Breakdown of On je bez sumnje pametan.
biti
to be (sam, si, je)
on
he
pametan
smart
bez sumnje
without a doubt
Questions & Answers about On je bez sumnje pametan.
Why is the adjective pametan used here instead of pametni?
What case is the word sumnje, and why?
It is in the genitive case. The preposition bez (without) always requires the noun that follows it to be in the genitive case. The base nominative form of the noun is sumnja (doubt).
Could I change the word order to emphasize the phrase "without a doubt"?
Yes. You could say Bez sumnje je on pametan. Notice that if you move the phrase to the front without using a comma, the verb clitic je must still take the second position in the sentence, immediately following Bez sumnje. You can also use a comma: Bez sumnje, on je pametan.
Could I use the word dvojbe instead of sumnje here?
It wouldn't sound natural in this expression. While both words translate to "doubt" in English, sumnja means a suspicion, general disbelief, or uncertainty. Dvojba specifically implies a dilemma or hesitation when choosing between two options.
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