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Questions & Answers about Tom vindt fietsen handig.
What does the Dutch verb vindt mean in this sentence and why is it conjugated this way?
Vindt is the third person singular present form of the verb vinden, which means "to find" in English. In this context, it indicates that Tom considers or thinks that cycling (or bicycles) is useful.
What does fietsen refer to here—is it the activity of cycling or a group of bicycles?
Fietsen can be interpreted in two ways since it serves as both the infinitive for "to cycle" and the plural noun "bicycles." In this sentence, without any article, it most likely refers to the general activity of cycling rather than specific bikes.
What does the adjective handig translate to in English?
The adjective handig generally translates to "useful" or "convenient." It expresses that Tom finds the idea of cycling to be practical or beneficial.
Why is there no article before fietsen in the sentence?
In Dutch, when an infinitive like fietsen is used as a noun to describe an activity or general concept, it is common to omit an article. This is similar to the English sentence "Cycling is healthy" where no article is used before cycling.
How does the word order in this sentence compare to that of a typical English sentence?
The sentence follows a straightforward Dutch word order for main clauses: Subject (Tom) + Verb (vindt) + Object (fietsen) + Adjective (handig). This structure closely resembles a simple English sentence like "Tom finds cycling useful." However, note that Dutch word order can shift in subordinate clauses or more complex sentences.
How do adjectives like handig function when used predicatively in Dutch?
When used predicatively—that is, following the verb—in Dutch, adjectives like handig retain their base form and do not require any additional endings. They directly describe the subject or object, similar to how English adjectives work after linking verbs (e.g., "The cake tastes delicious.")
Does the sentence "Tom vindt fietsen handig." convey an opinion or state an objective fact?
The sentence expresses Tom’s personal opinion. It indicates that in his view, cycling is practical or beneficial, rather than stating an objective fact about cycling in general.