Breakdown of На столе уже стоят рамка и ваза, а мама думает, куда поставить цветы.
стоять
to stand
стол
the table
и
and
на
on
Questions & Answers about На столе уже стоят рамка и ваза, а мама думает, куда поставить цветы.
Why is it на столе and not на стол?
Because на столе answers the question where? and uses the prepositional case after на.
- на столе = on the table
- на стол = onto the table
So in this sentence, the frame and vase are already located there, which is why Russian uses на столе.
Why is the verb стоят plural?
Because the subject is actually рамка и ваза — the frame and the vase — which is plural as a whole.
Even though each noun is singular, together they form a plural subject, so Russian uses:
- стоит = stands / is standing (singular)
- стоят = stand / are standing (plural)
So:
- рамка стоит = the frame is standing
- ваза стоит = the vase is standing
- рамка и ваза стоят = the frame and the vase are standing
Why does the verb come before рамка и ваза?