Dutch Grammar for Elementary LearnersCEFR A2 Level
Build on the basics with past tenses and more complex structures.
Build on your Dutch foundations with A2 elementary grammar. Master past tense, future tense, comparative forms, and more complex sentence structures. Ideal for learners ready to expand their Dutch grammar knowledge beyond the basics.
Past Tense
Form Dutch past tense using the imperfectum (-te/-de) for ongoing past and perfectum (hebben/zijn + past participle) for completed actions.
Present Perfect Tense
Connect past actions to the present using the Dutch present perfect (voltooid tegenwoordige tijd). Form it with 'hebben' or 'zijn' plus the past participle. This tense is commonly used in spoken Dutch to describe past events.
Adjective Agreement
Master Dutch adjective inflection with -e endings based on article type, noun gender, and position in the sentence.
Possessives
Express ownership in Dutch using possessive pronouns mijn, jouw, zijn, haar and learn about stressed vs unstressed forms.
Possessive Pronouns
Replace nouns with possessive pronouns (mine, yours, his, hers) in Dutch. These standalone pronouns help avoid repetition in sentences and are essential for natural conversation. Learn the difference between possessive adjectives and possessive pronouns.
Prepositions (Location & Direction)
Master Dutch prepositions for expressing location and direction. Learn the key prepositions like in, op, aan, naar, and van, and understand when to use each one. Dutch prepositions often differ from English in surprising ways, making them essential to study carefully.
Comparatives & Superlatives
Compare things in Dutch using -er/-st patterns and learn common irregular forms like goed-beter-best.
Modal Verbs
Master Dutch modal verbs kunnen, moeten, mogen, willen and their meanings for ability, necessity, and permission.
Reflexive Pronouns
Use Dutch reflexive pronouns zich, me, je with reflexive verbs like zich wassen, zich voelen, and zich vergissen.
Reflexive Verbs
Learn to use reflexive verbs in Dutch with reflexive pronouns (zich, me, je). Reflexive verbs describe actions where the subject acts upon itself, such as washing yourself or feeling happy. Master the correct pronoun forms and word order for natural Dutch speech.
Coordinating Conjunctions
Master Dutch coordinating conjunctions (en, maar, of, want, dus) to connect sentences and ideas. Learn which conjunctions affect word order and which don't, and build natural compound sentences in Dutch.
Subordinate Clauses (omdat, dat, als)
Learn to create complex sentences with Dutch subordinating conjunctions zoals omdat (because), dat (that), and als (if/when). Master the crucial verb-final word order in Dutch subordinate clauses.
Object Pronouns (Accusative & Dative)
Learn Dutch object pronouns for direct and indirect objects (me, je, hem, haar, ons, ze). Master when to use stressed vs unstressed forms and their correct position in sentences.
Imperative (Commands)
Learn to give commands and instructions in Dutch using the imperative mood. Master informal, formal, and plural command forms, including softening expressions for polite requests.
Adjective Endings
Master Dutch adjective endings and learn when to add -e and when to leave adjectives unchanged. Understand how the de/het article system and indefinite articles affect adjective forms.
Separable Verbs
Master Dutch separable verbs (scheidbare werkwoorden) where the prefix splits from the main verb in sentences. Learn common prefixes like aan, op, uit, mee, and understand when the verb separates and when it stays together. This is essential for natural Dutch.
Temporal Prepositions
Learn Dutch prepositions for expressing time: sinds (since), voor (before), na (after), tijdens (during), and tot (until). Master when to use each preposition for precise time expressions.