Learn Hardcore Dutch: Zonder toestemming mogen we de gegevens niet verder verspreiden. - Without permission we may not spread the data any further.

zonder is a preposition meaning “without,” and toestemming is a noun meaning “permission.” Together, zonder toestemming means “without permission” and functions as an adverbial phrase that sets the condition under which the rest of the sentence applies.

Why does the sentence start with zonder toestemming and then use mogen we instead of we mogen?

Dutch main clauses follow the “verb-second” rule. When you front an adverbial like zonder toestemming, the finite verb (mogen) must come directly after it in second position, causing the subject (we) to follow the verb: zonder toestemming – mogen we rather than we mogen.

Why is niet placed before verder verspreiden instead of at the very end of the sentence?

In Dutch, niet typically precedes the part of the sentence it negates. Here the main action is verder verspreiden (“further distribute”), so niet comes immediately before verder and the infinitive verspreiden. Placing niet at the absolute end would sound unnatural and might imply something else is being negated.

What nuance does verder add to verspreiden? Could we drop it?

verspreiden alone means “to distribute” or “to spread.” Adding verder (“further” or “any more”) emphasises that any additional or continued distribution is forbidden. You could drop verder and still be understood, but you would lose that emphasis on “further” distribution.

What exactly does gegevens refer to? Is it singular or plural, and how does it compare to data?

gegevens is the plural form of gegeven and means “pieces of information” or “data.” It’s grammatically plural in Dutch. data is also used (borrowed from Latin), but it can be treated as singular or plural in practice. In formal Dutch, gegevens is more common when you mean multiple items of information.

Can you use wij instead of we here? What’s the difference?

Yes. we is the reduced, everyday form of “we,” while wij is the full pronoun used for emphasis or formality. In neutral statements like this, we is perfectly fine. Using wij would be correct but might feel slightly more formal or emphatic.

How would you express the same idea in the passive voice?

You could say:
Zonder toestemming mogen de gegevens niet verder verspreid worden.
Here de gegevens becomes the grammatical subject, and the verb cluster changes to the passive infinitive verspreid worden.

Could you move zonder toestemming after we mogen? How would the word order change?

Yes. If you don’t front the adverbial, you follow the normal subject–verb order:
We mogen zonder toestemming de gegevens niet verder verspreiden.
Now we stays before mogen, and zonder toestemming comes after the finite verb. Both versions are grammatically correct; the difference is simply whether you emphasise the adverbial by placing it first.