Breakdown of De statistiek toont hoeveel slaap wij nodig hebben.
de statistiek
the statistic
de slaap
the sleep
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Questions & Answers about De statistiek toont hoeveel slaap wij nodig hebben.
In English we usually say "The statistics show..." Can I use the plural statistieken in Dutch?
Yes! De statistiek is singular and can refer to a specific statistical chart, a report, or the scientific field of statistics itself. If you mean a collection of data points, you would use the plural de statistieken and change the verb to match: De statistieken tonen...
Why are nodig and hebben placed at the very end of the sentence?
The phrase hoeveel slaap acts as a conjunction here, introducing a subordinate (dependent) clause. In Dutch subordinate clauses, verbs are pushed to the end. The expression nodig hebben (to need) acts as a fixed unit, so both parts move to the end, with the conjugated verb hebben placed last.
Since verbs can sometimes swap order at the end of a subordinate clause, could I say hebben nodig?
No, you must say nodig hebben. The rule that lets you swap order at the end of a clause (like hebben gemaakt vs. gemaakt hebben) only applies when both words are verbs. Because nodig is technically an adjective meaning "necessary", it must come right before the verb hebben in this position.
Could I use laat zien instead of toont?