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Questions & Answers about Мій будинок великий та широкий.
Why is there no word for “is” in the sentence "Мій будинок великий та широкий"?
In Ukrainian, the present tense of the verb to be (бути) is usually omitted. Even though in English we say “My house is big and wide,” Ukrainian speakers do not need to include the equivalent of “is” in a simple declarative sentence like this.
How do the adjectives великий and широкий agree with the noun будинок?
Ukrainian adjectives must agree with the noun they modify in gender, number, and case. Since будинок is a masculine singular noun, both adjectives use the masculine nominative singular form, which is why they end in -ий.
What does the conjunction та mean, and why is it used instead of і?
The conjunction та means and in Ukrainian. Both та and і can be used as “and,” but та is often chosen for stylistic variation or to give a slightly different rhythm to the sentence.
Why do the adjectives come after the noun rather than before it as in English?
In Ukrainian, especially in predicate constructions, adjectives typically follow the noun. Although in English descriptive adjectives usually come before the noun (e.g., “big house”), Ukrainian often places them later in the sentence when they are used to describe the subject in a state or condition.
Can the linking verb ever be included in a Ukrainian sentence like this for clarity?
Yes, while the linking verb to be (є) is normally omitted in the present tense, it can be inserted for emphasis or clarity. For example, you might see “Мій будинок є великий та широкий,” but in everyday speech and writing the simpler form without є is preferred.
Are великий and широкий considered coordinate adjectives, and what does that imply about their relationship?
Yes, the adjectives великий (big/large) and широкий (wide) are coordinate adjectives because they independently describe будинок. They are joined by the conjunction та, indicating that each adjective contributes separately to the overall description of the house.