Questions & Answers about Die Kosten sind zu hoch.
Why is Kosten used in the plural? Is there a singular Kosten?
Kosten is a plural-only noun (a pluralia tantum), similar to “scissors” in English. There is no singular form Kosten in standard German. If you want to refer to a single item of cost, you would say something like ein Kostenpunkt, eine Gebühr or ein Aufwand.
Why does the adjective hoch have no ending after sind?
Because hoch here is a predicative adjective following the linking verb sein. Predicative adjectives remain uninflected (no case/gender/number ending).
- Predicative: Die Kosten sind hoch.
- Attributive (adjective before a noun), however, does take endings: die hohen Kosten.
What is the role of zu in zu hoch?
Here zu is an adverb meaning “too” or “excessively.” It always directly precedes the adjective it modifies:
- zu hoch, zu klein, zu teuer
It indicates that the adjective describes something beyond an acceptable limit.
Why is the verb sind (3rd person plural) and not ist?
Because the subject die Kosten is plural. You match the verb number to the subject.
- Singular example: Der Preis ist zu hoch.
- Plural example: Die Kosten sind zu hoch.