De trainer legt uit dat hardlopen een goede methode is.

to be

Breakdown of De trainer legt uit dat hardlopen een goede methode is.

• dat: that
• goed: good
• een: a, an
• uitleggen: to explain
• het hardlopen: the running
• de trainer: the coach
• de methode: the method

Questions & Answers about De trainer legt uit dat hardlopen een goede methode is.

Why is the separable verb uitleggen split into legt uit, and what is the -t on legt?

Because uitleggen is a separable‐prefix verb in Dutch. In main clauses the prefix uit- detaches and moves to the end, giving legt uit. Also, de trainer is third‐person singular, so the present‐tense form adds -t (hij legt).

Why is dat used before hardlopen, and what does it do?

dat is a subordinating conjunction introducing an indirect statement (a content clause). It’s the Dutch equivalent of English that in “He explains that running is a good method,” linking the main clause to the subordinate clause dat hardlopen een goede methode is.

Why does the verb is appear at the end of the clause dat hardlopen een goede methode is?

In Dutch subordinate clauses introduced by a conjunction like dat, the finite verb moves to the very end (S-O-V word order). That’s why is comes last, unlike in English where the verb follows the subject.

Why is there no article before hardlopen, and why is it followed by is (singular) instead of zijn (plural)?

Here hardlopen is a nominalized infinitive (like the English gerund “running”) used generically. Nominalized infinitives don’t need an article when referring to an activity in general, and they’re treated as singular nouns—hence the singular verb is.

Why does the adjective goed get an -e ending in een goede methode?

In Dutch, adjectives preceding a singular noun with an article (definite de/het or indefinite een) take an -e ending. Since methode is a de-word and appears with een, goed becomes goede.

What’s the difference between methode and manier, and could I say een goede manier instead?

Both translate as “method” or “way,” but methode often implies a systematic or formal approach, whereas manier is more general (“a way of doing something”). You can indeed say hardlopen is een goede manier, which is perfectly correct, just slightly less formal.

What’s the difference between using uitleggen dat and simply zeggen dat?

zeggen dat means “to say that,” focusing on stating a fact. uitleggen dat means “to explain that,” emphasizing clarification or reasoning. Here the trainer isn’t just stating that running is good; he’s explaining why it’s a good method.

Can you omit dat in this sentence, like English sometimes drops “that”?

No—Dutch generally requires dat to introduce a subordinate clause after verbs like uitleggen. While some verbs (e.g. zeggen, denken) can drop dat informally, it’s not standard or recommended with uitleggen.