Object Predicative Agreement
When an action transforms the object of a sentence, or leaves it in a certain state, we often use an adjective to describe the result. For example, in English: "We are painting the shed red." Here, "red" describes the shed (the object), not "we" (the subject).
In Danish, this adjective must agree with the object in gender and number.
- If the object is a common gender noun (en-word), the adjective stays in its basic form.
- If the object is a neuter noun (et-word), the adjective adds a -t.
| The neighbor is painting the gate blue. | Naboen maler porten blå. |
| We are painting the shed red. | Vi maler skuret rødt. |
Emotional Impacts and Plurals
This same rule applies when an action or event makes someone feel a certain way, or leaves them in a specific emotional state.
If the object is plural (like "us", "them", or a plural noun), the adjective will take the plural ending -e.
| The result leaves the judge shocked. | Resultatet efterlader dommeren chokeret. |
| The secret makes them completely silent. | Hemmeligheden gør dem helt tavse. |
Opinions and Results
You will also use this agreement with verbs of opinion, like finde (to find/consider), or verbs that describe a physical outcome, like wiping a table clean. Always remember to check the object's gender and number to choose the correct adjective ending!
| We find the solution acceptable. | Vi finder løsningen acceptabel. |
| He wipes the table clean. | Han tørrer bordet rent. |
| The man paints the shed blue, and the woman finds it pretty. | Manden maler skuret blåt, og kvinden finder det kønt. |