Back
Advanced

Te + Infinitive

te, om...te, and modals

te before an infinitive

Many verbs and expressions take te + infinitive.

💬 Examples
Ik probeer te slapen.
I try to sleep.
📝 proberen te + infinitive
Het is tijd om te gaan.
It is time to go.
📝 om ... te
om ... te for purpose

'In order to' uses om ... te at the clause end.

💬 Examples
Ik ga naar de winkel om brood te kopen.
I go to the shop to buy bread.
📝 om ... te kopen
Hij belt om te vragen.
He calls (in order) to ask.
📝 Purpose clause
No te after a modal

Modals take a bare infinitive; many other verbs need te.

💬 Examples
Ik moet gaan.
I must go.
📝 No te after moeten
Ik hoop te komen.
I hope to come.
📝 But hopen requires te