Als ik langzaam praat, kunnen ouderen en kinderen mij goed begrijpen.

If I speak slowly, older people and children can understand me well.

Breakdown of Als ik langzaam praat, kunnen ouderen en kinderen mij goed begrijpen.

• ik: I
• en: and
• kunnen: can
• als: if
• mij: me
• begrijpen: to understand
• langzaam: slowly
• praten: to speak
• de oudere: the older person
• het kind: the child
• goed: well

Questions & Answers about Als ik langzaam praat, kunnen ouderen en kinderen mij goed begrijpen.

What does the subordinate clause Als ik langzaam praat indicate in this sentence?

It sets a condition for the action described in the main clause. Translated, it means if I speak slowly (or when I speak slowly). In Dutch, subordinate clauses introduced by words like als push the conjugated verb to the end of the clause.

How does the modal verb kunnen function here?

Kunnen means can and shows ability. In this sentence, it is conjugated in the plural form to agree with the compound subject ouderen en kinderen. Also, in Dutch main clauses the finite verb appears in second position, which is why kunnen comes immediately after the introductory clause.

Why is the compound subject ouderen en kinderen placed before the object mij in the main clause?

Dutch main clause word order follows the structure where the finite verb comes in second position, followed by the subject, then the object and other elements. Here, ouderen en kinderen (older people and children) is the subject, and mij (me) is the object, so this order reflects the typical subject–object placement.

What is the role of goed in the phrase mij goed begrijpen?

Goed is an adverb meaning well. It directly modifies the verb begrijpen (to understand) by describing the manner in which the understanding occurs. In Dutch, adverbs like goed usually come right before the verb they modify.

How does the word order differ between the subordinate clause and the main clause in this sentence?

In the subordinate clause Als ik langzaam praat, the conjugated verb praat appears at the end. In contrast, the main clause kunnen ouderen en kinderen mij goed begrijpen follows the V2 (verb-second) rule, meaning the finite verb kunnen occupies the second position while the subject follows it. This illustrates one of the key differences in Dutch syntax between subordinate and main clauses.