Thread: пора + НСВ or СВ?

Guys. I am preparing for the TRKI-3, and although I have gotten reasonably good at picking the right verb aspect, I sometimes run into cases that just make me scratch my head. The lates case is пора- sometimes the verb that's right after it is HCB, but about a third of the time it is CB. I googled for example "пора начать" and "пора начинать", and get results for both. It must be that there's a difference in meaning... can somebody help?
THANKS!

It just takes an infinitive (it is time + infinitive (to...)). The aspect of the verb depends entirely on the meaning/context -- can be either.

I'd like to know too if there's a rule about it, but I think it's the usual choice between perfective and impf.-- focus on the result of the action or not.

Compare
Time to start!
Time to get started!

Yes, that is the question, which infinitive to use.
Choosing between HCB and CB is not always a matter of 'result/ no result' or 'process/ result'. I feel like there is some kind of rule here I haven't grasped.

Originally Posted by tim_in_kiev

Yes, that is the question, which infinitive to use.
Choosing between HCB and CB is not always a matter of 'result/ no result' or 'process/ result'. I feel like there is some kind of rule here I haven't grasped.

My book says

пора + imperfect infinitive = "it is time to"
пора + perfect infinitive = "it is necessary to"

Originally Posted by quartz

My book says

пора + imperfect infinitive = "it is time to"
пора + perfect infinitive = "it is necessary to"

It may be a good rule in a sense that if you use it you will be much more often right than wrong, but, concerning the second part, native speakers are often quite happy with both kinds of verbs:

(Looking in the mirror) Мне пора (по)бриться.
У меня на компьютере совсем места не осталось. Пора диск (по)чистить.
На даче мокрое пятно на потолке. Пора крышу чинить. (this one is against the rule as far as I'm concerned)
На даче опять мокрое пятно на потолке. Пора крышу починить наконец. (this one confirms to the rule strictly)
(Looking in the empty fridge) Пора идти/сходить в магазин.

Of course, one might say that "Мне пора (по)бриться" is of the "it is time to" kind and at the same time of the "it is necessary to" kind. If this is the case, I will be only too happy.

Originally Posted by E-learner

Originally Posted by quartz

My book says

пора + imperfect infinitive = "it is time to"
пора + perfect infinitive = "it is necessary to"

It may be a good rule in a sense that if you use it you will be much more often right than wrong, but, concerning the second part, native speakers are often quite happy with both kinds of verbs:

(Looking in the mirror) Мне пора (по)бриться.
У меня на компьютере совсем места не осталось. Пора диск (по)чистить.
На даче мокрое пятно на потолке. Пора крышу чинить. (this one is against the rule as far as I'm concerned)
На даче опять мокрое пятно на потолке. Пора крышу починить наконец. (this one confirms to the rule strictly)
(Looking in the empty fridge) Пора идти/сходить в магазин.

Of course, one might say that "Мне пора (по)бриться" is of the "it is time to" kind and at the same time of the "it is necessary to" kind. If this is the case, I will be only too happy.

okay...

they wanted a rule...