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Questions & Answers about Граматика важлива.
Why is there no word equivalent to the English verb "is" in the sentence "Граматика важлива"?
In Ukrainian, especially in the present tense, the verb "to be" (бути) is typically omitted. The language assumes the state of being without an explicit copula, so phrases like "Граматика важлива" directly state that grammar is important.
How does the adjective важлива agree with the noun Граматика?
The adjective важлива is in the feminine singular form because Граматика is a feminine noun. In Ukrainian, adjectives must agree with the noun they modify in gender, number, and case, and here the agreement is clearly shown.
What grammatical role does важлива serve in this sentence?
Важлива functions as a predicate adjective. It directly describes the subject Граматика by explaining its state or quality, effectively taking the place of a full predicate even without an explicit linking verb.
Is the word order in "Граматика важлива" fixed, or can it be rearranged without changing the meaning?
Ukrainian word order is relatively flexible compared to English. While "Граматика важлива" uses a straightforward subject–predicate order, phrases can often be rearranged to emphasize different elements without altering the basic meaning, though the standard order is clear and common in simple statements.
Would it be appropriate to add a linking verb in Ukrainian to say something like "Граматика є важлива"?
No, it would not be standard practice. In the present tense, Ukrainian commonly omits the linking verb. Adding "є" (the present form of "to be") is redundant and ungrammatical in contemporary usage, as the meaning is clearly conveyed without it.