Elk onderdeel is belangrijk om het hele project af te ronden.

Each part is important to finish the entire project.

Breakdown of Elk onderdeel is belangrijk om het hele project af te ronden.

• zijn: to be
• belangrijk: important
• om: for
• heel: entire
• het onderdeel: the part
• elk: each
• het project: the project
• afronden: to finish

Questions & Answers about Elk onderdeel is belangrijk om het hele project af te ronden.

What does elk onderdeel mean in English?

Elk onderdeel translates to “each part” or “every component.” Elk means “each” or “every,” and onderdeel means “part” or “component.” The sentence emphasizes that every individual part is important.

How is the phrase om het hele project af te ronden structured, and what does it express?

This phrase is an infinitive clause that expresses purpose. It translates as “to complete the whole project” or “in order to finish the entire project.” The structure om … af te ronden is similar to using “to” or “in order to” in English to indicate the goal or intended outcome.

Why is the separable prefix af split from ronden in the infinitive clause?

In Dutch, many verbs are separable. The verb afronden (to complete) is split into af te ronden when used in an infinitive clause with te. This separation is a common feature of Dutch separable verbs and follows a specific grammatical rule.

What is the role of het hele project in the sentence, and why is it constructed that way?

Het hele project means “the whole project.” Het is the definite article for neuter nouns, and hele functions as an adjective emphasizing entirety. This construction underlines that every aspect of the project is being considered, making clear that the complete project must be finished.

How does the Dutch om … te construction compare with expressing purpose in English?

Both languages use an infinitive structure to indicate purpose. In English, you might say, “... is important to complete the whole project,” while Dutch uses the om … af te ronden construction. Once you understand that om introduces a purpose clause followed by the te form of the verb, you can apply this structure to similar contexts.

Can the sentence be rephrased without changing its meaning?

Yes, the sentence can be reworded while keeping the same message. For instance, you could say, "Om het hele project af te ronden, is elk onderdeel belangrijk," which places the purpose clause at the beginning for emphasis. Both structures clearly convey that every part is essential for completing the project.