Learn Hardcore Russian: Наконец мы сможем применить эти новые слова в речи. - Finally we will be able to use these new words in speech.

Наконец means “finally” or “at last.” Placing it at the very start emphasizes that the upcoming action has been long-awaited or anticipated. In Russian, sentence-initial adverbs like Наконец draw attention to the mood of relief or excitement.

Is Наконец the same as В конце концов?

Not exactly. While both can be translated as “finally” or “in the end,” В конце концов often implies “after all” or a logical conclusion, whereas Наконец conveys relief or the culmination of a long wait.

Why use мы сможем instead of мы можем?

Мы сможем is the simple future tense of the perfective verb смочь (“to be able to”), meaning “we will be able to.” Мы можем is present tense (“we can [now]”) of the imperfective мочь, so it wouldn’t fit a future context.

What’s the difference between смочь and мочь?

Мочь is imperfective (“to have the ability in general or habitually”) and forms its future periphrastically (e.g., мы будем мочь). Смочь is perfective and has a simple future form (я смогу, ты сможешь, мы сможем), focusing on achieving the ability at a specific moment.

Why is применить used instead of применять?

Применить is the perfective form (“to apply once or to completion”), indicating that you will actually use those words at a certain point. Применять is imperfective and would suggest an ongoing or habitual use, which isn’t the intended nuance here.

Why does the object appear as эти новые слова (ending in -а)?

Слово is neuter. In the plural, its nominative and accusative forms are both слова. Since применить takes a direct object, эти новые слова is technically in the accusative case—but it looks identical to the nominative.

Could you swap the adjectives and say эти слова новые or новые эти слова?

Grammatically it’s possible, but the neutral and most natural order is эти новые слова (demonstrative first, then descriptive). Changing it can sound marked or poetic and shifts the emphasis oddly in everyday speech.

Why is there a preposition в before речь, and why is речь in the prepositional case?

The phrase в речи means “in speech” or “in one’s speaking.” В with the prepositional case indicates the domain or medium where something occurs—in this case, the act of speaking.

Could you use в разговоре instead of в речи?

Yes. В разговоре means “in conversation,” focusing on dialogue specifically. В речи is broader, encompassing any form of spoken language or style.

Where are the stresses in Наконец, применить, and речь?

Наконéц (stress on the last syllable), применИть (stress on “-ни-”), речь (single syllable, inherently stressed).