Fotografija je dokazala da je vrč napuknuo.

The photograph proved that the jug had cracked.

Breakdown of Fotografija je dokazala da je vrč napuknuo.

• biti: to be
• da: that
• fotografija: photograph
• vrč: jug

Questions & Answers about Fotografija je dokazala da je vrč napuknuo.

What is the sentence structure, word by word?

A very literal breakdown is:

• Fotografija = photograph / photo
• je dokazala = proved
• da = that
• je vrč napuknuo = the jug cracked / the jug had cracked / the jug was cracked depending on context

So the structure is:

• main clause: Fotografija je dokazala = The photograph proved
• subordinate clause: da je vrč napuknuo = that the jug had cracked

Croatian often uses one tense form where English may choose between several past forms.

Why is je used twice?

Because there are two clauses, and each clause has its own verb phrase:

1. Fotografija je dokazala
2. da je vrč napuknuo

In both clauses, je is the 3rd person singular present of biti (to be), used here as an auxiliary to form the perfect tense.

So:

• je dokazala = proved
• je napuknuo = cracked / had cracked

English does not always show this with a separate auxiliary in the same way, but Croatian does.