Breakdown of Написав диплом, этот выпускник получит степень.
этот
this [f: эта, n: это]
написать
to write (perfective)
получить
to receive (perfective)
выпускник
graduate
диплом
diploma
степень
degree
Questions & Answers about Написав диплом, этот выпускник получит степень.
What does the -в ending on написав do here?
It makes it a perfective verbal adverb, which translates to "having done" something. You form it by taking the past tense of the perfective verb написать (to write), dropping the -л, and adding -в. Because it is perfective, it tells us that the action of writing is completely finished before the main action happens.
The main verb получит (will receive) is in the future tense. Why doesn't написав have a future form to match?
Verbal adverbs do not have past, present, or future tenses of their own. Instead, they show timing relative to the main verb. Because написав is perfective, it simply means the writing happens before the main action. The main verb получит puts the whole scenario into the future.
Doesn't диплом just mean a diploma or certificate? Why is it translated as "thesis"?
In the Russian university system, диплом is very commonly used as short for дипломная работа, which is the large final research project or thesis a student must write to graduate. So написать диплом literally means "to write the thesis."
What case is степень in this sentence?
It is in the accusative case, because it is the direct object being received (получит степень). Степень (degree) is a feminine noun ending in a soft sign (a 3rd declension noun). For these specific nouns, the accusative case form is identical to the nominative dictionary form.
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