Breakdown of Voordat we vasten, verlagen we de inname van koolhydraten.
wij
we
van
from (possession, starting point) / made of
voordat
before
verlagen
to reduce
Questions & Answers about Voordat we vasten, verlagen we de inname van koolhydraten.
Why does the main clause start with the verb verlagen instead of we?
The entire subordinate clause Voordat we vasten acts as the first element of the overall sentence. Because Dutch follows the V2 (verb-second) rule, the verb of the main clause (verlagen) must take the second position, causing the subject (we) to invert to the third position.
Why is the verb vasten placed at the very end of the first clause?
Voordat is a subordinating conjunction. Just like other subordinating conjunctions you are studying (such as naargelang), it triggers verb-final word order. This pushes the conjugated verb (vasten) to the end of its dependent clause.
How is the verb verlagen formed?
It is built from the adjective laag (low). Wrapping an adjective in the prefix ver- and suffix -en is a common way in Dutch to create a causative verb that means 'to make [adjective]'. Therefore, verlagen literally means 'to make lower' or 'to decrease'.
Is the verb vasten (to fast) related to the adjective vast (fixed/solid)?
Yes, historically they share the same root. While vasten means 'to fast', you likely know vast as an adjective meaning 'fixed', 'solid', or 'certain'. Fasting originally meant holding firmly to an observance or keeping oneself 'fixed' from eating.