Breakdown of Der Verkehr droht zusammenzubrechen, weswegen die Leute zu Hause bleiben.
die Leute
the people
bleiben
to stay
zu Hause
at home
der Verkehr
the traffic
weswegen
which is why
drohen
to threaten (with consequences or impending danger)
zusammenbrechen
to collapse
Questions & Answers about Der Verkehr droht zusammenzubrechen, weswegen die Leute zu Hause bleiben.
How does drohen function in this sentence? Is the traffic actually threatening someone?
Here, drohen is used as a 'subject-raising verb' to show that a negative event is highly likely or imminent. The traffic isn't making a literal threat; instead, the structure droht + zu + infinitive means 'is in danger of' or 'is on the verge of'.
Why is the word zu stuck in the middle of zusammenzubrechen?
Because zusammenbrechen (to collapse) is a separable verb. When you use a separable verb with zu, the zu is inserted directly between the separable prefix (zusammen) and the main verb (brechen), creating one continuous word.
Why does the verb bleiben go to the very end of the second clause?
The word weswegen (which is why / because of which) is a relative adverb that introduces a subordinate clause. Just like with words such as weil or ob, it forces the conjugated verb to the end of its clause.
Could I just use deswegen instead of weswegen here?
You could, but it would change the grammar. deswegen (therefore) is a main clause adverb, so it would require starting a new independent clause with the verb in the second position: ... zusammenzubrechen. Deswegen bleiben die Leute zu Hause. Using weswegen fluidly connects the two ideas into a single sentence.
Why do we use zu Hause here instead of in dem Haus?
zu Hause is a fixed expression that specifically means being 'at home' (in one's own residence). If you said in dem Haus, it would literally just mean physically being inside of a specific house or building, missing the meaning of being at one's own home.
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