Breakdown of Wij houden natuurlijk van de afwisseling.
wij
we
houden van
to love / to like
natuurlijk
of course, naturally
de afwisseling
the variation / the change (variety)
Questions & Answers about Wij houden natuurlijk van de afwisseling.
How does afwisseling relate to this lesson's theme of fluctuation?
Afwisseling means variety, variation, or alternation. It perfectly captures the concept behind the dan weer ... dan weer (now this, then that) structure you are practicing, as both describe a state of constant change.
Why is the adverb natuurlijk placed right in the middle of houden van?
The expression here is houden van (to love or like). In a Dutch main clause, the conjugated verb (houden) takes the second position, while the preposition (van) is placed later. Adverbs like natuurlijk (naturally or of course) usually drop in right after the finite verb and its subject, effectively splitting the phrase.
Why does Dutch use the definite article de here, when English would usually just say 'We love variety'?
Dutch frequently uses definite articles for abstract nouns, general concepts, or uncountable categories where English often omits them entirely. By saying de afwisseling, you are referring to the broad concept of variety.
Could you use leuk vinden instead of houden van in this sentence?
Yes, you could say Wij vinden de afwisseling natuurlijk leuk. However, houden van is stronger and implies a deeper, more enduring appreciation (loving or being deeply fond of something). Using houden van shows that variety is a core preference for these speakers.
Learn Wij houden natuurlijk van de afwisseling and more in Dutch
All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.
- ✓ Practice with interactive exercises
- ✓ Track your progress with spaced repetition
- ✓Learn at your own pace — completely free