Breakdown of Следователь связал эти два факта.
этот
this [f: эта, n: это]
два
two
факт
fact
связать
to tie; to connect (perfective)
Questions & Answers about Следователь связал эти два факта.
Why does эти stay plural when факта is in the genitive singular?
When using the numbers 2, 3, and 4 in the nominative or inanimate accusative, the noun takes the genitive singular (факта). However, demonstrative pronouns like этот usually stay in the nominative or accusative plural (эти). If you were to add a regular adjective here, it would typically take the genitive plural for a masculine noun, resulting in a phrase like эти два важных факта.
Could I use соединил instead of связал to mean connected here?
Связал is the much better choice. While соединить means to connect, it is primarily used for physically joining things together, like wires or pieces of a broken object. Связать is related to the noun связь (link or connection) and is the standard verb for establishing logical, abstract links between facts, events, or concepts.
Is there a shared root between следователь (investigator) and words like следующий (next)?
Yes, they all come from the root след, which means a footprint, track, or trace. The base verb следовать means to follow. Therefore, a следователь is literally a follower of tracks, and следующий is simply the one that follows.