Dutch Grammar Quiz: Om … te + Infinitive (Om … te + infinitief)

Dutch uses om … te + infinitief to express purpose ("in order to") and as an infinitive complement after many verbs and adjectives. The infinitive always moves to the end of the clause; om opens the subordinate clause and te sits directly before the final infinitive.

Key rules for Om … te + Infinitive

Purpose clauses — doel

To say in order to do something, use the structure: main clause + om + [extra elements] + te + infinitive. The infinitive is always last.

Infinitive complement after verbs and adjectives

Many Dutch verbs (proberen, besluiten, vergeten, beloven) and adjectives (belangrijk, moeilijk, nodig) require om … te before their infinitive complement. In everyday speech om is sometimes dropped, but learners should always include it.

Examples

Ze studeert hard om een goed diploma te halen. — She studies hard in order to get a good diploma.
Hij solliciteert om een baan te vinden. — He applies in order to find a job.
We vergaderen om de plannen te bespreken. — We have a meeting in order to discuss the plans.
Ze werkt parttime om meer vrije tijd te hebben. — She works part-time in order to have more free time.
Hij volgt een cursus om zijn Nederlands te verbeteren. — He takes a course in order to improve his Dutch.
Hij probeert om op tijd te komen. — He tries to arrive on time.

Practice: Om … te + Infinitive

Key rules for Om … te + Infinitive

Examples

Track your progress

Practice: Om … te + Infinitive

Key rules for Om … te + Infinitive

Examples

More Dutch Quizzes

Track your progress