(no subject)

[beltspinner.livejournal.com]

Can someone please help me break this sentence fragment up?

Счастливой семейной жизни не может быть...

Thanks

Comments

[oryx_and_crake]

A happy family life is not possible...
(Literally A happy family life cannot be...)

[beltspinner.livejournal.com]

Can you explain the case to me and why it is used?

[beltspinner.livejournal.com]

thanks a lot, both of you.

[joliecanard.livejournal.com]

No, no, it's in the genitive case. The instrumnetal would be жизнью.
This is the "genetive of negation". When something isn't, wasn't or won't be, it's in the genetive case.
У меня есть собака / У меня нет собаки.
Её нет. = She's not here.
etc.

I can't spell

[joliecanard.livejournal.com]

or rather "instrumental case" and "genitive of negation"

[ex-eugzol340.livejournal.com]

"Happy family life can't exists". Word order preserved :)