Breakdown of Als we niets vergeten, zal onze stress misschien volledig verdwijnen.
onze
our
zullen
will
vergeten
to forget
misschien
maybe
Questions & Answers about Als we niets vergeten, zal onze stress misschien volledig verdwijnen.
What does "als" mean in this sentence, and why is it placed at the beginning?
"Als" means "if." It introduces a conditional subordinate clause, setting the condition for the outcome described in the main clause.
Why is the verb "vergeten" placed at the end of the clause "Als we niets vergeten"?
In Dutch subordinate clauses, the finite verb (or, in this case, the verb in its infinitive form in a subordinate clause) is typically positioned at the end. This rule contrasts with English word order, where the verb usually comes earlier.
Why does the main clause start with "zal" instead of the subject "onze stress"?
When a subordinate clause comes first, Dutch often uses subject–verb inversion in the main clause; hence, the finite verb "zal" moves to the beginning of the main clause. This inversion helps mark the transition from the condition to the result.
What do "misschien" and "volledig" mean in this context, and how do they modify the sentence?
"Misschien" means "maybe" or "perhaps," indicating uncertainty about the outcome. "Volledig" means "completely" or "entirely," specifying the extent to which the stress might disappear. Together, they modify the verb "verdwijnen," suggesting that the stress might completely vanish if nothing is forgotten.
What is the purpose of the comma in this sentence?
The comma separates the introductory subordinate clause ("Als we niets vergeten") from the main clause ("zal onze stress misschien volledig verdwijnen"). This punctuation clarifies the structure by clearly demarcating the condition from its result.