Breakdown of Мы завершаем подготовку к полудню.
мы
we
к
by (a deadline)
подготовка
preparation
завершать
to complete
полдень
noon
Questions & Answers about Мы завершаем подготовку к полудню.
How does the preposition к express a deadline here?
The preposition к followed by the Dative case is used to mean 'by' a certain time. In this sentence, к полудню means the preparation will be done 'by noon.' It tells us the target time or deadline for the action.
Why does the word for noon (полдень) change to полудню?
The word полдень (noon) has an irregular stem when it changes cases. The -день part loses its fleeting vowel (just like the standalone word день drops its е), and the connecting -о- shifts to -у-, creating the base полудн-. Because the preposition к requires the Dative case, we add the masculine Dative ending -ю, resulting in к полудню.
Why use the imperfective present tense завершаем if they are talking about a deadline?
While deadlines are very often paired with the perfective future tense (like мы завершим meaning 'we will finish'), using the imperfective present завершаем focuses on the ongoing process. It translates to 'we are wrapping up' or 'we are in the process of completing' the task right now, with the goal of being done by the noon deadline.
Why does the word подготовка end in -у in this sentence?
подготовка (preparation) is the direct object receiving the action of the verb завершаем (we are completing). Therefore, it must be in the Accusative case. For feminine nouns ending in -а, the Accusative ending changes to -у, making it подготовку.
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