Question 1

In English, we use -ing for both nouns (their shouting) and adjectives (the shouting man). Why does Danish use råben here instead of råbende?

Accepted Answer

In Danish, these two roles have different endings. You use the verbal noun ending -en for the actual event or concept of an action, like deres råben. You only use the present participle ending -ende when describing someone or something actively doing the action, like den råbende mand (the shouting man).

Question 2

The word råben ends in -en, just like a definite noun. Is it in the definite form here?

Accepted Answer

No, råben is an abstract verbal noun in its base form. It is formed by adding -n to the infinitive råbe. Even though it looks identical to a definite noun, it functions as an uncountable concept here. You can also tell it is not the definite form because it is immediately preceded by the possessive pronoun deres, which requires the following noun to be indefinite.

Question 3

Why is the adjective utålelig not spelled with a -t at the end?

Accepted Answer

Because adjectives must agree with the gender of the noun they describe. Verbal nouns that end in -en (like råben) are always common gender. Therefore, the adjective takes the standard common gender form utålelig without a -t. If it were describing a neuter et-word, you would need to add the -t.

Question 4

Could I say stadig mere utålelig instead of mere og mere utålelig?

Accepted Answer

Yes, stadig mere is a great, slightly more formal alternative to mere og mere. Both mean increasingly or more and more, and using stadig mere is a very natural way to elevate your Danish vocabulary at the B2 level.

Deres råben blev mere og mere utålelig.

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