Breakdown of Wij mogen vandaag langer in het park blijven.
wij
we
in
in
het park
the park
vandaag
today
blijven
to stay
langer
longer
mogen
to be allowed to
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Questions & Answers about Wij mogen vandaag langer in het park blijven.
Why is mogen used here instead of kunnen?
Mogen is a modal verb that expresses permission (“to be allowed to”), while kunnen expresses ability or possibility (“to be able to”). In this sentence we’re talking about having permission to stay, not about the ability to stay.
Why does mogen come second in the sentence?
Dutch main clauses follow the V2 rule: the finite verb (here mogen) must occupy the second position. Whichever element (subject, time adverb, object) you put first, the verb stays in slot two.
Can I say Vandaag mogen wij langer in het park blijven?
Yes. When you place the time adverb vandaag first, you still keep the finite verb in second position. The subject (wij) then follows the verb. Word order becomes: Today – Verb – Subject – Rest.
Why is wij used instead of we?
Wij is the full subject pronoun “we.” We is its reduced, more colloquial form. Both mean “we” and are grammatically correct; wij is slightly more emphatic or formal.
What does langer mean, and why is it before in het park blijven?
Langer is the comparative of lang (“long”) and means “longer.” It modifies blijven (“to stay”), so it typically appears directly before the verb or verb phrase it qualifies. Here it tells us that the duration of staying is extended.
Why is blijven at the end of the sentence?
With a modal verb like mogen, Dutch places the main infinitive (blijven) at the end of the clause. The structure is: Subject – Modal – (Adverbs/Objects) – Infinitive.
Why do we use in het park rather than op het park?
In indicates being inside the boundaries of the park. Op would suggest being on top of something, which doesn’t fit when talking about being in a park.
Could we omit vandaag if the time is understood?
Yes. If the context already makes clear that you’re talking about today, you can simply say Wij mogen langer in het park blijven. Omitting time adverbs is common when they’re understood from context.
How would this sentence change if it were a question?
You invert subject and finite verb for yes/no questions:
Mogen wij vandaag langer in het park blijven?
Or more colloquially: Mogen we vandaag langer in het park blijven?