Demonstrative pronominal adverbs (hierop, daarmee)

Emphasizing "This" and "That"

Combining er with a preposition creates words like erop (on it) or erin (in it). To emphasize "on this" or "on that", replace er with hier (here) or daar (there).

  • hier
    • preposition = refers to "this"
  • daar
    • preposition = refers to "that"

For example, to specify where to click on a screen, use hierop (on this) or daarop (on that):

This is the link; you must click on this.
Dit is de link; je moet hierop klikken.
Do you see that red button? Click on that!
Zie je die rode knop? Klik daarop!

Working with Files and Folders

This pattern works with almost any preposition. Just like with er, the preposition met (with) changes to mee when attached to hier or daar:

  • in becomes hierin (in this) or daarin (in that)
  • met becomes hiermee (with this) or daarmee (with that)
That is a new folder; you can save the file in that.
Dat is een nieuwe map; je kunt het bestand daarin opslaan.
He sends a weird link; what must I do with that?
Hij stuurt een vreemde link; wat moet ik daarmee doen?

Word Order

While hier and daar adverbs can split across a sentence just like er, they often stay grouped together as a single word for emphasis. They are usually placed right before the verbs at the end of the clause.

I know that you need a password for this.
Ik weet dat u hiervoor een wachtwoord nodig hebt.
Do you see this folder? It is important that you save the files in this.
Zie je deze map? Het is belangrijk dat je de bestanden hierin opslaat.