Breakdown of Эта тропинка не доходит до скалы.
не
not
этот
this [f: эта, n: это]
тропинка
path
доходить
to reach (on foot)
до
as far as, up to
скала
cliff
Questions & Answers about Эта тропинка не доходит до скалы.
Why do we need the preposition до if the verb доходит already has the prefix до-?
This is a common pattern in Russian. Verbs of motion with the prefix до- (meaning to reach a limit or destination) almost always pair with the preposition до (until or as far as) plus the Genitive case to explicitly state what that limit is.
Why is the imperfective verb доходит used here instead of the perfective дойдёт?
When describing the permanent route or physical layout of inanimate objects like paths, roads, or rivers, Russian uses the imperfective aspect. It describes a constant characteristic of the path rather than a completed single event of someone walking.
Why is the word for cliff in the form скалы?
The preposition до always requires the Genitive case. The dictionary form is the feminine noun скала (cliff or rock), so the -а ending changes to -ы in the Genitive.
How does не доходит до differ from simply saying the path doesn't go to the cliff (не идёт к)?
Using доходит до emphasizes a limit or boundary. It specifically implies that the path heads in that direction but physically stops short or fails to reach the cliff.
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