Klávesnice je pod monitorem.

to be

Breakdown of Klávesnice je pod monitorem.

• pod: under
• monitor: the computer monitor
• klávesnice: the keyboard

Questions & Answers about Klávesnice je pod monitorem.

Why is it monitorem and not monitor?

Because pod can require different cases, and here it means under in a location sense, so it takes the instrumental case.

• basic form: monitor
• instrumental singular: monitorem

So:

• pod monitor — incorrect here
• pod monitorem — correct

A very common Czech pattern is:

• je pod + instrumental = is under

Why does pod use the instrumental case here?

In Czech, some prepositions change case depending on meaning.

With pod:

• pod + instrumental = location, meaning under
• pod + accusative = movement toward a position under something

So in this sentence:

• Klávesnice je pod monitorem. = the keyboard is under the monitor
  → static position
  → instrumental

Compare:

• Dám klávesnici pod monitor. = I will put the keyboard under the monitor
  → movement
  → accusative

This location vs. movement distinction is very important in Czech.

What case is klávesnice in?