Breakdown of Fängelset är mörkt, men straffet är rätt.
vara
to be
rätt
right
men
but
mörk
dark
straffet
the punishment
fängelset
the prison
Questions & Answers about Fängelset är mörkt, men straffet är rätt.
Why is it mörkt instead of mörk?
Because it describes fängelset (the prison). Since the base word is an ett-word (ett fängelse), the adjective must agree with it by adding a -t at the end.
How do we form the definite versions (fängelset and straffet) from their base words?
Both are ett-words. For ett fängelse, which ends in a vowel, you just add -t to make it definite. For ett straff, which ends in a consonant, you add -et.
This lesson covers the passive voice with bli. Could we use bli instead of är in this sentence?
You could, but it changes the meaning! Using är describes a state: the prison is currently dark. If you used blir, it would mean the prison is becoming or getting dark. This sentence uses standard adjectives, not past participles, so it doesn't form a passive action.
Why doesn't the adjective rätt get an extra -t to match the ett-word straffet?
The adjective rätt (right/correct) already ends in a double -t. When an adjective already ends this way, we don't add another -t for ett-words. It looks exactly the same for both en-words and ett-words!
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