Breakdown of Koliko god bušimo, ovaj granit je previše tvrd.
biti
to be (sam, si, je)
ovaj
this (m) / ova (f), ovo (n)
previše
too many / too (with an adjective)
koliko god
no matter how much
bušiti
to drill
granit
granite
tvrd
hard
Questions & Answers about Koliko god bušimo, ovaj granit je previše tvrd.
Why do we use the present indicative bušimo here instead of the conditional?
We use the present indicative because the action is real and currently happening. The speakers are actively trying to drill the granite right now. If this were a hypothetical scenario like 'no matter how much we were to drill', you would use the conditional instead: koliko god bismo bušili.
Why is the imperfective verb bušimo used here instead of a perfective equivalent?
The phrase koliko god (no matter how much) emphasizes an ongoing, frustrating, or repeated effort. This naturally requires the imperfective aspect. A perfective verb would imply a single completed action, which does not fit the continuous struggle being described in this sentence.
Can I separate koliko and god, for example by putting the verb between them?
No, you must keep them together here. In this concessive structure, koliko god acts as a fixed conjunction meaning 'no matter how much'. The particle god needs to immediately follow koliko.
Why does the adjective tvrd (hard) not have the definite ending -i to make it tvrdi?
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