Breakdown of Het percentage neemt sneller af dan dat we gemiddeld verwachten.
snel
fast
we
we (unstressed form of wij)
verwachten
to expect
dan
than
dat
that (conjunction)
het percentage
the percentage
afnemen
to decrease (in amount or intensity)
gemiddeld
average
Questions & Answers about Het percentage neemt sneller af dan dat we gemiddeld verwachten.
Why does this sentence use dan dat instead of just dan?
We use dan dat because the comparison involves a full clause with its own subject and verb (we gemiddeld verwachten). Using dan dat is the standard way to compare against a complete action, expectation, or hypothetical situation, rather than just comparing two simple nouns.
Why is the verb verwachten at the very end of the sentence?
The phrase dan dat acts as a subordinating conjunction. Just like words such as omdat or hoewel, it introduces a dependent clause, which forces the conjugated verb (verwachten) all the way to the end of that clause.
Where does neemt ... af come from, and why is af placed right before dan dat?
It comes from the separable verb afnemen (to decrease). In a main clause, the conjugated verb (neemt) takes the second position, and the separable prefix (af) is pushed to the end of that main clause, sitting right before the new subordinate dan dat clause begins.
Could I use the verb dalen instead of afnemen here?
Yes, dalen also means to decrease or fall, and is frequently used with numbers, prices, or percentages. You could perfectly say Het percentage daalt sneller dan dat we gemiddeld verwachten.
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