Learn Hardcore Ukrainian: Ця історія є ще більш надихаючою, ніж попередня розповідь. - This story is even more inspiring than the previous tale.

The word є functions as the equivalent of “is” in English, linking the subject (Ця історія – “This story”) to its predicate. Although native speakers might often omit є in casual speech, it is generally included in formal and written Ukrainian to clearly indicate the state of being.

What purpose does ще serve in ще більш надихаючою?

Ще intensifies the comparison. It translates roughly to “even” in English, so when combined with більш (“more”) and надихаючою (“inspiring”), it emphasizes that the story is “even more inspiring” than the previous account.

Why is the adjective надихаючою in the instrumental case while попередня розповідь remains in the nominative?

In Ukrainian, predicate adjectives following the copula є are typically put in the instrumental case to express a quality of the subject—in this case, надихаючою agrees with історія. On the other hand, the phrase after the comparison word ніж is usually in the nominative case. This differing case usage helps distinguish the property being attributed to the subject from the standard it is compared to.

How is the comparative degree formed in ще більш надихаючою?

The comparative is built periphrastically using the adverb більш meaning “more” along with the adjective in its instrumental form. The additional ще adds extra emphasis, making the full expression mean “even more inspiring.” This construction is common when the adjective does not form its comparative with a simple suffix.

What is the significance of using попередня розповідь as the point of comparison?

Попередня розповідь means “previous account/story” and serves as the benchmark against which the current story is measured. By contrasting the current subject with a prior narrative, the sentence emphasizes that while the earlier version was inspiring, this new story surpasses it in its inspirational quality.