Breakdown of Этот огромный алмаз только для нас двоих.
мы
we
этот
this [f: эта, n: это]
только
only
для
for
огромный
huge
двое
two (collective)
алмаз
diamond
Questions & Answers about Этот огромный алмаз только для нас двоих.
Why does this sentence use двоих instead of двух?
двоих is the genitive form of the collective numeral двое. In Russian, when counting groups represented by personal pronouns like мы (we/us), вы (you), or они (they), we use collective numerals like двое rather than standard cardinal numerals like два. Because the preposition для requires the genitive case, двое declines to двоих.
How do the cases work for нас двоих after the preposition для?
The preposition для requires the genitive case. In oblique cases (any case other than the nominative), a collective numeral and its pronoun agree in case. So, для changes the pronoun мы into its genitive form нас, and the numeral двое matches it by taking its genitive form двоих.
Would it be grammatically correct to change the word order to для двоих нас?
It is technically possible, but для нас двоих is the standard, most natural word order. When combining a personal pronoun with a collective numeral, native speakers almost always place the pronoun before the numeral.
Does алмаз refer to the kind of diamond you would see in a wedding ring?
Usually no. алмаз specifically refers to a raw, uncut diamond or the mineral itself. If they were talking about a cut, polished diamond set in jewelry, they would use the word бриллиант. This sentence paints a picture of explorers or thieves who just found a massive, raw gemstone.
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