We kunnen die gebeurtenis niet missen, want er komen zoveel bezoekers.

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Breakdown of We kunnen die gebeurtenis niet missen, want er komen zoveel bezoekers.

• wij: we
• want: because
• kunnen: can
• er: there
• de gebeurtenis: the event
• komen: to come
• zoveel: so many
• missen: to miss
• de bezoeker: the visitor

Questions & Answers about We kunnen die gebeurtenis niet missen, want er komen zoveel bezoekers.

What does the modal verb kunnen mean in this sentence, and how is it used together with missen?

In this sentence, kunnen is a modal verb that means can or are able to. When it is combined with the main verb missen (which means to miss), it expresses that missing the event isn’t an option. Essentially, the sentence tells us that we simply cannot afford to miss the event.

Why is the demonstrative adjective die used before gebeurtenis?

Die is a demonstrative adjective meaning that. It specifies which event is being referred to—one that is already known from context. In Dutch, die is used with de-words (nouns that take the article de), and since gebeurtenis is a common gender noun (commonly de gebeurtenis), die is the correct choice.

What role does the conjunction want play in this sentence?

The word want is a coordinating conjunction that means because. It connects the two parts of the sentence by providing the reason why we cannot miss the event: the fact that so many visitors are coming.

Can you explain the word order in the clause "er komen zoveel bezoekers"?

Certainly. In this clause, er serves as a placeholder that introduces an existential construction. The verb komen follows in the typical second position, while the subject zoveel bezoekers comes after the verb. This structure emphasizes that so many visitors are coming, and it’s a common pattern in Dutch to use er in such constructions.

What does zoveel mean in this context?

Zoveel translates to so many in English. It emphasizes the large number of visitors expected at the event, which underlines why the event is important and why missing it is not an option.

Why is the negative marker niet placed before missen, and what does this placement indicate?

In Dutch modal constructions, the negative niet is placed before the main verb (here, missen) to negate the action. In We kunnen die gebeurtenis niet missen, it clearly indicates that missing the event is not acceptable. This placement follows the common rule in Dutch where the main verb appears at the end of the clause, with niet positioned immediately before it to negate the action effectively.