Pick a language and start learning!

Short-form vs. long-form adjectives Exercises in Serbian language

Students practicing writing in a language workbook at library.

Mastering adjectives in the Serbian language involves understanding the difference between short-form and long-form adjectives. Short-form adjectives are typically used in predicative positions, where they follow the verb "to be" and describe the subject. For instance, in the sentence "On je visok" (He is tall), "visok" is a short-form adjective. These short-form adjectives usually don't change based on gender, number, or case, making them relatively simple to use in straightforward sentences. Long-form adjectives, on the other hand, are more complex as they must agree with the noun they describe in gender, number, and case. They are often used attributively, directly modifying a noun, as seen in "visoki čovek" (the tall man). Long-form adjectives add nuance and specificity, allowing speakers to convey more precise descriptions. Understanding when and how to use these forms correctly is crucial for achieving fluency in Serbian, as it greatly enhances both written and spoken communication.

Exercise 1

1. On je veoma *dobar* čovek (short-form adjective indicating quality). 2. Moja sestra ima *dugu* kosu (long-form adjective describing hair). 3. To je *novi* auto (short-form adjective indicating a new object). 4. Kupili smo *veliku* kuću (long-form adjective describing a house). 5. Ovo je *lep* cvet (short-form adjective describing a flower). 6. Ona nosi *crvenu* haljinu (long-form adjective describing a dress). 7. Pas je *mali* (short-form adjective indicating size). 8. Oni imaju *staru* knjigu (long-form adjective describing a book). 9. To je *visok* momak (short-form adjective describing a tall person). 10. Njena soba je *čista* (long-form adjective indicating cleanliness).

Exercise 2

1. Njena haljina je *lepa* (beautiful) dok je ostala odeća *lepa* (beautiful) (short-form vs. long-form). 2. Ovaj kolač je *ukusan* (tasty), ali ti si napravio *ukusniji* (tastier) (short-form vs. long-form). 3. Njihov stan je *prostran* (spacious), dok je naš stan *prostraniji* (spacier) (short-form vs. long-form). 4. On je bio *umoran* (tired) nakon trčanja, ali sam se osećao *umorniji* (more tired) (short-form vs. long-form). 5. Njena kosa je *duga* (long), ali moja kosa je *duža* (longer) (short-form vs. long-form). 6. Ova knjiga je *zanimljiva* (interesting), ali tvoja knjiga je *zanimljivija* (more interesting) (short-form vs. long-form). 7. Njegova ideja je *dobra* (good), ali tvoja ideja je *bolja* (better) (short-form vs. long-form). 8. Ovaj film je *dosadan* (boring), ali drugi film je *dosadniji* (more boring) (short-form vs. long-form). 9. Njena torba je *laka* (light), dok je moja torba *lakša* (lighter) (short-form vs. long-form). 10. Njegova mačka je *mirna* (calm), ali tvoja mačka je *mirnija* (calmer) (short-form vs. long-form).

Exercise 3

1. On je bio *lep* dečko u školi (short-form adjective). 2. To je bila *lepa* haljina koju je nosila (long-form adjective). 3. Njegova majka je bila *umorna* posle posla (long-form adjective). 4. Pas je bio *dobar* kad je došao veterinar (short-form adjective). 5. Njena soba je uvek *čista* (long-form adjective). 6. On je imao *lep* rukopis (short-form adjective). 7. Bilo je *hladno* veče kad smo stigli (short-form adjective). 8. Njegova kuća je bila *velika* i prostrana (long-form adjective). 9. Njihov stan je bio *nov* i moderan (short-form adjective). 10. Ovo je *dobra* prilika za napredovanje (long-form adjective).