Learn Hardcore Dutch: Na de voorstelling reinigen de technici alle apparatuur volledig. - After the performance the technicians clean all the equipment completely.

In Dutch main clauses, if you start with an adverbial element (here the time phrase Na de voorstelling), the finite verb must occupy the second position (“V2” order). This pushes the subject (de technici) after the verb (reinigen).

Why doesn’t the verb reinigen end in -t like hij reinigt?

In Dutch present tense, only the third-person singular adds -t (hij reinigt). The third-person plural (zij/wij reinigen) uses the infinitive form ending in -en, so de technici (they) also uses reinigen.

What’s the difference between reinigen and schoonmaken?

Reinigen is more formal or technical (“to sanitize” or “to clean thoroughly”), often used in professional or industrial contexts. Schoonmaken is the everyday verb for general cleaning (“to clean” in your home).

Why is apparatuur not pluralized as apparaturen?

Apparatuur is a collective (uncountable) noun in Dutch, like the English “equipment.” It has only a singular form, so alle apparatuur means “all the equipment.”

Why is the adverb volledig placed at the end?

In Dutch the usual order is Subject–Verb–Object–Adverb. Since alle apparatuur is the object, the adverb volledig naturally follows it at the end of the sentence.

Can I say Na afloop van de voorstelling instead of Na de voorstelling?

Yes. Na afloop van de voorstelling (“after the end of the performance”) is grammatically correct and more elaborate, though Na de voorstelling is shorter and more common.

How would I express this in the past tense?

You can say Na de voorstelling reinigden de technici alle apparatuur volledig. The verb changes to reinigden for the past tense with a plural subject.