Log inSign up

Wij moeten dit plan goedkeuren voordat we beginnen.

Wij moeten dit plan goedkeuren voordat we beginnen.
We have to approve this plan before we start.
FromLesson 37inHardcore Dutch
……

Breakdown of Wij moeten dit plan goedkeuren voordat we beginnen.

wij
we
het plan
the plan
moeten
must
voordat
before
dit
this
beginnen
to start
goedkeuren
to approve

Questions & Answers about Wij moeten dit plan goedkeuren voordat we beginnen.

What is the function of moeten in this sentence, and how is it conjugated for wij?

Moeten is a modal verb expressing obligation (‘must/​have to’). In Dutch, modals agree with the subject:

  • ik moet
  • jij/u moet
  • hij/zij/het moet
  • wij/jullie/zij moeten
    Since our subject is wij, we use moeten.
Why is goedgekeuren not split into keur … goed in this sentence?
Goedgekeuren is a separable verb (prefix goed + verb keuren). In a simple main clause without a modal, you would split it: “Wij keuren dit plan goed.” However, when it appears as an infinitive at the end of a clause after a modal (like moeten), the entire verb stays together as goedgekeuren.
Why does goedgekeuren appear at the very end of the main clause?

Dutch uses verb clusters at the end when a modal verb is present. The rule is:

  1. Conjugate the modal (moeten) in second position.
  2. Place any objects (here dit plan) next.
  3. Put the infinitive (goedgekeuren) at the clause’s end.

So: “Wij (S) moeten (V) dit plan (O) goedkeuren (Inf).”

Why does the direct object dit plan come before the infinitive goedgekeuren?
In main clauses with a modal, the object must precede the infinitive cluster at the end. The cluster (possibly multiple infinitives) is treated as one unit, so all objects and adverbials come before it.
Why is the verb beginnen at the end in voordat we beginnen?

Voordat is a subordinating conjunction (‘before’). In Dutch subordinate clauses, the finite verb moves to final position. The order is:

  • conjunction (voordat)
  • subject (we)
  • other elements
  • finite verb (beginnen)
Why is the subject we repeated in the subordinate clause voordat we beginnen?
Dutch subordinate clauses require an explicit subject. You cannot drop we like you might drop “we” in English (“before starting”); the Dutch clause needs its own subject.
Can we flip the sentence to Voordat we beginnen, moeten wij dit plan goedkeuren? What happens to the word order?

Yes. When a subordinate clause comes first, it’s placed before the main clause, followed by a comma. The main clause still obeys the V2 (verb-second) rule: the finite verb moeten is in second position. Result:
“Voordat we beginnen, moeten wij dit plan goedkeuren.”

What’s the difference between voordat and nadat, and how would the sentence change if we used nadat?
  • Voordat = before an action.
  • Nadat = after an action.

To say “We must approve this plan after we start,” use:
“Wij moeten dit plan goedkeuren nadat we beginnen.”
(If you want to emphasize that starting is fully completed, you could say “nadat we zijn begonnen.”)

Why is beginnen in the present tense when it refers to a future action?
Dutch often uses the present tense for near-future events without a separate future tense. It’s understood from context that “we begin” soon. You could add zullen (“voordat we zullen beginnen”), but this is less common.
Could we say Wij moeten dit plan goedkeuren voor we beginnen instead of voordat we beginnen?
Informally you might hear voor we beginnen, but the standard conjunction is voordat. Using voor without dat can sound colloquial or dialectal. In formal written Dutch, use voordat.
What’s the nuance between goedkeuren and accepteren in Dutch?
  • Goedkeuren implies a formal or official approval (e.g., a committee must authorize a plan).
  • Accepteren is more general acceptance (e.g., accept an invitation or an offer).
    Both are understandable here, but goedkeuren stresses the authorization aspect.

More from this lesson

de verrassingIk heb een kleine verrassing voor Anna.pasTom gaat pas morgen leren koken.onthullenAnna zal tijdens het feest haar geheim onthullen.Die verrassing wordt pas tijdens het diner onthuld.gemeenschappelijk
AI Language TutorTry it ↗
“What's the best way to learn Dutch grammar?”
Dutch grammar becomes intuitive with practice. Focus on understanding the core patterns first — how sentences are structured, how verbs change form, and how words relate to each other. Our course breaks these concepts into small lessons so you can build understanding step by step.

Sign up free — start using our AI language tutor

Start learning Dutch

Master Dutch — from Wij moeten dit plan goedkeuren voordat we beginnen to fluency

All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods.

  • ✓ Infinitely deep — unlimited vocabulary and grammar
  • ✓ Fast-paced — build complex sentences from the start
  • ✓ Unforgettable — efficient spaced repetition system
  • ✓ AI tutor to answer your grammar questions
Start learning Dutch freeBrowse the full course