The Dummy Subject "Het"
In English, we often start a sentence with a placeholder "it" for general statements ("It is important..."). Dutch uses het the exact same way.
To specify what is important, add an infinitive clause using om ... te (to). The word om introduces the clause, and te goes immediately before the infinitive verb at the end of the sentence. Everything else goes in between.
| It is impossible to analyze the substance. | Het is onmogelijk om de stof te analyseren. |
| It is necessary to repeat the experiment. | Het is noodzakelijk om de proef te herhalen. |
Notice the pattern: om + [object/details] + te + [infinitive].
You can pack as many details as you need into the middle. The infinitive and te will always be pushed to the very end.
| It is dangerous to measure something new in the laboratory. | Het is gevaarlijk om iets nieuws in het laboratorium te meten. |
| It is difficult to analyze the effect of the new substance. | Het is moeilijk om het effect van de nieuwe stof te analyseren. |
This structure can also be used in compound sentences, like when giving a reason with want (because).
| The scientist had analyzed the substance, because it is important to measure the effect. | De wetenschapper had de stof geanalyseerd, want het is belangrijk om het effect te meten. |
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