Optional Adjective Final Vowels

Level 3

Dobrog and dobroga differ only by an optional final vowel.

How It Works

Compare bez dobrog razloga and bez dobroga razloga. Both adjective forms are genitive singular and fit the same noun phrase.

This is a different distinction from indefinite dobra versus definite dobrog(a). Calling the optional-vowel forms short and long should not erase the difference between those adjective declensions.

Other optional final vowels occur in selected dative and locative forms. Do not attach a final a to every adjective case: feminine genitive dobre has its own ending.

Examples (3)

  1. Otišao je bez dobrog razloga.

    He left without a good reason.

    Dobrog is genitive singular without the optional final vowel.

  2. Otišao je bez dobroga razloga.

    He left without a good reason.

    Dobroga expresses the same relationship with final -a.

  3. Sjećam se tog velikog grada.

    I remember that large city.

    Velikog is genitive singular; velikoga is also possible here.

How It Connects

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Optional Adjective Final VowelsLevel 3

Learn This First

Optional adjective vowels preserve the same genitive role and agreement.

Words in This Pattern

-a