Question 1

Why does the second part of the sentence start with the verb is instead of a subject?

Accepted Answer

This sentence uses a pseudo-cleft structure to put extra focus on the action. The entire subordinate clause Wat ik opoffer acts as the subject and occupies the first position of the main sentence. Because Dutch uses V2 (verb-second) word order in main clauses, the finite verb is must immediately follow it in the second position.

Question 2

Could I use dat instead of wat at the beginning of this sentence?

Accepted Answer

No, you must use wat. You use dat to refer back to a specific preceding neuter noun. Here, you are saying 'that which' or 'the thing that' without referring to a previous noun. When creating these pseudo-cleft focus sentences, Dutch always uses wat.

Question 3

Why is the separable verb opofferen (to sacrifice) written as one word (opoffer) here?

Accepted Answer

In a standard main clause, the prefix splits off and goes to the end (for example, ik offer dit op). However, wat ik opoffer is a subordinate clause. In subordinate clauses, the verbs are pushed to the end, which causes the prefix (op-) and the conjugated verb (offer) to reunite into a single word.

Question 4

I usually see essentieel for 'essential'. Is there a difference between that and wezenlijk?

Accepted Answer

They are very close in meaning and often interchangeable. Essentieel is a loanword and slightly more formal. Wezenlijk comes from the native Dutch word wezen (essence or being) and describes something that is deeply fundamental to the very core or nature of the project.

Wat ik opoffer, is wezenlijk voor het project.

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