The restricted second locative
A dictionary-listed group uses a special stressed location form after в or на.
- The masculine ending is normally stressed -у/-ю. A smaller feminine -ь group shifts stress to final -и. The form is restricted to location and is not freely generated for new nouns.
- Analysis: Treat в лесу́ as a restricted second locative, not as proof that every masculine prepositional can take -у.
| Topic / ordinary prep. | Location | Contrast |
|---|---|---|
| о ле́се | в лесу́ | about the forest / in the forest |
| о по́рте | в порту́ | about the port / in the port |
| о мо́сте | на мосту́ | about the bridge / on the bridge |
| о шка́фе | в шкафу́ | about the cupboard / in the cupboard |
| о кро́ви | в крови́ | about blood / in the blood |
| о те́ни | в тени́ | about shade / in the shade |
Mini-check
1. Choose: говори́ть о ле́се / лесу́; гуля́ть в ле́се / лесу́. 2. Is *в столу́ a productive possibility?
Apply this next
- Retrieve the rule without looking, then continue to the next lesson.