Breakdown of De overname is niet ondenkbaar.
zijn
to be
niet
not
de overname
the takeover
ondenkbaar
unthinkable
Questions & Answers about De overname is niet ondenkbaar.
Why use the double negative niet ondenkbaar instead of just saying the takeover is possible (mogelijk)?
This is a rhetorical device called litotes. By negating the opposite (ondenkbaar), the speaker actually makes a stronger, more deliberate statement. It implies that while people might doubt it, the possibility is quite real and should be taken seriously.
Does niet ondenkbaar mean it is definitely going to happen, or just that there is a slight chance?
It usually implies a realistic, substantial chance. In Dutch, using this niet on- phrasing is often a form of understatement that highlights the likelihood of the event. It means it is very well possible, rather than just a tiny, microscopic chance.
How exactly is the adjective ondenkbaar constructed?
It is made of the negative prefix on- (un-), the verb stem denk (from denken, to think), and the suffix -baar (-able). The suffix -baar is very common in Dutch for turning verbs into adjectives that describe what can be done to something, just like eetbaar (edible) or leesbaar (readable).
Is the noun overname only used for corporate business buyouts?
While a corporate takeover or acquisition is the most common translation in news or business contexts, overname can also refer to taking over a task, a work shift, or a physical location. It comes directly from the separable verb overnemen (to take over).
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