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Questions & Answers about De uitgang vrijhouden.
Why is the verb vrijhouden in the full dictionary form at the end of the sentence?
This is an impersonal command, which is very common on public signs and written instructions. Instead of using a normal conjugated command verb at the start of the sentence, Dutch uses the full infinitive at the very end to express a general rule.
Since vrijhouden is a separable verb, why isn't it split up here?
Separable verbs only split when they are the conjugated verb in a sentence. Because this sign uses the bare infinitive for a general command, vrijhouden acts as a standard infinitive and stays together as a single word.
If I were speaking directly to someone blocking the door, would I say De uitgang vrijhouden?
Probably not. The infinitive command is mostly for general, written signs. If you are talking directly to a specific person, you would use the normal command (imperative) form, which splits the verb: Houd de uitgang vrij!
Can I use vrijhouden to ask someone to save a seat for me?
Yes! Aside from keeping a physical space empty like an exit, vrijhouden is the standard verb for saving a seat or keeping a schedule open. For example, you could say Wil je een stoel voor me vrijhouden? (Will you save a chair for me?).