Breakdown of Solange es stark regnet, stellen wir den Transport hier unter.
es
it
hier
here
wir
we
regnen
to rain
stark
strong
solange
as long as
unterstellen
to shelter / to allege
der Transport
the transport
Questions & Answers about Solange es stark regnet, stellen wir den Transport hier unter.
Why is unter separated and placed at the very end of the sentence?
The verb here is unterstellen. The prefix unter- is a variable prefix, meaning it can be separable or inseparable depending on the verb's meaning. When it describes a literal, physical action, like putting a transport under a roof or shelter, it is separable. Therefore, unter goes to the end of the main clause.
If unterstellen can also be inseparable, what does it mean then?
When unterstellen is inseparable, it takes on a more abstract or figurative meaning, such as to allege or to insinuate (like accusing someone of a motive). Because our sentence is about the physical act of sheltering something from the rain, the verb is separable.
Why does the second part of the sentence say stellen wir instead of wir stellen?
This happens because of the German verb-second rule. The entire first clause (Solange es stark regnet) counts as position number one. To keep the main verb (stellen) in the second position of the whole sentence, it must come immediately after the comma, before the subject (wir).
Why does the verb regnet go at the end of the first clause?
The word solange (as long as) is a subordinating conjunction. Subordinating conjunctions always kick the conjugated verb (regnet) to the very end of their clause.
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