Questions & Answers about Nähgarn und Stopfwolle sind rot.
Why is the verb sind and not ist?
Because the subject is made of two things joined by und:
- Nähgarn
- Stopfwolle
Even though each noun is singular by itself, together they form a plural subject, so German uses the plural verb sind.
Compare:
- Das Nähgarn ist rot. = The sewing thread is red.
- Die Stopfwolle ist rot. = The darning wool is red.
- Nähgarn und Stopfwolle sind rot. = Sewing thread and darning wool are red.
Why is it rot and not rote or roten?
Because rot comes after the verb sein and is being used as a predicate adjective.
In German, adjectives used this way do not take endings:
- Der Faden ist rot.
- Die Wolle ist rot.
- Nähgarn und Stopfwolle sind rot.
You only add adjective endings when the adjective comes before a noun:
- rotes Nähgarn
- rote Stopfwolle
So:
- Das Nähgarn ist rot. ✅
- Das ist rotes Nähgarn. ✅
Why is there no article before or ?