Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Russian grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Мы обсудим проект завтра.
What tense is the verb обсудим, and how does its form function in this sentence?
Обсудим is the first-person plural simple future form of the perfective verb обсудить (“to discuss”). In Russian, when a perfective verb is used, its conjugated form directly indicates a future action because perfective verbs lack present tense forms. This means that обсудим inherently expresses a completed action that will take place in the future.
Why is there no auxiliary verb like будем in this sentence to indicate the future tense?
In Russian, the future action with a perfective verb is expressed simply by its conjugation, unlike with imperfective verbs where the future tense is formed using the auxiliary будем along with the infinitive. Since обсудить is perfective, обсудим already implies the future, making the auxiliary unnecessary.
What does the word завтра mean, and why is it positioned at the end of the sentence?
Завтра means “tomorrow” in English. Its position at the end of the sentence is a common structure in Russian, where temporal adverbs often follow the main clause to emphasize when the action will occur. Although Russian word order is flexible, placing завтра at the end clearly marks the time of the planned discussion.
What does the word проект translate to, and is its usage in this sentence similar to English?
Проект translates to “project” in English. Its usage in the sentence is quite similar to English in that it refers to the specific item or plan being discussed. The term is a common loanword and is used both in formal and informal contexts in Russian.
Why is the subject pronoun Мы explicitly stated, given that Russian sometimes omits subject pronouns?
While Russian often omits subject pronouns because the verb conjugation already indicates the subject, Мы is included here for clarity and emphasis. It explicitly shows that the speaker is referring to a group (including themselves) that will perform the action of discussing the project.