Breakdown of Zij wil het meningsverschil oplossen, zodat we er blij mee zijn.
zijn
to be
zij
she
wij
we
blij
happy
willen
to want
het
it
er
it (in 'er ... op/mee', pronominal adverb)
oplossen
to solve / to resolve
zodat
so that
mee
along, with (too)
het meningsverschil
the difference of opinion
Questions & Answers about Zij wil het meningsverschil oplossen, zodat we er blij mee zijn.
Why are er and mee separated in the second clause?
This sentence uses the pronominal adverb ermee (meaning "with it", built from er + met). While you can sometimes write ermee as one word, it is usually split when there is an adjective involved. In a subordinate clause, the er part likes to jump right after the subject (we), while the preposition part (mee) stays close to the verbs at the very end. This leaves the adjective blij sandwiched in the middle.
Why is the verb zijn at the very end of the sentence?
The word zodat (so that) introduces a subordinate clause. In Dutch subordinate clauses, the verb or verbs are always pushed to the end. Since zijn is the only verb in that clause, it takes the final position after the split pronominal adverb phrase er blij mee.
Why doesn't the first clause say Zij wil oplossen het meningsverschil?
This happens because of Dutch verb order rules in main clauses. The conjugated verb (wil) takes the second position, but any additional verbs, like the infinitive oplossen (to solve), must be pushed to the end of the clause. Therefore, it comes after the object (het meningsverschil).
How does the word meningsverschil break down?
It is a compound noun made from mening (opinion) and verschil (difference). They are joined together by an -s-, which is a very common linking sound in Dutch compound words.
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