Breakdown of Opeens viel de trein uit, vandaar dat we de bus zouden nemen.
wij
we
de trein
the train
de bus
the bus
nemen
to take (general, abstract, e.g., transport, medicine)
Questions & Answers about Opeens viel de trein uit, vandaar dat we de bus zouden nemen.
Why use zouden nemen here instead of simply saying we took the bus?
Using zouden with the infinitive nemen creates the future in the past. It shows what your intention or plan was at that moment in the past (we were going to take the bus). It emphasizes what the new plan became right after the train was cancelled, rather than just stating a finished action.
What does vandaar dat mean and why are the verbs at the end of the sentence?
Vandaar dat translates to which is why or hence. Because this conjunction ends with dat (that), it introduces a subordinate clause. In Dutch subordinate clauses, all verbs—in this case, zouden nemen—must be pushed to the very end.
Why is the word uit at the end of the first clause?
The word uit is the prefix of the separable verb uitvallen (to be cancelled or to break down). In a main clause, separable verbs split: the conjugated part (viel) goes to the second position, while the prefix (uit) is sent to the end of that clause, right before the comma.
Why is it viel de trein instead of de trein viel?
The first clause starts with the adverb Opeens (suddenly). Whenever you start a main clause with something other than the subject, inversion happens. The verb (viel) must stay in the second position, so the subject (de trein) is forced to move right after it.