Question 1

Why does the sentence start with ему instead of он for "he"?

Accepted Answer

In Russian, age is expressed using the Dative case. The structure literally translates to "To him was..." rather than "He was..." Therefore, the subject он (he) changes to the Dative pronoun ему (to him).

Question 2

Since we are talking about a man, why is the verb было (neuter) used instead of был (masculine)?

Accepted Answer

When talking about age in the past, the verb быть (to be) acts impersonally and always takes the neuter singular form было, no matter who you are talking about. You will always use было for past age, whether referring to a man, a woman, or multiple people.

Question 3

Why is the word for "years" лет here instead of года?

Accepted Answer

The form of the word "year" changes based on the number that comes right before it. For numbers ending in 5 through 9, and 0 (like шестьдесят - 60), you must use лет (the Genitive plural form). You only use года for numbers ending in 2, 3, and 4.

Question 4

Why does пенсионером have an -ом ending?

Accepted Answer

It is in the Instrumental case. Whenever you use the verb стать (to become) to say what profession or new state someone entered into, the noun that follows must take the Instrumental case. The nominative пенсионер adds -ом to become пенсионером.

Ему было шестьдесят лет, когда он стал пенсионером.

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