Breakdown of Ik geloof dat zij nooit twijfelt.
ik
I
zij
she
nooit
never
geloven
to believe
dat
that (conjunction)
twijfelen
to doubt / to hesitate
Questions & Answers about Ik geloof dat zij nooit twijfelt.
The current lesson is about using 'te' + infinitive. Why aren't we using that here?
We usually use a te + infinitive clause when the subject of both actions is the same (like Ik probeer te slapen - I am trying to sleep). In this sentence, the subjects are different: "I" (ik) do the believing, but "she" (zij) does the doubting. When the subject changes like this, we can't use a te infinitive. Instead, we must use a full clause starting with dat (that).
Why is the verb 'twijfelt' at the very end of the sentence?
The word dat (that) introduces a subordinate clause. As you may remember from earlier lessons, a subordinate clause pushes the conjugated verb to the very end of its clause. So instead of the normal word order (zij twijfelt nooit), the verb gets pushed back to become dat zij nooit twijfelt.
Could I use 'ze' instead of 'zij' in this sentence?
Yes, you definitely can! Zij and ze both mean "she". Zij is the stressed form, which you use when you want to emphasize who never doubts (she doesn't, but maybe someone else does). If you are just stating a general fact without emphasizing the person, the unstressed ze actually sounds more natural in everyday speech.
Can the verb 'geloven' also mean 'to believe in' something, like a concept or religion?
Yes, it can. The verb geloven means "to believe". You can use it exactly like in this sentence to express an opinion. You can also use it with the preposition in to talk about believing in someone or something, for example: Ik geloof in jou (I believe in you).
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