Omitting Repeated Words (Samentrekking)
When describing a sequence of actions—like setting up a market stall—Dutch speakers avoid repeating words that are identical in both parts of a coordinated sentence. This omission is called samentrekking (conjunction reduction).
When connecting clauses with conjunctions like en (and) or maar (but), you can drop words in the second clause if they share the exact same grammatical function, form, and meaning as in the first.
Omitting the Subject
If two connected clauses share the same subject, state it only in the first clause.
| We set up the stall and unpack the boxes. | Wij bouwen de kraam op en pakken de dozen uit. |
| The driver unloads the crates and leaves. | De chauffeur laadt de kratten uit en vertrekt. |
This works with other coordinating conjunctions like maar (but), too:
| We do not use the cash register anymore, but count the change ourselves. | Wij gebruiken de kassa niet meer, maar tellen het wisselgeld zelf. |
Omitting Auxiliary and Modal Verbs
If both clauses share the same subject and helping verb (like hebben, zijn, or a modal like moeten), you can omit both in the second clause.
| She has fetched the crates and set up the stall. | Zij heeft de kratten gehaald en de kraam opgebouwd. |
| We must tie the tarp down and display the merchandise. | Wij moeten het zeil vastbinden en de koopwaar uitstallen. |
Omitting the Object
If two verbs share the exact same direct object, state the object just once.
| We weigh and package the fruit. | Wij wegen en verpakken het fruit. |