Free Dutch Grammar with exercises, classified by level and topic
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112 articles found
Adjectives: with or without e
When do you write Dutch adjectives with an -e? Klein or kleine? Mooi or mooie?
The difference between Perfectum and Imperfectum
Imperfectum versus perfectum. It's not the same as in English or German!
De or Het
When do you use De and when do you use Het in Dutch? Are they masculine and feminine articles? Find out!
Hoeven
Learn how to use the Dutch modal verb hoeven and the difference between hoeven and moeten. Learn Dutch Online - The Dutch Online Academy
Er 5 - Er + preposition
Ermee, erbij, erover, ervan.. how does this work exactly? And does er sometimes split from the preposition?
Je or Jij
When to use JE instead of JIJ? There are 3 basic rules! Learn Dutch grammar with The Dutch Online Academy - Dutch grammar exercises
Er - overview
All the possible options of ER in Dutch language - learn how to use the word ER in Dutch, with grammar exercises, explanations and more
Where does "niet" go?
Niet always at the end? No, no, that's not correct! Let's find where to place niet and geen!
Reflexive pronouns in Dutch
How to use reflexive pronouns in Dutch, with a fill-in quiz and flashcards.
Dutch verbs with fixed prepositions: the 40 most useful
The 40 most useful Dutch verbs with a fixed preposition.
Comparing as equals
Groter als or groter dan? Even the Dutch are sometimes confused about this topic! Learn to compare!
Plurals in Dutch: -en, -s and the irregular ones
Learn how to make Dutch plurals with -en and -s, the spelling changes (bus → bussen, huis → huizen).
Separable verbs in Dutch: how to split them
Learn how to separate separable verbs in Dutch | You find Dutch exercises and clear explanations on our website: The Dutch Online Academy.
Verschillend versus Anders
Verschillend and anders both mean different right? But they are... different!
Referring to objects
Is Learning Dutch difficult? Learn how to refer to objects in this Online Dutch Lesson from The Dutch Online Academy | Free Dutch exercises
Moeten
The modal verbs in Dutch: moeten, willen, kunnen, zullen, mogen & hoeven! Learn how to use and conjugate Dutch verbs. Learn Dutch Online
Position verbs in Dutch
Zitten, liggen, staan, hangen & lopen. How do you use these verbs?
Jaar or jaren?
Is it 5 jaar or 5 jaren? Find out!
Niet and geen in Dutch
Niet and Geen.. many Dutch students don't know the difference, but with a bit of practice you'll quickly understand the difference.
Alleen, maar en pas
How do you say "only" in Dutch? How do you use alleen? And when do you use maar? It's not as difficult as it seems. The Dutch grammar
Diminutives in Dutch: -je, -tje, -pje, -etje and -kje
Dutch diminutives (huisje, boompje, balletje) can be tricky. But they are always het-words, which is a win!
aan het + infinitive
Zijn aan het + infinitive: present continuous Dutch. Learn all about it.
List of het-words
What is the difference between de and het in Dutch? How to know when a word is a het word? Here you find a list of common het-words.
Inversion and word order
Inversion! Lots of students are confused by this grammatical term. It's probably easier than you think.
Fine / Fijn
What does fijn mean in Dutch? Is Fijn Fine? Know your false friends!
Toen in Dutch
Here you learn the difference between toen, wanneer and als in Dutch! They are similar, but not the same.
Talking about the future (zullen)
Learn how to talk about the future in Dutch. There are a few options!
Reflexive verbs
Reflexive verbs are not super common, but important. They are combined with a reflexive pronoun.
TE with adjectives
The word te pops up for several reasons. Here's how it works with adjectives.
Emotions (vocabulary)
Boos, bang, blij, verdrietig? There are more words to show emotion!
Best: not the best
Dutch grammar and Dutch false friends: how to use the word best in Dutch. Learn Dutch grammar online for free. Dutch explanations and Dutch grammar exercises online.
Word order adverbs in Dutch (TeMPO - rule)
The place of the verbs and the subject may be clear, but where does the rest go?
Men
Het woordje "men" kan heel handig zijn als je over "mensen in het algemeen" wilt praten.
Leuk, mooi & lekker Dutch
Leuk Lekker and Mooi are three very positive adjectives in Dutch. It is important to know the difference!
Huis of thuis?
Do you know the difference between 'huis' and 'thuis'? You might think you do, but are you 100% sure?
I wish I had...! Expressing regret in Dutch
If only I had...! Learn how to express regret in Dutch with The Dutch Online Academy
TE with certain verbs
Some verbs trigger TE and some don't. Read more here.
Sommige: not always like some
"Sommige" looks like 'some' but is not completely the same.
Prepositions
It's hard to translate prepositions, but in this list we've tried!
Zover / zo ver
Learn how to use "zover" en "zo ver", the literal and less literal meaning.
Te: action + goal
Learn everything about the word 'te'. And when do you have to use 'om' as well?
TE: te + adjective + om + te
Learn more about 'te'. There are a few reasons to use this little word.
Wel
Wel, wel, wel. You see this little word everywhere. But how do you use it?
Referring to things
Learn to use the right pronouns to refer to things.
Toch
The little word "toch" in Dutch can be tricky. Toch has a lot of uses in Dutch. The Dutch Online Academy takes a look at Dutch particles.
Action words for position
How to say to place or to put in Dutch? What is the difference is between leggen, zetten, hangen, doen en stoppen? Dutch grammar exercises
Even
Learn how to use these tiny Dutch words that can at first seem so confusing. Learn all about Dutch grammar and Dutch vocabulary.
Abbreviations
The abbreviations you see everywhere in Dutch emails, letters and signs, with their meaning and an example sentence.
Alle - Al - Allen - Allemaal
Alle Al Allen and Allemaal look alike but they are not the same. Learn what's the difference and Learn Dutch Online for Free - Dutch grammar
English influence: verbs
English words in Dutch: conjugate English verbs in Dutch - present tense, perfectum and imperfectum in Dutch - Learn Dutch online
Describing graphs & charts in Dutch
Learn how to describe pictures in Dutch, like graphs and charts! Learn Dutch online with the Dutch Online Academy - dutch grammar exercises
Verbs: present tense
The basics are important! Work on the present tense!
Ernaartoe / erheen
When do you use heen or naartoe in Dutch? The word ER can seem confusing. Know the Dutch grammar rules! Learn Dutch grammar exercises online
Modal verbs in Dutch
Learn how to use the modal verbs with exercises and free online Dutch material. How to use zullen. Learn Dutch grammar online.
Er 1 - Er + indefinite subject
There are different reasons to use ER. This one looks like the English "there is/there are".
Er 2 - Er + quantity
How to use ER in Dutch | Learn Dutch grammar online | The Dutch Online Academy - Dutch study material: explanations Dutch grammar exercises
Er 3 - Er as a place
Study Dutch Grammar Online - Dutch exercises and explanations | How to use ER in Dutch | What does ER mean in Dutch? - Dutch lessons
Er 4 - Er + passive sentences
Oh, passive sentences! Tricky, but important. And ER also plays a role.
Zitten/liggen/staan/lopen + te
How to use Dutch position verbs to describe an ongoing action | Learn Dutch grammar online with The Dutch Online Academy | Dutch for free
Waar + preposition
How to ask questions with waar + preposition, like waarover and waarmee, and what changes when you ask about a person.
Verb as adjective
Here you'll learn how to form an adjective in Dutch, using a verb | Free Dutch grammar exercises - The Dutch Online Academy
Hoor
The little word hoor seems to be added randomly to Dutch sentences. Here's what it means and how it changes the tone.
beide, beiden & allebei
When do you use beide and when beiden? What is the difference between allebei and beide in Dutch | Learn Dutch Grammar Online for free
Present tense in Dutch: irregular
Here you find an overview of the Dutch irregular verbs in present tense. Learn Dutch Online for Free with the Dutch Online Academy
Hoewel, tenzij, zodat, terwijl, zodra, mits ...
Long, complicated sentences? Use words like hoewel, tenzij, zodat, terwijl, zodra and mits correctly!
Open and closed syllables: woon - wonen?
Why is it 'ik woon' with two o's, but 'wonen' with one? Once you see it, Dutch spelling becomes much more predictable.
Question words in Dutch (vraagwoorden)
The Dutch question words wie, wat, waar, waarom, wanneer, welk(e) and hoe, with an example for each.
Numbers and telling the time in Dutch
Count from 0 to 1000 in Dutch and tell the time with half, kwart over and kwart voor.
Verb clusters in subclauses (…dat hij had moeten bellen)
Verb clusters at the end of a Dutch bijzin: modal + infinitive, three verbs (had moeten bellen), the double infinitive, te in a cluster (probeert te vinden), the red and green order, and the most common mistakes.
Reported speech: the tense shift (Ze zei dat ze moe was)
How to use reported speech in Dutch: zei dat, vroeg of, vroeg wanneer, the tense shift (is → was, heeft → had, zal → zou), when the present stays, pronoun and time shifts, word order and the most common mistakes.
Formal letters and emails (Geachte…, Met vriendelijke groet)
How to write a formal letter or email in Dutch: Geachte heer/mevrouw, first sentences with Hierbij and Naar aanleiding van, u and formal verbs, Met vriendelijke groet and the most common mistakes.
Maar and nou as particles (Kom maar binnen. Kom nou!)
How to use the Dutch particles maar and nou: maar in commands and when you give in, nou for doubt, impatience and surprise, word order, tone and the most common mistakes.
False friends: eventueel, actueel, brutaal and more
The Dutch false friends that trip up English speakers: eventueel, actueel, brutaal, sympathiek, controleren, solliciteren, de map, slim and more, with examples and common mistakes.
Fixed prepositions after adjectives and nouns (trots op, de behoefte aan)
Fixed prepositions after Dutch adjectives and nouns: trots op, bang voor, afhankelijk van, de behoefte aan, het onderzoek naar, with er + prepositie, a dat-clause and the most common mistakes.
Nominal style: from verb to noun (de verhoging, na ontvangst van)
How Dutch turns verbs into nouns (de opzegging, het betalen, de ontvangst), de or het, the prepositions that go with them, and when to use the nominal style in letters and the news.
Ik vind dat …: giving your opinion with dat
How to use dat in Dutch: ik vind dat, ik denk dat, ik hoop dat. The verb at the end of the bijzin, the comma, volgens mij and the most common mistakes.
U or jij (formal and informal you)
When to use u or jij in Dutch: who gets u, the verb with u (u werkt, u bent, u heeft), questions like Werkt u…?, uw or jouw, Kunt u…? and Kun je…?, and the most common mistakes.
Op maandag, om acht uur: saying when in Dutch
How to say when in Dutch: op + a day or a date, om + a clock time, in + a month, season, year or the weekend, plus 's avonds, elke dag and the most common mistakes.
Het regent, het is koud (weather sentences with het)
How to talk about the weather in Dutch with het: het regent, het is koud, questions with inversie, de zon schijnt and the most common mistakes.
Asking the way (Waar is …? Hoe kom ik bij …?)
How to ask the way in Dutch: a polite opener, Waar is …?, Hoe kom ik bij or naar …?, Is het ver?, the word order and the most common mistakes.
Nadat and voordat (after and before)
How to use nadat and voordat in Dutch: meaning, word order in the bijzin, the right tense and the most common mistakes.
Vorige & Volgende
These words often confuse students. How can you say "next Monday" or "last weekend?"
Graag, liever, het liefst
How do you say that you like something? And how do you say that you prefer something over something else?
Kennen vs Weten
Kennen versus Weten in Dutch. How to say to know in Dutch?
Want versus Omdat
When do you use want and when omdat in Dutch? Is there a difference?
Verbs: simple past in Dutch
Here you will find regular and irregular verbs in Dutch. Learn Dutch Online with Dutch grammar exercises and explantions A1 A2 B1 B2
Indirect speech- the use of "of" in Dutch
How to use indirect speech in Dutch. The place of the verbs in Dutch can be tricky. Learn all about the word order in Dutch. Learn Dutch!
Double infinitive
Learn Dutch online and learn why Dutch sentences can have lots of verbs. Dutch word order explained in English and Dutch.
Dutch perfectum irregular
How do you know if a verb is irregular in Dutch? We will give you a few examples of irregular verbs in perfectum and imperfectum.
Imperfectum
How to form the Dutch imperfectum: a full guide to the Dutch simple past. Learn to talk about the past in Dutch and conjugate Dutch verbs.
List with separable verbs
Learn Dutch Online with Dutch exercises and explanations. Here you find a list with separable verbs in Dutch. Learn Dutch fast and free.
Comparing: Adjectives, comparatives & superlatives
Comparatives and superlatives in Dutch are not that difficult. Learn everything you need about Dutch language comparatives and superlatives
Asking questions
Learn how to form questions in Dutch. Sentence structure and interrogatives. Dutch exercises and Dutch grammar explanation
How to use ZOU in Dutch
Do you know how to use zou in Dutch? In this article you will find explanations on zou in English with exercises and examples.
Eindelijk - Uiteindelijk
How to use eindelijk and uiteindelijk in Dutch | Learn Dutch grammar for free with The Dutch Online Academy | Dutch free exercises grammar
Zo'n / Zulke
Learn how to use zo'n and zulke in Dutch - the difference between zo'n and zulke. Learn Dutch Online: Dutch grammar exercises
Dutch word order in a nutshell
How is the word order in Dutch? Discover the right place of the verbs. Dutch word order is easy! Dutch grammar - Dutch grammar exercises!
Conjunctions and word order
Are you doubting about the word order in Dutch? Here you will find a clear explanation and exercises. Learn Dutch Online for Free
Het Perfectum (Perfect Tense)
In this article you will learn how to conjugate regular Dutch verbs in perfect tense, with examples videos and irregular cases.
Relative clause (die, dat, waar + prepositie, prepositie + wie)
A relative clause gives more information about a noun. Let's practice!
Hun or Hen in Dutch?
What is the difference between the pronouns HUN and HEN in Dutch? You can find Dutch grammar and practice with Dutch grammar exercises.
Pronouns in Dutch: 4 types you need to know
zij / zijn / haar / hem | Learn the dutch pronouns in this free Dutch course. In this Dutch lesson you will learn how to use the pronouns.
Separable verbs in perfectum
How to split separable verbs in Dutch in perfectum? The splittable verbs in Dutch are easy, learn and practice your Dutch
The difference between Toen, Wanneer and Als
Study Dutch grammar and learn when to use Als, Toen or Wanneer.
Imperative
Dutch grammar and exercises in English and Dutch. Learn Dutch online with The Dutch Online Academy. Can you learn Dutch fast?
Passive sentences
How do you make passive sentences in Dutch? And when do you use WORDEN and when ZIJN? Dutch grammar explanations in both Dutch and English.
Hetzelfde or dezelfde
when to use hetzelfde and dezelfde in Dutch? We will make it fun and easy for you. Dutch grammar explained in both Dutch and English
List of reflexive verbs in Dutch
Learn Dutch grammar online with The Dutch Online Academy. Find a list with reflexive verbs in Dutch and reflexive pronouns in Dutch
Die/deze/dat/dit
Learn Dutch | Dutch exercises - books - grammar - Free Online Dutch Material. Learn everything about Dutch demonstrative pronouns
Plusquam-perfectum
Learn all the Dutch tenses with the Dutch Online Academy. Learn Dutch now for free! How to use plusquamperfectum in Dutch. Dutch grammar
Conjunctional adverbs
Build a clear argument in Dutch with bovendien, daarom, desondanks, daarentegen, echter and kortom, and learn when they trigger inversie and when not.
Difference between veel and heel
When do you use heel and when veel in Dutch? What is the difference between heel and veel? Dutch grammar exercises online for free!
Introduction
Where to start (or continue) my Dutch grammar?
Wow, so much Dutch language material! Where do I start? No worries. We'll help you on your way.
If you know your level, you could start exploring grammar topics (you can filter by level). Looking for online lessons? Scroll through our online Dutch courses.
Complete beginner? Why not start with the basic pronouns and the present tense?
Want to dive deeper? We have lots of exercise PDFs available to master specific Dutch grammar topics. Many are suitable for multiple levels.
What is my Dutch language level?
No student is the same. You might already know a lot of Dutch vocabulary, but lack Dutch grammar skills. Or maybe your native language is structured in a way similar to Dutch language, which gives you a head start. No student is a complete beginner with 0,0 knowledge. Similar, no student perfectly fits in the description of A1 or B2 level.
Language levels never truly reflect all aspects of your skills. Still, it's important to have an idea of your Dutch level, since it is crucial to get the right study material.
At The Dutch Online Academy, we follow the CEFR-levels. A0/A1 is for beginners, while C1 stands for very advanced students (near fluent).
4 ways to find out your level:
- What was the level of your last Dutch course or exam? You can continue from there.
- Do our Dutch grammar level test.
- Plan a one on one private level test with a professional teacher to ensure you'll focus on the right level.
- Take a look at the free sneak peeks in our conversation courses. Which texts can your read without too much difficulty?
Learn Dutch Grammar
Practise your Dutch grammar with grammar explanations and practice exercises to test your understanding of the language. We’ve organised the grammar material in a way that you can quickly find the grammatical topic you want to work on.
The importance of learning Dutch grammar
All Dutch learners, whatever their level, have questions and doubts about grammar as they're learning Dutch. It’s important to pay attention to Dutch grammar rules, because it could give you more grip and confidence. At The Dutch Online Academy, you’ll find information about all aspects of Dutch grammar, like verb tenses, Dutch word order and important verbs like worden and zouden.
Dutch word order
It’s essential to pay attention to Dutch word order while learning Dutch, because if you don’t, you’ll sooner or later get tangled up in the sentence structure. The subordinate clause plays a main role in Dutch language. You’ll notice that all verbs go to the end of the sentence because of conjunctions, indirect speech and the relative clause.
Dutch verb tenses
Dutch verb conjugation is not the most difficult part of the language, especially if you already know English. But it’s still important to pay attention to the long list of irregular verbs in Dutch, the difference between perfect and imperfect tense and commonly used Dutch verbs. Forming the future tense in Dutch is simple, although you might want to unravel the difference between gaan and zullen.
Dutch pronouns
Important for beginners, but also advanced Dutch students. Dutch pronouns are tricky, mainly because many can be used in different situations. For example, je can be a subject pronoun, an object pronoun, a possessive pronoun and a reflexive pronoun. A very important aspect of Dutch grammar!
Dutch tiny words
There are many reasons why the Dutch language is filled with small words that have a big impact. Think of om, te, wel, maar and toch. And chances are you’ll have questions about the use of er in Dutch. Especially er with a preposition.
Lists with Dutch words
Did you know we offer free word lists? For example this list with Dutch reflexive verbs and separable verbs. If you want even more extended word lists, you could take a look at our book shop.
Free grammar exercises to test your Dutch
At The Dutch Online Academy you’ll find information about all aspects of Dutch grammar, like adjectives, the order of adverbs and the difference between de and het. And to top it off, we also offer free Dutch grammar practice. You’ll find a short grammar exercise below most topics.
What is my language level in Dutch?
Many Dutch students want an answer to this question. That’s logical, because knowing your level could help you study Dutch effectively. Therefore, it’s possible to filter the grammar topics on your level.
Unsure what your level is? We provide a free Dutch language level test to test your Dutch. It’s mainly focused on Dutch grammar.
Don’t forget that a good grammar base sets you up for the rest of your Dutch journey. So make sure to also repeat the grammar for lower levels every now and then. How to improve your Dutch grammar
The best way to improve your grammar is to practise a little bit often, so come back soon to choose another grammar point to focus on!
Dutch grammar lessons
Really want to dive deep into grammar? In our online Dutch classes we use lots of useful learning materials and activities to help you understand Dutch grammar is a safe environment. Grammar lessons are fun and interactive. You’ll have lots of opportunities to use your Dutch, ask questions about grammar and apply the grammar rules. The Dutch grammar lessons take place via Zoom.