Learn Dutch: Het feit dat de geit ontsnapt, verbaast de boer niet. - The fact that the goat escapes does not surprise the farmer.

The entire clause Het feit dat de geit ontsnapt acts as the first block of information (the subject) in the main sentence. Because of the Dutch V2 (verb-second) rule, the main verb verbaast must take the second position, right after that entire clause.

How does het feit dat function in this sentence compared to phrases like ondanks het feit dat?

Here, Het feit dat (The fact that) introduces a clause that acts as the core subject of the sentence. In phrases like ondanks het feit dat (despite the fact that), a preposition is attached so the clause can act as a condition or modifier. In all of these cases, the word dat forces the verbs in its clause to the end, which is why ontsnapt sits right before the comma.

Why is niet placed at the very end of the sentence?

The word niet is negating the action of the verb verbaast (it does not surprise). When negating the verb in a main clause, niet typically moves to the end of the sentence, specifically coming after definite direct objects like de boer.

Why use ontsnapt (escapes) in the present tense instead of the past tense?