Breakdown of We wachten bij het ontbijtbuffet zonder dat de ober de melk bijvult.
de melk
the milk
de ober
the waiter
wachten
to wait
bij
at / near / by
we
we (unstressed form of wij)
zonder dat
without (conjunction)
het ontbijtbuffet
the breakfast buffet
bijvullen
to refill
Questions & Answers about We wachten bij het ontbijtbuffet zonder dat de ober de melk bijvult.
Why do we use zonder dat instead of just zonder + infinitive?
In Dutch, you must use zonder dat when the subjects of the two actions are different. In this sentence, we are waiting, but de ober (the waiter) is the one who isn't refilling the milk. If the subjects were the same (e.g., 'We wait without complaining'), you would use zonder te + infinitive instead.
Why does the verb bijvult go at the very end of the sentence?
The phrase zonder dat works as a subordinating conjunction. This means it introduces a dependent clause and forces the conjugated verb (bijvult) to the very end of that clause.
The verb for 'to refill' is bijvullen, which is separable. Why isn't it split into vult ... bij here?
In a standard main clause, a separable verb splits (for example: De ober vult de melk bij). However, because zonder dat pushes the verb to the end of the dependent clause, the separable parts are forced back together and written as one single word: bijvult.
Could I use aan instead of bij for 'at the breakfast buffet'?
While aan is used for sitting 'at' a table (aan tafel), bij is better here because it implies being 'at' or 'near' a broader location, station, or event. You are standing near or around the buffet area, so bij het ontbijtbuffet is the most natural choice.
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