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Comparing with “als” and “dan” Exercises in Dutch language

Students continually refining linguistic skills.

Learning how to compare objects, people, and situations is a crucial aspect of mastering any language. In Dutch, the words "als" and "dan" are instrumental in making comparisons, and understanding their correct usage can significantly enhance your fluency. "Als" is used in expressions of equality, where you want to say that two things are similar or identical in a particular way. On the other hand, "dan" is employed in comparisons of inequality, where you want to highlight the differences between two elements. Grasping these distinctions will enable you to communicate more precisely and naturally in Dutch. This section is dedicated to helping you practice and perfect your use of "als" and "dan" through a variety of engaging exercises. Whether you are just starting out or looking to refine your skills, these activities will provide you with the opportunity to apply what you've learned in real-life contexts. By working through these exercises, you will not only improve your understanding of these comparative structures but also gain confidence in your overall Dutch language abilities. Let's dive in and explore how to make effective comparisons in Dutch!

Exercise 1

1. Hij is groter *dan* zijn broer (comparing height). 2. Ik ben even oud *als* mijn beste vriend (same age). 3. Deze appel is lekkerder *dan* die banaan (comparing taste). 4. Zij werkt harder *dan* haar collega (work ethic). 5. Jouw huis is net zo groot *als* mijn huis (same size). 6. Dit boek is interessanter *dan* die film (interest level). 7. De hond is even snel *als* de kat (speed comparison). 8. Het weer is beter *dan* gisteren (weather comparison). 9. Mijn fiets is nieuwer *dan* jouw fiets (newness). 10. Zij is net zo slim *als* haar zus (intelligence comparison).

Exercise 2

1. Mijn hond is groter *dan* jouw kat (comparing sizes of pets). 2. Zij is even slim *als* haar zus (comparing intelligence levels). 3. Dit boek is interessanter *dan* dat tijdschrift (comparing levels of interest). 4. Hij rent sneller *dan* ik (comparing running speeds). 5. Deze appel is net zo zoet *als* die banaan (comparing sweetness of fruits). 6. De nieuwe film was minder spannend *dan* ik had verwacht (comparing excitement levels). 7. Dit huis is duurder *dan* dat appartement (comparing prices of properties). 8. Mijn vader is ouder *dan* mijn moeder (comparing ages). 9. Deze auto is even snel *als* die motorfiets (comparing speeds of vehicles). 10. Haar jurk is mooier *dan* die van haar vriendin (comparing beauty of dresses).

Exercise 3

1. Jan is langer *dan* zijn broer (comparison of height). 2. Deze taart is even lekker *als* die van de bakker (comparison of taste). 3. Zij is ouder *dan* haar vriend (age comparison). 4. Deze auto is net zo snel *als* die van mijn buurman (speed comparison). 5. Mijn huis is groter *dan* jouw appartement (size comparison). 6. Hij werkt even hard *als* zijn collega (work ethic comparison). 7. Dit boek is interessanter *dan* dat boek (interest level comparison). 8. Haar jurk is even mooi *als* die van haar zus (beauty comparison). 9. De prijs van deze fiets is lager *dan* die van de andere (price comparison). 10. Mijn hond is zo slim *als* een dolfijn (intelligence comparison).