Creating Nouns with -ing
In Dutch, you can often turn a verb into a noun by adding the suffix -ing to the verb stem. This is similar to adding "-ing" or "-tion" in English to describe the action, process, or result of a verb.
A highly useful rule to remember: every noun ending in -ing is a de-word.
| the preparation | de voorbereiding |
Describing Ongoing Processes
These process nouns are incredibly common in professional and project management settings. A frequent way to describe an ongoing project is using the phrase bezig zijn met (to be busy with) followed by the noun.
| We are busy with the preparation of the project. | We zijn bezig met de voorbereiding van het project. |
Because these words are regular nouns, they can also act as the subject of your sentence.
| The preparation costs a lot of time. | De voorbereiding kost veel tijd. |
You can apply this suffix to many common verbs to talk about workplace dynamics. For example, from samenwerken (to collaborate), we get:
| the collaboration | de samenwerking |
Since it is a de-word, use demonstrative pronouns like deze (this) when pointing out a specific instance.
| This collaboration is a success. | Deze samenwerking is een succes. |
Nouns After Prepositions and as Objects
Like any noun, -ing words seamlessly follow prepositions (like voor, met, or zonder) and act as direct objects of other verbs.
| She is responsible for the development. | Zij is verantwoordelijk voor de ontwikkeling. |
| Now we are busy with the guidance of the group. | Nu zijn we bezig met de begeleiding van de groep. |
| Tomorrow I hope to receive the approval. | Morgen hoop ik de goedkeuring te ontvangen. |
| Without the approval we stop working. | Zonder de goedkeuring stoppen we met werken. |
