Я потребую більше часу.

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Breakdown of Я потребую більше часу.

• час: the time
• більше: more
• потребувати: to require

Questions & Answers about Я потребую більше часу.

What does the verb потребую mean and how is it conjugated in the sentence?

Потребую is the first-person singular present form of the verb потребувати, which means “to need” or “to require.” In this sentence, it clearly shows that the speaker (Я – “I”) is the one who requires something. Although it’s a correct and direct way to express need, note that in everyday Ukrainian, speakers more frequently use the impersonal construction потрібно (for example, Мені потрібно більше часу).

Why is the noun час changed to часу in the sentence?

In Ukrainian, when expressing quantities such as “more time,” the noun is often placed in the genitive case. The word більше (“more”) requires that час be in its genitive form, which is часу, to indicate an increased or additional amount.

What role does the word більше play in this sentence?

Більше functions as a comparative modifier meaning “more.” It modifies the noun часу, indicating that the speaker requires a greater amount of time than what is currently available. Its use naturally triggers the genitive case for час.

How does the sentence Я потребую більше часу compare to the alternative Мені потрібно більше часу?

Both sentences express the need for more time. Я потребую більше часу uses a direct, personal verb construction, making the speaker the explicit subject. In contrast, Мені потрібно більше часу uses an impersonal construction, which is more common and typically sounds softer and less formal in everyday conversation. The choice between them can depend on context and desired emphasis.

Can the word order in Ukrainian sentences like this be flexible, and what effect might alternative orders have?

Yes, Ukrainian word order is quite flexible due to its rich system of inflections. While Я потребую більше часу follows the standard subject–verb–object pattern, altering the order (for example, placing більше часу at the beginning) can shift the emphasis to the quantity rather than the subject. However, such variations typically do not change the overall meaning of the sentence.