Dutch Grammar Quiz: Separable Verbs (Scheidbare werkwoorden)

Many Dutch verbs are separable (scheidbaar) — they have a prefix that splits off and moves to the end of the main clause. For example, opstaan (to get up) splits into sta + op: Ik sta vroeg op. There are three key rules: how the prefix splits in a sentence, how to form the past participle, and how to use te with separable verbs.

Key rules for Separable Verbs

Rule 1 — Prefix moves to the end of the clause

In a main clause the conjugated verb stays in position 2 and the prefix jumps to the very end.

Rule 2 — Past participle: ge- goes between prefix and stem

For the past participle, ge- is inserted between the prefix and the verb stem — not at the front of the whole word.

Rule 3 — Infinitive with te: te goes in the middle

When a separable verb follows te, the word te splits between the prefix and the verb.

Examples

Ik sta elke dag vroeg op. — I get up early every day.
Ze belt haar moeder op. — She calls her mother.
Hij neemt zijn sleutels mee. — He takes his keys along.
Doe je mee? — Are you joining in?
Ik heb je opgebeld. — I called you.
Hij heeft zijn kamer opgeruimd. — He tidied up his room.

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Practice: Separable Verbs

Key rules for Separable Verbs

Examples

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