Simultaneous action with al + present participle
To express that an action is happening at the exact same time as the main verb, Dutch uses the particle al combined with a present participle (meaning "while doing [action]").
Form a present participle by simply adding -d to the infinitive of a verb. For example, jongleren (to juggle) becomes jonglerend (juggling).
| Juggling, the acrobat goes along in the parade. | De acrobaat gaat al jonglerend mee in de optocht. |
You can place this al phrase in the middle of a sentence, or right at the beginning to set a scene. When starting a sentence with the al phrase, apply inversion (verb before subject) in the main clause.
| Balancing on high stilts, the girl greets us. | Al balancerend op hoge stelten groet het meisje ons. |
| Dancing, the people on the float celebrate exuberantly. | Al dansend vieren de mensen op de praalwagen uitbundig feest. |
| Blowing on the trumpet, the musician walks across the square. | De muzikant loopt al blazend op de trompet over het plein. |
| Laughing, they bring the drums to the float. | Al lachend brengen zij de trommels naar de praalwagen. |
Your questions are stored by us to improve Elon.io