Dorośli pracują przy komputerach, a dzieci siedzą obok.

the child

Breakdown of Dorośli pracują przy komputerach, a dzieci siedzą obok.

• pracować: to work
• a: and
• obok: next to

Questions & Answers about Dorośli pracują przy komputerach, a dzieci siedzą obok.

What does the conjunction a mean here, and how is it different from i?

Both can translate as and, but they differ in nuance:

• i simply adds: Adults work and children sit (no contrast).
• a contrasts or shifts the topic: Adults are working, whereas the children are sitting. In this sentence, a subtly highlights the difference between what the two groups are doing. A comma is normally placed before a.

Why is it przy komputerach instead of na komputerach or przed komputerami?

• przy komputerach = at/by the computers (physically positioned at a workstation; often suggests being seated there and using them).
• na komputerach = on computers (idiomatic for using computers as a tool/platform: pracować na komputerze is common and correct).
• przed komputerami = in front of the computers (focuses on physical position in front of screens, not necessarily using them). All three can be correct depending on the emphasis. Here, przy stresses the adults are stationed at the computers.

What case is komputerach, and why?

It’s locative plural. The preposition przy always governs the locative case.

• Singular: przy komputerze
• Plural: przy komputerach Base noun: komputer → locative plural ending -ach.