Anna stelt de wekker in.

Anna

Breakdown of Anna stelt de wekker in.

• de wekker: the alarm
• instellen: to set

Questions & Answers about Anna stelt de wekker in.

Why is the word in at the end? What verb is this?

Because instellen is a separable verb. In main clauses, the particle splits off and goes to the end: Anna stelt … in. The base meaning is “to set, configure, program.”

• Main clause: Anna stelt de wekker in.
• Dictionary form: instellen (“to set/configure”)

Where does the particle go in other word orders (questions, subclauses, infinitives, perfect tense)?

• Yes/no question (main clause): particle stays at the end
  — Stelt Anna de wekker in?
• Subordinate clause: the verb and particle fuse at the end
  — … dat Anna de wekker instelt.
• Te-infinitive: particle stands before te + infinitive
  — Anna probeert de wekker in te stellen.
• Perfect tense (past participle): prefix + stem + d/t
  — Anna heeft de wekker ingesteld.

Can I also say Anna zet de wekker?

Yes. De wekker zetten is very idiomatic and common. Nuance:

• De wekker zetten feels colloquial/everyday.
• De wekker instellen can feel slightly more technical/precise (especially on devices). Both are fine in normal speech.

Why is it de wekker and not het wekker?