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Wij zorgen ervoor dat we elke dag oefenen.

Wij zorgen ervoor dat we elke dag oefenen.
We make sure that we practice every day.
FromLesson 23inHardcore Dutch
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Breakdown of Wij zorgen ervoor dat we elke dag oefenen.

wij
we
dat
that
oefenen
to practice
elke
every
de dag
the day
ervoor zorgen
to make sure

Questions & Answers about Wij zorgen ervoor dat we elke dag oefenen.

Why are there two pronouns wij and we in the sentence?

In Dutch, wij is the full (stressed) form of “we/us,” while we is the reduced (unstressed) form. Here the speaker uses wij at the start to add emphasis to the action (zorgen), then switches to we in the subordinate clause as the normal subject pronoun. You can also say:

  • We zorgen ervoor dat we elke dag oefenen. (less emphasis)
What does ervoor mean in zorgen ervoor? Is it part of the verb?

Yes. ervoor zorgen is a separable verb meaning “to make sure” or “to ensure.” Literally, ervoor = “for it/that.” You need ervoor to complete the meaning. Without it:

  • zorgen dat is sometimes heard but less idiomatic.
  • ervoor zorgen dat is the standard, fixed phrase.
Why is the verb oefenen at the end of the sentence?

Because the clause starts with the conjunction dat, it becomes a subordinate clause. Dutch subordinate clauses follow the SOV (Subject-Object-Verb) order, so the finite verb ends up at the very end:
Subject (we) + adverbial (elke dag) + verb (oefenen).

Can I drop dat and say Wij zorgen ervoor we elke dag oefenen?

No. After ervoor zorgen you need a conjunction. Correct patterns:

  • ervoor zorgen dat…
    You cannot omit dat here. Some speakers omit ervoor and say zorgen dat, but they never drop dat.
Could I use an infinitive clause instead, like Wij zorgen ervoor elke dag te oefenen?
No. Dutch does not allow infinitive clauses in this structure. You must use a subordinate clause with dat. An infinitive like te oefenen only works in other constructions (e.g., om elke dag te oefenen).
Is the position of elke dag flexible in the sentence?

Yes, adverbials like elke dag can move for emphasis:

  • Wij zorgen ervoor dat we elke dag oefenen. (neutral)
  • Elke dag zorgen we ervoor dat we oefenen. (emphasizes frequency)
  • Wij zorgen er elke dag voor dat we oefenen. (separable verb shift)
Could I replace oefenen with another verb like studeren or trainen?

Absolutely. You can substitute any appropriate verb. The structure ervoor zorgen dat we … stays the same. For example:

  • Wij zorgen ervoor dat we elke dag studeren.
  • Wij zorgen ervoor dat we elke dag trainen.

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