Breakdown of Участникам достанется по одному призу.
один
one
участник
participant
по
each (distributive)
достаться
to go to (perfective)
приз
prize
Questions & Answers about Участникам достанется по одному призу.
Why is одному призу in the Dative case here instead of the Accusative?
The preposition по, when used for distribution meaning "each", dictates the case of the number. For the number 1 (as well as 5 and above), по requires the Dative case. If the prize count were 2, 3, or 4, you would use the Accusative case instead, for example: по два приза.
Why is the verb достанется in the singular form if there are multiple participants and prizes?
Why is the word for "participants" in the Dative case (Участникам)?
It is required by the verb достанется (infinitive: достаться). This verb means "to fall to one's lot" or "to end up with". Similar to verbs like нравиться, the person receiving the item takes the Dative case, while the item being received acts as the grammatical subject.
Could I use the verb получить (to receive) to say this instead?
Yes, but the grammar of the sentence would flip. Получить takes a standard Nominative subject. You would say: Участники получат по одному призу. Using достанется simply adds a subtle nuance that the prizes are being distributed or handed out as a share.
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