-но/-то (присудок)

Impersonal Result Predicate in -но or -то

Level 5Sounds Like prisudok na -no/-to

The -но/-то construction is a unique Ukrainian way to say something has been done (e.g., 'The door is closed' or 'The law was passed'). It focuses on the result rather than who did it.

How It Works

This pattern is a hallmark of professional, journalistic, and official Ukrainian, though it is also common in daily speech to report a status.

1. Formation:
These forms are derived from the same stems as passive participles in -ний and passive participles in -ти, but they always end in -о.

  • -но: Used for most verbs (e.g., написати → написано).
  • -то: Used for verbs with stems ending in -у, -и, -о, or monosyllabic stems (e.g., закрити → закрито, взяти → взято).

2. The Accusative Object:
Crucially, the thing receiving the action stays in the Accusative case. This differs from English or Russian passive constructions where the object becomes the Nominative subject.
Example: Книгу (Acc.) прочитано (The book has been read).

3. Tense:
By itself, the form is tense-neutral but implies a completed result. To specify time, use the auxiliary verb бути:

  • Past: було + -но/-то (e.g., було зроблено - was done).
  • Future: буде + -но/-то (e.g., буде зроблено - will be done).

4. Register:
It provides an objective, neutral tone. It is preferred over the reflexive passive in -ся when you want to emphasize the finality of an event.

Examples (5)

  1. Угоду підписано.

    The agreement has been signed.

    Word by Word: Agreement (Acc.) signed.

    A classic example where the focus is entirely on the fact that the signing is complete.

  2. Шлях до відступу відрізано.

    The path to retreat has been cut off.

    Word by Word: Path (Acc.) to retreat cut-off.

    Used here to show a final, unchangeable state resulting from a previous action.

  3. Усі приміщення було ретельно перевірено.

    All premises were thoroughly checked.

    Word by Word: All premises (Acc.) was thoroughly checked.

    The use of 'було' places the completed result in the past tense.

  4. Питання вичерпано.

    The matter is exhausted / The question is closed.

    Word by Word: Question (Acc.) exhausted.

    A very common idiomatic expression used in meetings and formal discussions.

  5. Книгу вже надруковано.

    The book has already been printed.

    Word by Word: Book (Acc.) already printed.

    Note that 'книгу' is in the Accusative case, even though it is the logical subject of the English translation.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the Nominative case for the object.

    Книга прочитано.
    Книгу прочитано.

    In this impersonal construction, the object takes the Accusative case (книгу), not the Nominative (книга).

  • Adding an agent in the Instrumental case to a -но/-то form.

    Роботу виконано студентом.
    Студент виконав роботу.

    Forms in -но/-то are impersonal and normally do not name the doer. Naming one with the Instrumental ('виконано студентом') occurs in official style, but careful writers avoid it. To name the doer, use an active sentence.

  • Using the agreeing adjective form where the impersonal -но form is wanted.

    Different MeaningДвері зачинені.
    Двері зачинено.

    'Двері зачинені' is correct: it describes how the doors are, and it agrees with 'двері'. The impersonal predicate 'зачинено' does not agree with anything, always ends in -о, and states the fact (for example in a notice or report).

How It Connects

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-но/-то (присудок)Level 5Impersonal Result Predicate in -но or -то

Learn This First

To understand the impersonal result predicate, you first need to know how to form passive participles in -ний and -тий, as the -но/-то forms are their indeclinable counterparts. Additionally, understanding the perfective aspect is crucial because this construction focuses on a completed state or result.