Ik wil de hond binnenlaten.

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Breakdown of Ik wil de hond binnenlaten.

• de hond: the dog
• willen: to want
• binnenlaten: to let in

Questions & Answers about Ik wil de hond binnenlaten.

What does binnenlaten mean, and why is it written as one word?

Binnenlaten is a separable verb made of binnen (inside) and laten (to let). In its infinitive form—particularly after a modal like wil—the two parts stay together and are spelled as one word. When binnenlaten functions as the main verb without a modal, you split it: Ik laat de hond binnen (I let the dog in).

Why is wil placed before de hond binnenlaten instead of at the end?

Dutch main clauses follow the verb‑second (V2) rule: the finite verb (wil) must occupy the second position. After the subject (ik), wil comes next, and the rest of the verb phrase (de hond binnenlaten) goes to the very end of the clause.

Could I say Ik laat de hond binnen instead of Ik wil de hond binnenlaten?

Yes—but the meanings differ.

• Ik laat de hond binnen means I let the dog in (present action).
• Ik wil de hond binnenlaten means I want to let the dog in (expressing desire with the modal wil plus infinitive).

How do I form the perfect tense of binnenlaten?