Breakdown of Dat jaar was erg druk, maar we probeerden toch tijd vrij te maken om te dromen over de toekomst.
zijn
to be
maar
but
wij
we
dat
that
over
about
erg
very
de tijd
the time
dromen
to dream
het jaar
the year
druk
busy
proberen
to try
vrij
to free
maken
to make
de toekomst
the future
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Questions & Answers about Dat jaar was erg druk, maar we probeerden toch tijd vrij te maken om te dromen over de toekomst.
What is the function of toch in this sentence?
toch is used to mean "anyway" or "still," emphasizing that they made time despite the year being very busy. It adds a sense of perseverance or determination.
Why do we say tijd vrij te maken instead of just tijd maken?
Using vrij gives the sense of "freeing up" that time from other commitments. tijd vrij te maken literally means "to free up time," which is a common expression meaning "to create or set aside time for something."
What does om te dromen express here?
In Dutch, om ... te ... often introduces the purpose of an action. So om te dromen indicates that the purpose of making time was specifically to dream or think about the future.
Why is was used instead of is in Dat jaar was erg druk?
was is the simple past tense of zijn (to be). It’s used to refer to a completed situation in the past, indicating that the busy year is now over.
How does dromen over de toekomst differ from dromen van de toekomst?
Both can be used, but dromen over usually suggests thinking or fantasizing about the subject in a broader or more reflective sense, while dromen van can focus more on wishing or longing for something. In this sentence, dromen over de toekomst emphasizes reflecting on possibilities or ideas about the future.
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