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Questions & Answers about Справа важлива.
Why is there no verb like is in the sentence Справа важлива.?
In Ukrainian, especially in the present tense, the verb to be is often omitted. This means that while in English we would say “The matter is important,” in Ukrainian the equivalent expression “Справа важлива.” does not require the explicit verb is. The relationship between the subject and the adjective is understood from context.
How do the noun and adjective agree in this sentence?
The noun справа is a feminine singular noun, and the adjective важлива is in the feminine singular form as well. Ukrainian adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify. So, важлива correctly corresponds to справа, maintaining grammatical consistency.
What does the word справа mean in this context?
The word справа can be translated as “matter,” “affair,” or “case.” In this sentence, it generally refers to an issue or subject that carries importance. The exact meaning can vary slightly with context, but it implies something that deserves attention or is significant.
How does the word order in Справа важлива. compare to English sentences like “The matter is important”?
In English, adjectives commonly follow a linking verb such as “is,” whereas in Ukrainian the structure is often more streamlined. In the sentence Справа важлива., the noun comes directly before the adjective without an explicit verb. This is a common feature in Ukrainian present tense constructions, where the relationship between subject and attribute is clear even without a linking verb.
Can this sentence be rearranged for emphasis, and if so, how might it change the meaning?
Yes, Ukrainian word order is flexible. For example, you might rearrange the sentence to Важлива справа. Although both versions mean “The matter is important,” the shifted order can add a slight emphasis to the adjective важлива. Such flexibility allows speakers to subtly highlight different aspects of the sentence depending on the context.