The V2 Rule and Inversion
In Dutch, the conjugated verb must be in the second position. When a sentence starts with the subject, the order is Subject-Verb, just like English. But if you emphasize a time or place by putting it at the beginning of the sentence, the verb stays second. This forces the subject to move immediately after the verb. This swap is called inversion.
Starting with Time
When you start a sentence with a time word like straks (later), dan (then), or meestal (usually), the verb comes immediately after it, followed by the subject:
This applies to any time expression at the start of the sentence, including binnenkort (soon) and daarna (after that):
Starting with Place
The same rule applies to locations. If a place word like boven (upstairs), beneden (downstairs), or overal (everywhere) takes the first position, the verb is second, and the subject is third:
Whether pointing out that something is ergens (somewhere) or dichtbij (nearby), keep the verb in that second slot:
Even when combining words at the beginning, as long as the phrase acts as a single time or place idea, the verb must immediately follow it:
