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Questions & Answers about Die Brücke ist modern.
Why is the article die used for Brücke?
In German every noun has a gender. Brücke (bridge) is feminine, so in the nominative case you must use the feminine definite article die.
Why is the adjective modern not declined (no ending like –e or –en)?
Because here modern is in predicative position (it comes after the verb ist). Predicative adjectives in German are never declined. Only attributive adjectives (those directly before a noun) take endings.
What’s the difference between a predicative adjective and an attributive adjective?
A predicative adjective follows a copular verb (like sein, werden, bleiben). It describes the subject but stays unchanged:
Die Brücke ist modern.
An attributive adjective stands directly before the noun and must agree in gender, number, and case:
Die moderne Brücke (feminine, nominative)
Could I say die moderne Brücke ist … instead?
Yes, but then moderne is attributive and must take the –e ending:
Die moderne Brücke ist neu.
This changes the structure: now you’re describing the bridge with an adjective before the noun.
How do I turn Die Brücke ist modern. into a yes/no question?
Invert the verb and the subject (German V2 rule for questions):
Ist die Brücke modern?
How would I say “The bridge is not modern”?
Place nicht before the predicative adjective:
Die Brücke ist nicht modern.
You can also emphasize by moving nicht a bit, but before the adjective is the basic pattern.
Why is ist in second position rather than at the end?
In main clauses German follows the verb-second (V2) rule: the finite verb (here ist) always occupies the second position. The first position can be the subject, an adverb, etc. In our sentence, Die Brücke is first, so ist comes next.