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Questions & Answers about De avond is rustgevend.
Why is the article de used for avond instead of het?
In Dutch, nouns are assigned a grammatical gender. Avond is a common gender noun, and such nouns take the article de. This is similar to how some languages assign specific articles based on gender.
What role does the linking verb is play in this sentence?
The word is is a linking verb that connects the subject De avond with the predicate adjective rustgevend. It functions just as the English verb is does, creating a statement about the subject.
Why is the adjective rustgevend not inflected with an ending in this sentence?
In Dutch, adjectives used in a predicate position (following a linking verb) remain uninflected. The -e ending is typically added when an adjective is used attributively—that is, when it comes directly before the noun it modifies (for example, "een rustgevende avond").
How does the word order in De avond is rustgevend compare to English sentence structure?
Both Dutch and English use a similar Subject-Verb-Predicate pattern in simple sentences. Here, De avond (the subject) is followed by is (the linking verb), and then rustgevend (the predicate adjective), mirroring the English sentence "The evening is relaxing."
Can rustgevend be used in a different form when placed before a noun?
Yes, when rustgevend is used attributively before a noun, it is inflected to agree with the noun. For instance, you would say "een rustgevende avond" (a relaxing evening) instead of using the uninflected form seen in the predicate structure.