Question 1

Why is the word order vergoedt u instead of u vergoedt after Desondanks?

Accepted Answer

Desondanks (nevertheless) is an adverb. In Dutch, when you start a sentence with an adverb, the verb must take the second position (the verb-second or V2 rule). Therefore, the verb vergoedt jumps in front of the subject u.

Question 2

I thought verbs drop the -t ending when placed before 'you'. Why is it vergoedt u here?

Accepted Answer

That rule only applies to the informal 'you' (jij or je). If the sentence used the informal 'you', it would indeed be desondanks vergoed je. However, the formal 'you' (u) always keeps the -t ending, even when the subject and verb are inverted.

Question 3

Can I join these two sentences into one by using desondanks in the middle?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but because desondanks is an adverb and not a coordinating conjunction, you cannot just link them with a comma. You would typically use a semicolon, or combine it with maar (but). For example: ...gisteren gemeld; desondanks vergoedt u niets. or ...gisteren gemeld, maar desondanks vergoedt u niets.

Question 4

Why does het defect come before the time word gisteren? Doesn't time usually come earlier in the sentence?

Accepted Answer

While Dutch sentences generally follow the 'Time-Manner-Place' rule, specific, definite objects (like het defect) are placed before adverbs of time. If you were talking about a general or indefinite object, the time would come first: We hebben gisteren een defect gemeld.

We hebben het defect gisteren gemeld. Desondanks vergoedt u niets.

Breakdown of We hebben het defect gisteren gemeld. Desondanks vergoedt u niets.

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