Breakdown of De timer gaat over twee minuten af.
twee
two
over
past, in (time)
de minuut
minute
de timer
the timer
Questions & Answers about De timer gaat over twee minuten af.
Why is over used here instead of in, when the English translation says "in two minutes"?
In Dutch, over is used to indicate a specific point in the future when something will happen (exactly two minutes from now). If you used in twee minuten, it would mean the action itself takes two minutes to complete (duration). Since a timer ringing is an instant event, over is the correct choice.
How would the meaning change if the sentence were De timer gaat binnen twee minuten af?
Using binnen changes the meaning from a specific future point to a deadline limit. Binnen twee minuten means the timer will go off at some random or unspecified moment within the next two minutes, rather than waiting for exactly two minutes to pass.
Why is af at the very end of the sentence?
It is the prefix of the separable verb afgaan (to go off, to ring). In a main clause in a simple tense like the present, the conjugated part of the verb (gaat) takes the second position, and the separable prefix (af) is pushed to the very end of the sentence.
Does afgaan only mean "to go off"?
For alarms, timers, and guns, it means "to go off". However, it is a versatile verb. It can also mean "to go down" (like walking down stairs) or, in a social context, "to make a fool of oneself" or "to fail".