Question 1

Why do we use zonder dat here instead of just zonder?

Accepted Answer

Zonder (without) is a preposition used before a noun, like in zonder jas (without a coat). Because we are introducing an entire new clause with a subject (u) and a conjugated verb (bent), we must use the subordinating conjunction zonder dat.

Question 2

Why is bent at the very end of the sentence?

Accepted Answer

Zonder dat is a subordinating conjunction, which means the clause that follows it is a subclause. In Dutch subclauses, the conjugated verb (here, bent) gets pushed to the very end.

Question 3

Wegslepen is a separable verb. Why isn't it split up in this sentence?

Accepted Answer

Separable verbs only split when they act as the conjugated verb in a main clause. Here, the modal verb mag is the conjugated verb, which sends wegslepen to the end of the main clause in its full, unsplit infinitive form.

Question 4

How does aanwezig (present) relate to other Dutch words?

Accepted Answer

It is built from aan (at) and wezen (an older verb for 'to be', still seen in the past participle geweest). The direct opposite is afwezig (absent).

Question 5

If I wanted to use daar (since/seeing that) from this lesson, how could I apply it to this context?

Accepted Answer

You could use it to state a reason: Daar u niet aanwezig bent, mag de politie de auto wegslepen (Since you are not present, the police may tow the car). Notice that daar is also a subordinating conjunction, so it uses the exact same word order as zonder dat, pushing bent to the end of its clause.

De politie mag de auto wegslepen zonder dat u aanwezig bent.

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