Breakdown of Wat mij inspireert, is betekenisvol werk.
zijn
to be
het werk
the work
mij
me
wat
that / which (relative)
Questions & Answers about Wat mij inspireert, is betekenisvol werk.
Why does the verb is come immediately after the comma?
In Dutch, the main verb of a sentence usually takes the second position. The entire first clause, Wat mij inspireert, acts as the subject and fills the first position. Therefore, the main verb is must take position two, right after the clause.
Why is the verb inspireert at the end of its clause?
The phrase Wat mij inspireert functions as a subordinate clause. In Dutch subordinate clauses, all verbs are pushed to the very end.
Is the comma required between inspireert and is?
Yes, it is standard practice in Dutch grammar. When a subordinate clause precedes the main clause, a comma is used to separate them. This is especially helpful when it prevents two verbs like inspireert and is from crashing into each other, making the sentence easier to read.
Why doesn't the adjective betekenisvol get an -e ending here?
Because werk is a het word. When an adjective is used before a het word without a definite article like het, dit, or dat in front of it, the adjective gets no -e ending. Since we are talking about meaningful work in a general, indefinite sense, it stays betekenisvol.