Breakdown of De leraar legt het antwoord stapsgewijs uit.
het antwoord
the answer
het
it
uitleggen
to explain
de leraar
the teacher (schoolteacher)
Questions & Answers about De leraar legt het antwoord stapsgewijs uit.
How exactly is the word stapsgewijs formed?
It is formed by combining the noun stap (step) with the suffix -gewijs (in the manner of), joined by a linking -s-. This creates an adverb meaning "step by step" or "gradually". Using -gewijs is a standard way in Dutch to derive adverbs of manner from nouns.
Could I just say stap voor stap instead of stapsgewijs here?
Yes, stap voor stap is perfectly correct and very common in everyday conversation. Stapsgewijs sounds slightly more formal, analytical, or systematic, which fits nicely in an educational context like a teacher explaining an answer.
Can I attach the suffix -gewijs to any noun?
You cannot attach it to just any noun, but it is very productive with nouns representing groups, units, or methods. Other common examples you will encounter include groepsgewijs (in groups or group by group) and steekproefsgewijs (by random sampling).
Why is stapsgewijs placed before uit at the end of the sentence?
The verb here is the separable verb uitleggen (to explain). In a standard main clause, the conjugated part (legt) takes the second position, while the separable prefix (uit) is pushed to the very end. The adverb of manner (stapsgewijs) naturally falls inside the sentence, directly before that final prefix.