Volgende keer kom ek vroeër.

Next time I will come earlier.

Breakdown of Volgende keer kom ek vroeër.

• ek: I
• volgende: next
• kom: to come
• vroeër: earlier

Questions & Answers about Volgende keer kom ek vroeër.

Why is kom before ek in Volgende keer kom ek vroeër?

Because Afrikaans usually follows the verb-second rule in main clauses.

If you put Volgende keer at the start for emphasis or topic, the finite verb must come next:

• Volgende keer kom ek vroeër.

So the order is:

• Volgende keer = first element
• kom = finite verb in second position
• ek = subject
• vroeër = adverb

In English, we would normally keep I before the verb, but Afrikaans often changes the order this way.

Can I also say Ek kom volgende keer vroeër?

Yes. That is also correct.

• Ek kom volgende keer vroeër. = more neutral/basic word order
• Volgende keer kom ek vroeër. = puts extra focus on next time

Both are natural. The version starting with Volgende keer highlights the time expression a bit more.

Why is kom in the present tense if the sentence talks about the future?