The 't kofschip-rule (also called 't fokschaap or 't fokxschaap) is a rule that determines the endings of a regular Dutch verb in the past simple indicative/subjunctive and the ending of the past participle.

The rule

The rule goes as follows:

If the verb-radical ends in one of the consonants of 't kofschip, being t,f,k,s,c,h,p or x=(ks), then the past simple ends on -te and the past participle on -t, if the verb-radical ends on any other consonant or a vowel (except the e, see later), the past simple ends on -de and the past participle on -d.

For example:

• rusten (to rest): verb radical = rust ==> past simple: ik rustte, past participle: gerust

• werken (to work): verb radical = werk ==> past simple: ik werkte, past participle: gewerkt

• spelen (to play): verb radical = speel ==> past simple: ik speelde, past participle: gespeeld

• leven (to live): verb radical = leev ==> past simple: ik leefde, past participle: geleefd

• crashen (to crash): verb radical = crash ==> past simple: ik crashte, past participle: gecrasht

Verbs with a radical on e

If the verb radical ends on an e, one must check the previous letter and use the t kofschip'-rule on this letter, if this letter is still an e, than the past simple ends on -de and the past participle on -d.

For example

• timen (to time): verb radical = time ==> past simple: ik timede, past participle: getimed

• racen (to race): verb radical = race ==> past simple: ik racete, past participle: geracet

• deleten (to delete): verb radical = delete ==> past simple: ik deletete, past participle: gedeletet

• neeën (to nay): verb radical = nee ==> past simple: ik neede, past participle: geneed

Verbs with a radical on '(apostrophe)

If the verb radical ends on an apostrophe, one must check the previous letter and use the t kofschip'-rule on this letter.

For example

• sms'en (to send an sms): verb radical = sms' ==> past simple: ik sms'te, past participle: gesms't