Neuter formation
Most -о nouns replace -о with -е; many -е nouns have the same visible nominative and prepositional shape.
- Case is not always visible on the noun alone. In мо́ре the preposition and construction identify the form: Э́то мо́ре is nominative; Мы на мо́ре is prepositional.
| Nominative | Prepositional | Observation |
|---|---|---|
| окно́ | в окне́ | -о → -е |
| сло́во | в сло́ве | -о → -е |
| мо́ре | на мо́ре | same written shape; context marks case |
| по́ле | в по́ле | same written shape |
| ружьё | о ружье́ | ё becomes е when unstressed |
Mini-check
1. Form: в + окно́; на + мо́ре. 2. How can móre represent two cases without changing spelling?
Apply this next
- Retrieve the rule without looking, then continue to the next lesson.