Breakdown of Maakt het project verlies? Integendeel, we maken veel winst!
veel
much / many / a lot of
maken
to make
het project
the project
we
we (unstressed form of wij)
Questions & Answers about Maakt het project verlies? Integendeel, we maken veel winst!
Why isn't the verb inverted after Integendeel?
Because Integendeel acts like an introductory word here, similar to ja or nee. It is set off by a comma and sits outside the main clause, so the standard subject-verb order of we maken is used.
Could I use daarentegen instead of integendeel here?
No. Integendeel directly contradicts the previous assumption, showing that the first idea is false. Daarentegen means on the other hand and contrasts two true facts, for example: Project A makes a loss, but this project daarentegen makes a profit.
Are verlies maken and winst maken fixed expressions?
Yes. Just like in English, Dutch uses the verb maken (to make) to talk about financial results. You use verlies maken for making a loss and winst maken for making a profit.
Is there a trick to remembering the word integendeel?
It helps to break the word down into its parts: in (in), tegen (against or counter), and deel (part). Literally meaning in the counter-part, it is the exact equivalent of the English phrase on the contrary.