ge-_ in the middle. Both _dat hij heeft opgebeld_ and _dat hij opgebeld heeft_ are correct (see [The order of verbs at the end](https://www.dutchfluency.com/grammar/end-verb-order)).
- With _te_, the _te_ squeezes in between: _dat je niet hoeft af te wassen_.

## Examples

| Sanne zegt dat ze je morgen **opbelt**. | Sanne says she will call you tomorrow. |
| Ik weet niet hoe laat de trein **aankomt**. | I don't know what time the train arrives. |
| Lotte zegt dat de supermarkt om acht uur **opengaat**. | Lotte says the supermarket opens at eight. |
| Fatima gaat naar de gemeente omdat ze een formulier **moet invullen**. | Fatima is going to the municipality because she has to fill in a form. |
| Daan vraagt of hij zijn zus **mag meenemen**. | Daan asks if he can bring his sister along. |
| Ik hoop dat Joris vanavond **wil afwassen**. | I hope Joris wants to do the dishes tonight. |
| Mei is moe omdat ze om vijf uur **is opgestaan**. | Mei is tired because she got up at five. |
| Priya vertelt dat ze de buren voor haar verjaardag **heeft uitgenodigd**. | Priya says she has invited the neighbours to her birthday. |
| Weet jij of Ahmed de huisarts al **heeft teruggebeld**? | Do you know if Ahmed has already called the GP back? |

## Why it works this way

You need this pattern constantly: passing on a message, giving a reason with _omdat_, asking whether something has happened yet.

Think of the prefix as parked at the end of the clause. In a main clause, the conjugated verb has to drive off to second place, so the prefix stays behind: _Hij belt morgen op._ In a subordinate clause, the verb goes to the end too, so it parks right next to its prefix and they become one word again.

Compare these pairs:

- _Hij belt morgen op._ / _Ik denk dat hij morgen opbelt._
- _Hij wil morgen opbellen._ / _Ik denk dat hij morgen wil opbellen._
- _Hij heeft gisteren opgebeld._ / _Ik denk dat hij gisteren heeft opgebeld._

In the second and third pairs, the separable verb does not change at all: it was already whole at the end. Only _wil_ and _heeft_ move.

Remember: the prefix stays put, the verb travels. When the verb travels to the end, the pair is reunited.

English keeps its little words apart in every kind of sentence ("that he calls back", "I have to fill in"), so _dat hij belt terug_ can feel right. It is not. If you speak German, you already know this one: "dass er morgen anruft" works the same way.

## Watch out

- Not: _Ik denk dat hij morgen belt op._ Say: _Ik denk dat hij morgen opbelt._ (in a subordinate clause the verb joins its prefix at the end)
- Not: _Ik hoop dat ze morgen op belt._ Say: _Ik hoop dat ze morgen opbelt._ (when the parts meet, you write one word)
- Not: _Fatima belt de gemeente omdat ze een formulier moet vullen in._ Say: _Fatima belt de gemeente omdat ze een formulier moet invullen._ (the prefix never trails after the infinitive; keep it whole)
- Not: _Ik weet dat Bas heeft gebeld op._ Say: _Ik weet dat Bas heeft opgebeld._ (the participle is one word)

## Quick check

1. Fill in the gap with the present-tense form of _aankomen_: _Ik weet niet hoe laat de bus ..._
2. Fix the sentence: _Mei vertelt dat ze om zeven uur staat op._
3. Choose _ophalen_ or _halen op_: _Emma hoopt dat ze haar fiets morgen kan ..._
4. Fill in the participle of _terugbellen_: _Yara is blij dat Carlos haar heeft ..._

## Answers

1. _aankomt_ (present tense, one verb, so prefix and verb join at the end)
2. _Mei vertelt dat ze om zeven uur opstaat._ (the verb goes to the end and joins _op_)
3. _ophalen_ (after the modal _kan_, the separable verb stays whole)
4. _teruggebeld_ (the participle is one word: _terug_ plus _gebeld_)

## Use it today

Next time you message a friend or colleague, add one subordinate clause with a separable verb, for example _Ik bel je terug als ik ben aangekomen._ Then say two more out loud about your own day, one with _omdat_ and one with _dat_.

## Questions learners ask

**Where does the prefix of a separable verb go in a Dutch subordinate clause?**

It joins the verb at the end of the clause and is written as one word, as in "Ik denk dat hij morgen opbelt." The verb moves to the end, where the prefix already was.

**Do you split a separable verb after a modal like willen or moeten?**

Usually not: the separable verb stays whole as an infinitive at the end, as in "dat hij morgen wil opbellen." The order "dat hij morgen op wil bellen" is also correct, but the unsplit version is the easiest to learn.

**How do you use a separable verb in the perfect tense in a subordinate clause?**

Use the participle as one word, usually with ge- in the middle, next to hebben or zijn at the end. Both "dat hij heeft opgebeld" and "dat hij opgebeld heeft" are correct.

From the Dutch Fluency Grammar: https://www.dutchfluency.com/grammar. Shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.