Breakdown of Ook al is de module pittig, mijn toewijding blijft groot.
zijn
to be
groot
big
mijn
my
blijven
to stay
ook al
even if / even though
de module
the module
pittig
tough / demanding
de toewijding
the dedication
Questions & Answers about Ook al is de module pittig, mijn toewijding blijft groot.
Why does the verb is come right after ook al instead of going to the end of the clause?
Unlike regular conjunctions like hoewel (although) which push the verb to the end, ook al (even though) usually triggers inversion. It acts almost like an adverb at the start of the sentence, so the verb is comes immediately before the subject de module.
Wait, the second part is mijn toewijding blijft groot. Doesn't the first clause push the verb blijft to the front of the second clause?
That is the most unique thing about ook al! Normally, starting a sentence with a dependent clause causes inversion in the main clause (putting the verb first). However, a clause starting with ook al is a major exception. The main clause that follows it keeps the standard subject-verb order (mijn toewijding blijft).
I thought pittig meant 'spicy'. Why is it used for a module?
You are right that pittig means 'spicy' when talking about food. But when describing tasks, exams, or courses, it is a very common word for 'tough', 'challenging', or 'demanding'.
Can I use blijven (to remain) to describe an ongoing state like this?
Yes! Just like in English, blijven can act as a linking verb to show that a condition continues. Here, blijft groot means that the dedication continues to be a high amount.
Learn Ook al is de module pittig, mijn toewijding blijft groot and more in Dutch
All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.
- ✓ Practice with interactive exercises
- ✓ Track your progress with spaced repetition
- ✓Learn at your own pace — completely free