Breakdown of Мы купили сотню новых компьютеров до инвентаризации.
мы
we
новый
new
компьютер
computer
купить
to buy (perfective)
до
before, until
сотня
hundred
инвентаризация
stocktaking / inventory
Questions & Answers about Мы купили сотню новых компьютеров до инвентаризации.
Why use сотню instead of the regular number сто?
сотня is a feminine noun meaning a group of a hundred, while сто is the exact numeral 100. Using сотня often gives a slightly approximate feel, like saying about a hundred, or emphasizes the collection as a single unit. Because it is the direct object of the verb купили, it takes the accusative case ending -ю.
Why is the phrase новых компьютеров in the genitive plural case?
Because сотня acts like a regular noun, not a standard number. Just as you would say a box of computers in English, numerical nouns like сотня, десяток (a ten), and дюжина (a dozen) require the items being counted to follow in the genitive case. Since there are multiple computers, it becomes the genitive plural новых компьютеров.
Why does the word инвентаризации end in -ии?
The preposition до (meaning before or until) always requires the genitive case. The dictionary form of the word is инвентаризация (stocktaking or inventory). Feminine nouns ending in -ия are a special group that take the ending -ии in the genitive case, rather than the standard -ы or -и.
Why is the perfective verb купили used here rather than покупали?
The perfective купили is used because the sentence focuses on the completed result of the action before a specific deadline (до инвентаризации). Using the imperfective покупали would mean they were in the middle of buying them or bought them repeatedly, which does not fit the context of a single, finished task.
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