Wij sturen digitaal een bericht.

We send a message digitally.

Breakdown of Wij sturen digitaal een bericht.

• wij: we
• sturen: to send
• het bericht: the message
• digitaal: digital

Questions & Answers about Wij sturen digitaal een bericht.

Why is the subject Wij explicitly stated in the sentence?

In Dutch declarative sentences, the subject is typically expressed to clearly indicate who is performing the action. While in some languages or certain contexts the subject can be dropped, in standard Dutch it is common and often necessary to include the subject for clarity or emphasis.

Why is the adverb digitaal placed between the verb sturen and the object een bericht?

Dutch word order often places adverbs describing the manner of an action directly after the conjugated verb. In this sentence, digitaal functions as an adverb modifying sturen (to send), indicating how the action is performed. This placement also helps prevent any confusion about whether digitaal is meant to modify the noun.

Could digitaal be interpreted as an adjective modifying bericht, and how would the sentence change if it were meant in that way?

If digitaal were intended as an adjective to describe the noun bericht (message), it would normally be placed directly before the noun—as in Wij sturen een digitaal bericht. The current placement (after the verb) signals that it is modifying the sending process rather than the message itself.

How does the word order in Wij sturen digitaal een bericht reflect typical Dutch syntax compared to English word order?

Dutch main clauses often follow a rule where the finite verb appears in the second position (the V2 rule). Any additional elements, such as adverbs describing how an action is performed, are typically placed immediately after the verb. In contrast, English allows more flexibility (e.g., both We send a message digitally and We digitally send a message may be acceptable), but Dutch prefers the structure seen in this sentence for clarity and emphasis.

Are there alternative ways to order this sentence without altering its meaning?

Yes, another acceptable variation is Wij sturen een bericht digitaal. Both versions convey that the action of sending is done digitally, though the chosen placement of digitaal can subtly shift the emphasis. When placed right after the verb, it more directly modifies the action; when positioned at the end, it can serve as a concluding remark on the method of sending.