Questions & Answers about Naar wij aannemen, wil zij anoniem blijven.
How does naar function in this sentence compared to its usual meaning of 'to'?
Here, naar is used as a conjunction meaning 'according to what' or 'as'. When combined with cognitive verbs like aannemen (to assume) or weten (to know), it creates an evidential framing clause that tells the listener the source or certainty of your statement.
Why is the main clause inverted to wil zij instead of zij wil?
The entire framing clause Naar wij aannemen occupies the first position in the sentence. To satisfy the Dutch V2 (verb-second) rule, the finite verb of the main clause (wil) must come exactly in the second position, which pushes the subject (zij) right after it.
Can I use zoals instead of naar in this context?
Yes, zoals wij aannemen also means 'as we assume' and is very common. However, using naar is slightly more formal and acts as a set expression. You will mostly see this specific use of naar paired with verbs related to thinking, knowing, or assuming.
What kind of verb is aannemen and what does it literally mean?
It is a separable verb made of aan (on/to) and nemen (to take). While it literally means 'to take on' or 'to accept', in cognitive contexts like this framing clause, it translates to 'to assume' or 'to presume'.