Question 1

Why does the verb verlamde come before the subject het netwerk?

Accepted Answer

The sentence starts with the causal adverb daardoor (as a result). In Dutch, whenever you put something other than the subject in the first position, it triggers an inversion in the word order. The verb must stay in the second position, which forces the subject (het netwerk) to move right behind it.

Question 2

The English translation says "was paralysed", so why is there no passive verb like werd in the Dutch sentence?

Accepted Answer

The Dutch verb verlammen can be used both transitively (to paralyze something) and intransitively (to become paralyzed). In this sentence, it is used intransitively to mean the network "became paralyzed". Because the verb itself carries the meaning of undergoing the change, you do not need a passive construction with a helper verb like werd.

Question 3

Could I use daarom instead of daardoor here?

Accepted Answer

Not really. While both can mean "therefore" or "as a result" in English, daarom implies a logical conclusion or a conscious decision based on a reason. Daardoor indicates a direct, often physical or mechanical cause-and-effect. A network crashing is an involuntary mechanical consequence, making daardoor the natural choice.

Question 4

Why is verlamde spelled with only one m, unlike its infinitive verlammen?

Accepted Answer

The infinitive verlammen needs a double m to keep the preceding a short. To form the past tense, you first find the stem by dropping the -en, which gives you verlam. Because the a is now locked in a closed syllable ending in a consonant, it stays short naturally. Therefore, you drop the extra m before adding the past tense ending -de.

Daardoor verlamde het netwerk direct.

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