Breakdown of Omdat de trein vertraagd is, hebben we tijd om onze telefoons draadloos op te laden.
zijn
to be
hebben
to have
wij
we
onze
our
om
for
omdat
because
de tijd
the time
de telefoon
the phone
de trein
the train
vertraagd
delayed
draadloos
wireless
opladen
to charge up
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Questions & Answers about Omdat de trein vertraagd is, hebben we tijd om onze telefoons draadloos op te laden.
Why does the verb is appear at the end of the clause Omdat de trein vertraagd is?
Dutch subordinate clauses introduced by omdat use verb-final word order. That means the finite verb (is) moves to the very end, giving vertraagd is instead of the main-clause order is vertraagd.
Why does the main clause start with hebben we tijd instead of we hebben tijd?
Dutch main clauses follow the V2 (verb-second) rule. When you open with a subordinate clause (Omdat…), that entire clause counts as the first element. The finite verb (hebben) must then be the second element, so it appears before the subject (we), resulting in hebben we tijd.
Why is the separable verb opladen split into op te laden in om onze telefoons draadloos op te laden?
With separable verbs plus te + infinitive, the prefix (op) goes directly before te, and the verb stem (laden) follows. Hence op te laden, not opladen.
What is the function of om + te in om onze telefoons draadloos op te laden?
Om … te introduces a purpose clause (“in order to”). Here it connects tijd to the action: you have “time in order to charge your phones wirelessly.”
Why is vertraagd used instead of a word like “late”?
Vertraagd is the past participle of vertragen, indicating that the train has been delayed. While laat simply means “late,” vertraagd specifically refers to a scheduling delay.
Why is draadloos placed right before op te laden, and can it be moved?
As an adverb, draadloos modifies the verb phrase op te laden and normally sits directly before the verb in Dutch. Moving it elsewhere would sound awkward or change the emphasis.
Could you use doordat instead of omdat here?
Both omdat and doordat introduce cause clauses. Omdat states a direct reason (“because the train is delayed”), while doordat often emphasizes the means or circumstance by which something happens. In this context, omdat is the more natural choice.