How to learn Dutch grammar: a topic order and a weekly method
Last checked: 29 October 2026
To learn Dutch grammar, take one topic a week in a fixed order: verbs and word order first, then nouns and adjectives, then the past tense and longer sentences. For each topic, read a one-page summary, write your own sentences, and test yourself until you stop making the same mistake. You can do all of this for free.
| Phase | Weeks | Topics | Goal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Simple sentences | 1 to 5 | Present tense, pronouns, word order, questions, negation | Say and ask simple things correctly |
| 2. Describing things | 6 to 10 | Nouns and de/het, adjectives, time, prepositions, modal verbs | Talk about people, places, plans |
| 3. Longer sentences | 11 to 15 | Past tense, separable verbs, conjunctions, diminutives, er | Tell what happened and why |
If you are at the very start, the Dutch grammar for beginners guide covers your first weeks in more detail. For the rules themselves, see the Dutch grammar guide.
How does Dutch grammar work?
Three ideas carry most of it:
- Verb position. The conjugated verb stands second in a main clause. Other verbs go to the end. Morgen wil ik vroeg vertrekken. (Tomorrow I want to leave early.)
- Verb endings. Only three present tense forms: ik werk, hij werkt, wij werken.
- De or het. Every noun has one of two articles, and that choice affects adjectives and pronouns.
Almost every other topic builds on these three. That is why they come first in the order below.
The order: 15 topics, one cheat sheet each
Each topic has a free one-page summary on More Dutch, and a tool to practise it.
Phase 1: simple sentences (weeks 1 to 5)
| Week | Topic | Read | Practise |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Present tense, zijn and hebben | Verbs | Verb wheel, verb explorer |
| 2 | Pronouns | Pronouns | Quiz |
| 3 | Word order (verb second) | Word order | Sentence builder |
| 4 | Questions | Questions | Sentence builder |
| 5 | niet and geen | Negation | Quiz |
The word order sheet goes further than you need in week 3. Read the verb-second part now and come back to subordinate clauses in phase 3.
Phase 2: describing things (weeks 6 to 10)
| Week | Topic | Read | Practise |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Nouns, de and het, plurals | Nouns | de/het trainer |
| 7 | Adjectives | Adjectives | Quiz |
| 8 | Time and dates | Time | Quiz |
| 9 | Prepositions | Prepositions | Flashcards |
| 10 | Modal verbs | Modal verbs | Sentence builder |
Phase 3: longer sentences (weeks 11 to 15)
| Week | Topic | Read | Practise |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Past tense | Past tense | Verb wheel, verb explorer |
| 12 | Separable verbs | Separable verbs | Verb explorer |
| 13 | Conjunctions (omdat, want) | Conjunctions | Sentence builder |
| 14 | Diminutives | Diminutives | de/het trainer |
| 15 | The word er | Er | Quiz |
Fifteen weeks is a guide, not a rule. If a topic still feels shaky, give it a second week. All sheets are also on the cheat sheets page.
A weekly routine that works
Reading a rule once does not make it stick. This loop takes about 20 to 30 minutes a day:
- Day 1: read. Go through the cheat sheet for the week. Note two or three examples you like.
- Day 2: copy and change. Take those examples and change one thing: the subject, the tense, the start of the sentence. Ik werk thuis becomes Vandaag werk ik thuis.
- Day 3 and 4: practise. Use the tool from the table. Write down every mistake.
- Day 5: write. Write 5 to 10 sentences about your own life using the rule. Read them out loud.
- Day 6: test. Turn on test mode on the cheat sheet, which blurs the English so you have to recall it, or take the quiz. If you score well, mark the sheet as mastered.
- Day 7: review. Look at your mistake list from the week, and from two weeks ago.
The mistake list matters more than anything else. Most learners repeat the same five or six errors for months. Writing them down is how you stop.
Learn Dutch grammar free: what costs nothing
You do not need a paid course to learn the grammar. On More Dutch these are free:
- All 15 cheat sheets, online, with test mode and progress tracking
- The grammar quiz for A1 topics (143 questions)
- The verb explorer and the present tense in the verb wheel
- The first 100 nouns in the de/het trainer and 5 sentence builder rules
Outside More Dutch, the official practice exams on inburgeren.nl are free and show what level your grammar needs to reach. Your public library usually has Dutch grammar books for learners.
More Dutch Plus adds the B1 quiz topics and a review of your own mistakes, but the free part covers everything in the order above.
Grammar or vocabulary first?
Both, at the same time. Grammar without words gives you nothing to say. Words without grammar give you sentences nobody understands. Spend about half your time on each. The 594 most common words are a good start, because they come up in almost every sentence.
For the full self-study picture, including listening and speaking, read how to learn Dutch on your own.
Start this week with the first topic: read the present tense cheat sheet and spin the verb wheel for ten minutes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best order to learn Dutch grammar?
Start with the present tense and verb-second word order, then nouns with de and het, then the past tense and subordinate clauses. The table above maps all 15 topics.
How long does it take to learn Dutch grammar?
The core takes about three to four months of short daily practice. Using it without thinking takes longer and comes from reading, listening and speaking.
Can I learn Dutch grammar for free?
Yes. The cheat sheets, the A1 quiz and most practice tools on More Dutch are free, and so are DUO's practice exams.
Should I learn grammar terms like persoonsvorm?
A few help, because Dutch teachers and books use them. The most useful one is the persoonsvorm, the conjugated verb. See what is the pv in Dutch grammar.
Is there a printable version of the cheat sheets?
Yes, see Dutch grammar PDF for how printing works.
What level of grammar do I need for the inburgering exam?
A2 for most people under the 2013 law and for naturalisation, B1 on the B1 route of the 2021 law. Phases 1 and 2 above cover most of A2.