Breakdown of Hij is niet rijk genoeg om dit zilverwerk te kopen, dus wil hij afdingen.
zijn
to be
hij
he / it (referring to a 'de'-word)
niet
not
kopen
to buy
Questions & Answers about Hij is niet rijk genoeg om dit zilverwerk te kopen, dus wil hij afdingen.
Why is it dus wil hij with the verb before the subject?
The word dus (so / therefore) can be used as a regular conjunction, where the normal order would be dus hij wil. However, it is very commonly used as an adverb at the start of a clause. When used as an adverb, it takes up the first position, causing an inversion of the subject and verb: dus wil hij.
Is the om necessary in om dit zilverwerk te kopen?
Yes. The structure om ... te plus an infinitive expresses 'in order to' or a purpose. Because the first clause says he is not rich enough for the purpose of buying the silverware, om is required to connect the action.
Is afdingen a separable verb?
Yes, afdingen (to haggle or bargain) is a separable verb (af + dingen). In a simple present tense main clause without a modal, it splits: Hij dingt af (He haggles). In this sentence, it stays together as an infinitive at the end because it follows the modal verb wil.
Why do we use dit instead of deze for zilverwerk?