What case is used when whistling at a cat? - briefly
When whistling at a cat, the instrumental case is used in Russian. This is because the action is directed towards the cat, and the instrumental case indicates the object of the action.
What case is used when whistling at a cat? - in detail
In Russian grammar, the choice of case for an object depends on its role in the sentence and the specific context. When it comes to the action of whistling at a cat, the instrumental case is typically used. This is because the cat is not the direct recipient or beneficiary of the whistling action, but rather the target or the means through which the action is directed. The instrumental case in Russian often indicates the means by which an action is performed or the object at which the action is aimed. Therefore, when whistling at a cat, you would say "свистеть на кошку" (to whistle at the cat), where "кошку" (the cat) is in the accusative case because it is the direct object of the verb "свистеть." However, if you want to emphasize that the cat is merely the target or the means through which the action is directed, you might use the instrumental case: "свистеть на кошке" (to whistle at the cat), where "кошке" (the cat) is in the instrumental case. It's important to note that context and nuance play a significant role in determining the correct case usage.