2.3 Plural Nouns with Stem Changes
In this module, you will become familiar with three major stem changes that some masculine nouns undergo in the plural, learn several feminine nouns that undergo stem changes in plural, and practice recognizing plural nouns and their meanings by reading authentic Ukrainian business signs.
Завда́ння 1
Note the stem change that masculine nouns with the suffix –ець undergo in plural.
оди́н оліве́ць
два олівці́
оди́н хло́пець
два хло́пці
Read the texts below and mark all the plural nouns in which a stem change occurred. Then answer the questions that follow.
Ціка́во!
While most nouns with the suffix –ець simply drop the –е– in plural, a few nouns replace it with the soft sign. The most common nouns of this kind are:
cтіле́ць – стільці́ (‘chairs’)
па́лець – па́льці (‘fingers’)
–e– is also dropped in the noun день and its derivatives:
день – дні (‘days’)
ти́ждень – ти́жні (‘weeks’). Note that this noun also drops the –д– for ease of pronunciation.
Завда́ння 2
You will hear 8 sentences. For each sentence, choose the correct number of people/items/time periods mentioned. Then answer the question that follows.
Завда́ння 3
Note the stem change that masculine nouns with the suffix –ок undergo in plural.
оди́н квито́к
два квитки́
буди́нок
буди́нки
Read the texts below and mark all the plural nouns in which a stem change occurred. Then answer the questions that follow.
Завда́ння 4
You will hear five unfinished phrases. Choose the most appropriate word to complete each phrase.
Завда́ння 5
Answer the questions below.
Завда́ння 6
Note the stem change which some short masculine nouns with –і– in the stem undergo in plural.
Це мій кіт.
Це мої́ коти́.
Мадагаска́р – це о́стрів.
Гава́ї – це острови́.
Complete the sentences below paying careful attention to context and to what you have learned about the formation of plurals thus far.
Ціка́во!
Most short nouns that replace –і– with –о– in the plural are masculine. However, a stem change also occurs in a small number of feminine nouns that have –і- in the stem and end in a consonant. A common one is ніч – но́чі.
A few masculine and feminine nouns replace the stem –і– with –е-. These include річ – ре́чі and папі́р – папе́ри.
Завдання 7
You will hear 8 sentences. For each sentence, indicate whether it refers to something in the singular or something in the plural.
Мо́вний пазл
Look through the activities you have just completed and choose the correct statements below to summarize what you have learned.
А тепе́р тест!
Complete the sentences below by providing the missing endings. Then answer the questions that follow.
