Roles and Titles: The Instrumental Case
In Russian, verbs that express naming, appointing, electing, or considering require the Instrumental case for the title or role.
The sentence structure follows a reliable formula:
- Subject (Nominative): The person or group making the decision.
- Verb: The action (appointing, electing, considering, naming).
- Direct Object (Accusative): The person or thing receiving the title.
- Role or Title (Instrumental): The position or label given.
Considering (считать)
With считать (to consider), the role or label assigned is in the Instrumental case. Notice how the direct object этого человека (this person) is Accusative, while the role хорошим мэром (a good mayor) takes the Instrumental.
| People consider this person a good mayor. | Люди считают этого человека хорошим мэром. |
This also applies to inanimate objects, such as considering a project to be a mistake:
| We consider this municipal project the mayor's mistake. | Мы считаем этот муниципальный проект ошибкой мэра. |
Appointing (назначить)
When officially placing someone in a position, use назначать / назначить (to appoint). The new job title takes the Instrumental case.
| The committee appointed Anna as chairman. | Комитет назначил Анну председателем. |
| The mayor appointed the deputy as chairman. | Мэр назначил депутата председателем. |
Electing (избирать / избрать)
Use избирать / избрать for electing someone to an office or position.
| They elected Ivan governor. | Они избрали Ивана губернатором. |
| They elect him as a municipal deputy. | Они избирают его муниципальным депутатом. |
Naming and Calling (называть / назвать)
When naming someone as a candidate or calling a situation by a specific term, use называть / назвать.
| Whom would you name as the best candidate? | Кого бы вы назвали лучшим кандидатом? |
| In case of failure, the press will call this project a mistake. | В случае провала пресса назовёт этот проект ошибкой. |
