Adjectives Across Cases

Level 3

The adjective follows the noun’s case.

How It Works

First find the role of the whole noun phrase. A verb or preposition can require a case, and both noun and adjective must fit it.

The adjective ending need not look like the noun ending: s dobrim prijateljem has instrumental -im on the adjective and -em on the noun. Agreement means matching grammatical features, not copying letters.

When several adjectives describe one noun, each takes the required form. The masculine animate accusative and different adjective declensions require attention to the actual paradigm.

Examples (3)

  1. Čitam dobru knjigu.

    I am reading a good book.

    Dobru and knjigu are feminine accusative singular.

  2. Razgovaramo o novoj školi.

    We are talking about the new school.

    O selects locative novoj školi.

  3. Putujem s dobrim prijateljem.

    I am travelling with a good friend.

    Both words are masculine instrumental singular.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

Adjectives Across CasesLevel 3

Learn This First

An adjective must match case in addition to its familiar gender agreement.

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.