Die NCO-vorm en padwaardigheidsertifikaat is gereed.

to be

Breakdown of Die NCO-vorm en padwaardigheidsertifikaat is gereed.

• en: and
• gereed: ready
• die NCO-vorm: change-of-ownership form

Questions & Answers about Die NCO-vorm en padwaardigheidsertifikaat is gereed.

Why is die used here, and why is there only one die for two nouns?

Die is the Afrikaans definite article, meaning the.

In this sentence, die applies to both nouns:

• die NCO-vorm
• (die) padwaardigheidsertifikaat

Afrikaans often uses just one definite article before two linked nouns when both are specific and belong together in the same phrase. English does the same:

• the form and certificate

You could also say Die NCO-vorm en die padwaardigheidsertifikaat is gereed, but using die only once is very natural.

Why is the verb is used even though there are two things?

In Afrikaans, the present tense of to be is always is, no matter whether the subject is singular or plural.

So you get:

• Die vorm is gereed. = The form is ready.
• Die vorms is gereed. = The forms are ready.
• Die NCO-vorm en padwaardigheidsertifikaat is gereed. = The NCO form and roadworthiness certificate are ready.

This is different from English, which changes between is and are.

What does gereed mean, and why doesn’t it change?