Ik wil rustig oefenen om langzaam te spreken, zodat iedereen mij kan volgen.

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Breakdown of Ik wil rustig oefenen om langzaam te spreken, zodat iedereen mij kan volgen.

• spreken: to speak
• oefenen: to practice
• om: for
• willen: to want
• zodat: so that
• kunnen: can
• mij: me
• iedereen: everyone
• rustig: calmly
• langzaam: slowly
• volgen: to follow

Questions & Answers about Ik wil rustig oefenen om langzaam te spreken, zodat iedereen mij kan volgen.

What is the function of the om … te construction in this sentence?

It expresses purpose. In this sentence, “om langzaam te spreken” means “in order to speak slowly.” The construction shows that the speaker is practicing with the goal of achieving slow speech.

How does the adverb rustig function in the phrase “Ik wil rustig oefenen”?

Rustig is an adverb modifying the verb oefenen. It indicates that the practice should be done in a calm or unhurried manner, suggesting a deliberate and relaxed approach to practicing.

What role does the conjunction zodat play in the sentence?

Zodat introduces a subordinate clause that explains the intended outcome. In this sentence, “zodat iedereen mij kan volgen” means “so that everyone can follow me,” linking the action (practicing and speaking slowly) with its desired result.

Why is mij used in this sentence instead of me?

In Dutch, mij is the stressed form of the object pronoun and is often used in more formal contexts or when emphasis is desired. Here, its use helps clearly indicate that “everyone can follow me” (with mij referring to the speaker).

How does the word order work in the subordinate clause introduced by zodat?

In Dutch subordinate clauses, the conjugated verb is typically placed at the end. That’s why in “zodat iedereen mij kan volgen” the verb phrase kan volgen appears at the end of the clause, following the subject and object.

Why does the sentence use both the om … te structure and the zodat clause?

They serve complementary functions. The om … te construction (in “om langzaam te spreken”) explains the purpose or method behind the speaker’s action—practicing to achieve slow speech—while the zodat clause (in “zodat iedereen mij kan volgen”) states the intended outcome of that action. This dual structure clarifies both the means and the end goal of the speaker’s practice.