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Questions & Answers about Wij gaan allemaal naar school.
What is the literal English translation of “Wij gaan allemaal naar school”?
It translates to "We all go to school." Here, Wij means we, gaan is go, allemaal means all, and naar school means to school.
Why is the verb gaan used instead of gaat?
Because the subject Wij (meaning we) is plural. In Dutch, verbs must agree with their subjects. Gaan is the correct plural form, while gaat is used with singular subjects like hij, zij, or het.
What role does the word allemaal play in this sentence?
Allemaal functions as a modifier indicating that every member of the group is included. It emphasizes that the action of going is performed by all of us. Although it can sometimes be placed immediately after the subject (as in Wij allemaal gaan naar school), its position after the verb is also common in Dutch.
Why is the preposition naar used before school?
Naar means to in English and indicates direction or destination. In the phrase naar school, it shows that the destination of the going action is school. This is similar to the English phrase “go to school.”
Why is there no article before school in the phrase “naar school”?
In both Dutch and English, when referring to the activity of attending school, it is customary to drop the article. Just as we say “go to school” instead of “go to the school” in English, Dutch uses naar school as a fixed expression.
What is the overall grammatical structure of the sentence “Wij gaan allemaal naar school”?
The sentence follows a standard Dutch word order: Subject – Verb – Modifier – Prepositional Phrase. Specifically: • Wij is the subject. • Gaan is the finite verb in the present tense. • Allemaal acts as a modifier emphasizing inclusivity. • Naar school is a prepositional phrase indicating destination.
Can the placement of allemaal be changed, and does it affect the meaning?
Yes, you can say “Wij allemaal gaan naar school” instead. While the basic meaning remains “We all go to school,” placing allemaal immediately after the subject slightly shifts the emphasis, highlighting the collective aspect more directly.
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