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Cases (Przypadki)
Noun Declension
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Grammar

Terms Glossary
Cases (Przypadki)
Noun Declension
Adjective Declension
Nominative Case (Mianownik)
Genitive Case (Dopełniacz)
Dative Case (Celownik)
Accusative Case (Biernik)
Introduction
Usage
Nouns Declension
Adjectives Declension
Instrumental Case (Narzędnik)
Locative Case (Miejscownik)
Vocative Case (Wołacz)
Cases after Verbs
Cases after Prepositions
Tenses (Czasy)
Verbs (Czasowniki)
Nouns (Rzeczowniki)
Adjectives (Przymiotniki)
Pronouns (Zaimki)
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  1. Home
  2. Grammar
  3. Cases (Przypadki)
  4. Accusative Case (Biernik)
  5. Usage

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Accusative Case (Biernik) - Usage

The Accusative Case is a very common case. It is used for direct objects in sentences (the object upon which the subject acts). When there are no grounds for using another case, use the Accusative Case.

After transitive verbs

Use the Accusative Case for nouns that complement transitive verbs. Use the Genitive Case when the verb is negated.
transitive verb - a verb that requires an object upon which to act, and without which the sentence may not make sense.
Example
Daj mi tę książkę. - Give me this book.
In the sentence above, książka is the object that we act upon. Without it and any additional context, daj mi makes no sense.
There are many transitive verbs. The table below displays examples of transitive verbs.
Examples
kupićperfto buy
daćperfto give
widziećimperfto see
słyszećperfto hear
słuchaćimperfto listen
spotykaćimperfto meet
sprzedawaćimperfto sell
zabieraćimperfto take
zabićperfto kill
wyrzucaćimperfto throw
Example sentences:
Examples
kupić - to buy
Kupiłem książkę, którą mi poleciłaś. - I bought the book you recommended to me.
książkę - Accusative Singular
książka - Nominative Singular
dostać - to get
Kiedy dostanę swoją przesyłkę? - When will I receive my parcel?
przesyłkę - Accusative Singular
przesyłka - Nominative Singular
widzieć - to see
Widzę znajomego po drugiej stronie ulicy. - I see a friend across the street.
znajomego - Accusative Singular
znajomy - Nominative Singular
For additional examples, see the article on Accusative Case after verbs .

After certain prepositions

Some prepositions require nouns to be in the Accusative Case:
  • przez(e) - through, via, during
  • na - onto, to
  • za - behind, in back of, for
  • w(e) - into
  • o - against, for (as in fight for)
  • po - for, after (to get someone), up to
Examples
Przez całą podróż bolała mnie głowa. - My head ached during the whole trip.
całą podróż - Accusative Singular
cała podróż - Nominative Singular
Samolot wleciał w chmurę burzową. - The plane flew into a storm cloud.
chmurę burzową - Accusative Singular
chmura burzowa - Nominative Singular
Walczymy o naszą godność! - We fight for our dignity!
naszą godność - Accusative Singular
nasza godność - Nominative Singular
The Accusative Case is also used after Instrumental prepositions when expressing "motion-to".
  • pod - to under, beneath, below
  • nad - above
  • za - behind
  • przed - in front of
Examples
Jestem nad morzem. - I'm at the sea.
Jadę nad morze. - I'm going to the sea.
morzem - Instrumental Singular
morze - Accusative Singular
morze - Nominative Singular
Zaczekaj przed szkołą. - Wait in front of the school building.
Wyjdź przed szkołę. - Go out in front of the school building.
szkołą - Instrumental Singular
szkołę - Accusative Singular
szkoła - Nominative Singular
For additional examples, see the article on Accusative Case after prepositions .

When expressing time duration

When expressing how long something took, use the Accusative Case.
Examples
Stałem w korku dwie godziny. - I was stuck in traffic for two hours.
dwie godziny - Accusative Plural
dwie godziny - Nominative Plural
Czekałam na niego całą noc. - I waited for him the entire night.
całą noc - Accusative Singular
cała noc - Nominative Singular
Previous article:

Accusative Case (Biernik) - Introduction

Next article:

Accusative Case (Biernik) - Nouns Declension

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Jarek Hajduk
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Noun Declension Book

Cases - Noun Declension

You can support my website and my Youtube Channel by buying my grammar book on Amazon. In that book I have clearly explained, how to create different forms of noun depending on the case, number, and gender.
After reading this book you will be able to decline any noun in the Polish language. This book also contains exercises with answers, which will help you practice what you learn.
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