Breakdown of Rzecznik przeprasza za ten incydent.
ten
this (m)
za
for (thanks for)
rzecznik
the spokesperson
przepraszać
to apologize
Questions & Answers about Rzecznik przeprasza za ten incydent.
Why do we use za here instead of dla (for)?
The verb przepraszać (to apologize) specifically requires the preposition za when stating the reason for the apology. While dla often means "for" (like a gift for someone), expressing the cause or reason of an apology always uses za followed by the Accusative case.
If za requires the Accusative case, why do ten and incydent look exactly like their basic dictionary forms?
Because incydent is a masculine inanimate noun. In Polish, masculine inanimate nouns (and their matching pronouns like ten) share the exact same form in the Accusative case as they do in the Nominative case.
Is the word rzecznik (spokesperson) related to the word rzecz (thing)?
Yes, it is! Rzecz means "thing" or "matter" (as in "a matter of importance"). A rzecznik literally stems from the idea of someone speaking on behalf of a matter or cause. You will also see this root in words like rzeczownik (noun).
Why are we using the imperfective verb przeprasza here?