Explanatory conjunction (vandaar dat)

Explaining outcomes with vandaar dat

When you want to explain the logical consequence of a situation, you can use the conjunction vandaar dat (which is why / that is why).

Because vandaar dat ends in dat, it acts as a subordinating conjunction. This means it introduces a dependent clause and forces the conjugated verb to the end of that clause.

I am a bit clumsy, which is why I often spill water.
Ik ben een beetje onhandig, vandaar dat ik vaak water mors.
Nobody cleans up the mess, which is why we trip or slip.
Niemand ruimt de rommel op, vandaar dat we struikelen of uitglijden.

Justifying awkward situations

Whether someone trips, misspeaks, or makes a huge blunder, vandaar dat is highly useful for pointing out the reason behind the resulting embarrassment.

She made a huge blunder, which is why she is blushing so much now.
Zij maakte een enorme blunder, vandaar dat ze nu zo bloost.

When using reflexive verbs in the subordinate clause, the reflexive pronoun stays near the subject while the verb moves to the end.

I often misspeak, which is why I feel very awkward.
Ik verspreek me vaak, vandaar dat ik me erg ongemakkelijk voel.
I find this conversation embarrassing, that is why I stutter.
Ik vind dit gesprek gênant, vandaar dat ik stotter.

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