Breakdown of De aansteker was in de kast gelegd.
zijn
to be
in
in
de kast
the cabinet / the closet
leggen
to lay / to put down (flat)
de aansteker
the lighter
Questions & Answers about De aansteker was in de kast gelegd.
How is the noun aansteker formed in this sentence?
It comes from the verb aansteken (to light or ignite). By adding the suffix -er to the verb stem, we create an instrument noun: a physical tool that performs the action. So, an aansteker is literally an 'igniter'.
If the stem of aansteken is aansteek, why is aansteker spelled with only one 'e'?
This is due to the Dutch spelling rules for open syllables. When you add -er, the 'k' moves to the start of the new syllable (aan-ste-ker). Because the 'e' is now at the very end of its syllable (an open syllable), a single 'e' automatically makes a long vowel sound. Keeping the double 'e' would be a spelling mistake.
Why does the sentence use was ... gelegd instead of had ... gelegd for 'had been put'?
This is the passive voice in the past perfect tense. While English uses 'to have' (had been) to form this tense, Dutch uses the past tense of zijn (to be). Therefore, 'had been put' translates to was gelegd. If you used had gelegd, it would be the active voice meaning 'had put' (for example: Hij had de aansteker in de kast gelegd).
Why use the verb leggen (to lay) here just to say 'put'?
Dutch relies heavily on positional verbs. You usually can't use a generic word for 'put'; you have to specify how the object is placed. Because a lighter is small and rests flat horizontally, you use leggen (to lay). If you were putting a tall object like a vase in the cabinet, you would use zetten (to set upright).
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