Question 1

How does the sprawił, że structure differ from the English phrase 'made the rash stop'?

Accepted Answer

In English, we use a causative verb plus an object and an infinitive (made the rash stop). In Polish, you cannot use an object and an infinitive here. You must use sprawić, że (to cause that) followed by a full subordinate clause with its own conjugated verb: że wysypka przestała (that the rash stopped).

Question 2

Why is wysypka in the nominative case here? Doesn't the medicine act on it?

Accepted Answer

In the English translation, the rash is the object of the verb 'made'. However, because the Polish sentence uses the conjunction że to start a new clause, wysypka becomes the subject of that new clause. As the subject performing the action of stopping (przestała), it must take the nominative case.

Question 3

Why are both sprawił and przestała in the perfective aspect?

Accepted Answer

Both describe completed, successful actions. The medicine achieved its effect (sprawił), and the stopping of the itch was a completed transition (przestała). If this were a general statement about what the medicine typically does over time, you would use the imperfective forms: sprawiał, że wysypka przestawała swędzieć.

Question 4

Could I use a verb like zrobił instead of sprawił to mean 'made' in this sentence?

Accepted Answer

No, you cannot. While zrobić translates to 'to make' when creating or building a physical object, it is not used for causing an abstract result or action. To express making a situation happen, you must rely on sprawić or sprawiać.

Nowy lek sprawił, że wysypka przestała swędzieć.

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