Questions & Answers about Sommige artikelen koop ik liever online.
Why do we use sommige here instead of sommigen?
Because it is followed directly by the noun it describes (artikelen). You only add the -n to make it sommigen when it stands completely alone (without a noun after it) and refers specifically to people.
Why is the word order koop ik instead of ik koop?
This is because of the Dutch verb-second rule. The sentence starts with the object (Sommige artikelen), which takes up the first position. The conjugated verb (koop) must come second, which pushes the subject (ik) right behind it into the third position.
How does liever mean 'prefer to' in this sentence?
Liever is the comparative form of graag (which you use to say you like doing an action). Literally, koop ik liever means 'I buy more gladly'. In English, we naturally translate this idea as 'I prefer to buy'.
I thought an artikel was something you read in a newspaper. Does it mean 'item' here?
Exactly! Artikel is a versatile word. In journalism it means a written article, but in the context of retail or an online shop, an artikel refers to a product or an item for sale.