Why 2, 3, and 4 create a split phrase
In nominative and inanimate accusative quantity phrases, 2-4 impose special counting syntax rather than ordinary genitive agreement.
- The noun normally has genitive singular form. An adjective after the numeral follows a gender-sensitive pattern: masculine and neuter strongly favour genitive plural; feminine commonly uses nominative plural, with a genitive-plural variant available in many contexts.
- Quantity checkpoint: Do not describe the entire phrase as simple 'genitive singular'. Numeral government and adjective agreement produce a hybrid pattern.
| Phrase | Adjective | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| два но́вых до́ма | genitive plural | genitive singular |
| три си́них мо́ря | genitive plural | genitive singular |
| четы́ре больши́х окна́ | genitive plural | genitive singular |
| две но́вые кни́ги | nominative plural | genitive singular |
| две но́вых кни́ги | genitive plural variant | genitive singular |
Read the model
3.05 · Why 2, 3, and 4 create a split phrase · table 1
два но́вых до́ма · genitive plural · genitive singularтри си́них мо́ря · genitive plural · genitive singularMini-check
Build: три + большо́й стол. Build the usual neutral pattern: две + но́вая ко́мната.
Apply this next
- Say the Russian examples aloud, cover the model, and retrieve the pattern once before continuing.