Breakdown of Ik help hem niet, omdat hij niet eerlijk is.
ik
I
zijn
to be
hij
he / it (referring to a 'de'-word)
niet
not
helpen
to help
hem
him
omdat
because (subordinating)
eerlijk
honest
Questions & Answers about Ik help hem niet, omdat hij niet eerlijk is.
Why is niet placed after hem in the first part of the sentence?
In the main clause (Ik help hem niet), niet usually goes towards the end of the sentence. Specifically, it must come after a definite direct object like the pronoun hem (him).
In the second clause, why does niet come right before eerlijk?
Here, niet specifically negates the adjective eerlijk (honest), so it goes directly in front of it. Even though this is a subordinate clause, niet stays right next to the adjective it negates.
Why is the verb is placed at the very end of the sentence?
The word omdat (because) always starts a subordinate clause. A major rule in Dutch is that subordinate clauses push their conjugated verb (in this case, is) all the way to the end of the clause.
Why does the translation use "I am not helping" when the Dutch just says help?
Dutch doesn't use a separate tense for ongoing actions like English does with "am doing" or "is helping". The simple present tense Ik help translates to both "I help" and "I am helping", depending on the context.
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