simple grammar question

[Paul B. Gallagher]

MOLLY V. PEENEY wrote:

> Yes, it boils down to expectation.
> 
> Ona ne byla v magazine = There was no expectation that she would be
> in the store. Ee ne bylo v magazine = There was some expectation that
> she would be there (you agreed to meet there, or she works there,
> etc.) but against expectation, she was not there.
> 
> Ona ne byla v Moskve = There was no expectation/no plan for her to be
> in Moscow. Ee ne bylo v Moskve = There was some expectation that she
> would be there (she lives there, she had travel plans, etc.) but she
> was not there.

Compare also:

The books didn't arrive in today's mail.
(I have particular books in mind and I was expecting them)

No books arrived in today's mail.
(no particular books, no expectation)


I didn't get the call about the job.
(I interviewed and was expecting to hear back)

I didn't get a call about a job.
(nothing in the previous context about a job)

Etc.

This is one of the few areas where Russian has a counterpart to our 
articles.

-- 
War doesn't determine who's right, just who's left.
--
Paul B. Gallagher
pbg translations, inc.
"Russian Translations That Read Like Originals"
http://pbg-translations.com

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