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Questions & Answers about Петро дбайливий.
Why is there no explicit verb such as is in the sentence Петро дбайливий.?
In Ukrainian, the present tense of the verb to be is often omitted. The sentence Петро дбайливий. is complete because the subject Петро and the predicate adjective дбайливий together express the idea "Petro is careful" without needing an explicit copular verb.
What does the adjective дбайливий mean, and what role does it play in the sentence?
The adjective дбайливий means "careful" or "conscientious." It functions as a predicate adjective that describes the subject Петро. The structure shows that being careful is a quality or characteristic attributed to Petro.
Is the lack of a linking verb in Петро дбайливий. a common feature in Ukrainian sentence construction?
Yes, it is common in Ukrainian. In simple present-tense sentences, the linking verb (usually a form of to be) is typically omitted because its presence is understood from context. This makes sentences concise while still conveying a complete meaning.
How does the adjective дбайливий agree with the subject Петро, and what would change if the subject were feminine?
Ukrainian adjectives must agree with the noun they modify in gender, number, and case. Since Петро is masculine, the adjective appears in its masculine form, дбайливий. If the subject were feminine—say, Марія—the adjective would change to its feminine form, дбайлива, to maintain proper agreement.
Does the sentence structure indicate the tense or any temporal aspect of the state being described?
Yes, the sentence structure indicates a present state. Because the omitted linking verb (which in other tenses would be explicitly stated) is not used, Петро дбайливий. is understood to mean "Petro is careful" in the present. In past or future contexts, Ukrainian typically includes the appropriate form of the verb to be.