Learn Hardcore Russian: Это правильный ответ.

Это is a demonstrative pronoun meaning this or it. In the sentence, it serves as the subject, pointing to the element being described as the correct answer. Notice that even though English uses the linking verb is (“This is the correct answer”), Russian omits the present-tense form of быть (to be).

Why is there no verb equivalent to “is” in Это правильный ответ.?

In Russian, the present tense of the verb быть (to be) is typically omitted. This means that even though English requires a linking verb in sentences like “This is the correct answer,” Russian conveys the same meaning without including the verb, making the sentence both concise and grammatically complete.

How does the adjective правильный agree with the noun ответ in this sentence?

Russian adjectives must agree with the nouns they modify in gender, number, and case. Since ответ (answer) is a masculine singular noun in the nominative case, the adjective takes its masculine singular form правильный. If the noun were feminine or neuter, the adjective’s ending would change accordingly (for example, правильная for feminine or правильное for neuter).

Why does the adjective правильный end with -ый instead of another ending?