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This article deals with the linearization problem (Levélt, 1989). Alore specifically, it focuses on the position of temporal and causal expressions in Dutch complex sentences. As these expressions may occupy several positions in the independent clause, the question is: what position do they have in texts? Is there a dominant order, and if there is, how can we explain it? In the literature, three possible ordering constraints can be identified: frame structuring, isochrony, and thematic coherence. It is unclear how these principles interact. The present study will show that the interaction of the constraints can be explained partially by cognitive economy, which states that a language user prefers to minimalize his cognitive costs during language production. This can be seen both from the point of view of the producer and from the point of view of the interpreter.