Topic: Dutch

"What is happening in the cave?"

Translation:Wat gebeurt er in de grot?

August 11, 2014

5 Comments

https://www.duolingo.com/profile/MattZaghainov

    Why is "er" needed here at all?

    October 5, 2014
    https://www.duolingo.com/profile/Guaranteeist

      why can it not be "wat er gebeurt in de grot?" - with the "er" and "gebeurt" swapped around?

      August 11, 2014
      https://www.duolingo.com/profile/Simius
      Mod

        This is known as inversion, where the subject follows the verb. It is used for questions and for certain subclauses.

        See here for more on inversion and Dutch word order.

        August 12, 2014
        https://www.duolingo.com/profile/MentalPinball
        • 254

        Hi Simius,

        Would you share the url, aub? Links don't seem to work on the app, unfortunately.

        April 19, 2019
        https://www.duolingo.com/profile/costyn

          Your sentence translates as "what happens in the cave" as a statement, not as a question.

          September 3, 2014
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