Breakdown of Sinds de kok is vertrokken, is de maaltijd teleurstellend.
zijn
to be
vertrekken
to leave / to depart
de kok
the cook
de maaltijd
the meal
sinds
since
teleurstellend
disappointing
Questions & Answers about Sinds de kok is vertrokken, is de maaltijd teleurstellend.
Why is the main clause inverted to is de maaltijd instead of de maaltijd is?
The sentence starts with a subordinate clause (Sinds de kok is vertrokken). In Dutch, this entire clause takes up the first position. Because Dutch follows the V2 (verb-second) rule, the main verb (is) must come in the second position, immediately after the comma. This pushes the subject (de maaltijd) to the third position.
Why do we use is vertrokken here instead of heeft vertrokken?
The verb vertrekken (to leave) indicates a change of location. In the present perfect tense, verbs that show motion from one place to another or a change of state take zijn (to be) as their helper verb rather than hebben (to have).
Could I put is at the very end of the first clause, like Sinds de kok vertrokken is?
Yes! In a subordinate clause, you can place the helper verb (is) either before or after the past participle (vertrokken). Both is vertrokken and vertrokken is are perfectly correct and common in everyday Dutch.
How is the word teleurstellend formed?
It comes from the verb teleurstellen (to disappoint). By adding -d to the infinitive, you create the present participle (teleurstellend). This acts just like the English '-ing' form (disappointing) and is used here as an adjective.
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