What case is зто in this sentence?

Why do we use this case here? And this verb? What rule should I use here?
User avatar
tiffgrib
New user
New user
Posts: 1
Joined: Feb 15th, 16, 22:40
Mother tongue: English
Country: USA

What case is зто in this sentence?

Postby tiffgrib » Feb 15th, 16, 22:57

Can someone please explain to me why это is used in the neuter in this phrase and what word it modifies. To me, it seems that it should be in the plural. Thanks. Это дни, когда ночью на улице почти так же светло, как днём. (http://www.russianforfree.com/text-saint-petersburg.php) :?:

User avatar
evgeniy
New user
New user
Posts: 4
Joined: Feb 20th, 16, 11:57
Mother tongue: russian
Country: russian

Re: What case is зто in this sentence?

Postby evgeniy » Feb 20th, 16, 13:46

It's a short case phrase.
The full sentence should be written so:
Это те самые дни, когда ночью на улице почти так же светло, как днём.
or
Это те дни, когда ночью на улице почти так же светло, как днём.
or
Дни = Время. (Это время, когда ночью на улице почти так же светло, как днём).

User avatar
HelenNewman
Junior user
Junior user
Posts: 9
Joined: Apr 16th, 16, 00:48
Mother tongue:
Country:

Re: What case is зто in this sentence?

Postby HelenNewman » Apr 16th, 16, 01:26

This is the verb 'to be' that is not used in Present Simple:

Eto est dni - It is a day/days.
Eto - subject
Est - predicate (omitted)
Dni - nominal part of predicate


Return to “Russian grammar”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 13 guests