Tools and means
Bare instrumental marks an instrument, medium, vehicle, or manner by which an action is carried out.
- Compare е́хать по́ездом with е́хать на по́езде. Instrumental construes the train as means; на + prepositional uses a conventional transport frame. Both are normal.
- No с for an instrument: писа́ть ру́чкой means using a pen. с ру́чкой means being accompanied by or possessing a pen in context, not necessarily using it.
| Action | Instrumental phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| писа́ть | писа́ть ру́чкой | write with a pen |
| ре́зать | ре́зать ножо́м | cut with a knife |
| оплати́ть | оплати́ть ка́ртой | pay by card |
| е́хать | е́хать по́ездом | travel by train |
| отпра́вить | отпра́вить по́чтой | send by post |
| говори́ть | говори́ть шёпотом | speak in a whisper |
Mini-check
1. Build: cut with a knife; pay by card. 2. Contrast по́ездом and на по́езде.
Apply this next
- Retrieve the rule without looking, then continue to the next lesson.