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Every main clause has a finite verb, but many also contain other verbal elements. Compare the following two examples:
The first sentence occurs in the present tense and only contains a finite verb (schrijf). The second sentence occurs in the perfect tense and contains a finite verb (the auxiliary is) and a non-finite verb (the past participle gebeurd). In a main clause the >finite verb always occurs towards the front and any >non-finite verbal elements, such as the past participle above, towards the back. Together they form the verbal bracket. Another constituent may precede the finite verb and follow any non-finite verbal elements in a main clause, as is the case in the above examples. What occurs in between the two elements of the verbal bracket is known as the >middle field. So there are five aspects to the structure of a main clause: Click for more information on the >first verbal bracket and the first position in a clause, for the >second verbal bracket and the final position in a clause, and the >middle field.
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