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16
Separable
and
inseparable
verbs
110
Sanne vindt dat Erik het theater zou moeten opbellen.
Sanne thinks that Erik should call the theater.
Alternative: Sanne vindt dat Erik het theater op zou moeten bellen.
In the past tense: Erik had het theater moeten opbellen.
Erik should have called the theater.
Alternative: Erik had het theater op moeten bellen.
Sanne vindt dat Erik het theater had moeten opbellen.
Sanne thinks Erik should have called the theater.
Alternative: Sanne vindt dat Erik het theater op had moeten bellen.
As explained in the previous examples, the separated forms of the main
verb are more common in speech.
Separable and inseparable verbs with te
When we use a verb or a construction with te + infinitive such as vergeten
‘forget’, proberen ‘try’, weigeren ‘refuse’, zin hebben om . . . te ‘to like, want
to do’ in combination with a separable verb, te is placed between the
separable prefix and the main verb. An inseparable verb stays unseparated.
Examples:
Erik vergeet het theater op te bellen. Erik forgets to call the theater.
Erik weigert de rekening te betalen. Erik refuses to pay the bill.
Separable verbs with te and a modal verb
When we use a verb with te + infinitive such as beloven ‘promise’, menen
‘think’, dreigen ‘threaten’ in combination with a separable verb and a modal
verb in the present tense, the separable verb can be separated with the
separable prefix before te, or it can appear unseparated after the modal
verb. Examples:
Erik belooft het theater te zullen opbellen.
Erik promises to call the theater.
Alternative: Erik belooft het theater op te zullen bellen.
De gemeente dreigt het oude station te moeten afbreken.
The city threatens to have to demolish the old station.
Alternative: De gemeente dreigt het oude station af te moeten breken.
Again, the separated forms of the main verb in the infinitive construction
are more common in speech.