Breakdown of Этот рукав лучше, чем тот.
этот
this [f: эта, n: это]
тот
that
чем
than / the (in comparisons)
лучше
better
рукав
sleeve
Questions & Answers about Этот рукав лучше, чем тот.
Why do we use чем тот instead of just using the Genitive case for the comparison?
You actually can use the Genitive case here! You could say Этот рукав лучше того. However, using чем + Nominative (чем тот) is completely natural and often preferred when comparing two specific objects or pointing things out, as it makes the contrast very clear.
Is лучше an adjective or an adverb in this sentence?
In Russian, the comparative form лучше is used as both the adjective (better) and the adverb (better). Here, it acts as a comparative adjective describing the masculine noun рукав (sleeve).
How would I change the beginning of this sentence to say 'Both sleeves' using the grammar from our current lesson?
Since рукав is a masculine noun, you would use the masculine form оба (both). After оба, the noun must take the Genitive singular form, which is рукава. So, 'Both sleeves' would be Оба рукава.
Why does the sentence end with just тот instead of тот рукав?
Just like in English where we say 'that one' instead of repeating the noun ('that sleeve'), Russian uses the standalone demonstrative pronoun тот. It stays in the masculine Nominative form to match the omitted word рукав.
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