jednotlivými

Jednotlivými is the instrumental plural form of the Czech adjective jednotlivý, which conveys the sense of being individual, separate, or considered one by one. The base meaning is that elements are treated as distinct units rather than as a single whole. The word is derived from the same root as the noun jednotlivec (an individual) and related terms such as jednotlivost (individuality).

Usage and meaning

Jednotlivými is used to modify plural nouns and appears in contexts where each item or person is considered separately. It often follows prepositions that require instrumental or locative cases, for example s jednotlivými členy (with the individual members) or po jednotlivých krocích (through/by individual steps). The form signals a disaggregated, stepwise, or itemized approach, as opposed to a collective treatment.

Grammatical notes

In Czech, jednotlivý has gendered forms for different nouns, but in instrumental plural the form remains jednotlivými for masculine, feminine, and neuter plural nouns. This makes it a versatile choice in formal and technical writing, as well as in legal or administrative texts, where distinguishing individual elements is important.

Related forms and contrasts

The related adverbial form is jednotlive, meaning “individually.” The adjective is often contrasted with terms emphasizing collectivity or wholeness, such as společný or celý, to highlight a focus on separate components rather than the aggregate.

Examples

- S jednotlivými členy týmu byl projekt vypracován. (The project was developed with the individual members of the team.)

- Po jednotlivých prvcích systému lze identifikovat největší rizika. (The largest risks can be identified at the level of the individual components.)