Present participle in Dutch
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Lesson outline
HideDefinition and usage of the Dutch present participle
The present participle in Dutch is used to indicate that an action is taking place, while another action is also taking place. The subject in the sentence performing two actions at the same time.
| Situation | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Two actions that are taking place at the same time. |
|
|
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Forming the present participle
The following rule is used to form the present participle:
Infinitive + d
Example
| Infinitive | Present participle | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| schudden | Schuddend met de kaarten liep hij weg. | He walked away, while shaking the cards. |
| rennen | Rennend ging zij naar haar werk. | She went to work, running. |
| denken | Denkend aan de zomer fietste hij naar huis. | He cycled home, while thinking of Summer. |
| zweven | Zwevend kwam de vogel veilig naar beneden. | The bird came down safely by floating. |
The present participle can also be used as an adjective, where the infinitive sometimes gets '+ de'.
Example: 'Dansende mensen' (Dancing people), 'een huilend kind' (a crying child).
Train your skills by doing the exercises below!
Exercises
Exercise to practice Dutch present participle 1
Fill in the missing present participles.
Remember:
- Infinitive + d
- Sometimes Infinitive + de when it is an adjective.
opende ik de voordeur. (glimlachen) (I opened the door smiling.)
Zij vond het . (storen) (She found it disturbing.)
liep hij de bus uit. (fluiten) (He walked out of the bus, whistling.)
Wij gingen naar school. (fietsen) (We went to school, cycling.)
van het gesprek, zei hij iets goeds. (afdwalen) (Wandering off from the conversation, he said something good.)
kwamen jullie vanochtend naar school. (klagen) (You came to school, complaining.)
stapte zij onder de douche. (zingen) (She stepped in the shower, singing.)
Het resultaat van de wedstrijd maakte ons boos. (teleurstellen) (The disappointing result of the game made us angry.)
vanuit een andere stad, wist ik de weg niet. (komen) (Coming from a different city, I did not know the way.)
naar de supermarkt, kwamen we de snackbar tegen. (zoeken) (Searching for the supermarket, we walked passed the snackbar.)
Exercise to practice Dutch present participle 2
Fill in the missing present participles.
Remember:
- Infinitive + d
- Sometimes Infinitive + de when it is an adjective.
De mensen stonden op de dansvloer. (dansen) (The dancing people stood on the dance floor.)
kwam hij de kamer binnen. (mopperen) (He entered the room grumbling.)
van haar telefoon liep ze over straat. (lezen) (Reading of her phone, she walked on the street.)
kwamen jullie aan bij het restaurant. (bellen) (You arrived at the restaurant whilst calling.)
zaten ze op een terrasje. (genieten) (They were enjoying themselves on a terrace.)
zat ik in de les. (eten) (I sat in class, eating.)
Het publiek werd gek toen de zanger opkwam. (juichen) (The cheering audience got crazy when the singer came on stage.)
renden wij naaar hem toe. (roepen) (We ran to him whilst calling him.)
kwam ze de trap opgelopen. (hijgen) (Panting, she came up the stairs.)
De kinderen stonden voor de deur. (huilen) (The crying children stood in front of the door.)
Exercises
Exercise to practice Dutch present participle 1
Fill in the missing present participles.
Remember:
- Infinitive + d
- Sometimes Infinitive + de when it is an adjective.
opende ik de voordeur. (glimlachen) (I opened the door smiling.)
Zij vond het . (storen) (She found it disturbing.)
liep hij de bus uit. (fluiten) (He walked out of the bus, whistling.)
Wij gingen naar school. (fietsen) (We went to school, cycling.)
van het gesprek, zei hij iets goeds. (afdwalen) (Wandering off from the conversation, he said something good.)
kwamen jullie vanochtend naar school. (klagen) (You came to school, complaining.)
stapte zij onder de douche. (zingen) (She stepped in the shower, singing.)
Het resultaat van de wedstrijd maakte ons boos. (teleurstellen) (The disappointing result of the game made us angry.)
vanuit een andere stad, wist ik de weg niet. (komen) (Coming from a different city, I did not know the way.)
naar de supermarkt, kwamen we de snackbar tegen. (zoeken) (Searching for the supermarket, we walked passed the snackbar.)
Exercise to practice Dutch present participle 2
Fill in the missing present participles.
Remember:
- Infinitive + d
- Sometimes Infinitive + de when it is an adjective.
De mensen stonden op de dansvloer. (dansen) (The dancing people stood on the dance floor.)
kwam hij de kamer binnen. (mopperen) (He entered the room grumbling.)
van haar telefoon liep ze over straat. (lezen) (Reading of her phone, she walked on the street.)
kwamen jullie aan bij het restaurant. (bellen) (You arrived at the restaurant whilst calling.)
zaten ze op een terrasje. (genieten) (They were enjoying themselves on a terrace.)
zat ik in de les. (eten) (I sat in class, eating.)
Het publiek werd gek toen de zanger opkwam. (juichen) (The cheering audience got crazy when the singer came on stage.)
renden wij naaar hem toe. (roepen) (We ran to him whilst calling him.)
kwam ze de trap opgelopen. (hijgen) (Panting, she came up the stairs.)
De kinderen stonden voor de deur. (huilen) (The crying children stood in front of the door.)
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I have taught at a Business School and ten companies. In the last two years I've mainly been giving private lessons and I've developed a variety of online self-study DUTCH courses. My schedule is flexible and I adapt myself to the needs and interests of my students so that they reach their objectives in the shortest possible time.
Enjoyable classes, with teaching materials tailored to your needs.
How do the classes work? A class lasts 45 minutes. I'll send you the materials we are going to use in class beforehand so you can print them. After the class I'll send you audios of the notes we made, vocabulary etc. My speciality is communication, from beginner level to advanced. So, you will speak some Dutch in the first class already! Why wait any longer? Let's get started! :-)
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Thank you Tomás :-) You have a very good level already. We just have to focus on lots of speaking practice. Hope to see you again soon!
Do you want to improve your Dutch for work and daily life in the Netherlands? I help young expats enhance their Dutch skills, so you can speak and write with more confidence. Not because you have to, but because you want to! My lessons are practical and focused on what you truly need, whether you’re a beginner or already at a higher level.
What you can expect:
Lessons for beginners to advanced learners (B2 to C1), with a methodical and structured approach
Exercises that fit your work and life in the Netherlands
Focus on building confidence and keeping your self-respect, as you find your place as a new resident
Long-term collaboration, aimed at lasting progress and making the most of your new country
In my lessons, you’ll not only learn the language but also how to communicate your unique value and fully use the opportunities in your new home. This way, you’ll get to know the Netherlands better and make your own special contribution!
Ready to improve your Dutch? Contact me and let’s explore the possibilities!
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Do you want to improve your Dutch for work and daily life in the Netherlands? I help young expats enhance their Dutch skills, so you can speak and write with more confidence. Not because you have to, but because you want to! My lessons are practical and focused on what you truly need, whether you’re a beginner or already at a higher level.
What you can expect:
Lessons for beginners to advanced learners (B2 to C1), with a methodical and structured approach
Exercises that fit your work and life in the Netherlands
Focus on building confidence and keeping your self-respect, as you find your place as a new resident
Long-term collaboration, aimed at lasting progress and making the most of your new country
In my lessons, you’ll not only learn the language but also how to communicate your unique value and fully use the opportunities in your new home. This way, you’ll get to know the Netherlands better and make your own special contribution!
Ready to improve your Dutch? Contact me and let’s explore the possibilities!
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My lessons are adapted to your level and due to my job and experience I have acces to teaching methodes to learn you the basics of the Dutch language or to improve your level. I can help you to improve your level of writing and speaking or help you learn your first words and phrases.
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Do you want to improve your Dutch for work and daily life in the Netherlands? I help young expats enhance their Dutch skills, so you can speak and write with more confidence. Not because you have to, but because you want to! My lessons are practical and focused on what you truly need, whether you’re a beginner or already at a higher level.
What you can expect:
Lessons for beginners to advanced learners (B2 to C1), with a methodical and structured approach
Exercises that fit your work and life in the Netherlands
Focus on building confidence and keeping your self-respect, as you find your place as a new resident
Long-term collaboration, aimed at lasting progress and making the most of your new country
In my lessons, you’ll not only learn the language but also how to communicate your unique value and fully use the opportunities in your new home. This way, you’ll get to know the Netherlands better and make your own special contribution!
Ready to improve your Dutch? Contact me and let’s explore the possibilities!
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I just started lessons with Monique, for now I'm really happy, she is pedagogue, encouraging and I also really like her method. I would recommend her 100%.
Monique M.
Hi!
My name is Natalia and I am a teacher of Spanish as a foreign language. I was born in Uruguay and I’m currently living in Spain.
I have a degree in International Relations and I have been developing my career as a teacher.
My classes are designed following a natural and communicative, action-oriented approach. In each class you will be able to participate, think, give your opinion and thus you will develop step by step all the necessary skills to learn and master the language.
One-on-one Spanish lessons with me include:
- Authentic materials adapted to your needs and interests.
- Exercises and activities that will keep you motivated.
- Feedback and tips to progress.
If you…
- would love to travel through Latin America or Spain
- need to improve your pronunciation in Spanish, your fluency, your comprehension
- would like to invest in your professional career and you know that speaking Spanish is essential
- need Spanish to do business.
- or just want to learn this language because you like it
Book a free trial lesson with me and start learning this beautiful language!
R. .
Natalia is a lovely and passionate teacher who clearly adores teaching and sharing her taste for languages to her pupils. She knows how to tailor them to her students, helping them to reach their goals. She adapts the subjects and themes to their tastes and is always available for help. I truly recommend her to anyone who wants to learn Spanish in a fun, informative way!
Natalia L.
Hello, my name is Michel and I'm a Dutch primary school language teacher. I lived in France for 7 years and I worked for an international school that is well known all over France. I moved to Madeira, Portugal and started to work as online Dutch language teacher 4 years ago. Teaching children and adults is my passion aswel as having fun with learning a new language.
My lessons are adapted to your level and due to my job and experience I have acces to teaching methodes to learn you the basics of the Dutch language or to improve your level. I can help you to improve your level of writing and speaking or help you learn your first words and phrases.
Z. Z.
Michel is a great teacher, professional, with a lot of patience, and knows how to teach. I made progress with him and really enjoyed the lessons.
Michel B.
Learn to communicate in Dutch from the first lesson! Enjoyable classes with teaching materials tailored to your needs. First 15 min. class for free. My name is Karin and I'm from Holland, but I live on the Canary Islands. I love teaching DUTCH and have done so for more than 20 years. I have a Diploma in English Philology. I also have two methodology degrees: the CELTA (Certificate of English Language Teaching to Adults of the University of Cambridge) and the FCTBE (Foundation Certificate for Teachers of Business English of the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry).
I have taught at a Business School and ten companies. In the last two years I've mainly been giving private lessons and I've developed a variety of online self-study DUTCH courses. My schedule is flexible and I adapt myself to the needs and interests of my students so that they reach their objectives in the shortest possible time.
Enjoyable classes, with teaching materials tailored to your needs.
How do the classes work? A class lasts 45 minutes. I'll send you the materials we are going to use in class beforehand so you can print them. After the class I'll send you audios of the notes we made, vocabulary etc. My speciality is communication, from beginner level to advanced. So, you will speak some Dutch in the first class already! Why wait any longer? Let's get started! :-)
T. R.
I had a trial lesson with Karin and was very impressed with her approach and professionalism. I liked the idea of having a casual conversation, while seeing on my screen a transcript of our conversation (which she was typing), where I can check on the spelling of things and where we discussed better ways of phrasing things. Excited to see how further lessons go!
Thank you Tomás :-) You have a very good level already. We just have to focus on lots of speaking practice. Hope to see you again soon!