Learn Hardcore Dutch: Anna lacht met Tom.

The sentence follows a simple, declarative structure. Anna is the subject, lacht is the conjugated verb (the third person singular present form of lachen, meaning "to laugh"), and met Tom is a prepositional phrase indicating with whom she is laughing. In Dutch main clauses, the finite verb typically appears in the second position, much like in English simple sentences.

How is the verb lacht formed, and why is it used here instead of another form?

The verb lacht is the third person singular present tense of lachen. In Dutch, the conjugation of most regular verbs adds a -t for subjects like hij/zij/het. Since Anna is third person singular, lacht is the correct form. This ensures subject-verb agreement, similar to how English adds an -s (as in laughs) in the simple present for singular third-person subjects.

What role does the preposition met play in the sentence, and how does it compare with its English counterpart?

The preposition met functions to indicate accompaniment or association, much like the English with. It shows that Tom is the person accompanying Anna in the action of laughing. Although many Dutch prepositions have direct English equivalents, learners should be aware that usage rules can differ in more complex contexts.

Why is there no article before Tom in the sentence?

Tom is a proper noun, and as in English, Dutch does not use definite or indefinite articles before personal names. This omission is standard, and it keeps the sentence clear and concise.

Is the word order in this Dutch sentence similar to that in English, and what should learners keep in mind?

Yes, the word order here is quite similar to English: subject (Anna), verb (lacht), and then the prepositional phrase (met Tom). However, learners should note that while simple Dutch main clauses mirror English word order, more complex sentences—especially those with subordinate clauses—may require the finite verb to appear at different positions (often at the end). Understanding these differences is key to mastering Dutch sentence structure.