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This is a question from the B2 Russian exam.

Я очень рад: домашнее задание сегодня можно не а)сдавать б)сдать

The correct answer is listed as (a). Why? It's a one-time action, and doesn't have any continuous quality. Any help would be appreciated.

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Можно не сдавать — (we) don't have to submit the homework today

It is possible and/or allowed (можно) for us to not not submit it, i.e., not do the action at all.

This is just normal use of imperfective. That is, not doing the action at all.

Можно не cдать — means we might not be able to get it handed in

It is possible that we cannot (won't be able to) hand it in.

Он может не приходить— He can not come. (if he wants) = He doesn't have to come.

Он может не прийти —He might not be able to come. (because something might happen)

This is just normal perfective. There is a chance that someone won't be able to finish, accomplish, or get something done.

This is grammar structure in Russian that corresponds roughly to— 1) don't have to, and 2) might not be able to.

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I think, in case with сдать/сдавать in context of an exam, homework, etc., "сдать" is used not as "to submit answers" but to "pass an exam" (get a good score for homework", etc.), while "сдавать" is used for the process of passing an exam or submitting a homework.

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    so apparently verb aspects not only differ in the mode of action but may also differ in meaning and usage
    – Баян Купи-ка
    Commented Sep 28, 2018 at 17:13
  • "Сдать" can be used in a narrow context of a paper that should already be turned in, like: "Все сдали домашнее задание?"
    – Alexander
    Commented Sep 28, 2018 at 17:29
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    but also i think the issue is deeper and lies in the semantics of negation with modal words
    – Баян Купи-ка
    Commented Sep 28, 2018 at 17:31
  • @Alexander you're right, but that is probably because "сдавали" would be weird in terms of submitting a homework, as you've either submitted it or not.
    – Alissa
    Commented Oct 1, 2018 at 11:59
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    Good point, but it doesn't seem to have anything to do with meaning. Note that we'd normally use 'сдать', but would definitely change it to 'сдавать' with a negative. Compare: Домашнее занятие можно сдать, а можно и не сдавать. Пакет нужно отнести туда. Пакет не нужно никуда относить. Символ должен появиться на экране. Символ не должен появляться на экране.
    – Arthur Kazykhanov
    Commented Oct 3, 2018 at 16:56
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Short answer: we change a perfect verb (сдать) to its non perfect form (сдавать) in negative sentences (можно не сдавать) with a modal verb (можно).

There's a more detailed explanation here (go to section 6.2.3)

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