So That: Zodat
When you want to explain the goal, purpose, or intended result of an action, you can connect two clauses using the word zodat (so that). This is especially useful for explaining why you follow a specific diet or exercise routine.
Because zodat is a subordinating conjunction, it introduces a subclause. In Dutch, subclauses use a different word order than main clauses: the conjugated verb gets pushed all the way to the end of the sentence.
Main clause, zodat + subject + other information + verb.
| I am following this diet so that I lose weight quickly. | Ik volg dit dieet, zodat ik snel afval. |
| We are cooking a fresh meal so that we eat healthily. | Wij koken een verse maaltijd, zodat we gezond eten. |
Notice how the verbs afval and eten land at the very end of their respective clauses.
Adding Objects and Details
If the result clause contains extra information, such as an object like energie (energy) or vet (fat), that information sits between the subject and the verb at the end of the sentence.
| The boy drinks water so that he has more energy. | De jongen drinkt water, zodat hij meer energie heeft. |
| He runs fast so that he burns a lot of fat. | Hij rent hard, zodat hij veel vet verbrandt. |
Multiple Verbs in the Result Clause
If the result you are describing requires more than one verb (for example, a modal verb paired with an infinitive), all the verbs will pile up together at the end of the clause.
| You may rest so that your muscles can grow. | Je mag uitrusten, zodat je spieren kunnen groeien. |