Met 'n tydsbeperking is die ontsnappingskamer des te moeiliker.

a

Breakdown of Met 'n tydsbeperking is die ontsnappingskamer des te moeiliker.

• wees: to be
• met: with
• moeilik: difficult

Questions & Answers about Met 'n tydsbeperking is die ontsnappingskamer des te moeiliker.

Why does the sentence start with Met 'n tydsbeperking?

This is a fronted prepositional phrase, meaning with a time limit.

Afrikaans often moves this kind of phrase to the front of the sentence for emphasis or style. When that happens, the finite verb usually comes next:

• Met 'n tydsbeperking is die ontsnappingskamer des te moeiliker.
• More neutral order: Die ontsnappingskamer is met 'n tydsbeperking des te moeiliker.

So the sentence starts with the condition or circumstance first: with a time limit.

Why is is before die ontsnappingskamer?

This is because Afrikaans follows the verb-second rule in main clauses.

That means the finite verb normally comes in the second position, not necessarily as the second word, but as the second sentence element.

In this sentence:

1. Met 'n tydsbeperking = first element
2. is = verb in second position
3. die ontsnappingskamer = subject

So even though die ontsnappingskamer is the subject, it comes after is because the opening phrase takes the first slot.

What does 'n mean, and why is it written like that?