Theory

Question 1

How should you use definite and indefinite adjectives differently?

Answer 1

In nominative masculine singular, add an “i” to adjective for definite

Question 2

How do you treat adjectives ending in “an”, “ar” or with a fleeting “a”

Answer 2

Removing the “a” to decline (e.g. slobodan declined as slobodn..; tužan declined as tužn..). Same applies for adding “i” in nominative singular.

Question 3

How should you decline adjectives as a general rule

Answer 3

Follow the form of their nouns (in gender, case and plurality). This also applies for possessive adjectives.

Question 4

How should you treat adjectives ending in “eo” (m) or “la” (f) (e.g bela)

Answer 4

In masculine, decline with an l at the end (e.g belog)

Question 5

How do you create possessive adjectives?

Answer 5

• Add “ov” to base of masculine nouns ending in hard consonant
• Add “ev” to base of masculine nouns ending in soft consonant
• Add “ina” to the end (e.g. “ženina for woman’s)

Question 6

How do you create comparative adjectives?

Answer 6

By adding the following suffixes:
- For most with one syllable, add ji (m), ja (f), je (n). This the simplest form, but there are multiple sound/spelling changes as a result, because the j softens the consonant (e.g z ecomes ž).
- For most with two or more syllables, add iji (m), ija (f) and ije (n)

Remember to drop a for “an” adjectives (e.g screćniji)

Question 7

How do you create superlative adjectives?

Answer 7

Add naj to the front of the comparative

Question 8

How do you form the passive past participle (e.g the car is washed, the walls are painted), which are adjectives formed from verbs.

Answer 8

For masculine singular:
- add “en”, “n” or “t” to infinitive base
- add “an” to ati verbs (eg cooked is kuvan)

Can then add usual feminine, neuter and corresponding plural endings.

Question 9

Nominative

Answer 9

Subject of sentence

Question 10

Accusative

Answer 10

Direct object of a verb

Question 11

Dative case

Answer 11

• Indirect object
• Verbs of giving and receiving / providing to someone (e.g. give, present, send) (only for indirect object though)
• Verbs of telling, saying, talking to someone (only for indirect object though)
• Possession, but personal not necessarily legal (e.g. my teacher)
• Direct object of reflexive verb (e.g. thank)

Question 12

Locative case

Answer 12

To indicate location. Can only be used with prepositions.

Question 13

Instrumental case

Answer 13

Who you carry an action out with, and the means, manner or instrument by which you carry out an action

Question 14

Genitive case

Answer 14

• to denote possession (e.g. this is a picture of my mother). Used instead of “of”.
• to denote quantities or part of something
  (E.g. some water, cup of water, a litre of water)
• After verb “to have”, where it is undefined or unspecified (e.g. I have money or I have mercy)
• where something came from (I got this necklace from my mother)
• After certain reflexive verbs implying a psychological state. Include remember.
• When used with prepositions, can mean time, place, cause, goal and means of doing something

Question 15

To need to / should (modal verb)

Answer 15

Trebati
- Treba Da (present tense)
- Trebalo Je Da (past tense)
- Trebaće Da (future tense)

Question 16

To have to (modal verb)

Answer 16

Morati / Moram

Can follow with infinitive

Question 17

To be able to / can (modal verb)

Answer 17

Moći
- Mogu (1st person), Možeš (2nd) Present
- Mogao (1st person) Past
- Moći Ću Future

Can follow with infinitive

Question 18

To like to (Modal verb)

Answer 18

Voleti / Volim

Can follow with infinitive

Question 19

To be allowed to / may

Answer 19

Smeti / Smem

Can follow with infinitive

Question 20

How can you use a follow-on verb (eg I like to swim)

Answer 20

Add “da” betweenand proper conjugation of both

Eg Volim da plivam

Or follow with infinitive

Question 21

How do you form negative present tense?

Answer 21

Place “ne” before the verb.

For “biti”, “imati” and “hteti”, it combines with the words (ie nisam and nemam)

Place “zar” in front of negative verb to create it interrogative.

Question 22

How do you form interrogative present?

Answer 22

Use question words then follow with ordinary sentence.

For yes/no questions:
- Start sentence with “da li” then verb conjugated
- Start sentence with conjugated verb then “li”
- Start sentence with “je li” then verb

For a suggestion, say “da” then verb present conjugation (ie shall I go? Is Da idem).

Put modal verb then “li” at the start of sentence to make a question (eg can I go).

Question 23

How do you form negative past tense?

Answer 23

Add “ni” to front of Biti conjugation then follow with verb. Eg “Nisu išli”

Add “zar” at beginning of sentence to form a yes/no negative interrogative past tense.

Question 24

How you form interrogative past?

Answer 24

Use question words then follow with ordinary sentence.

For yes/no questions:
- Use long form of “biti” conjugation + li + past tense verb conjugation
- Begin sentence with “Da li” then follow by short form biti conjugation then past tense verb conjugation

Question 25

How do you form negative future?

Answer 25

Add “ne” to short form hteti conjugation (e.g. neću) Add “zar” to front of sentence to form interrogative for yes/no questions.

Question 26

How do you form interrogative future?

Answer 26

Can use question words. For yes/no questions: - Start sentence with “Da li” then use usual future tense (ie hteti conjugation + infinitive). - Start sentence with long form hteti conjugation + “li” + infinitive

Question 27

How do you form the imperative?

Answer 27

If final vowel preceded by “j” in 3rd person plural, then end in “j” for singular or “jte” for plural. Eg Pevaj or Pevajte If final vowel is “e” or “u” in 3rd person plural, then end in “i” for singular or “ite” for plural. Eg Radi or Radite. For “let’s”, add “mo” to 2nd person singular imperative form. Eg “radimo” for “let’s work”. Add “nemoj” (singular) or “nemojte” (plural) for negative imperative (ie do not).