ABSTRACT
It has been a long-standing insight in Dutch syntax that the clause can be divided into several topological fields which can be defined by means of the positions that can be occupied by verbs: the °verb-second position, which is occupied by finite verbs in main clauses, and the so-called clause-final verb position, in which the remaining verbs find a place. In the examples in (1) these verb positions are shown in italics. Note that we will follow the general practice of abbreviating the notions of “verb-second” and “clause-final verb” position as “second” and “clause-final” position; this is not problematic as long as one does not take the notion “clause-final” too literally because the verb(s) occupying this position can be followed by other material.
Gisteren is Jan naar de dierenarts geweest met zijn hond.
yesterday is Jan to the vet been with his dog
‘Jan went to the vet with his dog yesterday.’
Hoe wil Jan dat boek versturen naar zijn dochter?
how wants Jan that book send to his daughter
‘How does Jan want to send that book to his daughter?’
