Breakdown of Hoewel de oefening lastig is, willen we niet opgeven.
zijn
to be
niet
not
willen
to want
de oefening
the exercise
we
we (unstressed form of wij)
hoewel
although
lastig
tricky / difficult (troublesome)
opgeven
to give up
Questions & Answers about Hoewel de oefening lastig is, willen we niet opgeven.
Why is the verb is at the very end of the first part of the sentence?
The word hoewel (although) is a subordinating conjunction. This means it introduces a dependent clause, which always pushes the conjugated verb (is) to the very end of that specific clause before the comma.
Why does the second half start with willen we instead of we willen?
This happens because of the Dutch verb-second (V2) rule. The entire first clause (Hoewel de oefening lastig is) counts as the first block of information. To keep the main verb in the strict second position, willen must come right after the comma, swapping places with the subject we.
I thought opgeven was a separable verb. Why isn't it split up here?
You are right that opgeven (to give up) is a separable verb! However, because it is used here with the helper verb willen (want), it stays in its full dictionary form (infinitive) and gets pushed to the very end of the sentence, completely intact.
Could I use moeilijk instead of lastig here?
Yes, absolutely! Moeilijk means difficult or hard, while lastig often translates to tricky, troublesome, or annoying. In the context of an exercise, they are practically interchangeable.
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