Breakdown of De medewerker moet de vochtigheid controleren, opdat wij de kwaliteit waarborgen.
wij
we
moeten
to have to, must
controleren
to check
de kwaliteit
the quality
Questions & Answers about De medewerker moet de vochtigheid controleren, opdat wij de kwaliteit waarborgen.
How does opdat affect the word order in the second half of this sentence?
opdat is a subordinating conjunction. This means it introduces a dependent clause and forces the conjugated verb—in this case, waarborgen—to the very end of that clause.
Would I use opdat in everyday conversation?
Generally, no. opdat is quite formal and mostly used in written texts, professional documents, or formal speech. In everyday spoken Dutch, you would almost always use zodat (so that) instead. Both have the exact same effect on word order.
Why is controleren placed right before the comma, instead of after moet?
The first half of the sentence is a main clause that uses the modal verb moet (must). In Dutch main clauses, the conjugated verb takes the second position, and any infinitives (like controleren) get pushed to the very end of that specific clause.
Could I use garanderen instead of waarborgen?
Yes, garanderen and waarborgen are synonyms here. However, waarborgen (literally "to safeguard" or "to secure") is very commonly used in Dutch business and corporate contexts when talking about maintaining quality, safety, or privacy. It matches the formal tone set by the word opdat.