Ik lees veel boeken zodat ik beter kan schrijven.

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Breakdown of Ik lees veel boeken zodat ik beter kan schrijven.

• het boek: the book
• lezen: to read
• veel: a lot
• beter: better
• schrijven: to write
• zodat: so that
• kunnen: can

Questions & Answers about Ik lees veel boeken zodat ik beter kan schrijven.

Why is it “ik kan schrijven” in the second clause and not “ik schrijf”?

In Dutch, “kan schrijven” indicates the ability or possibility to write. It means “I am able to write” or “I can write.” Saying “ik schrijf” (I write) would lose this sense of ability or potential and would mean something slightly different (simply “I write”).

What does the conjunction “zodat” imply in Dutch?

The conjunction “zodat” means “so that” and introduces a purpose or intended result. It often sets up a subordinate clause explaining why something is done or what the speaker hopes to achieve by doing it. In this sentence, “Ik lees veel boeken zodat ik beter kan schrijven,” the reading of many books aims to improve writing skills.

Why does the verb “kan” appear near the end in “zodat ik beter kan schrijven”?

When using a subordinate clause introduced by words like “zodat,” the conjugated verb (here, “kan”) typically moves to the end of that clause. Also, because “beter” modifies “schrijven,” it naturally appears before “kan” to indicate how the action is performed. So, “zodat ik beter kan schrijven” is the correct word order in Dutch.

Is it possible to say “Ik lees veel boeken om beter te schrijven”?

Yes, “Ik lees veel boeken om beter te schrijven” is grammatically correct as well. However, “zodat ik beter kan schrijven” places more emphasis on achieving the result (better writing), while “om beter te schrijven” simply states the purpose in a more direct infinitive construction. Both forms are acceptable but carry slightly different nuances.

What role does “veel” play in the sentence “Ik lees veel boeken”?

The word “veel” means “a lot” or “many.” Here, it modifies “boeken” to indicate a large quantity of books being read. It describes how many books the speaker reads, emphasizing the extent of the reading habit.