Ongeag of daar 'n bonus is, gaan sy die salarisstrokie na.

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Breakdown of Ongeag of daar 'n bonus is, gaan sy die salarisstrokie na.

• 'n: a
• wees: to be
• daar: there

Questions & Answers about Ongeag of daar 'n bonus is, gaan sy die salarisstrokie na.

Why does of mean whether here, not or?

In this sentence, of introduces an indirect yes/no question, so it means whether.

• Ongeag of daar 'n bonus is = Regardless of whether there is a bonus
• It does not mean or here.

This is very common in Afrikaans. Compare:

• Ek weet nie of hy kom nie. = I don't know whether he is coming.

So in this sentence, of is best understood as whether.

Why is the verb is at the end of Ongeag of daar 'n bonus is?

Because of introduces a subordinate clause, and in Afrikaans subordinate clauses, the finite verb usually goes to the end.

So:

• main clause pattern: verb usually comes early
• subordinate clause pattern: verb often goes to the end

That is why you get:

• daar 'n bonus is

not:

• daar is 'n bonus

This is one of the most important word-order patterns in Afrikaans.

What is daar doing in daar 'n bonus is?