Choosing a noun form from a two-stem dictionary entry
A candidate is completing a short writing task in a basic Inari Sámi exam. They want to write 'I am going to the shop with two friends.' They know the verb and the numeral 'kyehti' (two), but they are unsure which form of the noun 'friend' to use after the numeral, and which form to use after the comitative 'with'. The dictionary entry for 'friend' lists two forms: a nominative and a second stem with consonant changes. The entry gives no example phrases. The candidate has 10 minutes left and a grammar summary that lists case endings but does not explain numeral government. They also know a simpler way to say 'me and two friends' but it changes the subject. The candidate is tempted to copy the nominative form after the numeral because it looks like the dictionary headword.
1. How should the candidate read the dictionary entry to choose the correct noun form?
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Use the second stem as the base for case endings. Sámi dictionaries normally list the nominative and the genitive/accusative stem; the second form shows the consonant changes that most endings trigger. The candidate should not copy the headword just because it looks familiar. First decide the case required by the numeral and by the comitative, then attach the ending to the second stem. If the numeral government is unclear, avoid the construction: write 'I and two friends' with a known plural or use a simpler sentence. In a basic exam, a correct simpler sentence scores better than a complex sentence with a guessed case.
2. The grammar summary does not explain numeral government. What is the best decision under time pressure?
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Do not invent a rule from the summary. Use a known model: if the candidate has seen a phrase with 'two' and a noun in the textbook, copy that pattern. If not, paraphrase. The candidate can write 'I am going to the shop. Two friends are coming with me.' This separates the numeral from the case problem and uses a known subject form. The meaning is close enough for a basic writing task. If the task specifically requires one sentence with 'with two friends', the candidate should choose the form that matches the comitative ending and accept a possible minor error, but first protect the verb and the main meaning.
3. What should the candidate do if they cannot decide between two endings in the last two minutes?
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Choose the form that preserves intelligibility and matches the most salient case. For 'with', the comitative ending is the salient marker; for 'two friends', the numeral already signals plurality, so an extra plural marker may be redundant. If the candidate must guess, use the second stem plus the ending they have seen most often in the textbook, and do not add a second case marker. Then re-read the sentence for verb agreement and word order, which are more likely to be scored at basic level. Leaving the noun in the nominative after a numeral is a visible error; a near-correct case form with the right stem is a better risk. If time is up, submit; do not erase the whole sentence.