A2 Dutch GrammarCoordinating 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.
1Basic Coordinating Conjunctions
Coordinating conjunctions connect two main clauses of equal importance. The most common Dutch coordinating conjunctions are en (and), maar (but), of (or), want (for/because), and dus (so/therefore). These conjunctions do not change the word order of the clause that follows them.
Coordinating Conjunctions
| Dutch | English | Function |
|---|---|---|
| en | and | addition |
| maar | but | contrast |
| of | or | alternative |
| want | for/because | reason |
| dus | so/therefore | result |
Examples
Ik lees een boek en hij kijkt televisie.
I read a book and he watches television.
en connects two actions happening simultaneously
Ze is moe, maar ze werkt door.
She is tired, but she keeps working.
maar shows contrast between two ideas
Wil je koffie of thee?
Do you want coffee or tea?
of presents alternatives/choices
Ik blijf thuis, want het regent.
I'm staying home, because it's raining.
want introduces a reason
2Word Order After Coordinating Conjunctions
After coordinating conjunctions (en, maar, of, want, dus), the word order stays normal: subject + verb. This is different from subordinating conjunctions which send the verb to the end. Remember that coordinating conjunctions connect two independent main clauses.
Word Order Pattern
| Structure | Example |
|---|---|
| Clause 1 + Conjunction + Subject + Verb | Ik eet, en hij drinkt. |
| Clause 1 + maar + Subject + Verb | Het is koud, maar ik ga zwemmen. |
| Clause 1 + dus + Subject + Verb | Het regent, dus ik neem een paraplu. |
| Clause 1 + want + Subject + Verb | Ik leer Nederlands, want ik woon in Nederland. |
Examples
Het is laat, dus ik ga naar bed.
It's late, so I'm going to bed.
normal word order after dus
Ik hou van koken, maar ik heb geen tijd.
I love cooking, but I don't have time.
subject + verb after maar
We gaan naar het strand of we blijven thuis.
We go to the beach or we stay home.
both clauses have subject + verb order
Hij studeert hard, want hij wil slagen.
He studies hard, because he wants to pass.
want keeps normal main clause order
3Using Multiple Conjunctions
You can use multiple conjunctions in longer sentences to express complex relationships between ideas. When listing items, use commas between items and 'en' before the last item. Dutch follows similar patterns to English for listing with conjunctions.
Listing with Conjunctions
| Pattern | Example | English |
|---|---|---|
| A, B en C | appels, peren en bananen | apples, pears and bananas |
| A of B of C | rood of blauw of groen | red or blue or green |
| niet A maar B | niet koud maar warm | not cold but warm |
| A en B maar niet C | koffie en thee maar niet melk | coffee and tea but not milk |
Examples
Ik koop brood, kaas en melk.
I buy bread, cheese, and milk.
listing items with en before last
Het is niet duur maar goedkoop.
It's not expensive but cheap.
niet...maar for contrast
Je kunt lopen of fietsen of met de bus gaan.
You can walk or cycle or take the bus.
multiple alternatives with of
Ik werk hard en ik verdien goed, dus ik ben tevreden.
I work hard and I earn well, so I'm satisfied.
combining en and dus
4Common Expressions with Conjunctions
Dutch has several fixed expressions using conjunctions. These phrases are commonly used in everyday speech and writing. Learning these expressions will make your Dutch sound more natural and fluent.
Fixed Expressions
| Dutch | English | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| of...of | either...or | exclusive choice |
| en...en | both...and | inclusive addition |
| niet alleen...maar ook | not only...but also | emphatic addition |
| zowel...als | as well as | equal inclusion |
Examples
Of je komt op tijd, of je komt niet.
Either you come on time, or you don't come.
of...of for exclusive choice
Hij spreekt en Engels en Frans.
He speaks both English and French.
en...en emphasizes both
Ze is niet alleen slim maar ook vriendelijk.
She is not only smart but also friendly.
niet alleen...maar ook adds emphasis
Zowel kinderen als volwassenen zijn welkom.
Both children and adults are welcome.
zowel...als includes both groups equally