Key Takeaways
Clear objective.
Learn how the Dutch present works, how the simple past follows the voicing rule, how the perfect uses the right helper, and how separable verbs affect word order.
Three pillars.
Present endings from the stem.
The voiceless set known as “soft ketchup”: s, f, t, k, ch, p, often x, guiding -t/-d.
Auxiliary choice: have versus be.
Teaching-first.
Concise explanations and memorable patterns with the focus fully on understanding the system rather than on exercise–solution sets.
Story & Details
Present tense, first steps.
The stem comes from the infinitive minus -en.
For “I,” use the stem: ik werk (“I work”).
For “you/he/she/it,” add -t: jij/hij werkt.
For plural “we/you/they,” use the infinitive: wij/jullie/zij werken.
Spelling follows the stem: lopen → ik loop, zetten → ik zet.
If the stem ends in -t, never add another t in informal inverted “you.”
Core irregulars fix the pattern:
zijn → ik ben, jij bent, hij is, wij zijn
hebben → ik heb, jij hebt, hij heeft, wij hebben
gaan → ik ga, jij gaat, hij gaat, wij gaan
komen → ik kom, jij komt, hij komt, wij komen
Modals at a glance.
kunnen (can), mogen (may), moeten (must), willen (want), zullen (will/shall).
The infinitive always moves to the end: Ik kan Nederlands spreken.
Simple past, the voicing rule.
Weak verbs take -te/-ten after a voiceless final stem consonant,
and -de/-den after a voiced one.
“Soft ketchup” lists the voiceless group: s, f, t, k, ch, p, often x.
Examples:
werken → werkte/werkten
reizen → reisde/reisden
Useful irregulars:
zijn → was, waren
hebben → had, hadden
komen → kwam, kwamen
denken → dacht, dachten
kopen → kocht, kochten
Perfect tense, form and helper.
Regular participles add ge- + stem + -t/-d: gewerkt; geleerd.
Non-separable prefixes be-, ge-, her-, er-, ver-, ont-, mis- drop ge-:
begrijpen → begrepen, vertellen → verteld.
Separable verbs place ge- after the prefix:
opbellen → opgebeld, terugkomen → teruggekomen.
Choosing the auxiliary.
Most verbs use hebben.
Motion or change-of-state verbs without a direct object often use zijn:
gaan, komen, blijven, worden, vertrekken, sterven.
Some verbs vary by meaning, like fietsen.
Separable verbs and word order.
In a main clause, the finite verb stays in second position
and the particle goes to the end:
Ik bel mijn moeder op.
In the perfect, ge- sits after the prefix:
Ik heb opgebeld, Zij is teruggekomen.
With two verbs, send the infinitive or participle to the end:
Ik wil morgen werken, Hij heeft het niet gezien.
Negation and simple futures.
Use niet for verbs, adjectives, adverbs, or whole clauses:
Ik ga niet.
Use geen with indefinite count nouns:
Ik heb geen tijd.
Future with zullen for neutral prediction:
Ik zal werken.
Future with gaan for near intention:
Ik ga werken.
Conclusions
Form, sound, helper.
The present grows from the stem.
The voiceless set decides -t vs -d.
The perfect tense depends on have or be.
Order shapes meaning.
Separable verbs shift their particle to the end
and place ge- after the prefix in the perfect.
Two-verb clusters send the non-finite to the clause end.
Keep it simple.
Use niet vs geen with care.
Use zullen or gaan for clear and natural futures.
Selected References
[1] Genootschap Onze Taal — ’t kofschip mnemonic
https://onzetaal.nl/taalloket/t-kofschip
[2] e-ANS — Past participle formation
https://e-ans.ivdnt.org/topics/pid/ans02030207lingtopic
[3] Taaladvies (Taalunie) — Perfect tenses with have or be
https://taaladvies.net/vorming-van-voltooide-tijden-met-hebben-of-zijn-algemeen/
[4] Vlaanderen Team Taaladvies — Verb cluster word order
https://www.vlaanderen.be/team-taaladvies/taaladviezen/werkwoorden-werkwoordelijke-eindgroep-volgorde
[5] Genootschap Onze Taal — Past participle overview
https://onzetaal.nl/taalloket/voltooid-deelwoord
[6] Genootschap Onze Taal — d, t or dt
https://onzetaal.nl/taalloket/d-t-of-dt
[7] University of Groningen Language Centre (YouTube, institutional)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoL1Zg6Axac
Appendix
Auxiliary verb.
A helper verb used to build tense or voice; Dutch perfect tenses typically use hebben or zijn.
Imperfectum (simple past).
The past form of Dutch verbs; weak verbs take -te/-ten after voiceless stems and -de/-den after voiced stems.
Modal verbs.
Verbs that add ability, permission, obligation, desire, or intention: kunnen, mogen, moeten, willen, zullen.
Negation (geen vs niet).
geen negates an indefinite count noun; niet negates verbs, adjectives, adverbs, or an entire clause.
OTT (present tense).
The Dutch present indicative; the stem is the base, -t marks second/third singular, and the infinitive marks plural forms.
Past participle.
The form used in the perfect; regular verbs take ge- + stem + -t/-d, non-separable prefixes drop ge-, and separable verbs insert ge- after the prefix.
Separable verb.
A verb with a stressed particle that moves to the end in main clauses and hosts ge- after the prefix in the perfect.
Voicing rule (“soft ketchup”).
A simple cue to the voiceless consonants (s, f, t, k, ch, p, often x) that trigger -t endings in weak pasts and participles.
My Diary - Leonardo Cardillo 