Thread: A Few More Questions about Grammar

Originally Posted by Throbert McGee

So the expression конец холодам literally means "end TO cold weather" (dative). And you could also use the genitive of the plural конец холодов ("end OF cold weather"). I think the dative form холодам was used just for stylistic reasons in your example.

Not for stylistic reasons, but rather to express a certain thought. Something like "Here comes the end to cold weather". Just stating "End of the cold weather" wouldn't be the same. You may use it the same with people "Тебе конец" would be something like "You are done for" (correct me if I got it wrong). "Конец тебя" looks weird, even ungrammatical, and "твой конец" with current usage will remind of one's rod.

As for sequence of tenses, you may use the verb in a subordinate clause in Past, "Вчера я слушал, как канарейки пели". It is just you don't have to.

Originally Posted by Shady_arc

"Тебе конец" would be something like "You are done for" (correct me if I got it wrong).

Wait, the word is К-О-Н-е-ц?!?! All these years I've been spelling and pronouncing it TOTALLY wrong, with 6 letters. (But at least I got the -е-ц part correct!)

Just kidding -- and "You're done for" is correct.

and "твой конец" with current usage will remind of one's rod.

Век живи, век учись!