Breakdown of Althans, de wet sluit dat uitdrukkelijk uit.
dat
that (het-words)
de wet
the law
althans
at least / that is (clarification)
uitsluiten
to exclude
Questions & Answers about Althans, de wet sluit dat uitdrukkelijk uit.
Why doesn't althans cause verb inversion here?
Althans (at least / or rather) is often used outside the core sentence structure to correct or refine a previous statement, which is why it's followed by a comma. Because it sits outside the main clause, it doesn't take up the first position, so the normal subject-verb order (de wet sluit) is maintained.
Could I use tenminste instead of althans in this sentence?
Yes, but it changes the tone. Althans is quite formal and is perfect for a sentence talking about what the law (de wet) says. Tenminste is much more colloquial. Keep in mind that while both can mean 'at least' in the sense of 'or rather', only tenminste can mean 'at a minimum' (like 'at least five people').
Where does the uit at the end of the sentence come from?
It is the separable prefix of the verb uitsluiten (to exclude). In a standard main clause like this, the conjugated part of the verb (sluit) takes the second position, while the prefix (uit) gets pushed to the very end of the sentence.
What is the origin of the word uitdrukkelijk?
It comes from the verb uitdrukken (to express). The suffix -lijk turns it into an adjective or adverb, similar to '-ly' in English. So uitdrukkelijk literally means 'expressly' or 'explicitly' — leaving no room for doubt.