Questions & Answers about Мы ехали по горной дороге и молчали.
Why is ехали in the past tense plural, and what does it imply?
Ехали is past tense, plural, because the subject мы (we) is plural. It’s also imperfective, which typically presents the action as ongoing/background: we were traveling/were riding/were driving (rather than a single completed trip).
What’s the difference between ехали and поехали here?
Ехали (imperfective) focuses on the process: you were in motion at that time.
Поехали (perfective, with по-) usually signals the start of movement or a completed departure (often like we set off / we started to go). In this sentence, the idea is “during the journey,” so ехали fits.
Does ехать mean “drive,” “ride,” or “go”? Why is it hard to translate?
Ехать means to go/travel by vehicle in general. It doesn’t specify whether you’re driving or just a passenger. Context can imply:
- We were driving (if you know they were in a car and one of them drove)
- We were riding (bus/train, as passengers)
- We were traveling (neutral)
Why is it по горной дороге and not в горной дороге or на горной дороге?