The Relative Pronoun "dat"
In the previous lesson, you learned to use the relative pronoun die to describe de-words and plural nouns.
When the noun you are describing is a singular het-word, you must use the relative pronoun dat. In English, this usually translates to "that" or "which".
| Is that the palace that the mayor is visiting? | Is dat het paleis dat de burgemeester bezoekt? |
| I live in the house that has a red roof. | Ik woon in het huis dat een rood dak heeft. |
Verb-Final Word Order
Just like with die, a relative clause starting with dat is a subordinate clause. This means the conjugated verb is pushed to the very end of the relative clause.
| We are looking at the palace that he is designing. | Wij kijken naar het paleis dat hij ontwerpt. |
If the relative clause contains multiple verbs, such as a helping verb and an infinitive, they all move to the end of the clause.
| Are you designing the building that they are going to build? | Ontwerp jij het gebouw dat zij gaan bouwen? |
Interrupting the Main Sentence
Because a relative clause must sit directly after the noun it describes, it often interrupts the main sentence.
When this happens, the main sentence pauses, the relative clause runs its course (ending with its verb), and then the main sentence picks up right where it left off.
| The monument that stands on the square is gorgeous. | Het monument dat op het plein staat, is prachtig. |
| The hotel that has a balcony is too expensive. | Het hotel dat een balkon heeft, is te duur. |
| The palace that is historic has a modern roof. | Het paleis dat historisch is, heeft een modern dak. |
