afmaken

[Iouri]

Thank you very much

[ngonyama]

There are probably some regional difference and differences in style involved. For me the unseparated form "Ik had dit kunnen afmaken" sounds clumsy. In Flanders or Limburg that may well be the other way around.

For you I think it is important to be able to recognize the separated form for what it is, and you were asking for separated cases. If you prefer to use the unseparated one (I'm sure it is easier) I see no problem with that.

I did a quick google search and found the separated "af kunnen maken" about 5 times as common as the unseparated "kunnen afmaken":

https://www.google.com/search?q=%22af+k ... S:official

https://www.google.com/search?q=%22af+k ... S:official

[Iouri]

Thank you, ngonyama

[BrutallyFrank]

I did a quick google search and found the separated "af kunnen maken" about 5 times as common as the unseparated "kunnen afmaken":

https://www.google.com/search?q=%22af+k ... S:official

https://www.google.com/search?q=%22af+k ... S:official

I really disagree with you on this one!

There was one occasion (I'm not sure if it was here or not) where a word wasn't mentioned in the Woordenlijst Nederlandse Taal. Even though it didn't sound incorrect and could as well been a good word (something with 'on- ... -baar').
If you used Google to look for it, you'd find a great deal of hits. And if you didn't know any better, you'd think that the word actually existed. BUT fact is: it doesn't!

Using Google and counting the hits isn't in any way near to find proof for your assertion. As you stated yourself: "probably some regional difference" ...
I'm willing to ask the Dutch department at my volunteer work, to know if there's any truth to it. I do think that there's a difference in style involved, but not a regional difference.

[Iouri]

It is already out of my league, but I am watching for the solution

[ngonyama]

What exactly do you disagree with, Frank? The fact that the separated form is more common than the unseparated one?

I am sorry, but what exactly do you want people like Iouri to do? To not be able to understand 80% of those websites because you want to impose your 'perfect' version of the Dutch language on him?

[Bert]

It is already out of my league, but I am watching for the solution

Both versions are correct. So it's not an issue of "correct or not correct". I'm afraid you have to learn both word orders. The discussion is only about the frequency of the one and of the other.

[BrutallyFrank]

What exactly do you disagree with, Frank? The fact that the separated form is more common than the unseparated one?

I am sorry, but what exactly do you want people like Iouri to do? To not be able to understand 80% of those websites because you want to impose your 'perfect' version of the Dutch language on him?

Let me start by saying that I don't like the aggresive tone of your response. I'm not imposing anything on anyone. But if you present something like a fact, then doing a little Google search and counting hits just doesn't cut it. And I tried to explain why ... that's all.

Iouri's unseparated form was perfectly correct. And so is the separated one. As Bert says: that isn't the point of discussion here.
Should Iouri learn both word orders? Maybe ... only one could be enough. But I think it's only fair to let people be AWARE that both are correct and in use. I leave the choice to them. So no one is imposing any 'perfect' version of the Dutch language on anyone.

If the separated or unseparated version is more common, is actually a non-issue.

[ngonyama]

I checked the ANS http://ans.ruhosting.nl/e-ans/21/06/02/02/body.html

Both forms are correct and yes, there is a geographic difference. In the South (Flanders, Limburg) the unseparated form is more usual, in the North the separated form. As I am from a few miles above the Moerdijk that makes perfect sense.

[ngonyama]

?