Learn Dutch: We willen de badkamer vergroten. - We want to enlarge the bathroom.

The prefix ver- is often used to turn an adjective into a verb that indicates a change of state. By adding it to the adjective groot (big or large), it creates the verb vergroten, meaning to make bigger or to enlarge.

Why is there only one o in vergroten when the adjective groot has two?

This is a classic example of the Dutch open syllable rule. In groot, the syllable is closed by the letter t, so it needs a double vowel to keep the long sound. When it becomes the verb vergroten, the syllables split as ver-gro-ten. Because the o is now at the end of an open syllable, a single o automatically keeps the long sound.

Why is vergroten placed at the very end of the sentence?

In this sentence, willen is the conjugated modal verb, which takes the second position. In Dutch main clauses, any additional verbs, like the infinitive vergroten, must be pushed to the very end of the sentence.

What are some other common verbs that use ver- to show a change of state like vergroten?