Breakdown of Если мы упустим эту возможность, всё будет гораздо хуже.
мы
we
этот
this [f: эта, n: это]
плохой
bad
быть
to be
гораздо
much (with comparatives)
если
if
весь
all, the whole, everything, everyone (весь, вся, всё, все)
возможность
opportunity, possibility
упустить
to miss (an opportunity)
Questions & Answers about Если мы упустим эту возможность, всё будет гораздо хуже.
Why is the perfective verb упустим used here?
The verb упустить (to miss or let slip) is perfective. In conditional 'if' clauses about the future, Russian usually uses the perfective aspect to focus on the result of the action. It is a verb of failure, and just like when it takes a perfective infinitive in your current lesson, the focus here is strictly on the completed outcome of missing the chance.
Why does эту change to the accusative case, but возможность looks like it stayed in the nominative?
Возможность is actually in the accusative case here! Because it is an inanimate feminine noun ending in a soft sign (a 3rd declension noun), its accusative form is identical to its nominative form. However, the modifying pronoun эта still changes to its normal feminine accusative form, эту.
How does гораздо work with хуже?
Гораздо means 'much' or 'by far,' and it is used specifically to emphasize comparative adjectives and adverbs. Хуже is the comparative form of плохо (badly) or плохой (bad). Just like in English, you cannot say 'very worse' in Russian; instead of очень хуже, you must use гораздо хуже (much worse).
Why is the singular verb будет used with всё?
Всё (spelled with a ё) means 'everything' and is grammatically neuter singular, so it pairs with the singular verb будет. Be careful not to confuse it with все (spelled with a regular е), which means 'everyone' or 'all' and requires the plural verb будут.
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