Breakdown of Der Konflikt droht sich lange hinzuziehen und die Fabrik lahmzulegen.
und
and
lange
for a long time, long
die Fabrik
the factory
der Konflikt
the conflict
drohen
to threaten (with consequences or impending danger)
lahmlegen
to paralyze
sich hinziehen
to drag on
Questions & Answers about Der Konflikt droht sich lange hinzuziehen und die Fabrik lahmzulegen.
Does a conflict actually "threaten" something, or how is droht working here?
Here, drohen is acting as a subject-raising verb (Modalisierungsverb) combined with a zu + infinitive clause. It doesn't mean someone is making a literal threat. Instead, it is used to express that a negative event or situation is imminent or highly likely—much like "threatens to" in English.
Why are hinzuziehen and lahmzulegen written as single words instead of keeping zu separate?
Both hinziehen (to drag on) and lahmlegen (to paralyze) are separable verbs. When a separable verb is used in a zu + infinitive construction, the zu gets wedged between the separable prefix and the core verb, merging them into one single written word (hin + zu + ziehen).
Where does the sich come from, and why is it placed right after droht?
The sich belongs to the reflexive verb sich hinziehen (to drag on). In sentences with zu infinitive clauses, it is very common for pronouns like sich to move as far forward in the clause as possible, placing them immediately after the main verb (droht) rather than right next to their own verb.
Why does die Fabrik lahmzulegen not need its own droht or another introductory word?
The conjunction und joins the two infinitive clauses (sich lange hinzuziehen and die Fabrik lahmzulegen). Because they both depend on the same main verb (droht), you don't need to repeat it. Both actions are things the conflict "threatens to" do.
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