Theory Flashcards
How should you use definite and indefinite adjectives differently?
In nominative masculine singular, add an “i” to adjective for definite
How do you treat adjectives ending in “an”, “ar” or with a fleeting “a”
Removing the “a” to decline (e.g. slobodan declined as slobodn..; tužan declined as tužn..). Same applies for adding “i” in nominative singular.
How should you decline adjectives as a general rule
Follow the form of their nouns (in gender, case and plurality). This also applies for possessive adjectives.
How should you treat adjectives ending in “eo” (m) or “la” (f) (e.g bela)
In masculine, decline with an l at the end (e.g belog)
How do you create possessive adjectives?
- Add “ov” to base of masculine nouns ending in hard consonant
- Add “ev” to base of masculine nouns ending in soft consonant
- Add “ina” to the end (e.g. “ženina for woman’s)
How do you create comparative adjectives?
By adding the following suffixes:
- For most with one syllable, add ji (m), ja (f), je (n). This the simplest form, but there are multiple sound/spelling changes as a result, because the j softens the consonant (e.g z ecomes ž).
- For most with two or more syllables, add iji (m), ija (f) and ije (n)
Remember to drop a for “an” adjectives (e.g screćniji)
How do you create superlative adjectives?
Add naj to the front of the comparative
How do you form the passive past participle (e.g the car is washed, the walls are painted), which are adjectives formed from verbs.
For masculine singular:
- add “en”, “n” or “t” to infinitive base
- add “an” to ati verbs (eg cooked is kuvan)
Can then add usual feminine, neuter and corresponding plural endings.
Nominative
Subject of sentence
Accusative
Direct object of a verb
Dative case
- Indirect object
- Verbs of giving and receiving / providing to someone (e.g. give, present, send) (only for indirect object though)
- Verbs of telling, saying, talking to someone (only for indirect object though)
- Possession, but personal not necessarily legal (e.g. my teacher)
- Direct object of reflexive verb (e.g. thank)
Locative case
To indicate location. Can only be used with prepositions.
Instrumental case
Who you carry an action out with, and the means, manner or instrument by which you carry out an action
Genitive case
- to denote possession (e.g. this is a picture of my mother). Used instead of “of”.
- to denote quantities or part of something
(E.g. some water, cup of water, a litre of water) - After verb “to have”, where it is undefined or unspecified (e.g. I have money or I have mercy)
- where something came from (I got this necklace from my mother)
- After certain reflexive verbs implying a psychological state. Include remember.
- When used with prepositions, can mean time, place, cause, goal and means of doing something
To need to / should (modal verb)
Trebati
- Treba Da (present tense)
- Trebalo Je Da (past tense)
- Trebaće Da (future tense)
To have to (modal verb)
Morati / Moram
Can follow with infinitive
To be able to / can (modal verb)
Moći
- Mogu (1st person), Možeš (2nd) Present
- Mogao (1st person) Past
- Moći Ću Future
Can follow with infinitive
To like to (Modal verb)
Voleti / Volim
Can follow with infinitive
To be allowed to / may
Smeti / Smem
Can follow with infinitive
How can you use a follow-on verb (eg I like to swim)
Add “da” betweenand proper conjugation of both
Eg Volim da plivam
Or follow with infinitive
How do you form negative present tense?
Place “ne” before the verb.
For “biti”, “imati” and “hteti”, it combines with the words (ie nisam and nemam)
Place “zar” in front of negative verb to create it interrogative.
How do you form interrogative present?
Use question words then follow with ordinary sentence.
For yes/no questions:
- Start sentence with “da li” then verb conjugated
- Start sentence with conjugated verb then “li”
- Start sentence with “je li” then verb
For a suggestion, say “da” then verb present conjugation (ie shall I go? Is Da idem).
Put modal verb then “li” at the start of sentence to make a question (eg can I go).
How do you form negative past tense?
Add “ni” to front of Biti conjugation then follow with verb. Eg “Nisu išli”
Add “zar” at beginning of sentence to form a yes/no negative interrogative past tense.
How you form interrogative past?
Use question words then follow with ordinary sentence.
For yes/no questions:
- Use long form of “biti” conjugation + li + past tense verb conjugation
- Begin sentence with “Da li” then follow by short form biti conjugation then past tense verb conjugation
How do you form negative future?
Add “ne” to short form hteti conjugation (e.g. neću)
Add “zar” to front of sentence to form interrogative for yes/no questions.
How do you form interrogative future?
Can use question words.
For yes/no questions:
- Start sentence with “Da li” then use usual future tense (ie hteti conjugation + infinitive).
- Start sentence with long form hteti conjugation + “li” + infinitive
How do you form the imperative?
If final vowel preceded by “j” in 3rd person plural, then end in “j” for singular or “jte” for plural. Eg Pevaj or Pevajte
If final vowel is “e” or “u” in 3rd person plural, then end in “i” for singular or “ite” for plural. Eg Radi or Radite.
For “let’s”, add “mo” to 2nd person singular imperative form. Eg “radimo” for “let’s work”.
Add “nemoj” (singular) or “nemojte” (plural) for negative imperative (ie do not).
