Петро може бігти до магазину.

Petro can run to the store.

Breakdown of Петро може бігти до магазину.

• Петро: Petro
• до: to
• магазин: the store
• могти: to be able to
• бігти: to run

Questions & Answers about Петро може бігти до магазину.

What is the role of the modal verb може in this sentence?

Може functions as a modal verb meaning “can” or “is able to.” It is conjugated in the third person singular to agree with the subject Петро, indicating that Petro has the ability or possibility to perform the action described by the infinitive that follows.

Why is the infinitive бігти used after може?

In Ukrainian, modal verbs such as може are typically followed by an infinitive to denote the action that is possible or allowable. Here, бігти (“to run”) is used after може to complete the modal construction, much like English uses “can run.”

What does the phrase до магазину mean, and why is магазину in that form?

The phrase до магазину translates as “to the store.” The preposition до (“to”) governs the genitive case, so the noun магазин appears in its genitive singular form as магазину to correctly indicate direction toward the store.

Is the word order in Петро може бігти до магазину fixed, or can it be rearranged?

While Ukrainian does allow for some flexibility in word order, the structure used here—subject (Петро) followed by the modal verb (може), then the infinitive (бігти), and finally the directional phrase (до магазину)—is a common and clear construction. Changing the order can shift the emphasis, but this sequence is standard for expressing ability in a straightforward way.

What is the difference between using може and уміє when talking about someone’s ability?

Both може and уміє can be translated as “can,” yet they carry a nuance. Може generally highlights the possibility or capacity to perform an action, often in a situational sense. In contrast, уміє emphasizes having acquired the skill or having learned how to do something. In this sentence, може is used to indicate that Petro is capable of running to the store, rather than stressing that he has mastered the skill.

Are there any aspectual considerations with the verb бігти in this context?

Yes. Ukrainian verbs often come in imperfective and perfective pairs. Бігти here is used in its standard (typically imperfective) form, which fits naturally after a modal verb to express an ongoing or general ability without implying completion. This makes it well-suited for the construction where the focus is on the possibility of performing the action.