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Level 5

The participle agrees with the subject: održan je sastanak (masculine), otvorena je škola (feminine), potpisano je pismo (neuter).

How It Works

Gender and numberParticipleExample
masculineodržanOdržan je sastanak.
feminineotvorenaOtvorena je nova škola.
neuterpotpisanoPotpisano je pismo.
pluralotkazaniOtkazani su vozovi.

In headlines the helper is often dropped: Održan koncert na Baščaršiji. That short form also saves space.

The same pattern exists in speech but is less common, since people prefer the se form there. In a news report it sounds neutral and quick.

The doer, when it is named, goes after od strane, or the sentence is rewritten with an active verb. Another entry covers the doer.

Many news verbs are perfective, such as održati, potpisati and otvoriti, because the report is about a finished event.

Examples (4)

  1. Održan je koncert na Baščaršiji.

    A concert was held at Baščaršija.

    The masculine participle održan agrees with koncert.

  2. Otvorena je nova biblioteka u Tuzli.

    A new library was opened in Tuzla.

    The feminine participle otvorena agrees with biblioteka.

  3. Potpisan je ugovor o izgradnji puta.

    A contract for building the road was signed.

    Potpisan agrees with ugovor.

  4. Otkazani su vozovi zbog snijega.

    Trains were cancelled because of snow.

    The plural participle goes with su.

Common Mistakes

  • Not matching the participle to the noun.

    Potpisana je ugovor.
    Potpisan je ugovor.

    The participle must agree: ugovor is masculine, so potpisan.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

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News language.

Words in This Pattern

održatiotvoritiugovor