Intermediate Dutch: A Grammar and Workbook

Jenneke A. Oosterhoff

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2009
• ISBN:
  9781135975463
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Langues et linguistique
• Subtopic: Langues

Intermediate Dutch is designed for learners who have achieved a basic proficiency and wish to refine their knowledge of grammatical structures.

This Workbook, along with its companion volume Basic Dutch, provides clear and concise summaries of the essential points of Dutch grammar as well as opportunities to practice using the structures of the language. Building on the lessons of Basic Dutch, each of the twenty-four units presents a grammatical topic with an introduction and overview, followed by contextualized exercises to reinforce learning.

Features include:

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• a clear accessible format

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• many useful language examples

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• abundant exercises with a full answer key

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• frequent references to English grammar

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• an appendix on irregular verbs

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• an index of grammatical keywords.

Suitable for independent learners and students on taught courses, Intermediate Dutch, together with its sister volume Basic Dutch, forms a structured course in the essentials of Dutch grammar.

UNIT ONE
Conjunctions

Introduction

In Unit 23 of Basic Dutch, we discussed word order, and most importantly the position of the conjugated verb in coordinated and subordinated sentences. This unit builds on that information by giving an overview of the most commonly used coordinating and subordinating conjunctions (voegwoorden).

Section 1: Coordinating conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions can link sentences and parts of sentences that are equal in form and function. The four most common coordinating conjunctions link sentences with regular word order, the conjugated verb in second place.

en

and

of

or

maar

but

want

because

Erik kookt een ei en hij zet koffie.	Erik boils an egg and he makes coffee.
Erik kookt het ei of hij bakt het.	Erik boils the egg or he fries it.
Erik kookt een ei maar hij eet het niet.	Erik boils an egg but he doesn’t eat it.
Erik eet een ei want hij heeft honger.	Erik eats an egg because he’s hungry.

Notes

The function of en is to create a sum or accumulation of things and events. This conjunction can link sentences and parts of sentences that are equal in form and function.

Erik kookt een ei en hij zet koffie.	Erik boils an egg and he makes coffee.
Erik kookt eieren en aardappels.	Erik boils eggs and potatoes.
De eieren zijn hard, droog en smakeloos.	The eggs are hard, dry, and tasteless.

The function of of is to create the choice between alternatives. This conjunction can also link sentences and parts of sentences that are equal in form and function.

We spelen een spelletje of we kijken tv.	We play a game or we watch TV.
Spelen we Scrabble of Monopoly?	Are we playing Scrabble or Monopoly?
Wil je je ei hard of zacht gekookt?	Do you want your egg hard or soft boiled?

In indirect questions (Basic Dutch Unit 23), the word of means ‘if’ or ‘whether’. In an indirect question, the verb goes to the end of the sentence. Example:

Ik wil graag weten of u deze trui in mijn maat heeft.

I would like to know if you have this sweater in my size.

The function of maar is to create a contrast between sentences and parts of sentences.

Dit ei is hard, maar het smaakt lekker.	This egg is hard but it tastes good.
De hond van Erik is lelijk maar lief.	Erik’s dog is ugly but sweet.

The function of want is to give a reason or an explanation for what happens in the first sentence. This conjunction is primarily used to link complete sentences.

We blijven thuis want het regent.	We’re staying in because it’s raining.
Ik kan je niet helpen want ik heb geen tijd.	I can’t help you because I have no time.

Section 2: Subordinating conjunctions

In this section, we take a closer look at subordinating conjunctions. In a subordinated sentence, the position of the conjugated verb is at the end of the sentence (see also word order in Unit 23 of Basic Dutch). For clarity, the conjunctions are organized in groups according to their function and meaning.

Conjunctions of time

als	when	nadat	after
terwijl	while, during	toen	when (past!)
wanneer	when	zodra	as soon as
nu	now that	sinds	ever since
tot, totdat	until	voor (dat)	before
zolang (als)	for as long as

Examples in context:

Als de wekker gaat, staat Erik op. Nadat hij gedoucht heeft, zet hij koffie. Nu hij een nieuwe fiets heeft, gaat hij niet meer met de auto naar kantoor. Sinds hij voor de nieuwe firma werkt, verdient hij meer salaris. Hij leest de krant terwijl hij zijn koffie drinkt. Toen hij nog voor de oude firma werkte, moest hij met de trein naar zijn werk. Erik is van plan te ...