Breakdown of Mittlerweile haben viele Studierende ein gutes Verständnis der Technik.
haben
to have
viele
many
gut
good
die Technik
the technique
Questions & Answers about Mittlerweile haben viele Studierende ein gutes Verständnis der Technik.
What does Studierende mean, and why is it used instead of Studenten?
Studierende is a nominalized present participle (literally “those studying”) used as a gender-neutral plural noun for students. Studenten is the traditional masculine plural (“male students” or generic), whereas Studierende includes all genders and sounds more inclusive.
Why do we say viele Studierende and not viel Studierende?
Viele is the correct form of “many” when modifying a countable plural noun. Since Studierende is plural (“students”), you use viele. Viel (without -e) only pairs with uncountable/mass nouns (e.g. viel Wasser, “a lot of water”).
Why is ein gutes Verständnis used here, and why does gutes end in -es?
Verständnis is a neuter noun (das Verständnis). In this sentence it functions as the direct object (accusative case). For a neuter noun in the accusative with an indefinite article, the pattern is:
- Article: ein
- Adjective ending: -es
So you get ein gutes Verständnis.
Why is der Technik in the genitive case, and what role does it play?