Putting the Action First
In standard Dutch word order, infinitives and past participles usually sit at the end of the clause. However, if you want to strongly emphasize the action itself—often to contrast it with something else you did or didn't do—you can move that infinitive or past participle to the very front of the sentence.
Because the action now occupies the first position, the strict Dutch verb-second (V2) rule applies: the conjugated verb must take the second position, immediately followed by the subject. This structure is often paired with words like wel (for affirmative emphasis) or al (already) to heighten the contrast.
| I did adjust the saddle. | Versteld heb ik het zadel wel. |
| I already repaired the pedal. | Gerepareerd heb ik de trapper al. |
Fronting Separable Verbs
When you emphasize a separable verb, the entire word—both the prefix and the core verb—moves to the front of the sentence as a single unit. This applies whether the verb is an infinitive or a past participle.
| You especially shouldn't clean the sprocket. | Schoonmaken moet je het tandwiel vooral niet. |
| I do want to pump up the tire. | Oppompen wil ik de band wel. |
| He still hasn't pumped up the tire. | Opgepompt heeft hij de band nog steeds niet. |
Negative Contrast
This fronting structure is extremely common when stating what you cannot or did not do, usually implying a contrast with something you can or did do. In these cases, the verb sits at the front while niet typically lands near the end of the sentence.
| Repair the spoke, I cannot. | Repareren kan ik de spaak niet. |
| Find the bicycle pump, I did not. | Gevonden heb ik de fietspomp niet. |
