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Questions & Answers about Vijftig dollar is niet veel.
How do you form the 'tens' in Dutch, like vijftig in this sentence?
Just like English adds '-ty' to make numbers like fifty or sixty, Dutch adds -tig. So vijf (five) becomes vijftig (fifty).
Why does the sentence say vijftig dollar instead of the plural 'vijftig dollars'?
In Dutch, nouns for currencies, weights, and measurements usually stay in their singular form when they come directly after a specific number. So it is vijftig dollar, just like you would say tien euro (ten euros) or drie kilometer (three kilometers).
If vijftig dollar is a plural amount, why does the sentence use the singular verb is?
Just like in English ('Fifty dollars is...'), Dutch treats a sum of money as a single, combined amount. Because it is seen as one concept, it takes the singular verb is rather than the plural zijn (are).
Could I use erg or heel instead of veel to say 'not much'?
No, you need to use veel. Veel means 'much' or 'a lot' and talks about quantity or amount. Erg and heel mean 'very' and are used to describe adjectives, like saying something is heel duur (very expensive).