Breakdown of Naar verluidt zou hij vertrouwelijke informatie lekken.
hij
he / it (referring to a 'de'-word)
zullen
shall / will
de informatie
the information
naar
as (according to what someone knows/says)
vertrouwelijk
confidential
lekken
to leak
verluiden
to be reported
Questions & Answers about Naar verluidt zou hij vertrouwelijke informatie lekken.
The lesson mentions using naar with a subject and verb, but Naar verluidt doesn't have a subject. Why is that?
Naar verluidt is a common fixed expression that functions as an adverbial phrase. It stems from an older construction meaning 'according to what is heard.' Unlike phrases like naar ik aanneem (as I assume), it has fossilized into a set phrase meaning 'reportedly' and no longer requires a subject.
Why is zou used here instead of the present tense verb lekt?
At this level, you learn that zouden is not just for 'would' or conditionals. It is frequently used to express hearsay or an unverified claim, translating to 'is said to.' Combining Naar verluidt and zou in the same sentence emphasizes heavily that this is an unconfirmed rumor.
Why is the word order zou hij instead of hij zou?
This is due to the V2 (verb-second) rule. Because the sentence begins with the framing phrase Naar verluidt, that phrase takes up the first position. The finite verb zou must take the second position, which pushes the subject hij into the third position.
Why does vertrouwelijke get an -e ending?
Because informatie is a de-word. Whenever an adjective comes directly before a de-word, it gets an -e ending. This basic rule always applies, no matter how complex the rest of the sentence becomes.
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