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Breakdown of De energie is belangrijk, zodat wij beter kunnen werken.
zijn
to be
wij
we
belangrijk
important
beter
better
zodat
so that
werken
to work
de energie
the energy
kunnen
to be able to
Questions & Answers about De energie is belangrijk, zodat wij beter kunnen werken.
Why is zodat used in this sentence instead of something else, like omdat?
In Dutch, zodat specifically indicates a purpose or result—roughly "so that" in English. It sets up a subordinate clause that explains the goal or consequence of the main clause. Meanwhile, omdat typically gives a reason ("because"). So here, zodat emphasizes that having energy leads to a specific outcome (working better).
Why does the verb kunnen appear after beter in the second clause?
In Dutch subordinate clauses, verbs (other than the first) tend to go toward the end. The structure here is beter kunnen werken (literally "better be-able-to work"), which is a chunk of verbs and an adverb together. The main verb werken (to work) appears last, and the modal verb kunnen (can, to be able to) is placed just before it, while beter (better) modifies the verb phrase.
Is there a difference between using wij and we in this context?
Yes. Wij is more emphatic, putting stress on the fact that we (as opposed to someone else) are the ones doing the action. We is the unstressed form, which sounds more neutral. Both are correct, but wij adds a touch of emphasis.
Why is there a comma before zodat?
In Dutch, you usually separate main clauses from subordinate clauses with a comma if the sentence clearly consists of two parts. Because zodat introduces a subordinate clause giving a reason or result, it's standard to have a comma before the conjunction.
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