Prepositional Phrases with Verbal Nouns

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Ukrainian uses prepositional phrases with verbal nouns (ending in -ння/-ття) to package complex actions into single, abstract units. This is the standard style for news, law, and science.

How It Works

This pattern is a hallmark of the Official-Business and Scientific styles in Ukrainian. It involves three main components:

  • The Preposition: Common choices include після (after), під час (during), з метою (with the aim of), and шляхом (by means of). Note that під час is preferred over при for temporal contexts to avoid Russicisms.
  • The Verbal Noun: These nouns reflect the aspect of the verb they come from. Nouns with the suffix -ування/-ювання (like виконування) typically denote a process, though some have become lexicalized as objects (e.g., устаткування - equipment). Nouns ending in -ння/-ття can denote either a process or a result depending on the verb stem (e.g., виконання from a perfective verb denotes a result). See Aspect Contrast in Verbal Nouns for more.
  • The Case Requirements: The preposition determines the case of the verbal noun (e.g., з метою + Genitive, завдяки + Dative). The object following the verbal noun usually takes the Genitive case (the "objective genitive"), even if the original verb governed the Accusative. However, if the original verb governed the Dative, Instrumental, or a prepositional phrase, that government is often retained.

While these phrases allow for high information density, learners should be careful to avoid over-nominalization, which can make text heavy and difficult to parse.

Examples (5)

  1. Під час виконання завдання виникли певні труднощі.

    During the execution of the task, certain difficulties arose.

    Word by Word: During execution [of] task arose certain difficulties.

    Uses 'під час' with the verbal noun 'виконання' to denote a process.

  2. Після завершення перевірки комісія оприлюднить результати.

    After the completion of the inspection, the commission will publish the results.

    Word by Word: After completion [of] inspection commission will-publish results.

    Uses 'після' with the perfective-based verbal noun 'завершення' to indicate a completed result.

  3. З метою вдосконалення процесу було впроваджено нові методи.

    With the aim of improving the process, new methods were implemented.

    Word by Word: With aim [of] improvement [of] process was implemented new methods.

    The formal phrase з метою requires the Genitive case for the verbal noun.

  4. Шляхом підвищення якості ми досягнемо успіху.

    By means of increasing quality, we will achieve success.

    Word by Word: By-way [of] increasing [of] quality we will-achieve success.

    'Шляхом' is a common formal preposition used with verbal nouns to describe a method.

  5. Завдяки керуванню державою він став відомим.

    Thanks to governing the state, he became famous.

    Word by Word: Thanks-to governing [by] state he became famous.

    The verbal noun 'керування' retains the Instrumental government of the verb 'керувати'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the Genitive case for the object when the original verb requires the Instrumental or Dative.

    керування компанії
    керування компанією

    While many verbal nouns take a Genitive complement, some retain the specific government of their parent verb. Since 'керувати' (to manage) requires the Instrumental, its noun form 'керування' also requires the Instrumental case.

  • Using the preposition 'при' for temporal circumstances instead of 'під час'.

    при розгляді справи
    під час розгляду справи

    In modern Ukrainian, using 'при' to mean 'during' or 'while' is often considered a Russicism. It is better to use під час followed by the Genitive case to indicate a process.

  • Creating 'Genitive chains' that are too long and difficult to read.

    з метою підвищення рівня якості обслуговування клієнтів
    щоб підвищити якість обслуговування клієнтів

    Stacking too many nouns in the Genitive case creates Genitive chains. To improve readability, it is often better to use a purpose clause with щоб.

How It Connects

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

Prepositional Phrases with Verbal NounsLevel 4

Learn This First

To learn prepositional phrases with verbal nouns, you first need to understand how verbal nouns are formed from verbs (e.g., 'завершення' from 'завершити'). Since these phrases often function as compact alternatives to clauses, you must also be comfortable with the genitive case, which is used both for the verbal noun itself after many prepositions and for the noun that follows the verbal noun to indicate what is being acted upon.