Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Dutch grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Tom eet ongezond brood.
How does the word order in "Tom eet ongezond brood" compare to English sentence structure?
The sentence follows a subject–verb–object (SVO) order, just like in English. "Tom" is the subject, "eet" is the verb, and "ongezond brood" is the object.
What is the function of the verb "eet" in this sentence, and how is it conjugated?
"Eet" is the third person singular form of the verb "eten" (to eat) in the present tense. It agrees with the singular subject "Tom," similar to how English uses "eats" with a third person singular subject.
Why is there no article before "ongezond brood," and is that acceptable in Dutch?
In Dutch, as in English, certain mass or uncountable nouns like "brood" (bread) are often used without an article when speaking in general terms. Thus, "Tom eet ongezond brood" implies that Tom eats bread in general, without referring to a specific piece or loaf.
Why doesn’t the adjective "ongezond" receive an -e ending before the noun "brood"?
In Dutch, adjectives take an -e ending when they modify a definite noun or a plural noun. Since "brood" is an indefinite, neuter singular noun in this sentence, the adjective remains in its base form "ongezond" without the -e ending.
Can the sentence be altered to include a definite article, and if so, how does that change the adjective?
Yes, if you want to specify a particular bread, you can use the definite article. For example, "Tom eet het ongezonde brood" means "Tom eats the unhealthy bread." In this case, "het brood" is definite, and the adjective takes the -e ending, changing "ongezond" to "ongezonde."