Splitting Separable Verbs with "aan het"
When using a separable verb in the continuous form, standard written Dutch keeps the verb together at the end of the sentence (e.g., aan het inklappen). In everyday spoken Dutch, however, it is extremely common to split the verb. The prefix is placed just before aan het, while the root infinitive follows it:
| She is folding up the parasol. | Zij is de parasol in aan het klappen. |
| The waiter is stacking up the stools. | De ober is de krukken op aan het stapelen. |
Adding Details
If your sentence includes extra details, such as a location or an adverb, they come just before the separated prefix.
| I am folding up the parasol outside. | Ik ben de parasol buiten in aan het klappen. |
| You are stacking up the stools faster than I am. | Jij bent de krukken sneller op aan het stapelen dan ik. |
This spoken word order is used constantly in daily life, especially when talking about chores and routines.
| The boss is wiping down the tap. | De baas is de tap af aan het vegen. |
| I am emptying out the ashtray. | Ik ben de asbak leeg aan het maken. |
| I am already closing the roller blind. | Ik ben het rolluik al dicht aan het doen. |
Contrast: Separable Verbs with "te"
Unlike the spoken aan het structure where the prefix moves forward, infinitive constructions with te (such as with hoeven — "only have to") keep the parts together at the end of the sentence, with te sitting directly between the prefix and the root verb:
| You only have to empty out the ashtrays. | Je hoeft de asbakken slechts leeg te maken. |
| We only have to close the roller blind. | We hoeven het rolluik alleen maar dicht te doen. |