Chapter 13: Separable and Inseparable Verbs

Introduction: Splitting Up Verbs

A key feature of Dutch verbs is that some can be split into two parts: a main verb and a prefix (often a preposition or adverb). These are called separable verbs (scheidbare werkwoorden). Others look similar but cannot be split; these are inseparable verbs (onscheidbare werkwoorden). Understanding the difference is crucial for correct word order and conjugation.

Identifying Separable vs. Inseparable Verbs

The main clue is stress:

Separable Verbs: The stress falls on the prefix. Example: opstaan (to get up), meegaan (to go along), aandoen (to put on).
Inseparable Verbs: The stress falls on the verb stem. Example: bestaan (to exist), vergaan (to perish), ontmoeten (to meet).

Common Inseparable Prefixes: These prefixes are almost always inseparable and unstressed: be-, ge-, er-, her-, ont-, ver-

betalen (to pay) - stress on talen
gebruiken (to use) - stress on brui
ervaren (to experience) - stress on va
herkennen (to recognise) - stress on ken
ontvangen (to receive) - stress on vang
vertellen (to tell) - stress on tel

Common Separable Prefixes: These are typically prepositions or adverbs, and they are stressed when the verb is separable: aan-, achter-, af-, bij-, binnen-, boven-, buiten-, door-, in-, langs-, mee-, na-, neer-, om-, onder-, op-, over-, rond-, samen-, tegen-, terug-, toe-, uit-, voor-, weg-, etc.

aankomen (to arrive)
afwassen (to wash up)
meenemen (to take along)
opbellen (to phone)
uitgaan (to go out)
voorstellen (to introduce, to propose)

Ambiguous Prefixes: Some prefixes (door-, onder-, om-, over-, voor-) can be both separable (stressed) and inseparable (unstressed), often with different meanings.

doorgeven (to pass on - separable) vs. doorgëven (to survive, endure - inseparable)
oversteken (to cross [street] - separable) vs. oversteken (to protrude - inseparable)
voorkomen (to occur, happen - separable) vs. voorkëmen (to prevent - inseparable)

Context and stress are key here. Dictionaries often indicate separability.

Word Order and Conjugation

1. Present Tense (Hoofdzin - Main Clause):

Separable: The verb stem conjugates and takes the normal verb position (usually second). The prefix moves to the end of the clause.
Ik sta elke dag om 7 uur op. (I get up at 7 every day.) - opstaan
Hij doet zijn jas aan. (He puts his coat on.) - aandoen
Wanneer komt de trein aan? (When does the train arrive?) - aankomen
Inseparable: The verb conjugates as one unit in the normal verb position.
Ik betaal de rekening. (I pay the bill.) - betalen
Hij herkent mij niet. (He doesn't recognise me.) - herkennen

2. Past Tense (Imperfectum - O.V.T.):

Separable: Treated like the present tense. Conjugated stem in verb position, prefix at the end.
Ik stond gisteren laat op. (I got up late yesterday.)
Zij deed het licht uit. (She turned off the light.) - uitdoen
Inseparable: Conjugates as one unit.
Wij betaalden contant. (We paid cash.)
Hij vertelde een verhaal. (He told a story.) - vertellen

3. Perfect Tense (Voltooid Tegenwoordige Tijd - V.T.T.):

Separable: The past participle is formed by inserting -ge- between the prefix and the stem. The prefix and stem rejoin. The auxiliary (hebben or zijn) is conjugated.
opstaan -> op + ge + staan -> opgestaan
aankomen -> aan + ge + komen -> aangekomen (zijn)
meenemen -> mee + ge + nomen -> meegenomen
Ik ben om 7 uur opgestaan. (I got up at 7.)
Zij heeft haar vriend meegenomen. (She brought her friend along.)
De trein is net aangekomen. (The train just arrived.)
Inseparable: The past participle is formed without -ge-, as the prefix already acts like one (like be-, ver-, ont-, etc.).
betalen -> betaald
herkennen -> herkend
ontmoeten -> ontmoet
Ik heb de rekening betaald. (I have paid the bill.)
Wij hebben hem gisteren ontmoet. (We met him yesterday.)

4. Subordinate Clauses (Bijzin):

Separable: In a subordinate clause, the prefix rejoins the verb stem, and the entire conjugated verb moves to the end of the clause.
Ik weet dat hij zijn jas aandoet. (I know that he is putting his coat on.)
Zij vraagt wanneer de trein aankomt. (She asks when the train arrives.)
Omdat ik gisteren laat opstond, ben ik nu moe. (Because I got up late yesterday, I am tired now.)
Inseparable: The verb simply conjugates as one unit and goes to the end.
Ik weet dat hij de rekening betaalt. (I know that he pays the bill.)
Het is jammer dat hij mij niet herkende. (It's a pity that he didn't recognise me.)

5. Infinitives (te + infinitive, modals):

Separable: The prefix and verb stay together in the infinitive form. If te is used, it comes between the prefix and the stem (op te staan, mee te nemen).
Het is tijd om op te staan. (It's time to get up.)
Vergeet niet je boek mee te nemen. (Don't forget to take your book along.)
Ik wil vanavond uitgaan. (I want to go out tonight.) - Modal verb
Inseparable: te comes before the whole infinitive (te betalen, te herkennen).
Ik probeer op tijd te betalen. (I try to pay on time.)
Hij zal je ontmoeten op het station. (He will meet you at the station.) - Modal verb

Summary Table

Verb Type	Tense / Clause	Prefix Position	`ge-` in Past Participle?	Example Sentence (Present Main Clause)
Separable	Present/Past Main	End of clause	Yes, between prefix/stem	`Ik doe de deur dicht.` (I close the door.)
	Perfect Tense	Rejoined in participle at end	Yes, between prefix/stem	`Ik heb de deur dichtgedaan.`
	Subordinate Clause	Rejoined with verb at end	Yes, between prefix/stem	`...dat ik de deur dichtdoe.`
	`te` + Infinitive	Rejoined (`prefix + te + stem`)	N/A	`...om de deur dicht te doen.`
Inseparable	Present/Past Main	Stays with verb stem	No	`Ik betaal de huur.` (I pay the rent.)
	Perfect Tense	Stays with verb stem at end	No	`Ik heb de huur betaald.`
	Subordinate Clause	Stays with verb stem at end	No	`...dat ik de huur betaal.`
	`te` + Infinitive	Stays with verb stem (`te verb`)	N/A	`...om de huur te betalen.`

Mastering separable verbs requires practice, especially listening for stress and remembering which prefix goes where in different sentence structures. Pay attention to them when reading and listening!