Breakdown of Hij verleent hulp aan de buren.
verlenen
to grant / to provide
de buur
the neighbour (either sex)
de hulp
the help
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Questions & Answers about Hij verleent hulp aan de buren.
Can I write this sentence without using the word aan?
Yes, but you must change the word order. When you use a preposition like aan, the indirect object (aan de buren) comes after the direct object (hulp). If you drop aan, the indirect object must come before the direct object: Hij verleent de buren hulp.
Could I use voor instead of aan in this sentence?
No, the verb verlenen specifically pairs with aan when indicating who receives the action. Just like in English, you provide help 'to' someone, rather than 'for' them in this context. Therefore, aan de buren is correct.
Why use verleent here instead of a simpler verb like geeft?
While Hij geeft hulp would be understood, hulp verlenen is a fixed expression in Dutch meaning 'to provide help' or 'to render assistance'. It is a slightly formal but very common combination, similar to how we say 'provide assistance' rather than 'give help' in English.
Why isn't there an article before hulp?
In Dutch, abstract uncountable nouns like hulp (help) often do not take an article when used in a general sense. This matches English perfectly: he provides 'help', not 'the help'.