Questions & Answers about Han har opbrugt al benzinen.
Why is the word for "all" al here instead of alt or alle?
Benzin is a common gender (en-word) noun and it is uncountable (a mass noun). When dealing with singular en-words, you use al. If it were a neuter (et-word) noun like vand, you would use alt (alt vandet). You only use alle for countable plural nouns.
Why does benzinen have the definite ending -en after al?
When you use al, alt, or alle to mean "all of a specific thing", the noun that follows must be in the definite form. This matches the English phrase "all the petrol". If you used the indefinite form (al benzin), it would mean "all petrol" in a general, universal sense, which does not fit the context of him using up a specific tank of fuel.
How does the prefix op- change the meaning of the verb brugt?
Brugt on its own just means "used". Adding the prefix op- to make opbrugt changes the meaning to "used up", "exhausted", or "depleted". It emphasizes that the entire supply of petrol is now completely gone.
Could I split the verb and say brugt al benzinen op?
Yes, you can! At bruge op is a phrasal verb, and you will very often hear native speakers split it, saying han har brugt al benzinen op. Using the single compound word opbrugt is also completely correct but can sound slightly more formal or better suited for writing.