Conversational Pronoun Drop
In casual spoken Dutch and quick text messages, it is very common to drop the first word of a sentence if it is an unstressed pronoun. This applies to subject pronouns (like ik or het) and fronted object pronouns (like dat or dit).
Because the pronoun is omitted, the sentence starts directly with the verb. The context makes it obvious what is missing. This verb-first phrasing is incredibly common when making fast arrangements or giving quick updates:
| Need to schedule that quickly. | Moeten we snel even prikken. |
In the example above, the fronted object pronoun dat has been dropped ([Dat] moeten we...).
You will frequently drop the subject pronoun ik when giving status updates:
| Just cancelled the meeting. | Heb de vergadering zojuist afgebeld. |
| Am unfortunately unable to make it this afternoon. | Ben vanmiddag helaas verhinderd. |
You will also drop the subject pronoun het when describing a situation. This is common with verbs like tegenzitten (to go wrong or experience a setback) or uitlopen (to run late):
| Things are going pretty wrong today. | Zit nogal tegen vandaag. |
| Is running quite late, am pretty late. | Loopt nogal uit, ben vrij laat. |
Finally, dropping the object pronoun dat keeps your messages fast and to the point when making new arrangements, like promising to inhalen (make up for) missed time or doorschuiven (postpone) a meeting:
| Will make up for that later. | Halen we straks wel in. |
| Unfortunately have to postpone that to tomorrow. | Moeten we helaas doorschuiven naar morgen. |