Breakdown of Moja siostra została dyrektorem i zarządza dziewięcioma organizacjami.
i
and
siostra
sister
mój
my
dziewięć
nine
Questions & Answers about Moja siostra została dyrektorem i zarządza dziewięcioma organizacjami.
Why is the number nine written as dziewięcioma here?
The verb zarządzać (to manage) requires its object to be in the Instrumental case. For numbers 5 and above, the Instrumental case ending is typically -oma, so the basic number dziewięć changes to dziewięcioma.
Why is it organizacjami? Don't numbers 5 and up usually force the noun into the Genitive case?
They do force the Genitive case when the phrase is the subject (Nominative) or direct object (Accusative). However, in oblique cases like the Instrumental, the number and the noun simply match. Because the verb requires the Instrumental case, both the number (dziewięcioma) and the plural noun (organizacjami) are in the Instrumental.
Is dyrektorem also in the Instrumental case?
Yes! The verb zostać (when used to mean becoming a profession or taking on a role) also requires the Instrumental case. Both halves of this sentence happen to use verbs that trigger the Instrumental case.
Since siostra is a woman, shouldn't she become a dyrektorką?
She can! Dyrektorką is the feminine Instrumental form and is completely correct. However, in Polish, it is still very common and grammatically acceptable to use the masculine title (dyrektor) for women, especially for high-ranking or formal positions.