Breakdown of Het is verplicht om elke dag te oefenen.
zijn
to be
oefenen
to practice
het
it
om
for
elke
every
de dag
the day
verplicht
mandatory
Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Dutch grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Het is verplicht om elke dag te oefenen.
What does verplicht mean in this sentence?
It means mandatory or compulsory. In this context, it indicates that practicing every day is required.
Why is the sentence structured as "Het is verplicht om elke dag te oefenen" instead of using a modal verb like moeten?
The sentence uses an adjective (verplicht) combined with an infinitive clause. This structure is common in Dutch to express an obligation in an impersonal way. Instead of directly telling someone they must do something, it states that something is mandatory.
What is the role of the om…te construction in this sentence?
The om…te construction introduces an infinitive clause that explains what is obligatory. Here, "om elke dag te oefenen" specifies the action (practicing every day) that is required by the rule or regulation mentioned earlier in the sentence.
Why is "elke dag" inserted between om and te oefenen?
Elke dag acts as an adverbial phrase that specifies the frequency of the action. In Dutch, placing it between om and te oefenen helps to clearly indicate that the practice should occur every day, emphasizing the regularity of the obligation.
Can this sentence be rephrased using the modal verb moeten?
Yes, it can. For example, you could say "Je moet elke dag oefenen" to mean "You must practice every day." However, the original sentence is more formal and impersonal, conveying the idea of an obligation in a broader context rather than directly addressing a person.
Is the word order in "het is verplicht om elke dag te oefenen" fixed, or can it be rearranged?
The word order is relatively fixed in this construction. The om…te structure, along with any adverbial phrases like elke dag, follows a standard pattern in Dutch. Altering this order might make the sentence sound unnatural or potentially obscure the intended meaning.