Breakdown of De man verdraagt de lactose ook niet.
de man
the man
ook
also / -ever (concessive particle)
niet
not
verdragen
to bear / to endure
de lactose
lactose
Questions & Answers about De man verdraagt de lactose ook niet.
Why does ook niet come at the end of the sentence, after de lactose?
In Dutch, the focus adverbs ook (also) and ook niet (also not / not either) usually come after a specific direct object. Because de lactose is a specific thing (indicated by the word de), ook niet must be placed after it.
Could I use ook geen instead of ook niet in this sentence?
No, because de lactose is a specific noun (it has the definite article de). We only use geen (or ook geen) to negate indefinite nouns, such as een appel (an apple) or just lactose without an article. Since this sentence uses de lactose, you must use niet (or ook niet).
Is the verb verdraagt related to the verb dragen (to carry or wear)?
Yes! Dragen means to carry or wear, but adding the inseparable prefix ver- changes the meaning. Verdragen means to tolerate, endure, or bear. Notice how in English we also use the word 'bear' in a similar way, like saying 'I cannot bear it'.
How would the word order change if the sentence was 'The man also does not tolerate it'?
The Dutch sentence would be De man verdraagt het ook niet. Just like with specific nouns, ook niet is placed after specific pronouns like het (it) or hem (him).
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