Breakdown of De hond is moe, waardoor hij in het huis ligt.
zijn
to be
de hond
the dog
hij
he
in
in
het huis
the house
liggen
to lie
moe
tired
waardoor
which is why
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Questions & Answers about De hond is moe, waardoor hij in het huis ligt.
What does waardoor mean in this sentence, and what is its function?
Waardoor is a subordinating conjunction that indicates a cause-and-effect relationship. It can be understood in English as "which is why" or "as a result of that", linking the main clause (the dog is tired) to the consequence (he is in the house).
Why is there a comma before waardoor in the sentence?
In Dutch punctuation, a comma is used to separate a main clause from its subordinate clause. Since waardoor introduces a clause explaining the result of the dog's tiredness, the comma helps clarify the sentence structure and signal the start of the subordinate clause.
How does the phrase in het huis function in this sentence?
The phrase in het huis is a prepositional phrase indicating location. It tells us where the dog is lying, reinforcing the idea that his tiredness has led him to stay indoors.
Why is the verb ligt (lies) used to describe the dog’s state in the house instead of another verb like zit (sits)?
The choice of ligt is intentional because it implies that the dog is lying down, which is a common way to express that someone or something is resting or sleeping. While zit (sits) could be used in other contexts, ligt accurately conveys the physical position associated with being tired.
What is the connection between de hond in the main clause and the pronoun hij in the subordinate clause?
The pronoun hij refers back to de hond (the dog). In Dutch, since the noun hond is masculine, hij is the appropriate pronoun to use as its substitute in the subsequent clause.
Is the sentence structure used here common in Dutch for expressing cause and effect, and can waardoor be replaced by other words?
Yes, this sentence structure—starting with a main clause followed by a subordinate clause introduced by a conjunction like waardoor—is common in Dutch for indicating cause and effect. Although waardoor is frequently used, similar sentences might also use words like dus (so) or daarom (therefore) to express a similar relationship, albeit with slight differences in nuance.