Learn Hardcore Ukrainian: Цей професор, без сумніву, є одним з найосвіченіших в університеті. - This professor is undoubtedly one of the most educated in the university.

Без сумніву is a parenthetical adverbial phrase meaning "without a doubt." It serves as an aside that emphasizes certainty without affecting the main grammatical structure, which is why it’s set off by commas.

What role does the verb є play in this sentence, and is it always necessary to include it?

The verb є is the present tense form of "to be." In Ukrainian, it is often omitted in everyday conversation but is frequently included in formal or written language to clearly link the subject (Цей професор) with the predicate (одним з найосвіченіших в університеті).

How should we understand the construction одним з найосвіченіших, and which cases are used here?

This construction expresses that the professor is one member of a group distinguished by having high education. Одним is in the instrumental case, which is used after the copula є to describe a state or role, while з найосвіченіших uses the preposition з followed by the genitive plural form of the adjective to indicate "of the most educated" individuals.

How is the superlative adjective найосвіченіших formed, and why is it in the genitive plural?

The adjective освічений (educated) becomes superlative with the addition of the prefix най-, forming найосвіченіших (most educated). When paired with одним з (one of), the adjective must be in the genitive plural to correctly indicate that the professor is part of a larger group characterized by a superlative quality.

What is the function of the prepositional phrase в університеті, and what case does it illustrate?

В університеті specifies where the professor holds his status, meaning "in the university." The noun університеті is in the locative (or prepositional) case, which is used to indicate location in Ukrainian.