Wij bespreken vooraf de plannen.

We discuss the plans in advance.

Breakdown of Wij bespreken vooraf de plannen.

• wij: we
• het plan: the plan
• bespreken: to discuss
• vooraf: in advance

Questions & Answers about Wij bespreken vooraf de plannen.

Why is the verb bespreken in its base form rather than having a -t ending?

In Dutch, verb conjugation depends on the subject. Since wij (meaning we) is the first-person plural, the verb remains in its base form, so bespreken is used. In contrast, for third-person singular subjects like hij or zij, the verb would be bespreekt.

What role does the adverb vooraf play, and why is it placed immediately after the verb?

Vooraf is an adverb meaning in advance. In Dutch sentence structure, adverbs commonly appear right after the conjugated verb. This placement clarifies that the discussing of de plannen is happening beforehand.

Can the position of vooraf be altered in the sentence, or is it fixed?

While Dutch does allow some flexibility for emphasis, the most natural placement for an adverb like vooraf is immediately after the verb in a simple sentence like this. Shifting it might be grammatically acceptable in more complex sentences, but in this context it could change the emphasis in an unintended way.

How does the sentence Wij bespreken vooraf de plannen showcase typical Dutch word order?

The sentence follows a common Dutch structure: Subject (Wij) – Verb (bespreken) – Adverb (vooraf) – Object (de plannen). This S-V-A-O order (subject, verb, adverb, object) helps clearly indicate what is being discussed and when.

Is there any difference between using wij and we as the subject in this context?

Both wij and we mean we in English, but wij is often used for emphasis or in more formal or written contexts. In casual conversation, we is more common, though the meaning remains identical.

Is bespreken a separable or inseparable verb, and what impact does that have on the sentence structure?

Bespreken is an inseparable verb in Dutch. This means that its parts do not split up in the sentence—the adverb vooraf can’t be detached and placed at the end, so it stays immediately after the verb.

What function does the object de plannen serve in the sentence?

De plannen is the direct object of bespreken, indicating what is being discussed. Its placement at the end of the sentence follows the typical Dutch order and clearly shows that these are the plans under discussion.