formele

Formele is the inflected attributive form of the Dutch adjective formeel, which means formal. It is used in front of a noun to express formality and to agree with certain grammatical features of the noun phrase, particularly definiteness. In standard Dutch, adjectives in attributive position before a definite noun or a plural noun typically take the -e ending, producing formele.

Etymology and meaning: The adjective formeel derives from the Dutch formel, ultimately tracing back to the Latin formalis through French and other Romance sources. In Dutch usage, formeel and its inflected form formele are used to describe things, events, or practices that are conducted in a formal or ceremonial manner.

Usage and examples: Formele is most commonly seen before nouns with definite determiners, such as de or het, or before plural nouns: de formele bijeenkomst (the formal meeting), de formele protocollen (the formal protocols). It signals a higher degree of formality or strictness in rules, appearance, or procedure. In contrast, the predicative position after a linking verb typically uses the base form without the -e, as in De bijeenkomst is formeel (The meeting is formal). The use of formele is restricted to attributive adjectives in the contexts described above.

Relation to other forms: The base form formeel is used in predicative constructions, while formele is the attributive form used before definite or plural nouns. Dutch adjective inflection follows broader rules of definiteness and number, and formele is one common inflected variant within that system.

See also: Dutch grammar, adjective inflection, formeel.