Breakdown of Мы видим эту огромную окружность, которая равняется четырёмстам метрам.
мы
we
этот
this [f: эта, n: это]
видеть
to see
метр
metre
огромный
huge
который
which / who / that (relative pronoun)
четыреста
four hundred
равняться
to equal
окружность
circumference
Questions & Answers about Мы видим эту огромную окружность, которая равняется четырёмстам метрам.
How is the word четырёмстам formed?
This is the Dative case of четыреста (four hundred). For compound hundreds, both halves of the word decline. The first part (четыре) becomes Dative (четырём). The second part takes the Dative plural ending -стам. Together, they form четырёмстам.
Why are the number and the noun in the Dative case (четырёмстам метрам)?
The verb равняться (to equal) dictates the Dative case. In the Nominative or Accusative case, четыреста would force the noun into the Genitive plural (четыреста метров). However, in oblique cases like the Dative, the number and the noun agree in case. Therefore, both take the Dative plural form: четырёмстам метрам.
Why doesn't the ending of окружность change, given that it is the direct object of видим?
Окружность is a feminine noun ending in a soft sign (-ь), which makes it a 3rd declension noun. For these nouns, the Accusative case (used for direct objects) looks exactly the same as the Nominative case. You can tell it is actually in the Accusative because its adjectives (эту огромную) take the standard feminine Accusative endings.
Could I use the short adjective равна instead of the verb равняется?
Yes, both mean exactly the same thing here and both take the Dative case. You could just as easily say которая равна четырёмстам метрам. The verb равняется emphasizes the active mathematical relationship of equaling, whereas the short adjective равна describes the state of being equal.
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