Dutch Grammar Quiz: Er + Numbers (Er + numerale)

Practice: Er + Numbers

Er + numerale

Er is one of the most versatile words in Dutch. It is used to state existence ("there is/are"), to negate with geen, and as a quantity pronoun replacing a noun combined with a number.

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Key rules for Er + Numbers

er is / er zijn — expressing existence

Use er is for singular and uncountable nouns, and er zijn for plural nouns, to say that something exists or is present.

er + geen — negating existence

To say something does not exist or is not available, combine er with geen. Use er is geen for singular/uncountable and er zijn geen for plurals.

er as quantity pronoun

When referring back to a noun already mentioned, use er to replace the noun and keep the number. The number then follows the verb.

Examples

Er is een bakker op de hoek. — There is a baker on the corner.
Er zijn drie winkels in de straat. — There are three shops in the street.
Er is melk in de koelkast. — There is milk in the fridge.
Er zijn veel mensen op het plein. — There are many people in the square.
Er is geen melk. — There is no milk.
Er zijn geen appels. — There are no apples.

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Practice: Er + Numbers

Key rules for Er + Numbers

Examples

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