Breakdown of We kunnen onze ideeën vergelijken met die van Anna om een beter plan te maken.
Anna
Anna
wij
we
met
with
onze
our
om
for
beter
better
het plan
the plan
kunnen
can
maken
to make
van
of
vergelijken
to compare
het idee
the idea
die
those
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Questions & Answers about We kunnen onze ideeën vergelijken met die van Anna om een beter plan te maken.
What does the modal verb kunnen indicate in this sentence?
Kunnen translates to can in English. It expresses ability or possibility—in this case, suggesting that we are able to compare our ideas.
Why is die van Anna used instead of repeating the word ideeën?
Die van Anna is an elliptical expression where die acts as a demonstrative pronoun that replaces ideeën. This avoids repeating the noun and conveys the meaning Anna's ideas (literally, “those of Anna”), which is common in Dutch.
How does the phrase om een beter plan te maken function in the sentence?
This is a purpose clause. The word om introduces the clause that states the intention, and te maken is the infinitive verb form meaning to make. Together, it means in order to create a better plan.
What role does the preposition met play in the sentence?
Met translates as with. In the construction vergelijken met, it specifies the standard of comparison, indicating that our ideas are being compared with Anna’s (ideas).
Why is there a dieresis (¨) in the word ideeën?
The dieresis in ideeën signals that the vowels should be pronounced separately. This clarifies that the pronunciation is divided into syllables (i-dee-ën) and helps distinguish the plural form from the singular idee.
Is the word order in this sentence typical for Dutch?
Yes, the word order is typical. In Dutch, modal verbs such as kunnen follow the subject, and in clauses expressing purpose (introduced by om), the infinitive verb (te maken) is positioned at the end. This structure is standard in Dutch syntax.
What does beter signify in this context and why is it used instead of beste?
Beter is the comparative form of goed (good) and directly translates to better. It is used here in een beter plan to indicate an improved plan compared to another, rather than the superlative form beste (best), which would imply the highest degree of quality.