Introduction: Connecting Ideas

Subordinating conjunctions (onderschikkende voegwoorden) are the words that link a subordinate clause (bijzin) to a main clause (hoofdzin). They introduce the subordinate clause and signal its relationship to the main clause (e.g., reason, time, condition, purpose).

Crucially, they trigger the verb-at-the-end word order in the clause they introduce.

This chapter reviews some of the most common and essential subordinating conjunctions for the A2 level.

Key Conjunctions and Their Meanings

1. dat (that)

• Use: Introduces clauses that function as the object of a verb (often verbs of thinking, saying, knowing, feeling) or explain a noun.
• Example: Ik weet dat je moe bent. (I know that you are tired.)
• Example: Het is belangrijk dat je goed luistert. (It is important that you listen well.)
• Example: Zij zegt dat ze morgen komt. (She says that she is coming tomorrow.)

1. omdat (because)

• Use: Introduces a clause that gives the reason or cause for the main clause.
• Example: Ik ga niet mee omdat ik geen tijd heb. (I am not going along because I don't have time.)
• Example: We blijven binnen omdat het regent. (We are staying inside because it is raining.)

1. als (if, when)

• Use: Introduces a conditional clause (if) or a temporal clause referring to a repeated or general occurrence (when).
• Example (Conditional): Als je hulp nodig hebt, moet je het zeggen. (If you need help, you must say so.) - Note main clause inversion.
• Example (Temporal): Ik word blij als de zon schijnt. (I become happy when the sun shines.)

1. terwijl (while)

• Use: Indicates that the action in the subordinate clause happens at the same time as the action in the main clause.
• Example: Hij leest de krant terwijl ik kook. (He reads the newspaper while I cook.)
• Example: Zij luisterde naar muziek terwijl ze haar huiswerk maakte. (She listened to music while she did her homework.)

1. voordat (before)

• Use: Indicates that the action in the main clause happens before the action in the subordinate clause.
• Example: Doe het licht uit voordat je weggaat. (Turn off the light before you leave.)
• Example: Ik drink koffie voordat ik begin te werken. (I drink coffee before I start working.)

1. nadat (after)

• Use: Indicates that the action in the main clause happens after the action in the subordinate clause. Often used with perfect tenses to emphasize completion.
• Example: Nadat ik had gegeten, ging ik afwassen. (After I had eaten, I did the dishes.) - Note main clause inversion.
• Example: Zij belde me nadat ze was aangekomen. (She called me after she had arrived.)

1. of (if, whether)

• Use: Introduces indirect questions or expresses uncertainty/alternatives.
• Example: Ik weet niet of hij komt. (I don't know if/whether he is coming.)
• Example: Hij vraagt of je koffie wilt. (He asks if you want coffee.)

1. toen (when - specific past)

• Use: Refers to a specific single event or period in the past. Contrasts with als (when - general/repeated) and wanneer (when - future/question).
• Example: Toen ik een kind was, woonde ik in Utrecht. (When I was a child, I lived in Utrecht.)
• Example: Het begon te regenen toen we net buiten waren. (It started raining when we were just outside.)

1. hoewel / ofschoon (although, even though)

• Use: Introduces a contrast or concession.
• Example: Ik ga wandelen hoewel het een beetje regent. (I am going for a walk although it is raining a bit.)
• Example: Ofschoon hij moe was, werkte hij door. (Even though he was tired, he kept working.)

1. zodat (so that)

• Use: Introduces a clause of purpose or result.
• Example: Spreek duidelijk zodat iedereen je kan verstaan. (Speak clearly so that everyone can understand you.)
• Example: Hij spaart geld zodat hij een huis kan kopen. (He saves money so that he can buy a house.)

Remember the Word Order!

The most important grammatical point about these words is that they always send the conjugated (finite) verb to the end of the clause they introduce.

Subordinating conjunctions are essential tools for building more complex and nuanced sentences. Learn to recognize these common conjunctions (dat, omdat, als, terwijl, voordat, nadat, of, toen, hoewel, zodat) and understand the relationship they create between clauses. Most importantly, practice applying the verb-at-the-end rule consistently in the subordinate clause.