Breakdown of De passagier stapt voorzichtig in de tram.
in
in
voorzichtig
carefully
instappen
to board
de tram
the tram
de passagier
the passenger
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Questions & Answers about De passagier stapt voorzichtig in de tram.
What is the infinitive form of stapt in, and why is it split in this sentence?
The infinitive is instappen (“to board”). In main‐clause word order, Dutch separable verbs split: the stem stapt stays next to the subject, and the prefix in moves to the end of the clause.
Why does stappen become stapt here, with a -t ending?
Because the subject de passagier is third‐person singular. In the present tense you add -t to the verb stem for hij/zij/het: stem stap + t → stapt.
When do I write instappen as one word, and when do I split it into stapt … in?
- In main clauses, separable verbs split: De passagier stapt in.
- In infinitive or subordinate clauses, the parts stay together: Ik wil instappen or als de passagier instapt.
How do I know that passagier uses the article de and not het?
Nouns of common gender (both masculine and feminine) take de, while neuter nouns take het. Most learners memorize common words or consult a dictionary; de passagier is always de.
Why isn’t passagier capitalized in Dutch?
In Dutch only proper names, the first word of a sentence and a few other categories (like days of the week in some contexts) are capitalized. Common nouns such as passagier remain lowercase.
What part of speech is voorzichtig, and why doesn’t it need an extra “-ly” as in English?
Voorzichtig is an adjective functioning as an adverb (“carefully”). Dutch often uses the adjective form unchanged as an adverb. You don’t add a special adverb ending; voorzichtig already covers both roles.
Why is the preposition in used here, when in English we say “on the tram”?
In Dutch you board by going physically in a vehicle—in de tram, in de bus, in de trein. English uses “on” for many vehicles, but Dutch treats them as enclosed spaces you enter.
Could voorzichtig be placed elsewhere in the sentence, and how would that affect word order?
Yes. Dutch adverbs can move within the “midfield.” For example:
- De passagier stapt voorzichtig in de tram. (default)
- De passagier voorzichtig stapt in de tram. (emphasis on action)
- Voorzichtig stapt de passagier in de tram. (emphasis on manner)
The separable prefix in must stay at the end, but voorzichtig can shift for emphasis.