Breakdown of Het is waarschijnlijk langer als het verkeer erg drukker is dan normaal.
zijn
to be
het
it
als
if
erg
very
lang
long
dan
than
druk
busy
waarschijnlijk
probably
het verkeer
the traffic
normaal
usual
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Questions & Answers about Het is waarschijnlijk langer als het verkeer erg drukker is dan normaal.
What does langer mean in this sentence?
Langer translates to “longer” in English. It suggests that the duration—perhaps of a journey or a delay—is increased under certain conditions.
What is the function of als in this sentence?
Als is a conjunction meaning “if.” It introduces the condition under which the main statement (that something is likely longer) is true.
How is the comparative adjective drukker formed, and what does it mean?
Drukker is the comparative form of druk (busy). In Dutch, comparatives are typically formed by adding -er to the adjective. Here, drukker means “busier,” comparing the current traffic level to the usual state.
How does the phrase dan normaal function in the sentence?
Dan normaal translates to “than usual.” It sets up a comparison between the current state (traffic being busier) and what is normally experienced.
What role does waarschijnlijk play in the sentence’s meaning?
Waarschijnlijk means “probably” and is used to signal that the result (it being longer) is likely rather than certain.
Why is the definite article het used with verkeer?
In Dutch, verkeer (traffic) is a neuter noun. Neuter nouns take the article het, which is why the sentence uses het verkeer.
How are the main clause and the subordinate clause structured in this sentence?
The sentence is composed of a main clause—Het is waarschijnlijk langer—that states the expected outcome, and a subordinate conditional clause—als het verkeer erg drukker is dan normaal—that explains the condition under which this outcome occurs. This clear structure links the increased duration directly to the condition of heavier traffic.