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Questions & Answers about De muziek is ontspannend.
What is the grammatical breakdown of De muziek is ontspannend?
The sentence is structured in a straightforward way: Subject (De muziek) + Linking Verb (is) + Predicate Adjective (ontspannend). The adjective describes the subject, much like in English.
What does ontspannend mean in this sentence, and what is its role?
Ontspannend translates as relaxing. It functions as a predicate adjective, following the linking verb is to describe the quality of the music.
Why is the definite article de used with muziek instead of het?
In Dutch, nouns require either de or het as their definite article. Muziek is classified as a de word. Therefore, de muziek is the correct form, as it adheres to the gender classifications in Dutch.
Can ontspannend be used attributively, and if so, does its form change?
Yes, adjectives in Dutch can be used both predicatively and attributively. In this sentence, ontspannend appears predicatively (after the verb) and retains its base form. When used attributively (directly before a noun), it is typically inflected—for example: ontspannende muziek.
Is the word order in De muziek is ontspannend similar to that in English, and why is this helpful?
Absolutely. The Dutch sentence follows a Subject – Verb – Predicate Adjective order, which mirrors the structure of the English sentence "The music is relaxing." This similarity makes it easier for native English speakers to grasp the basic sentence structure in Dutch.