по + Locative (Distribution)

Distributive Locative with По

Level 6Sounds Like míscevij z po dlâ rozpodílu

The preposition по followed by the locative case (місцевий відмінок) is used to describe movement across a surface, distribution among items, recurring time events, or temporal sequence ('after'). In the singular, the dative case is also a standard literary alternative for movement.

How It Works

The distributive locative with по serves four primary functions:

  • Distributed Movement: It describes movement occurring throughout an area. In the singular, both the locative (по місті) and the dative (по місту) are standard literary forms. Example: ходити по кімнаті.
  • Distribution (Розподіл): It indicates how things are assigned across different locations. For example, по класах (among the classes).
  • Recurrence: It shows actions that happen repeatedly at specific times, usually in the plural. For example, по суботах (on Saturdays).
  • Temporal Sequence: In formal or administrative style, it means 'after' or 'upon'. For example, по приїзді (upon arrival) or по закінченні (after finishing).

Morphology:
1. Plural: Always use locative plural endings -ах (hard stems) or -ях (soft stems). This is a hallmark of literary Ukrainian.
2. Singular: Uses standard locative endings. Note that consonant mutations often occur (e.g., дорога → по дорозі).

Examples (6)

  1. Ми цілий день гуляли по лісі.

    We walked around the forest all day.

    Word by Word: We whole day walked along forest.

    In the singular, 'по лісі' (locative) and 'по лісу' (dative) are both standard literary forms for movement throughout a space.

  2. Він часто подорожує по містах України.

    He often travels around the cities of Ukraine.

    Word by Word: He often travels along cities of-Ukraine.

    The locative plural 'по містах' shows movement distributed across multiple locations. In the plural, the locative ending -ах/-ях is the strict norm.

  3. Учні розійшлися по своїх кабінетах.

    The students dispersed to their [respective] classrooms.

    Word by Word: Students dispersed along their rooms.

    This demonstrates distribution, where the group is divided among different locations.

  4. По закінченні школи він вступив до університету.

    Upon finishing school, he entered the university.

    Word by Word: After finishing of-school he entered to university.

    The preposition 'по' with the locative case can mean 'after' or 'upon completion of' in formal contexts.

  5. По вечорах я люблю читати книги.

    In the evenings, I like to read books.

    Word by Word: Along evenings I love to-read books.

    The plural locative 'по вечорах' indicates a recurring action happening every evening.

  6. Машина їхала по дорозі.

    The car was driving along the road.

    Word by Word: Car was-driving along road.

    Note the consonant mutation from 'дорога' (g) to 'дорозі' (z) in the locative singular.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the dative plural ending (-ам/-ям) instead of the locative (-ах/-ях).

    Ми гуляли по вулицям.
    Ми гуляли по вулицях.

    Using '-ам' is a common Russianism. In standard Ukrainian, 'по' requires the locative plural ending '-ах' or '-ях'.

  • Forgetting consonant mutations in the singular locative.

    Він іде по дорогі.
    Він іде по дорозі.

    When a noun stem ends in 'г', 'к', or 'х', it must change to 'з', 'ц', or 'с' before the locative ending '-і'.

How It Connects

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

по + Locative (Distribution)Level 6Distributive Locative with По

Learn This First

To learn the distributive locative with 'по', learners first need a solid grasp of the locative case endings. They should also understand the distributive function of 'по' (often first encountered with numerals) and be familiar with indeterminate verbs of motion, as these are the primary contexts where this pattern occurs.

Words in This Pattern

по