Reference Chains: Cohesion Across Sentences: B1 Dutch grammar lesson

As you prepare for the Staatsexamen NT2 Programma I, mastering tekstsamenhang (text cohesion) is crucial for both reading comprehension and successful writing. B1 texts are longer and more complex than A2, often using sophisticated verwijswoorden (reference words) to link ideas across sentences. These words create reference chains that ensure a text flows logically, without repetition. If you can correctly identify what a verwijswoord refers to (its antecedent), you'll understand the text better. In your own writing, using them correctly shows you can build a cohesive argument, directly contributing to the samenhang criterion in the Schrijven exam. At B1, we focus on identifying these links in complex texts (Lezen) and using them effectively in your own Schrijven assignments.

Dit and Dat Referring to Clauses

At A2, you learned dit and dat as demonstrative pronouns for nouns. At B1, they frequently refer to an entire preceding (or sometimes following) statement, situation, or concept, not just a single noun. Understanding this nuance is vital for following complex arguments in reading texts. The CvTE exam often includes questions where you need to identify what 'dit' or 'dat' means in a specific context.

• dit refers to something close, often what was just mentioned, or something that is about to be explained. It indicates immediacy or direct relevance.
• dat refers to something that was mentioned further back or is a more general reference to a known fact or situation. It suggests a slight distance in time or relevance.

Compound Reference Words (daar- / hier- + preposition)

A very common B1 feature, especially in official or formal texts (informatief, instructief tekstsoort), are compound reference words formed by combining daar- or hier- with a preposition. These often replace a longer phrase that refers to a previously mentioned situation or concept. These constructions allow for concise and formal language, which is highly valued in B1 Schrijven tasks and common in Lezen texts about regulations, processes, or official communications.

• daar- compounds (e.g., daarmee, daarvoor, daarover, daardoor) refer to something already mentioned. They link back to a previous clause or idea, often indicating cause, purpose, or method related to that idea.
• hier- compounds (e.g., hiermee, hiervoor, hierover, hierdoor) refer to something just mentioned or something that is still to come. They emphasize the close connection to the current sentence.

Wat as a Relative Pronoun for Clauses

You know wat as 'what'. But it also functions as a relative pronoun that can refer to an entire preceding clause or an indefinite antecedent. This is distinct from dat (which refers to a specific noun or the whole statement after verbs like denken, weten). When wat refers to a clause, it means 'the thing which' or 'that which'. This usage is key to understanding complex sentences where an action or fact is the focus of the relative clause.

Er in Reference Chains

While er has many uses, at B1 you'll encounter it as a reference word, especially in combinations like ervoor, erop, erin. These er + preposition combinations often function similarly to daar- / hier- compounds, but can be slightly less formal or refer to a less abstract idea, often relating to a place, a specific object or a general state. This usage contributes to tekstsamenhang by avoiding repetition of full phrases.