9 | 3 | Lekcija 3: Ozdravi brzo!

| The Verb SMJETI

The verb smjeti (to be allowed to do something) undergoes some changes when we conjugate the verb. Look at the table below.

9.3 Zadatak 3. Što smijemo i ne smijemo

Read the following statements. Choose whether the statement is true (točno) or false (netočno).

For the statements that you answered as false, rewrite them in the form of a strong prohibition. How would you express that one should not do something? Look at the following pattern to understand how to complete the assignment. Example: Ljudi smiju brzo voziti u gradu blizu škole. – Ne vozi brzo u gradu blizu škole.

| The Imperative of verbs in –ći

The –ći verbs (such as reći) in their imperative forms will all undergo certain sound changes. These verbs have to be memorized. There is a rule that can help you in memorizing the forms: think of the third person plural of the present tense when forming the imperative of –ći verbs. All –ći verbs will take the second type of endings that we mentioned in the previous grammar section.

Look at the following groups of –ći verbs and how we form the imperative.

| Group #1: verbs like reći (to say) nad peći (to bake)

The present tense of these two verbs is: reći > oni reknu / oni reku, peći > oni peku. As you can see, in their Present Tense forms, both of these verbs have their infinitive stem in -k- (oni rek-u, oni pek-u). Since the stem of the verb in its infinitive form ends in –k– and when combined with the –i ending, a certain sound change happens: k i = ci.

| Group #2: verbs like leći (to lie down) nad pomoći (to help)

The present tense of these two verbs is: leći > oni legnu, pomoći > oni pomognu. As you can see, in their Present Tense forms, both of these verbs have their infinitive stem in -g- (oni leg-nu, oni pomog-nu). Since the stem of the verb in its infinitive form ends in –g– and when combined with the –i ending, a certain sound change happens: g i = zi.

* Note: Both verbs can also have their imperative form as: leći > legni, legnimo, legnite; pomoći > pomogni, pomognimo, pomognite.

| Group #3: verbs that derive from ići : poći, doći, otići, etc.

Think of these verbs and their present tense third person plural ‘they’) forms. You will add the appropriate ending to the stem of the verb.

* Note: The verb naći (to find) belongs to this group as well: naći > nađi, nađimo, nađite.

9.3 Zadatak 4. Što smijemo i ne smijemo?

Based on how each sentence ends, use the most appropriate verb listed below in its imperative form. You should read the sentences carefully and express a command or a request to your friend. Some of the following verbs might repeat.

Images used in this document are from these sources.