Thread: Cases, cases

In a very complete article about Выражения времени на русском языке I see that to indicate "DURATION ( Imperfective Progressive: Accusative Case).
a) Verbal Duration (duration of the activity of the verb): use the accusative case alone
We worked there a whole week/five hours/a long time
Мы работали там целую неделю/ ...
b) Postverbal Duration: She went to the country for a month. на + accusative
c) Preverbal Duration: I'll call you in a week. через + В.п.
It is rather clear, but I find in other place an exercise : "Целыми днями Вы сидите за вашим английским учебником". And again: "Тем временем опять накопилимь кое-какие письма". In both phrases with the meaning of a), I think, is used Т.п. instead of В.п. I just want to know if I should add that in a) also Т.п. can be used. Thanks.

Originally Posted by radomir

Целыми днями Вы сидите за вашим английским учебником". And again: "Тем временем опять накопилимь кое-какие письма".

"тем временем" in the second one is translated as 'meanwhile' and I wouldn't try to fit it in some category.

For the first, I feel that instrumental is used when exact duration is unknown in case of repetitive action. 'днями', 'ночами', 'неделями' is ok, 'понедельниками' is not.

Thank you.

Originally Posted by vox05

Originally Posted by radomir

Целыми днями Вы сидите за вашим английским учебником". And again: "Тем временем опять накопилимь кое-какие письма".

"тем временем" in the second one is translated as 'meanwhile' and I wouldn't try to fit it in some category.

For the first, I feel that instrumental is used when exact duration is unknown in case of repetitive action. 'днями', 'ночами', 'неделями' is ok, 'понедельниками' is not.

Not necesserily unknown.
We say:
утром, днём, вечером, ночью;
весной, летом, осенью, зимой.
Parts of day and seasons require instrumental to express "when an action takes place".

Note that
этим временем, тем временем
are not the same as в это время, в то время.
The latter simply mean "at this time, at that time" while the former are more like "meanwhile", correct.

BTW, I have a question to native English speakers.
There is a common word for "spring-summer-autumn-winter": season ("время года" in Russian).
In Russian we also have a common word for "morning-day-evening-night" which is "время суток". How to say it in English?

Originally Posted by Боб Уайтман

In Russian we also have a common word for "morning-day-evening-night" which is "время суток". How to say it in English?

The only expressions I know of for this are "time" or "time of day" or "any time".
ex.
--What time of day does your plane arrive?
--I really don't remember. It could be any time.

Originally Posted by Боб Уайтман

In Russian we also have a common word for "morning-day-evening-night" which is "время суток". How to say it in English?

You could say "part of the day."
What part of the day was it?
It was in the morning.

Originally Posted by sperk

You could say "part of the day."
What part of the day was it?
It was in the morning.

Thank you, Sperk!
That means I was close enough