use or er

The Dutch word "er" is a versatile and commonly used word that can be challenging for learners due to its various functions and meanings. Understanding "er" is crucial for mastering Dutch, as it appears frequently in both spoken and written language. Here’s a guide to help you grasp the different uses of "er":

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1. Existence or Presence:

"Er" can indicate the existence or presence of something.

Example:
Sentence 1 (see picture)
Translation: There is a cat in the garden.

2. Location:

"Er" can refer to a location, similar to "there" in English.

Explanation:
"Er" can be used to indicate that something is present at a certain location, but without specifying or pointing to a particular place. This is in contrast to "daar," which specifies a particular location.

Example:
Sentence (see picture)
Translation: There are many people at the party.

3. With prepositions

"Er" is frequently used with prepositions to refer back to something mentioned earlier or to something general. This use of "er" helps to avoid repetition and makes sentences more concise.

Explanation:
In Dutch, "er" can combine with prepositions to refer to previously mentioned concepts, objects, or situations. This combination often corresponds to the English use of phrases like "about it," "with it," "from it," etc.

Example:
Sentence 1:
Translation: I think about it often.

In this sentence:
"er" refers to a previously mentioned idea or thing.
"aan" is the preposition that, together with "er," forms the phrase "er aan" (about it).

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Additional examples

Additional examples where "er" is really combined with a preposion.
Dutch: Hij houdt ervan.
Sentence 1:
Translation: He loves it.

Explanation: "er" + "van" (from it).

Sentence 2:
Translation: She talks about it.

Explanation: "er" + "over" (about it).

Sentence 3:
Translation: We need to work on it.

Explanation: "er" + "aan" (on it).

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Summary

"Er" with prepositions: Refers to something mentioned earlier or in general, forming phrases that correspond to English prepositional phrases like "about it," "with it," "from it," etc.
Example sentence: Ik denk er vaak aan. (I think about it often.)

4. Quantity

"Er" can be used to indicate a quantity or amount.

Example:
Sentence (see picture)
Translation: There are three oranges left.

This use corresponds for a part on the previous example where "er" acts as a reference to something.

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Summary

"Er" indicating quantity: Used to specify how many of something there are, often acting as a reference to something understood from context.

Additional examples

Sentence 1:
Translation: There were many people at the concert.

Explanation: "Er" is used to indicate the quantity of people.

Sentence 2:
Translation: There is one cookie left.

Explanation: "Er" introduces the existence of the remaining cookie.

Sentence 3:
Translation: There are no chairs left.

Explanation: "Er" indicates the absence of any remaining chairs.

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Summary

"Er" indicating quantity: Used to specify how many of something there are, often acting as a reference to something understood from context.

I think about it often.

He loves it.

She talks about it.

We need to work on it.

There are three oranges left.

There were many people at the concert.

There is one cookie left.

There are no chairs left.