Als wij regelmatig hardlopen, kunnen wij sneller ons doel bereiken.

If we run regularly, we can reach our goal faster.

Breakdown of Als wij regelmatig hardlopen, kunnen wij sneller ons doel bereiken.

• wij: we
• kunnen: can
• als: if
• ons: our
• regelmatig: regularly
• snel: fast
• het doel: the goal
• bereiken: to reach
• hardlopen: to run

Questions & Answers about Als wij regelmatig hardlopen, kunnen wij sneller ons doel bereiken.

Why is the subordinate clause starting with als placed at the beginning of the sentence?

In Dutch, subordinate clauses introduced by words like als (which can mean if or when) are typically positioned at the start of the sentence. This placement is followed by a comma and then the main clause. When a subordinate clause comes first, it triggers verb-first word order in the main clause, making the sentence structure a bit different from the usual subject-verb order.

What role does the modal verb kunnen play in this sentence?

The verb kunnen means can or are able to. In this sentence, it expresses possibility or ability—indicating that by running regularly, we are able to achieve our objective faster. Its use also necessitates that the main verb (bereiken) appears at the end of the main clause.

Why is the subject wij placed after kunnen in the main clause instead of before it?

Following the subordinate clause, Dutch grammar rules require the finite verb in the main clause to take the first position—a phenomenon known as the V2 (verb-second) rule. This inversion moves the subject (wij) to the position immediately after the modal verb, which is why you see kunnen wij instead of the more direct subject-first order.

How does the adverb regelmatig function in this sentence, and why is it positioned where it is?

Regelmatig means regularly and it describes the frequency of the action hardlopen (running). In Dutch subordinate clauses, adverbs are often placed directly before or after the verb they modify. Here, regelmatig is placed before hardlopen to clearly indicate that the action of running is performed on a regular basis.

Why is the main verb bereiken placed at the end of the main clause?

In Dutch sentences that include modal verbs like kunnen, the structure requires that the main verb (bereiken) comes at the end of the clause. This rule is also emphasized when a subordinate clause is used at the beginning of the sentence. Placing bereiken at the end clearly signals the action that follows the modal implication set by kunnen.