Breakdown of Slegs indien die erfnommer duidelik is, aanvaar hulle die bouplanaansoek.
hulle
they
wees
to be
duidelik
clear
aanvaar
to accept
Questions & Answers about Slegs indien die erfnommer duidelik is, aanvaar hulle die bouplanaansoek.
Why does is come at the end in indien die erfnommer duidelik is?
Because indien introduces a subordinate clause. In Afrikaans, the finite verb normally goes to the end of a subordinate clause.
So:
- die erfnommer is duidelik = the erf number is clear
- indien die erfnommer duidelik is = if the erf number is clear
This is very similar to Dutch and German word order, and it is one of the most important sentence patterns in Afrikaans.
Why is it aanvaar hulle and not hulle aanvaar?
Because the sentence starts with a subordinate clause:
After a fronted element like this, Afrikaans uses verb-second word order in the main clause. That means the verb comes before the subject:
- ... aanvaar hulle die bouplanaansoek
If you started directly with the subject, you would say:
- Hulle aanvaar die bouplanaansoek.
But once the conditional clause comes first, inversion happens:
- Slegs indien die erfnommer duidelik is, aanvaar hulle die bouplanaansoek.
What does slegs indien mean exactly? Is it different from just indien?