Introduction to Dutch

First edition This grammar arose from the need for a concise presentation of the essentials of the Dutch language which could be used both for independent home study and in groups or classes under formal instruction. With the former aim in mind, the explanations have been made as self-explanatory as possible, and a complete key to the exercises has been provided in an appendix. In the interest of simplicity and ease of reference and review, each grammatical topic is discussed as fully as practicable in one place, and an effort has been made to include only one major grammatical feature in any one chapter. But since a solid foundation can more effectively be achieved through study under trained supervision or with a native speaker of the language, the presentation has also been made adapt­ able to this type of study. The brief fill-in exercises in each lesson provide a model for any amount of drill, and the dialogues and readings included at irregular intervals as well as the review selec­ tions placed after every few chapters can provide the necessary added practice in supervised instruction. Help should in any case be sought with the pronunciation, the principal stumbling-block in the way of either independent or supervised study.

Inhalt

Introduction: The Dutch language.- 1. Pronunciation.- 2. Spelling.- 3. The plural.- 4. The articles and demonstratives.- 5. Personal pronouns. The verb.- 6. The verb (continued). Hebben and zijn. The imperative.- 7. Reading selections. The place of the verb.- 8. The adjective. Comparison.- 9. The object pronouns. Reflexives.- 10. Possessive and interrogative pronouns.- 11. Review of the pronouns. Reading selection.- 12. Numbers and dates. Currency and units of measurement.- 13. The verb, past and present perfect tenses (weak).- 14. The verb, past and present perfect tenses (strong).- 15. Some irregular verbs. The past perfect tense. Use of the tenses.- 16. The modal auxiliaries. Verb plus infinitive.- 17. The future tense. The present participle and infinitive.- 18. Review of verb forms. Reading selection.- 19. Separable prefixes.- 20. Conjunctions. Relative pronouns.- 21. Word order: The place of the verb.- 22. The word ER. Prepositional compounds.- 23. Diminutives.- 24. The passive voice.- 25. Reading: Prinsjesdag.- 26. Telling time.- 27. Idiomatic usages of some common verbs.- 28. Word formation and derivation.- 29. Reading: Gezichten, door Clare Lennart.- Appendix A: A list of the most useful strong and irregular verbs.- Appendix B: Key to the exercises.- Dutch-English vocabulary.- English-Dutch vocabulary.