Breakdown of Wij houden de werkwijze in de gaten.
de werkwijze
the method / the procedure (way of working)
in de gaten houden
to keep an eye on
Questions & Answers about Wij houden de werkwijze in de gaten.
Why does this sentence use in de gaten houden instead of a direct translation for "keeping an eye on"?
In de gaten houden is the standard Dutch idiom for "to keep an eye on," "to monitor," or "to watch." Literally meaning "to keep in the holes," it is highly common and used in both casual and professional contexts.
What is the difference between werkwijze, methode, and procedure?
Werkwijze literally means "way of working" (werk + wijze). It focuses practically on how a task is executed. A procedure refers to a formal, often administrative set of steps, while a methode is a broader, more systematic approach. They are often interchangeable, but werkwijze sounds very natural for everyday practical or business tasks.
How does the word order of in de gaten houden change if this were a subordinate clause?
Because in de gaten functions as a fixed prepositional phrase tied to the verb, it stays close to the verb at the end of the clause. In a subclause, the verb moves to the end, giving you: ...dat wij de werkwijze in de gaten houden.
Are there other common expressions that use in de gaten?
Yes! A very common related expression is in de gaten hebben, which means "to realize," "to notice," or "to catch on." For example: Ik heb het in de gaten (I realize it / I see what is happening).
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