Questions & Answers about В поликлинике я жду в очереди и читаю журнал.
Why is it в поликлинике and not в поликлинику?
Because в поликлинике is prepositional case and answers where? (location): in/at the clinic.
В поликлинику would be accusative and answers where to? (motion/destination): to the clinic.
What exactly does поликлиника mean, and is it different from больница?
Поликлиника is typically an outpatient clinic (appointments, general practitioners, specialists, tests—usually no overnight stay).
Больница is a hospital, where people can be admitted and stay.
Why does it say я жду в очереди and not я стою в очереди?
Both are possible but emphasize different things:
- я жду в очереди = I’m waiting in the line/queue (focus on waiting).
- я стою в очереди = I’m standing in line (focus on physically standing).
In many real situations people wait while also standing, so жду is very natural.
Does ждать need an object? It looks like жду is “missing” something.