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Intermediate

Separable Verbs

Splitting prefixes

The prefix splits off in a main clause

Verbs like opbellen split; the prefix goes to the end.

💬 Examples
Ik bel je op.
I'll call you.
📝 opbellen → bel ... op
Zij staat vroeg op.
She gets up early.
📝 opstaan → staat ... op
It stays whole as an infinitive

With a modal or at a clause end the verb stays together.

📊 Separable verb opbellen
Context Form
main clause bel ... op
with modal wil ... opbellen
perfect heb ... opgebeld
sub-clause dat ... opbelt
💬 Examples
Ik wil je opbellen.
I want to call you.
📝 Whole after a modal
...dat ik je opbel.
...that I call you.
📝 Whole at the end of a sub-clause
ge- goes inside the participle

The past participle inserts ge- between prefix and stem.

💬 Examples
opgebeld
called (up)
📝 op + ge + beld
meegegaan
came along
📝 mee + ge + gaan