Question 1

Why use the compound preposition по отношению к instead of just к here?

Accepted Answer

While к can mean "towards," using the full phrase по отношению к (literally "by relation to") specifically highlights an attitude, treatment, or stance. With abstract concepts like being biased (предвзятый), this compound preposition is the most natural way to express who the bias is directed at.

Question 2

Which part of по отношению к нам determines the case of нам?

Accepted Answer

The preposition к at the very end of the phrase dictates the case. It requires the Dative case, which is why we use нам (the Dative form of мы). The first part, по отношению, is fixed in the Dative itself (governed by по), but you only need to decline the noun or pronoun that follows the к.

Question 3

Could we use the short-form adjective предвзят instead of the long-form предвзятый?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you could absolutely say Этот суд предвзят. The short form is very common in formal Russian and often highlights a specific, current situation (e.g., in this specific trial). The long form (предвзятый) sounds slightly more conversational and can imply that being biased is a permanent or defining characteristic of this particular court.

Question 4

How does the word предвзятый break down to mean "biased"?

Accepted Answer

It is built from the prefix пред- (pre-, beforehand) and взятый (the past passive participle of взять, meaning "taken"). Literally, it means a stance was "taken beforehand." It relies on the exact same logic as the English word "prejudice" (pre-judged).

Этот суд предвзятый по отношению к нам.

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