Breakdown of Собака боится отойти от края крыши.
собака
dog
от
from
бояться
to be afraid
крыша
roof
отойти
to step away / depart (pf)
край
edge
Questions & Answers about Собака боится отойти от края крыши.
What is the difference between отойти and уйти in this situation?
The prefix от- means to step back or move a short distance away from a specific object. If the dog wanted to leave the roof entirely, we would use уйти (to leave). Отойти just means to move a safe distance away from the edge itself.
Why does the preposition от appear right after a verb that already starts with от-?
In Russian, prefixed verbs of motion almost always pair with a specific preposition to link the movement to an object. The prefix от- (moving away) naturally pairs with the preposition от (from). This preposition always requires the Genitive case, which is why край becomes края.
Why are both края and крыши in the Genitive case here?
They are in the Genitive case for two completely different reasons. Края (edge) is Genitive because it directly follows the preposition от. Крыши (roof) is Genitive because it shows possession or relation, translating directly to "of the roof."
Why does боится (is afraid) take the perfective verb отойти instead of the imperfective отходить?
The dog is facing a specific, immediate situation right now and is afraid to complete that one single action. If we were talking about a general, repeated habit (for example, "dogs are always afraid to step away from their owners"), we would use the imperfective отходить.
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