basiszinvolgorde

Basiszinvolgorde is a term used in Dutch linguistics and grammar to describe the canonical ordering of elements in a basic declarative main clause. It refers to the typical sequence of subject, finite verb, and following elements such as objects and adverbials, in neutral sentences.

In standard Dutch main clauses the finite verb occupies the second position. When no element is fronted, the basic order is subject–finite verb–object or other complements. For example: Jan leest een boek. De student geeft haar een cadeau. When both an indirect object and a direct object are present, the indirect object usually comes before the direct object: Jan geeft Marie een cadeau.

If an element such as a time or place adverbial is placed at the beginning for emphasis, the finite verb still remains in the second position and the subject moves after it: Vandaag leest Jan een boek. In such cases the sentence still follows the general principle of a fixed second-position verb, with fronted material preceding it.

In subordinate clauses the word order changes: the finite verb often moves to the end of the clause, as in Dat Jan een boek leest. In questions, the order may invert, for example Eet jij appels? or Wanneer gaat hij naar huis?

The concept is used in language teaching and grammar descriptions to convey the default sequencing and to explain deviations caused by focus, emphasis, or syntactic construction. Basiszinvolgorde provides a baseline against which other Dutch word orders are compared.