Learn Hardcore Dutch: Het project moet onmiddellijk beginnen.

moet is the third-person-singular form of the modal verb moeten, which means “must” or “have to.” It indicates that there’s an obligation or necessity for the project to start.

Why is beginnen placed at the end of the sentence?

In Dutch main clauses with a modal verb (here moet), the finite verb occupies the second position, and any infinitive (here beginnen) moves to the very end. This is standard Dutch word order.

Why isn’t there a te before beginnen?

After modal verbs like moeten, you use the bare infinitive without te (in contrast to other constructions that require te + infinitive).

Is onmiddellijk an adjective or an adverb here?

Here onmiddellijk functions as an adverb meaning “immediately,” modifying beginnen. As an adjective it would appear before a noun (e.g. een onmiddellijke start).

Why is the article het used with project?

Dutch has two definite articles: de and het. Project is a neuter noun (a “het-word”), so it takes het.

Could you use moet nu beginnen instead of moet onmiddellijk beginnen?

Yes, you could say moet nu beginnen (“must begin now”), but nu is a bit less formal and can sometimes feel less urgent than onmiddellijk or meteen, which both convey immediate action.

What’s the difference between Het project begint onmiddellijk and Het project moet onmiddellijk beginnen?

Het project begint onmiddellijk = “The project starts immediately.” (A neutral statement of fact.)
Het project moet onmiddellijk beginnen = “The project must start immediately.” (Adds an obligation or requirement.)