Dutch Writing Essentials: Grammar for Exams | Prepare for INBURGERING Exam

Table of Contents

TL;DR: Dutch Writing Essentials: Grammar for Exams

Dutch Writing Essentials: Grammar for Exams shows you how to pass the Inburgering writing test by keeping your Dutch short, clear, and correct. You do not need difficult grammar; you need simple sentences, correct verb forms, good word order, and answers that cover every task point.

• Focus on the grammar that appears most in exam tasks: present tense, past forms, modal verbs, future with gaan and zullen, and main clause vs subordinate clause word order.
• Avoid common mistakes like dt-fouten, wrong subject-verb agreement, and messy long sentences that make your message unclear.
• Practice real task types such as emails, forms, and short messages, then leave time to check spelling, verbs, and missing task details.

If you want more help with sentence order, read this short guide on Dutch sentence structure.

Check out our FREE Inburgering Exam e-book:

Prepare For The Dutch Inburgering Exam

When Dutch grammar hits you with de, het, and word order gymnastics, and suddenly passing the exam feels like the real integration course. Unsplash

If you are preparing for the Inburgeringexamen writing part, this guide will save you time and prevent a lot of avoidable mistakes. The writing exam, called Schrijven, checks whether you can write clear Dutch for daily life. You do NOT need fancy grammar. You need clear sentences, correct verb forms, good word order, and few spelling mistakes. That is good news for A1-A2 learners, because simple Dutch can still get a good result.

Trusted exam-focused sources repeat the same message. Practice materials and exam guides connected to the Dutch civic exam say that candidates should write understandable texts, answer all parts of the task, keep grammar mistakes limited, and use simple linking words like en (and), maar (but), want (because), and dus (so). Sources also show that the writing exam often includes emails, forms, and short practical texts. One widely cited guide gives a typical format of 40 minutes and 4 writing tasks. That tells you something very important: this exam rewards control, not complexity.

What does Dutch grammar for the writing exam really mean?

Let’s break it down. In this exam, grammar means the rules that help your sentence make sense. A sentence is a full thought, like Ik werk vandaag (I work today). A verb is the action word, like werk (work), ga (go), or schrijf (write). Word order means where the words go in the sentence. Spelling means writing words correctly. Conjunctions are joining words like en, maar, and want.

For the Inburgeringexamen, grammar is not about long academic texts. It is about writing things like: a message to a teacher, an email to a landlord, a form for personal details, or a short note about a problem. If your Dutch is short, correct, and easy to read, you are on the right track.

Write simply. Short sentences are safer.
Answer the task. If the question asks for 3 points, write all 3 points.
Use everyday grammar. Present tense, past tense, modal verbs, and simple future forms are enough.
Avoid long risky sentences. One grammar mistake can make the whole sentence unclear.
Use linking words. They make your text more natural and easier to follow.

Why simple Dutch often scores better

Many learners think longer sentences look smarter. In this exam, that idea can hurt you. A short correct sentence like Ik kan morgen niet komen (I cannot come tomorrow) is much better than a long sentence with broken grammar. This is where many people lose points. They try to impress, and then they forget the verb ending, the word order, or the tense.

Provocative truth: many candidates do not fail because their Dutch is too small. They fail because they write too much, too fast, and too carelessly.

📚 Essential Dutch Terms

Dutch Term	English	Example Sentence
schrijven	to write / writing	Ik schrijf een e-mail. (I write an email.)
zin	sentence	Dit is een korte zin. (This is a short sentence.)
werkwoord	verb	Het werkwoord is ‘gaan’. (The verb is ‘gaan’.)
spelling	spelling	Mijn spelling is goed. (My spelling is good.)
woordvolgorde	word order	De woordvolgorde is belangrijk. (Word order is important.)

Which grammar topics matter most for the Inburgering writing exam?

You do not need every Dutch grammar topic. You need the grammar that appears again and again in daily writing. Here are the grammar areas that matter most for A1-A2 exam tasks.

Present tense, called tegenwoordige tijd. This is for now, like Ik werk vandaag (I work today).
Past tense, called verleden tijd. This is for before, like Ik werkte gisteren (I worked yesterday).
Present perfect, called voltooid tegenwoordige tijd. This is also about the past, like Ik heb gewerkt (I have worked).
Modal verbs, like kunnen (can), moeten (must), willen (want), and mogen (may / be allowed).
Future forms, like gaan (going to) and zullen (will / shall).
Main clause and subordinate clause word order. This is about where the verb goes.
Agreement and dt-fouten. These are common spelling and verb-ending errors.

Next steps: we will look at each of these areas one by one, with simple explanations and examples you can reuse in your exam writing.

How do you use present tense correctly?

The present tense is the tense you will use most. A tense is a verb time. Present tense means now or usual action. In Dutch, many exam answers can stay in present tense, and that is often the safest choice.

A regular verb follows the normal rule. A regular verb like werken means to work. The stem, called stam, is the short base form. For werken, the stem is werk. Then you build the forms:

ik werk = I work
jij werkt = you work
hij werkt = he works
wij werken = we work

An irregular verb does not fully follow the normal pattern. A common one is zijn (to be): ik ben, jij bent, hij is, wij zijn. Another is hebben (to have): ik heb, jij hebt, hij heeft, wij hebben. You should memorize these because you will use them all the time.

If you want more practice, read our full guide on present tense: regular and irregular verbs. It helps you build the forms you need for daily exam tasks.

Safe present tense sentences for the exam

Ik woon in Amsterdam. = I live in Amsterdam.
Ik werk van maandag tot vrijdag. = I work from Monday to Friday.
Ik heb een afspraak. = I have an appointment.
Ik ben ziek. = I am ill.
Ik ga naar de dokter. = I go to the doctor.

These are short, clear, and useful. They fit many writing tasks.

What are the most common grammar mistakes in Dutch writing?

This part matters a lot. Some mistakes appear again and again in learner writing. The most famous are dt-fouten. A dt-fout is a Dutch spelling error with verb endings, often with forms like wordt, vind, gebeurt, and similar verbs. These mistakes are very common, even among people who speak Dutch every day.

Agreement is another common issue. Agreement means the subject and the verb must match. The subject is the person or thing doing the action, like ik (I), jij (you), hij (he), or wij (we). If the subject changes, the verb form often changes too.

Correct: Ik werk morgen.
Wrong: Ik werkt morgen.
Correct: Hij werkt morgen.
Wrong: Hij werk morgen.

Here is another common trap:

Correct: Het gebeurt vandaag. = It happens today.
Wrong: Het gebeurd vandaag.

If you want a focused drill on these mistakes, read our guide on common grammar mistakes in writing (dt-fouten, agreement). It shows the patterns that exam candidates mix up most often.

Fast self-check for dt-fouten

Find the verb. The verb is the action word.
Find the subject. Who does the action?
Check whether the verb matches the subject.
Read the sentence again slowly before you submit.

That last step can save points.

How does Dutch sentence structure work in exam writing?

Dutch sentence structure means the order of words in a sentence. This is one of the biggest problems for learners, especially when they join two ideas. You need to know the difference between a main clause and a subordinate clause.

A main clause, in Dutch hoofdzin, can stand alone. It is a full sentence. Example: Ik blijf thuis (I stay home). A subordinate clause, in Dutch bijzin, often starts with words like omdat (because), als (if / when), dat (that), or terwijl (while). In a subordinate clause, the verb usually goes to the end.

Main clause: Ik blijf thuis.
Main + subordinate clause: Ik blijf thuis omdat ik ziek ben.

Look closely at omdat ik ziek ben. The verb ben (am) moves to the end of the subordinate clause. That is a very Dutch pattern.

Want more training with this? Read our guide on sentence structure: main clauses vs subordinate clauses. This grammar point can make your writing look much more natural.

Simple linking words you should know

en = and
maar = but
want = because
dus = so
omdat = because
dan = then
daarna = after that

These words help you connect ideas. Connected writing often feels clearer and more complete.

When should you use modal verbs like kunnen, moeten, willen, and mogen?

Modal verbs are helper verbs. They change the meaning of another verb. In Dutch exam writing, they are everywhere because they help you talk about ability, duty, wish, and permission.

kunnen = can / to be able to
moeten = must / have to
willen = want to
mogen = may / to be allowed to

These verbs are perfect for practical writing. You often need them in requests, excuses, plans, and problems.

Ik kan morgen niet komen. = I cannot come tomorrow.
Ik moet naar de huisarts. = I must go to the general practitioner.
Ik wil een nieuwe afspraak maken. = I want to make a new appointment.
Mag ik de afspraak verzetten? = May I move the appointment?

A common rule: with a modal verb, the second verb usually goes to the end in the full form.

Ik wil morgen werken. = I want to work tomorrow.
Ik kan het formulier invullen. = I can fill in the form.

Read more in our guide on modal verbs in writing (kunnen, moeten, willen, mogen). This topic helps you sound practical and polite, which is perfect for exam tasks.

How do you write about the future: zullen or gaan?

You may need to write about tomorrow, next week, or a future plan. In Dutch, two common future forms are gaan and zullen.

Gaan often means a plan or something that is going to happen. Zullen can mean will, shall, promise, offer, or polite future language. At A1-A2 level, gaan is often easier and safer.

Ik ga morgen naar school. = I am going to school tomorrow.
Ik ga een e-mail sturen. = I am going to send an email.
Ik zal morgen bellen. = I will call tomorrow.
Zal ik u helpen? = Shall I help you?

For many exam texts, gaan feels more natural when you describe a plan. Zullen often appears in polite offers or promises.

You can practice this in our guide on future tense: zullen vs gaan. It helps you choose the right form without overthinking.

Which past tense should you use: verleden tijd or voltooid tegenwoordige tijd?

Now the past. Learners often ask: should I use the simple past, called verleden tijd, or the present perfect, called voltooid tegenwoordige tijd? For daily Dutch, the present perfect is very common, and for exam writing it is often the safest way to talk about something that happened before.

Simple past: Ik werkte gisteren. = I worked yesterday.
Present perfect: Ik heb gisteren gewerkt. = I worked yesterday / I have worked yesterday.

The present perfect usually uses hebben (to have) or zijn (to be) plus a past participle. A past participle is the special verb form used in completed actions, like gewerkt (worked), gemaakt (made), or gegaan (gone).

Ik heb een brief geschreven. = I have written a letter.
Ik heb het formulier ingevuld. = I have filled in the form.
Ik ben naar de dokter gegaan. = I went to the doctor.

You should know both past forms because some tasks ask you to explain what happened. Learn more in our guide on past tense: simple past (verleden tijd) and present perfect (voltooid tegenwoordige tijd).

Which past form is safer for A1-A2 writing?

In many exam situations, the present perfect is easier because learners hear and use it often in daily Dutch. If you are not sure, sentences like Ik heb gebeld (I called), Ik heb gewerkt (I worked), and Ik heb een afspraak gemaakt (I made an appointment) are very useful.

What does the writing exam usually ask you to do?

Trusted exam guides and training sites agree on the most common task types. You are usually asked to write short, practical texts. That can include:

An email, called e-mail
A form, called formulier
A short message, called bericht
An invitation or reply, called uitnodiging or antwoord
A short description, called beschrijving

One exam guide aimed at A2 preparation gives this structure: 40 minutes, 4 writing exercises, often based on emails and forms. Other learner reports also mention everyday contexts like changing appointments, filling in personal information, and writing very short practical texts. That means your practice should match real life.

What examiners usually want

You answer every part of the task.
Your message is clear.
Your grammar mistakes stay limited.
Your spelling mistakes stay few.
Your text feels natural for the situation.

That is why grammar for the exam is practical grammar. You are not writing literature. You are solving a daily communication task.

What does a good exam answer look like?

Here is a short model. Imagine the task says: Write an email to your teacher. You are sick. You cannot come tomorrow. Ask for homework.

Good answer:

Beste docent,
Ik ben ziek. Ik kan morgen niet naar school komen. Kunt u mij het huiswerk sturen?
Met vriendelijke groet,
Maria

Why is this good?

It is short.
It answers all parts of the task.
It uses correct grammar for A1-A2.
It uses a polite opening and closing.

Now compare it with a risky answer that tries too much:

Hallo docent, omdat ik voelde mij niet goed en ik heb morgen waarschijnlijk veel ziekheid, ik zal niet kunnen naar school gaan and please send homeworks.

This answer has too many problems. Wrong word order. Wrong vocabulary. English mixed in. Strange grammar. The message is still partly understandable, but it feels messy.

Which words and phrases should you memorize for writing tasks?

Memorizing whole essays is a bad idea. Memorizing short reusable phrases is a smart idea. These phrases help you write faster and with fewer mistakes.

Useful openings

Beste meneer, = Dear sir,
Beste mevrouw, = Dear madam,
Beste docent, = Dear teacher,
Hallo, = Hello,

Useful message phrases

Ik schrijf deze e-mail omdat… = I am writing this email because…
Ik heb een vraag. = I have a question.
Ik kan niet komen. = I cannot come.
Ik wil een afspraak maken. = I want to make an appointment.
Ik heb een probleem met… = I have a problem with…
Kunt u mij helpen? = Can you help me?

Useful endings

Met vriendelijke groet, = Kind regards,
Groeten, = Greetings,
Alvast bedankt. = Thanks in advance.

What are the biggest mistakes to avoid before exam day?

Here is where many people lose points fast.

Writing too much. More text means more chance of grammar mistakes.
Ignoring the task points. If the task asks for three things, write all three things.
Using grammar you do not control. Stick to structures you know.
Forgetting word order. This is very common after omdat, dat, and modal verbs.
Mixing tenses badly. Choose present, past, or future carefully.
Skipping spelling review. One quick reread can catch many errors.

A slightly shocking truth from learner experience: many candidates prepare reading and listening for weeks, then leave writing until the end. That is a mistake. Writing exposes every weak area at once: grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and structure.

How should you practice grammar for the Inburgering writing exam?

Here is a practical plan. Keep it simple and repeat it often.

Learn one grammar topic at a time. Start with present tense, then modal verbs, then past forms, then sentence order.
Write 3 short sentences with that topic. Do not write a full essay yet.
Turn the sentences into one short message. This builds real exam skill.
Check your own work. Look at verb endings, word order, spelling, and whether you answered the task.
Use official and realistic practice. DUO practice materials and exam-style exercises help most.
Write every day. Even 5 minutes helps.

Several exam-focused sources recommend official DUO exercises and daily writing practice. That advice makes sense. You need contact with real exam language, not only app exercises.

A 7-day mini plan

Day 1: Present tense sentences
Day 2: Modal verbs in requests
Day 3: Word order with omdat
Day 4: Present perfect sentences
Day 5: Future with gaan and zullen
Day 6: One email and one form exercise
Day 7: Full timed practice

Step-by-step: how do you write a strong answer under exam pressure?

Here is a clear system you can use on exam day.

First: Read the task twice. Underline the points you must include.
Then: Choose simple grammar. Do not invent fancy sentences.
Next: Write short lines with one idea each.
After that: Add linking words like en, maar, want, or omdat.
Finally: Check verbs, spelling, and whether you answered everything.

Timeline: If the exam has 40 minutes for 4 tasks, give yourself about 8 to 9 minutes per task and keep a few minutes for checking.

Trusted sources and what they tell us

Here is the short source picture behind this guide:

DUO-aligned and exam-prep sites say the writing exam checks clear communication, complete task response, and limited grammar and spelling mistakes.
Exam guides for Inburgering A2 describe practical tasks such as emails, forms, and short messages.
Preparation platforms often list the writing exam at about 40 minutes with 4 exercises for A2-focused training.
Learner reports repeatedly say the same thing: simple sentences and good grammar beat long complicated answers.

Sources used for this article include exam-prep pages and guides from Learn Dutch with AI, Inburgering.org, DutchReady, Dutch Online, Inburgering Online, and learner experience reports on Medium and Reddit. The most trustworthy pattern across them is very clear: write simply, answer the task fully, and control your grammar.

Nederlandse samenvatting: wat moet je weten voor Schrijven?

Voor het examen Schrijven moet je een korte en duidelijke tekst schrijven. Je hoeft geen moeilijke grammatica te gebruiken. Een duidelijke tekst is een tekst die de lezer goed begrijpt. Een werkwoord is een actiewoord, zoals werken (to work), gaan (to go), en schrijven (to write). De woordvolgorde is de plaats van de woorden in de zin. De spelling is hoe je woorden schrijft.

Gebruik korte zinnen. Schrijf alle punten van de opdracht. Maak niet te veel fouten met werkwoorden. Let op dt-fouten. Dat zijn fouten in de spelling van werkwoorden. Let ook op de woordvolgorde, vooral in een bijzin. Een bijzin is een deel van de zin met woorden zoals omdat (because) of dat (that). In een bijzin staat het werkwoord vaak aan het eind.

Ik werk morgen. = I work tomorrow.
Hij werkt morgen. = He works tomorrow.
Ik blijf thuis omdat ik ziek ben. = I stay home because I am ill.
Ik kan niet komen. = I cannot come.
Ik heb gisteren gebeld. = I called yesterday.
Ik ga morgen een e-mail sturen. = I am going to send an email tomorrow.

Belangrijke woorden zijn kunnen (can), moeten (must), willen (want), mogen (may), gaan (going to), en zullen (will). Je gebruikt deze woorden vaak in e-mails en berichten. Een bericht is a message. Een formulier is a form. Een afspraak is an appointment.

Oefen elke dag een beetje. Schrijf korte e-mails, korte berichten en zinnen over vandaag, gisteren en morgen. Lees je tekst nog een keer. Controleer de werkwoorden, de spelling en de woordvolgorde. Eenvoudig en goed is beter dan lang en fout.

Final take: what should you remember most?

If you remember only a few things, remember these. The Inburgering writing exam wants clear communication. You should focus on present tense, past forms, modal verbs, future with gaan and zullen, word order, and common verb-ending mistakes. Keep your text short, natural, and complete. Practice with real exam-style tasks. And before you submit anything, check your verbs one more time.

If you want full topic-by-topic practice, continue with these focused guides: common grammar mistakes in writing, main clauses vs subordinate clauses, modal verbs in writing, future tense: zullen vs gaan, past tense forms, and present tense verbs.

Samenvatting (Article Summary in Dutch)

Practice your reading: This section covers the same information in simple Dutch. Explain how to find answers.

In dit artikel leer je Nederlandse grammatica voor examens. Je oefent met zinnen, werkwoorden, lidwoorden en woordvolgorde. Deze punten zijn handig voor het Inburgeringsexamen en voor het dagelijks leven in Nederland. Lees rustig, zoek signaalwoorden zoals maar, en en dan, en kijk goed naar het werkwoord in de zin.

Vertaling (Translation):

werkwoord = verb
woordvolgorde = word order
lidwoord = article

Common Mistakes and How To Avoid Them (H2)

❌ Mistake 1: Je zegt: Ik gaan naar school.
✅ Instead: Zeg: Ik ga naar school. Het werkwoord moet passen bij ik.

❌ Mistake 2: Je gebruikt het verkeerde lidwoord, zoals de huis.
✅ Instead: Zeg: het huis. Leer nieuwe woorden meteen met de of het.

❌ Mistake 3: Je zet het werkwoord op de verkeerde plek.
✅ Instead: In een gewone zin staat het werkwoord vaak op plek 2.
Vandaag ga ik naar werk.

❌ Mistake 4: Je vergeet de uitgang bij een bijvoeglijk naamwoord.
✅ Instead: Zeg vaak: de grote stad, het mooie huis. Oefen met vaste combinaties.

❌ Mistake 5: Je gebruikt niet en geen door elkaar.
✅ Instead: Gebruik geen bij een zelfstandig naamwoord zonder lidwoord.
Ik heb geen fiets.
Gebruik niet bij een werkwoord of bijvoeglijk naamwoord.
Ik werk niet vandaag.

❌ Mistake 6: Je schrijft een vraag als een gewone zin.
✅ Instead: Zet in een vraag vaak eerst het werkwoord.
Woon jij in Amsterdam?

Dutch Practice Exercise (Oefen je Nederlands)

Reading comprehension: Read this paragraph in Dutch and answer the questions below.

Note: Click “Show answer” immediately after each question to check your understanding.

Voor een Nederlands examen is grammatica heel belangrijk. Veel cursisten oefenen met korte zinnen en veel herhaling. In Nederland schrijf je vaak nette, duidelijke zinnen in formulieren, e-mails en examens. Daarom is het goed om te letten op werkwoorden, lidwoorden en woordvolgorde. Een klein foutje kan soms de betekenis veranderen.

Vragen (Questions):

Grammatica is belangrijk voor een Nederlands examen.
✅ WAAR ❌ NIET WAAR
Show answer
✅ WAAR – Dat staat in de eerste zin.
De ________ oefenen met korte zinnen en veel herhaling.
Show answer
cursisten
Waar schrijf je vaak nette, duidelijke zinnen?
A) In formulieren, e-mails en examens
B) Alleen thuis
C) Alleen op straat
D) Alleen in boeken
Show answer
A) In formulieren, e-mails en examens
Een klein foutje verandert nooit de betekenis.
✅ WAAR ❌ NIET WAAR
Show answer
❌ NIET WAAR – In de laatste zin staat dat een klein foutje soms de betekenis kan veranderen.
Daarom is het goed om te letten op werkwoorden, lidwoorden en ________.
Show answer
woordvolgorde

Extra grammatica-oefeningen

1. Kies het goede werkwoord

Ik ___ in Utrecht.
A) woon
B) woont
C) wonen
Show answer
A) woon
Jij ___ Nederlands.
A) leren
B) leert
C) leer
Show answer
B) leert
Wij ___ naar de les.
A) gaat
B) ga
C) gaan
Show answer
C) gaan
Hij ___ een brief.
A) schrijft
B) schrijven
C) schrijf
Show answer
A) schrijft

2. De of het

___ tafel
Show answer
de tafel
___ boek
Show answer
het boek
___ examen
Show answer
het examen
___ docent
Show answer
de docent
___ formulier
Show answer
het formulier

3. Zet de woorden in de goede volgorde

morgen / ik / werk / thuis
Show answer
Ik werk morgen thuis.
naar school / gaat / mijn zoon / elke dag
Show answer
Mijn zoon gaat elke dag naar school.
vandaag / een e-mail / schrijf / ik
Show answer
Ik schrijf vandaag een e-mail.
in Nederland / wonen / wij
Show answer
Wij wonen in Nederland.

4. Niet of geen

Ik heb ___ auto.
Show answer
geen
Wij werken ___ op zondag.
Show answer
niet
Hij heeft ___ tijd.
Show answer
geen
De oefening is ___ moeilijk.
Show answer
niet

5. Maak de vraag

Jij woont in Den Haag.
Show answer
Woon jij in Den Haag?
Zij spreekt Nederlands.
Show answer
Spreekt zij Nederlands?
Jullie hebben een afspraak.
Show answer
Hebben jullie een afspraak?

6. Vul het goede woord in

Kies uit: omdat, en, maar, dan

Ik wil oefenen, ___ ik heb morgen examen.
Show answer
omdat
Ik lees de zin ___ ik schrijf het antwoord.
Show answer
en
De oefening is kort, ___ niet makkelijk.
Show answer
maar
Lees eerst de vraag, schrijf ___ het antwoord.
Show answer
dan

Schrijfopdracht

Schrijf 5 korte zinnen over jezelf.
Gebruik deze woorden:

wonen
werken
Nederlands
vandaag
niet

Modelantwoord:

Show answer

Ik woon in Rotterdam. Ik werk in een winkel. Ik leer Nederlands. Vandaag heb ik les. Ik werk niet thuis.

Woordenschat in context

Kies het juiste woord: brief, docent, fout, vraag, antwoord

De leraar op school is de ___.
Show answer
docent
Op een examen lees je eerst de ___.
Show answer
vraag
Daarna schrijf je het ___.
Show answer
antwoord
Een kleine ___ kan de zin veranderen.
Show answer
fout
Ik schrijf een ___ aan de gemeente.
Show answer
brief

Cultuur en taal in Nederland

In Nederland is duidelijk schrijven erg gewoon. Mensen schrijven vaak kort en direct in e-mails en formulieren. Bij de gemeente, de huisarts en school is een nette zin handig. Dat helpt ook bij het examen.

Cultuurvragen

In Nederland schrijven mensen vaak lang en moeilijk.
✅ WAAR ❌ NIET WAAR
Show answer
❌ NIET WAAR – Vaak schrijven mensen juist kort en duidelijk.
Waar zijn nette zinnen handig?
A) Bij de gemeente, de huisarts en school
B) Alleen in een restaurant
C) Alleen op vakantie
Show answer
A) Bij de gemeente, de huisarts en school
Vul in: In Nederland schrijven mensen vaak kort en ________.
Show answer
direct

Mini-toets

Kies de goede zin.
A) Ik heb geen tijd vandaag.
B) Ik heb niet tijd vandaag.
Show answer
A) Ik heb geen tijd vandaag.
Kies de goede zin.
A) Morgen ik ga naar les.
B) Morgen ga ik naar les.
Show answer
B) Morgen ga ik naar les.
Kies de goede zin.
A) Het school is groot.
B) De school is groot.
Show answer
B) De school is groot.
Kies de goede zin.
A) Spreek jij Engels?
B) Jij spreekt Engels?
Show answer
A) Spreek jij Engels?
Kies de goede zin.
A) Zij leert snel.
B) Zij leren snel.
Show answer
A) Zij leert snel.

Dutch Vocabulary List (Woordenlijst)

Master these terms from this article:

Nouns (Zelfstandige naamwoorden)

het inburgeringsexamen – the integration exam
de verblijfsvergunning – the residence permit
de grammatica – grammar
het werkwoord – verb
de woordvolgorde – word order
het lidwoord – article
de zin – sentence
de vraag – question
het antwoord – answer
de oefening – exercise
de fout – mistake
de docent – teacher
de cursist – course participant
het formulier – form
de e-mail – email
de brief – letter
de gemeente – municipality
de les – lesson

Verbs (Werkwoorden)

aanmelden – to register
boeken – to book
leren – to learn
schrijven – to write
lezen – to read
oefenen – to practise
wonen – to live
werken – to work
vragen – to ask
antwoorden – to answer

Adjectives & Phrases (Bijvoeglijke naamwoorden & uitdrukkingen)

verplicht – mandatory
binnen drie jaar – within three years
duidelijk – clear
kort en direct – short and direct
heel belangrijk – very important
goede volgorde – correct order
een kleine fout – a small mistake
elke dag – every day

Next steps

Lees korte Nederlandse teksten en let op het werkwoord. Schrijf daarna zelf 3 of 4 zinnen. Kijk ook naar vaste combinaties zoals de school, het boek en ik ga. Met veel herhaling wordt grammatica makkelijker.

FAQ

How many words should you write for a strong Inburgering Schrijven answer?

There is usually no prize for writing long answers. For most A2-style tasks, 2 to 5 clear sentences are often enough if you include every required point. Focus on completeness, not length. A short, correct message usually scores better than a long answer with avoidable grammar mistakes.

Is handwriting important in the Inburgering writing exam?

What matters most is readability and accuracy. If you type, be careful with spelling and punctuation. If any practice includes handwriting, write clearly and leave space between words. Examiners want understandable Dutch, so neat presentation helps, but grammar, task completion, and clarity matter more.

What should you do if you do not understand one word in the writing prompt?

Do not panic. First, look at the full situation: who you write to, why, and which points you must answer. Often the context tells you enough. Then use simple Dutch you already know. Official-style tasks on DUO practice exams are useful for learning this skill.

Can you still pass if your Dutch vocabulary is small?

Yes, if your vocabulary is practical and accurate. The writing exam is about daily communication, not advanced language. Learn words for school, work, appointments, health, housing, and transport. Reusing safe words correctly is much better than trying difficult vocabulary that creates unclear or unnatural sentences.

How formal should your Dutch be in emails and messages?

Match the situation. Use polite forms for teachers, landlords, offices, and doctors: a greeting, clear request, and polite closing. For informal messages, simple language is enough. If you practise common openings and endings from basic grammar requirements, your tone becomes much safer.

What is the best way to prepare if you only have one week left?

Use a focused routine: one day for present tense, one for modal verbs, one for word order, one for past forms, one for emails and forms, and one full timed practice day. On the last day, only review patterns, fixed phrases, and your most common mistakes.

Should you translate from your own language into Dutch during the exam?

Usually no. Direct translation often causes wrong word order, unnatural phrases, and mixed grammar. It is safer to think in simple Dutch patterns you already know, like “Ik kan niet komen” or “Ik wil een afspraak maken.” Build your answer from short ready-made sentence frames.

What kinds of real-life situations are most useful to practise for Dutch writing exams?

Practise messages about being sick, changing an appointment, asking for help, reporting a problem at home, filling in personal details, and replying to invitations. These situations appear often in exam preparation materials because they reflect the practical communication expected in Dutch daily life.

How can you check your own writing quickly before time runs out?

Use a fast four-point check: did I answer every task point, is the verb correct, is the word order safe, and are there obvious spelling mistakes? This takes less than a minute and catches many common errors, especially with modal verbs, subordinate clauses, and verb endings.

Are apps enough to prepare for the Inburgering writing exam?

Apps help with vocabulary and repetition, but they are usually not enough on their own for writing. You also need exam-style tasks, short email practice, and correction of your mistakes. The best preparation combines vocabulary tools, grammar review, and realistic timed writing exercises.

Violetta Bonenkamp

Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as Mean CEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.

Dutch Writing Essentials: Grammar for Exams | Prepare for INBURGERING Exam | Learn Dutch with AI FREE