Wij begrijpen de grammatica volledig.

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Breakdown of Wij begrijpen de grammatica volledig.

• de grammatica: the grammar
• begrijpen: to understand
• volledig: completely

Questions & Answers about Wij begrijpen de grammatica volledig.

Why is the verb "begrijpen" not conjugated with a final -t when the subject is "wij"?

In Dutch, when the subject is plural (or “wij” meaning "we"), the verb stays in its base form. For example, with the singular first-person "ik," you would say "ik begrijp," but with "wij" (a plural subject), it remains "begrijpen" without adding a -t.

What is the function of each word in the sentence "Wij begrijpen de grammatica volledig"?

The sentence follows a clear Subject-Verb-Object-Adverb order. "Wij" means "we" and is the subject; "begrijpen" is the verb meaning "understand"; "de grammatica" is the object meaning "the grammar"; and "volledig" is an adverb meaning "completely" or "fully" that emphasizes the extent of the understanding.

Why is the noun written as "de grammatica" instead of "het grammatica"?

In Dutch, every noun has a gender that determines which definite article it uses. "Grammatica" is classified as a common gender noun (a de-word), so it correctly takes the article "de" rather than "het."

Why is the adverb "volledig" placed at the end of the sentence?

Dutch main clauses typically follow the order Subject-Verb-Object, and adverbs like "volledig" that describe the manner or extent of an action are usually placed at the end. This standard word order helps clarify which part of the sentence the adverb is modifying and maintains a natural rhythm in the language.

Is the sentence structure in Dutch similar to the English Subject-Verb-Object order?

Yes, for main clauses, Dutch typically follows a Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) order, much like English. In the sentence "Wij begrijpen de grammatica volledig," the order mirrors the English structure in which the subject comes first ("we"), followed by the verb ("understand"), and then the object ("the grammar"). The adverb ("volledig") is simply added at the end.

Can "volledig" be replaced with another adverb, and what are the nuances of any alternatives?

Yes, it can be replaced by other adverbs such as "helemaal" or "compleet." Although all these words convey the idea of completeness, "volledig" emphasizes a thorough or entire understanding, while "helemaal" often stresses totality in a more informal way. The choice depends on the nuance you wish to express and the context of the conversation.