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Questions & Answers about Anna deelt haar boek met Tom.
What is the role of the verb deelt in this sentence?
Deelt is the third-person singular form of the verb delen, which means "to share." Here, it shows that Anna is performing the action of sharing her book.
Why is the phrase haar boek used instead of just het boek or a construction like Anna's boek?
The possessive adjective haar directly indicates that the book belongs to Anna—much like saying "her book" in English. Using haar boek efficiently shows possession, whereas het boek would simply mean "the book" without indicating ownership, and Dutch generally prefers possessive adjectives over the use of an apostrophe-s construction.
What function does the prepositional phrase met Tom serve?
The phrase met Tom specifies the person with whom the action of sharing is taking place. The preposition met translates to "with," thereby clarifying that Tom is the one benefiting from the shared book.
Is the word order in “Anna deelt haar boek met Tom” typical of Dutch sentence structure?
Yes, it is. The sentence follows a standard Dutch word order: the Subject (Anna), followed by the Verb (deelt), then the Direct Object (haar boek), and finally the Prepositional Phrase (met Tom). This structure is common in simple declarative Dutch sentences.
Can the sentence be rearranged, for example by placing met Tom at the beginning?
While it is possible to rearrange parts of a sentence for emphasis—such as saying Met Tom deelt Anna haar boek—the most neutral and typical construction in Dutch places the subject first. Changing the order can emphasize different parts of the sentence but may also alter the natural flow.
How does using delen differ from using geven in a sentence like this?
Delen (to share) implies that Anna is making her book accessible to Tom without necessarily transferring full ownership, suggesting a mutual or temporary use. In contrast, geven (to give) would imply that Anna is transferring the book to Tom permanently. The choice of delen emphasizes sharing rather than a one-way gift.
Does the sentence indicate whether Tom gets permanent possession of the book or just temporary access?
No, the sentence merely states that Anna is sharing her book with Tom. It does not specify whether the arrangement is temporary or permanent. Additional context would be needed to clarify the nature of their agreement.
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