ernstige

Ernstige is the attributive form of the Dutch adjective ernstig, meaning serious, grave, or severe. It is used to describe a noun directly, as in phrases such as ernstige ziekte (serious illness) or ernstige problemen (serious problems).

In Dutch grammar, adjectives in attributive position typically take the ending -e when the noun is definite or when a determiner is present. Therefore, ernstige is the common form before singular or plural nouns in attributive use: een ernstige fout, de ernstige situatie, de ernstige gevolgen. In predicative position, the adjective changes to its base form: Het is ernstig (It is serious); De situatie is ernstig.

Usage notes:

- Ernstige appears in formal and everyday contexts and is common in journalism, medicine, law, and policy writing when describing seriousness or severity.

- It should not be confused with the noun ernst, which denotes the quality or state of being serious, though they share the same root.

Etymology:

The word derives from a Germanic root meaning seriousness and has cognates in other Germanic languages. Related forms include German ernst and the English word earnest, reflecting a common historical core across the languages.

See also:

- Ernst (Dutch noun for seriousness)

- Ernst (German adjective)

- Earnest (English cognate)