Learn Hardcore Dutch: Een gevolg van elke dag oefenen is dat we beter kunnen spreken. - A consequence of practicing every day is that we can speak better.

In Dutch, van is the preposition that links gevolg (result/consequence) to what it results from. The pattern gevolg van X literally means “consequence of X.” Here van tells us that the consequence comes from elke dag oefenen (“practising every day”).

Why is oefenen in its infinitive form instead of using a noun like oefening?

Dutch often uses the infinitive as a kind of verbal noun without an article, especially with time expressions. So elke dag oefenen works like “practising every day” in English. You could say het elke dag oefenen, but leaving out het is more natural and less formal here.

Why isn’t there an article before elke dag oefenen?

Since elke dag oefenen functions as a general activity (a verbal noun phrase), Dutch lets you omit the article. Adding het (“the”) would make it more specific or formal: het elke dag oefenen. In everyday usage, dropping the article sounds more natural.

How do we determine the placement of is and dat in the sentence?

The main clause is Een gevolg van elke dag oefenen is. In a main clause, the finite verb (is) occupies the second position, right after the subject (Een gevolg van elke dag oefenen). Then dat introduces the subordinate clause that follows.

Why do we, beter, kunnen, and spreken appear in that specific order in the subordinate clause?

In a subordinate clause introduced by dat, the word order is:
1) dat (conjunction)
2) we (subject)
3) beter (adverb)
4) kunnen spreken (verb cluster)

Dutch places all verbs at the end of a subordinate clause. With a modal verb plus main verb, both infinitives cluster at the very end.

Could you say dat we beter spreken instead of dat we beter kunnen spreken?

Yes, but there’s a nuance difference.

beter spreken simply means “speak better.”
beter kunnen spreken emphasizes having improved the ability to speak.

Omitting kunnen removes the sense of “being able to,” so the focus shifts from ability to the quality of speaking itself.

Are there more informal or alternative ways to express the same idea?

Absolutely. Some common alternatives:
• Als we elke dag oefenen, spreken we beter.
• Doordat we elke dag oefenen, kunnen we beter spreken.
• Elke dag oefenen helpt ons om beter te spreken.

These versions use conditional or causal conjunctions and are often preferred in conversation.