Werkwoordstructuren

Werkwoordstructuren refer to the different ways verbs can be combined with other words to form a complete thought or sentence. In Dutch grammar, these structures are crucial for conveying meaning accurately. A basic werkwoordstructuur consists of a finite verb, which is conjugated according to the subject and tense, and a non-finite verb form, such as an infinitive or past participle. For example, in "Ik ga zwemmen," "ga" is the finite verb and "zwemmen" is the infinitive.

Another common structure involves auxiliary verbs (hulpwerkwoorden). These verbs, like "hebben," "zijn," and "worden," are used to form compound tenses, the passive voice, or to express modality. For instance, "Hij heeft gegeten" uses "heeft" as an auxiliary to form the perfect tense. The passive voice is formed with "worden" or "zijn," as in "De deur wordt geopend."

Modal verbs (modale werkwoorden) like "kunnen," "mogen," "willen," "moeten," "zullen," and "weten" express ability, permission, desire, obligation, or possibility. They are always followed by an infinitive without "te." An example is "Zij wil studeren."

Finally, some verbs are followed by a prepositional phrase or an object, which are considered part of the verb's valency or complementation. Understanding these werkwoordstructuren is essential for constructing grammatically correct and meaningful Dutch sentences.