Breakdown of Ik laat mijn computer morgen repareren.
ik
I
morgen
tomorrow
mijn
my
de computer
the computer
laten repareren
to have something repaired
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Questions & Answers about Ik laat mijn computer morgen repareren.
Why is repareren at the end of the sentence?
In Dutch, when you have a catenative verb like laten (to have something done), the second verb (the infinitive) moves to the end. So you get Ik laat ... repareren, with repareren in final position.
Why is there no te before repareren?
With verbs like laten, you use a bare infinitive, not a te + infinitive. So you say Ik laat mijn computer repareren, and never Ik laat mijn computer te repareren.
What is the function of laat in this sentence?
Here laat is the third-person singular present of laten in its causative sense: to have someone do something. You’re not repairing it yourself, you’re arranging for someone else to do it.
Is this sentence in the passive voice?
No. A true passive would be Mijn computer wordt morgen gerepareerd. In our sentence you’re using a causative construction (laten + infinitive), not the passive.
Why is the present tense laat used even though the action is tomorrow?
Dutch often uses the simple present for future actions when a time adverbial (here morgen) makes the timing clear. So laat (present) + morgen = future meaning.
Why is morgen placed before repareren and after mijn computer?
Dutch word order typically goes Subject – Verb – Object – Time – (other adverbials) – Verb(s). Time adverbials like morgen come after the object and before the final verb(s).
Can I move morgen to a different position?
Yes. You can front it for emphasis: Morgen laat ik mijn computer repareren, or place it right after laat: Ik laat morgen mijn computer repareren. All keep the same basic meaning, with slight shifts in emphasis.
Why can’t I say Ik laat mijn computer repareren morgen?
Once you’ve split off the infinitive to the end, time adverbials must come before it. Placing morgen after repareren breaks the normal Dutch order and sounds ungrammatical.