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Questions & Answers about Я дал салфетку другу.
Why is салфетку in the accusative case?
Because it’s the direct object of the verb дать. Feminine nouns ending in -а in the nominative singular switch to -у in the accusative singular when they’re inanimate direct objects.
Why is другу in the dative case?
It’s the indirect object—the recipient of the action. The dative case in Russian marks “to whom” something is given.
Why don’t we need a preposition like к before другу?
The dative case itself expresses “to someone,” so no preposition is necessary in this context.
Can we change the word order, for example to Я другу дал салфетку?
Yes. Russian has a flexible word order. Placing другу before the verb emphasizes the recipient: “It was to a friend that I gave the napkin.”
What is the aspect of the verb дать, and why is it used instead of давать?
дать is perfective, indicating a single, completed action. давать is imperfective and would imply a habitual or ongoing action.
How would you negate this sentence?
Insert не before the verb: Я не дал салфетку другу.
Why is the pronoun Я included, since Russian often drops subject pronouns?
Although Russian verbs conjugate for person, including Я adds clarity or emphasis, especially in spoken language or when contrasting with someone else.