Ik denk dat dit advies kan helpen, want een beslissing is soms ingewikkeld.

I think this advice can help, because a decision is sometimes complicated.

Breakdown of Ik denk dat dit advies kan helpen, want een beslissing is soms ingewikkeld.

• ik: I
• zijn: to be
• dat: that
• want: because
• kunnen: can
• denken: to think
• soms: sometimes
• helpen: to help
• het advies: the advice
• de beslissing: the decision
• ingewikkeld: complicated

Questions & Answers about Ik denk dat dit advies kan helpen, want een beslissing is soms ingewikkeld.

What is the function of the word dat in the sentence?

In Dutch, dat acts as a conjunction introducing a subordinate clause. It links the main clause, Ik denk, with the subordinate clause dit advies kan helpen, much like “that” does in the English sentence “I think that this advice can help.”

How does the modal construction kan helpen work in this sentence?

The phrase kan helpen is formed by the modal verb kan (meaning “can”) and the main verb helpen (“help”). Together, they express possibility, indicating that the advice has the potential to be beneficial. This structure is similar to the English “can help.”

Why does the sentence use want, and what is its role?

Want is a coordinating conjunction meaning “because” or “for.” It introduces an explanatory clause that provides the reason behind the idea presented in the first part of the sentence. Unlike subordinating conjunctions, want does not force the conjugated verb to the end of its clause, resulting in a standard word order.

What does the adjective ingewikkeld mean, and why is it used here?

Ingewikkeld means “complicated” or “complex.” In the sentence, it describes een beslissing (“a decision”), suggesting that making decisions can sometimes be challenging. It adds nuance by implying that even with helpful advice, decisions might not be straightforward.

Why is there a comma before want in this sentence?

The comma before want separates the two independent parts of the compound sentence. In Dutch, it’s common to use a comma when a coordinating conjunction like want introduces a second clause that explains or adds detail to the first clause.

Can you explain the overall structure of the sentence?

The sentence is composed of two connected parts. The first part, Ik denk dat dit advies kan helpen, is a main clause with an embedded subordinate clause introduced by dat. The second part, want een beslissing is soms ingewikkeld, is linked by the coordinating conjunction want, which offers an explanation for the thought expressed earlier. This structure efficiently presents a belief and its rationale in one sentence.