Breakdown of Die weiße Tischdecke ist schmutzig, deshalb ist der Tisch nicht gedeckt.
sein
to be
der Tisch
the table
nicht
not
deshalb
therefore / that is why
schmutzig
dirty
weiß
white
decken
to set (the table)
die Tischdecke
the tablecloth
Questions & Answers about Die weiße Tischdecke ist schmutzig, deshalb ist der Tisch nicht gedeckt.
Why does this sentence use ist ... gedeckt instead of wird ... gedeckt?
This is the stative passive (Zustandspassiv), which is the focus of this lesson. If you used wird, it would mean the action is happening right now ('the table is being set'). Using ist with the past participle gedeckt describes the completed state: the table is currently in a 'not set' condition.
Why is the word order deshalb ist der Tisch and not deshalb der Tisch ist?
deshalb (therefore) is an adverb, so it takes up the first position in its clause. In German main clauses, the conjugated verb must always come in the second position. This pushes the verb (ist) right after deshalb, and the subject (der Tisch) has to move to the third position.
Why does the adjective in Die weiße Tischdecke end in -e?
This is a weak adjective ending. The definite article Die already clearly shows that the noun is feminine and in the nominative (subject) case. Because the article does the grammar work, the adjective weiß just takes a simple -e ending.
Why is nicht placed right before gedeckt?
When negating a verb phrase that has a participle at the end of the sentence (like this stative passive structure), nicht is placed immediately before that participle. It is specifically negating the state of being gedeckt (set).
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