Indirect Questions with "of"
When you ask a yes/no question indirectly, such as "I want to know if..." or "He asks whether...", use the word of in Dutch.
| if / whether | of |
Note: In English, "if" is used for both conditions ("If it rains...") and indirect questions ("I ask if..."). In Dutch, you must always use of for indirect questions.
Because the clause starting with of is a subordinate clause, it follows a special word order: the verb is pushed to the very end of the clause.
Compare a direct question with an indirect one:
- Direct: Is de plattegrond gratis? (Is the map free?)
- Indirect: De toerist vraagt bij de balie of de plattegrond gratis *is.* (The tourist asks at the counter if the map is free.)
| The tourist asks at the counter if the map is free. | De toerist vraagt bij de balie of de plattegrond gratis is. |
| Do you know if this brochure is available? | Weet u of deze folder beschikbaar is? |
This verb-final rule applies whether the main sentence is a statement or a question itself.
| Do you know if the castle is closed today? | Weet jij of het kasteel vandaag dicht is? |
Multiple Verbs at the End
If your indirect question contains more than one verb—like a modal verb and an infinitive, or a helping verb and a past participle—they all cluster together at the end of the clause.
| I want to know if I can book the guided tour with a discount. | Ik wil weten of ik de rondleiding met korting kan boeken. |
| We ask the guide if the guided tour has already started. | Wij vragen de gids of de rondleiding al is begonnen. |