In terms of phonology, German is closer to English than it is to Dutch. While Dutch, on the other hand, is grammatically more similar to English than German is.

Well, actually it isn't so similar. The vocabulary is similar but grammatica is totally different. And also the pronouns of some words are different.

these languages are both member of the group of so called "West Germanic languages". This group of west germanic languages is devided in three main groups: 1. North Sea Germanic or Ingvaeonic: ancestral to Anglo-Frisian and Low German (frisian, english and low german (saxon)) 2. Weser-Rhine Germanic or Istvaeonic: ancestral to Low Franconian (current dutch, afrikaans) 3. Elbe Germanic or Irminonic: ancestral to High German (current german and yiddish) Especially near the german boarders the local dutch and german dialects are pretty simular, regardless frankonian or saxon heritage. Look for a comparison on wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Germanic_languages#Comparison