Questions & Answers about Nämä ovat uudet kokeet.
Why does the noun koe become kokeet here?
The word koe (exam) belongs to a word type ending in a single e. To form the plural, the final vowel is doubled before adding the plural marker -t. This word also undergoes consonant gradation where a hidden k appears in the strong stem kokee-, resulting in kokeet.
Why do we use uudet instead of the basic form uusi?
Adjectives must agree with their nouns in number and case. Since kokeet is in the plural nominative, uusi must also take the plural nominative form. The stem of uusi is uute-, and when we add the plural -t, the syllable closes and the t weakens to d via consonant gradation, giving us uudet.
Why does this sentence use the plural nominative (uudet kokeet) instead of the partitive (uusia kokeita)?
Using the plural nominative in an olla (to be) sentence means the items are a specific, definite group, translating to 'the new exams'. If we used the partitive plural (uusia kokeita), it would mean an indefinite amount, like 'some new exams'.
Why does the sentence start with the plural nämä rather than the singular tämä?