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Questions and Answers
Hoe wordt het meervoud van 'the children's backpacks' correct geschreven in het Nederlands?
Hoe wordt het meervoud van 'the children's backpacks' correct geschreven in het Nederlands?
Wanneer is het gebruik van een apostrof optioneel bij zelfstandige naamwoorden in het Nederlands?
Wanneer is het gebruik van een apostrof optioneel bij zelfstandige naamwoorden in het Nederlands?
Hoe wordt 'the boys' toys' vertaald naar het Nederlands met behulp van een apostrof?
Hoe wordt 'the boys' toys' vertaald naar het Nederlands met behulp van een apostrof?
Welke regel geldt er voor zelfstandige naamwoorden die bezit aanduiden in het Nederlands?
Welke regel geldt er voor zelfstandige naamwoorden die bezit aanduiden in het Nederlands?
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'the children's backpacks' kan ook geschreven worden als:
'the children's backpacks' kan ook geschreven worden als:
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Waarom wordt er soms een apostrof gebruikt bij zelfstandige naamwoorden die niet bezit aanduiden?
Waarom wordt er soms een apostrof gebruikt bij zelfstandige naamwoorden die niet bezit aanduiden?
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Study Notes
In this article, we will explore the punctuation rules used in Dutch, specifically regarding plural forms with apostrophes. We'll cover some guidelines and examples to help you understand how these rules apply when writing in Dutch.
Plural Forms with Apostrophes
In Dutch, the use of apostrophes is not restricted solely to creating contractions; they also serve to indicate possession. When forming plurals, it is important to consider whether the noun being referred to is something that can be owned by multiple people or entities. Here are some general rules to follow:
Nouns That Can Be Owned
When referring to nouns that can be owned, the possessive form, typically indicated by using 's, remains unchanged in its plural form. For example, if you want to say "the boys' toys," you would simply add 's after "boys."
Nouns That Cannot Be Owned
For nouns that cannot be owned, such as days of the week or months, the use of an apostrophe is optional. If an apostrophe is added, it helps to prevent confusion between the days themselves and their abbreviations. For instance, "the children's backpacks" could be written as either "de kinderen's rugzakken" or "de rugzakken van de kinderen". However, if there is no risk of misinterpretation, omitting the apostrophe may be preferred.
Using Possessive Pronouns
When using possessive pronouns like "hers", "ours", etc., the apostrophe is always placed before the s to indicate possession. So, for example, "her friends' backpacks" would be written as "haar vrienden's rugzakken" in Dutch.
Remember, these are general guidelines and may vary depending on context or stylistic preferences. As a rule of thumb, it is best to consult Dutch grammar resources for specific cases or seek professional editing services if necessary.
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Description
Explore the rules for using apostrophes in Dutch, specifically when forming plural possessive nouns. Learn when to add 's for nouns that can be owned, when apostrophes are optional for unownable nouns, and how to use possessive pronouns correctly. Consult this guide for clarity on how to apply these rules in your Dutch writing.
