Time, Manner, Place (TMP)
When a Dutch sentence contains multiple adverbs or descriptive phrases, they usually follow a strict order in the middle of the sentence: Time (when), Manner (how), and Place (where).
For example, if you want to say you are moving "quickly" (manner) "to the escalator" (place) "now" (time), the time comes first, followed by the manner, and finally the place.
| You must run quickly to the escalator now. | Jij moet nu snel naar de roltrap rennen. |
| The conductor is walking quietly to the escalator now. | De conducteur loopt nu rustig naar de roltrap. |
Separable Verbs on the Commute
When navigating public transit, you will frequently use separable verbs like inchecken (to check in) and overstappen (to transfer).
When these verbs split, the prefix moves to the very end of the sentence, wrapping around your TMP phrases.
| The student always checks in quickly at the station. | De student checkt altijd snel op het station in. |
If you use a helper verb, the full transit verb gets pushed to the end of the sentence. The TMP rule in the middle remains exactly the same.
| Are you going to check in with the public transit card later? | Ga jij straks met de ov-chipkaart inchecken? |
Longer Descriptive Phrases
Time, manner, and place descriptions can be multiple words, such as in de spits (during rush hour) or met de ov-chipkaart (with the public transit card). The TMP sequence still applies.
Notice how the time phrases below always appear before the manner (comfortabel, rechtstreeks) and the place (in de metro, naar het station).
| We never sit comfortably in the subway during rush hour. | Wij zitten in de spits nooit comfortabel in de metro. |
| Do you know if this connection goes directly to the station tomorrow? | Weet jij of deze verbinding morgen rechtstreeks naar het station gaat? |