Breakdown of Die Regel ist eindeutig und sinnvoll.
sein
to be
und
and
die Regel
the rule
eindeutig
unambiguous
Questions & Answers about Die Regel ist eindeutig und sinnvoll.
Why is it die and not der or das?
Because Regel is a feminine noun in German. In the nominative singular, feminine nouns take the article die. Other forms for reference:
- Accusative singular: die Regel
- Dative singular: der Regel
- Genitive singular: der Regel
- Plural (all cases for the article): die Regeln (dat. den Regeln)
What case is die Regel here?
Nominative. Die Regel is the subject of the sentence, and with the verb sein (to be), the subject stands in the nominative case.
Why don’t eindeutig and sinnvoll have endings like -e or -en?
They’re used as predicate adjectives after ist. Predicate adjectives in German are not declined. If you put them before the noun (attributive use), you add endings: die eindeutige und sinnvolle Regel.
Can I write Die Regel ist eindeutig sinnvoll?
Yes, but it changes the meaning. eindeutig sinnvoll means “clearly/definitely sensible,” where eindeutig modifies sinnvoll. The original sentence coordinates two separate qualities: “unambiguous and sensible.”
Are eindeutig and klar the same?