Breakdown of De wegens fraude veroordeelde voormalige burgemeester zwijgt.
de burgemeester
the mayor
wegens
due to (formal)
zwijgen
to remain silent
de fraude
the fraud
Questions & Answers about De wegens fraude veroordeelde voormalige burgemeester zwijgt.
How does the word order work in the phrase De wegens fraude veroordeelde voormalige burgemeester?
This is the extended attributive participial phrase, often called the accordion construction. In Dutch, all the extra information modifying the participle (wegens fraude) is squeezed between the article (De) and the noun (burgemeester). Crucially, this modifier must come directly before the participle (veroordeelde). English usually places this information after the noun: 'The former mayor [convicted of fraud]'.
Why does the past participle veroordeelde end in an -e?
Because it is functioning exactly like an adjective describing the noun burgemeester. Since burgemeester is a de-word and is preceded by the definite article De, any adjective (or participle acting as one) placed in front of it gets the standard -e ending.
Why does voormalige come after the wegens fraude veroordeelde block?
When stacking adjectives, the one that forms the tightest, most permanent block of meaning with the noun goes closest to it. voormalige burgemeester (former mayor) acts almost like a single concept. The heavier, more descriptive participial block (wegens fraude veroordeelde) is placed before this simpler, inherent adjective.
Could I say door fraude instead of wegens fraude?