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A Basic Modern Russian Grammar PDF
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar PDF
ssian
R u s sia
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from
A Basic
Modern
Russian
Grammar
Eugenia Nekrasova
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar, Eugenia Nekrasova,1997.
Graphic Design, eBook publisher, Dmitry Pobedimsky, 2002.
ISBN 5-85550-119-1
Ron Maxim, Director,
Government Cargo Support Services, Maersk Sealand, Atlanta, GA, USA:
...Mrs.Nekrasova`s book is very creative...
To the Readers
This book is meant both for the learners and the teachers of Russian.
The name of the book speaks for itself: "A Basic Modern Russian Grammar".
The attention is focused on the facts of Modern Russian language which are
basic, of high frequency and in common use.
As most of the learners are not professional linguists the author tried to avoid
unnecessary linguistic terms.
The explanations, charts and presentation of grammar material enable the
learners of Russian understand some practical mechanisms of the language
in a certain logical order .
The teachers of Russian can use it in their practical work.
All the charts originally belong to the author.
The author expresses her deep gratitude to Mr D. Pobedimsky without whom
the book would not have succeeded and to Prof. T. Wade (UK) for his encour-
agement.
Now she divides her time between teaching and writing books on language.
She has written five successful books on learning Modern Russian as a Second
Language and on learning English for people speaking Russian:
3. "Living & Working in the Former USSR" - 211 pages, colour illustrated,
succesfully practised course book of Modern Russian, best used for crash-
courses. ISBN 5-85550-121-3
5. "English for Work and Travel" - 360 pages, "Slavyansky Dom Knigi" Pub-
lishers, Moscow, Russia, 2000, with D.Pobedimsky. First print - 15,000 copies.
ISBN 5-93220-052-9
email: eugnekr@mail.ru
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
Part 1
Eugenia Nekrasova
? .
? .
Neuter nouns by - it
? . N
? .
Part 1 page 3
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
HOW TO ESTABLISH THE GENDER OF PLACE NAMES
Eugenia Nekrasova
All the place names could be divided into 2 groups:
First group
The place names have the endings which formally fit the Russian system
of endings:
M. , , , , -
F. , , , -
M. M.
+
M. M.
+
M. M.
+
Feminine adjective + Feminine noun
To make a Feminine adjective to attach it to a Feminine noun, you have to
replace Masculine endings by - ending.
, ,
E.g. M. F. F.
new new car
M. F. F.
large, big big car
Part 1 page 5
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
Eugenia Nekrasova M. F. F. M. F. F.
bad bad car English English school
M. F. F. M. F. F.
expensive expensive car good, nice good school
M. F. F. M. F. F.
Part 1 page 6
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
Eugenia Nekrasova
THE GENDER AGREEMENT BETWEEN ADJECTIVES
AND NOUNS OF ADJECTIVAL ORIGIN
An adjectival noun has the form of an adjective but functions as a noun.
Most of the adjectival nouns result from the omission of a noun qualified
by the adjective, for example: Notice!
h
M. () - scientist F. () - bathroom
M. () - Russian (nat.) F. () - embankment
M. ()-unemployed N. () - second course
. M
This is my house. .
This is my car.
My .
N F This is our house.
. M
This is my seat.
. Our .
This is our seat. N F This is our car.
?
Is this your house? M
?
Your Is this your car? ?
N (from ) F Is this your house?
? M
Is this your seat? ?
? Your Is this your car?
Is this your seat? N (from ) F
Part 1 page 7
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
Eugenia Nekrasova
Possessive pronouns (his), (her), (their) do not
change according to the gender principle, they exist only in one
unchangeable form:
hNotice!
- his house
(his) - his car
- his place - her house
(her)
. this .
Here is this place. N F
Here is this car.
this
N kind F
? ?
This kind of beer? This kind of car?
M !
It is so windy today!
N F
! !
It is so sunny today! It is so hot today!
!
What a heavy wind! M
! N F
What a hot summer! !
What a heavy thunderstorm!
Part 1 page 9
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
Eugenia Nekrasova
Similar meaning could be rendered by
- such a..., what a ...
!
M What a heavy wind!
! !
What a hot summer! N F What a heavy thunderstorm!
. .
The same kind of beer. N F The same kind of car.
. .
N F
Part 1 page 10
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
Eugenia Nekrasova
The Interrogative Pronouns used as characterizing words
The Interrogative Pronouns are used in questions:
? ?
N whose? F
? ? ?
? Whose is this car?
Whose is this compartment?
Part 1 page 11
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
Eugenia Nekrasova
Other characterizing words
- all, the whole M - the whole day
all,
- all the time N the whole F - the whole country
- one, a...
a...
- one seat, a place N one,
F - one car, a car
- is an emphatic pronoun, it can characterize both nouns and
personal pronouns:
M - he himself
...self
- by itself N F - she herself
also - times
- names
- ending (soft line) instead of - in Neuter nouns
- fields
- buildings
- sentences, offers
- friends
- trees
- brothers Singular Plural
- sons - neighbours
- chairs - sirs,
- leaves ladies & gentlemen
- owners
- apples
Singular Plural - ears
- children
- people
Part 2 page 15
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
Singular Plural
Eugenia Nekrasova
- Christians
-Muslims
- citizens of Russia
- kittens
- chiken etc.
PLURAL-ONLY NOUNS
Some nouns do not have the Singular form. They exist only in the Plural
form (registered in the dictionaries in the Plural form). These words denote:
objects which consist of two parts:
- glasses, - scissors, - scales, -
swings, - gate, - trousers, - jeans,
- pants, - tights etc.
collective actions:
- school or university vacation, -
negotiations, - elections, - tour (of artists),
- funeral, - farewell party, - hide and
seak, - childbirth etc.
Part 2 page 16
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
Eugenia Nekrasova
- perfume, - cabbage-soup, - spaghetti,
- preserves, - cream etc.
some mountains:
, , , etc.
some islands:
, , , , etc.
some countries:
, ,
also
- tropics, - jungle
, , and lot of other geographic names mainly
denoting villages and towns on the territory of the former Soviet Union.
they
E.g. .
These are my friends.
.
These are my books. .
They live in London now.
.
They are on the shelf.
Part 2 page 17
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
Eugenia Nekrasova
THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN NOUNS AND CHARACTERIZING WORDS
IN THE PLURAL
The Plural of Adjectives
Characterizing words also have the Plural form. All three Singular forms
Plural
- last lessons
Summing - up table - last pages
- last words
M. F. N. Plural
- - - -
Part 2 page 18
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
Eugenia Nekrasova
MIXED PLURAL ADJECTIVAL ENDINGS
A big group of commonly used adjectives has the following peculiarities in
the Plural formation:
Russian
M. Plural
F.
N.
sity, urban
M. Plural
F. quiet, calm
N. M. Plural
F.
bad, poor N.
M. Plural
F.
N.
Summing - up table
M. F. N. Pl. M. F. N. Pl.
- - - - - -
- - - - - -
- - - - - -
Part 2 page 19
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
Eugenia Nekrasova
-, -, -, The adjectives with stem in , , ,
-, -, - have their Plural form spelt with -,
group but pronounced -, e.g.:
Summing - up table
M. F. N. Pl. M. F. N. Pl.
- - - - - -
- - - - - -
- - - - - -
Memorize
-
fresh hot good big crunchy buns
Part 2 page 20
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
The Possessive pronouns in the Plural
Eugenia Nekrasova
my our
M. Plural M. Plural
F. F.
M. Plural M. Plural
F. F.
N. N.
- these keys - those keys
M. Plural M. Plural
F. F.
N. N.
!
- this kind of keys - What kind of idiots
they are!
M. Plural
F.
N.
- same kind of keys
Part 2 page 21
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
Eugenia Nekrasova
M. Plural
F.
N. - most expensive shops
.
There were only children there. etc.
1
The Plural of Other Characterizing Words - all, the whole
M. Plural
F. - all the things
N. - all the people
M. Plural
F. ...selves -they themselves
N.
also - many (people)
- some (people)
Part 2 page 22
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
nouns
units (characterizing words + nouns)
personal pronouns
interrogative, indefinite and negative pronouns,
based on personal pronouns
numerals, both cardinal and ordinal
Part 3 page 23
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
The Plural case endings of nouns and units form one group :
M F
Plural
Part 3 page 24
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
Nom. . Type
Gen. . Ivan has a dog.
Dat. . I have to call Ivan.
Acc. =Gen.
. I know Ivan.
Instr. . I go with Ivan.
Prep. . We spoke about Ivan.
Nom. .
Gen. .
He lives not far from Petersburg.
Dat. .
We walked about Petersburg.
Acc. =Nom.
. I am going to Petersburg.
Instr. . It is close to Petersburg.
Prep. . He lives in Petersburg.
Part 3 page 25
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
Type
Nom. .
Gen. . Nikolay has the tickets.
Dat. . I have to call Nikolay.
Acc. = Gen.
. I know Nikolay.
Instr. . I go with Nikolay.
Prep. . We spoke about Nikolay.
Nom. .
Gen. .
The teacher has the book.
Dat. .
I have to call the teacher.
Acc.=Gen.
. I saw the teacher.
Instr. . I go with the teacher.
Prep. . We spoke about the teacher.
Part 3 page 26
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
Hard Soft
Gen. /
Dat. /
Instr. /
E.g. . - Nom.
. - Acc.
. - Nom.
. - Acc.
Part 3 page 27
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
- on the floor
1985 - in 1985
- at the airport
Part 3 page 28
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
- in hell
- in paradise
Some Masculine nouns ending in , , , and take -e
ending instead of -o when the ending is unstressed:
Some Masculine nouns ending in (soft sign) take - ending
in the Instrumental Case:
! Happy birthday!
- with a dictionary
Part 3 page 29
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
Part 3 page 30
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
Part 3 page 31
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
Type Type Type Type
Type Type
Gen. . Nom. .
Dat. . Gen. .
Acc. . Dat. .
Instr. . Acc. ?
Prep. . Instr. .
Prep. .
Gen. .
Type
Here is the map of Russia.
Dat. .
I travelled a lot about Russia.
Acc. .
I came to Russia a year ago.
Instr. .
We signed a treaty with Russia.
Prep. .
Now I live in Russia.
Type
Type Type Type Type
Gen. -
near the square
Nom. - -,- Dat. - Nom. - -
Gen. - - by the square Gen. - -
Acc. ?
D a t. - - D a t. - -
Do you see the square?
Acc. - - Instr. - Acc. - -
Instr. - -/ behind the square Instr. - -
Prep.
P r ep . - - - in the square P r ep . - -
Part 3 page 32
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
Type Type Type
-,-,- - -,-,
-,-
nouns nouns nouns
, - -
- -
Type
Follows Type , but has two irregularities:
Part 3 page 33
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
Nom. Nom.
Gen. Gen.
- -
Dat. Dat.
- -
Part 3 page 34
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
, , , , ,
,
,
Nom. ,
, Acc. ,
, ,
, ,
, , Instr.
Gen. , , , ,
,
, , , , , , ,
, , ,
,
, Prep.
Dat.
Part 3 page 35
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
The following categories of Russian words have the adjectival case forms:
- only Plural
possessive reflexive pronoun -
determinative pronouns - , - whole, - each, every
Type Type Type
Feminine
Singular adjectives
Type Type Type
Type
The declension of Masculine and Neuter adjectives in the Singular
Nom. . This is our new director.
Gen. .
The new director has a nice car.
Dat. . I am going to the new director.
Acc. . I have already seen the new
director.
Instr. . I spoke with the new
director.
Prep. . I told about the new
director.
The following words belong to this declension type:
all Masculine and Neuter long adjectives, long participles, ordinal
numerals and adjectival pronouns ending in - or -,
all possessive adjectives like and their Neuter forms.
Exception: h
words with , , and , stems. Notice!
Part 3 page 37
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
Type
Nom.
Gen.
D a t.
Acc.
Instr.
P r ep .
THE DECLENSION OF THE FEMININE ADJECTIVES IN THE SINGULAR
There are 3 declension types:
Type Type Type
Type
Nom. . Here is Red square.
Gen. .
The museum is near Red square.
Dat. . We walked in Red square.
Acc. ? Have you seen Red square?
Part 3 page 39
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
Type
To this declension type belong Feminine adjectives and participles
ending in unstressed -, -, - like , ,
.
The summing-up table of declension of the Feminine adjectives
and participles in the Singular
Gen. = Dat. = Instr. = Prep.
K
Type
G.
G. K
D.
D. K
A.
A. K
I.
I. K
P.
P. K
Part 3 page 40
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
Part 4
Eugenia Nekrasova
zero ending
group
- group
100
- group
- group 100
- group
Part 4 page 41
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
Group 1
Eugenia Nekrasova
100 100
100 meters 100 dollars
10 100
at 10 o`clock 100 sheets
100
100 kilometers a lot of lessons
100
100 liters a lot of parks
100
100 percent a lot of mushrooms
etc.
Also some common Plural - only nouns:
- without glasses
- no jeans
- during the negotiations
- after the elections
- no watch
- a lot of memoirs
- a lot of applause
- a bottle of perfume
- a box of canned food
- near Luzhniki (Moscow area)
Part 4 page 42
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
Group 2
Eugenia Nekrasova
- a lot of cars
- a lot of dogs
- a lot of women
- a lot of problems
- a lot of books
10 - 10 minutes
10 - 10 thousand
and can be introduced between
the final consonants for easier pronounciation h
Notice!
- a lot of mistakes
100 - 100 marks/poststamps
10 - 10 packs
10 - 10 kopecks etc.
The hard-stem Neuter nouns ( - ending nouns) :
- no seats
- a lot of lakes
- a lot of words
- a lot of windows
12 - twelve eggs etc.
Part 4 page 43
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
Eugenia Nekrasova
The zero-ending group also includes some commonly used Masculine
10 - 10 people/persons
- many times
Coll. 100 - 100 grams
Coll. 10 - 10 kilograms
- a lot of Gypsies
Also - words denoting people:
- many muslims
and other words like:
- - a lot of Russian people
- - a lot of Christians
- - a lot of peasants
- - a lot of English people
- - a lot of Danes
- - citizens have... etc.
- a lot of children
5 - 5 kittens
- a lot of chicken etc.
Also - no owners
- a lot of apples
N.
- a lot of names
Part 4 page 44
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
The zero-ending group includes the following Plural-only nouns:
Eugenia Nekrasova
- a lot of money
- near the gate
- no scissors
- no sledge
- after the vacation
- after the funeral
- no firewood
- a pack of cream
- two days (and nights)
- near the Alps
- near the Kuril islands
- near the Philippines
Group 3
This group includes the soft - stem Masculine
- group
and Feminine nouns (ending in the soft - sign
Model 100
or a hissing consonant , , , ):
Part 4 page 45
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
Eugenia Nekrasova
M. - a lot of doctors
F. - a lot of news
F. 10 - 10 notebooks
F. 5 - 5 nights
F. - a lot of horses
F. - a lot of mice
- a lot of fields
- 5 seas
Special case
M. - a lot of friends
M. - a lot of sons
- a lot of children
- a lot of people
- a lot of neighbours
F. - mothers have
F. 5 - 5 daughters
Part 4 page 46
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
Eugenia Nekrasova
Group 4
- a lot of trees
- a lot of brothers
- a lot of chairs
- a lot of leaves
Group 5
- group This small group includes Feminine nouns
Model ending in -, - and the Neuter Nouns ending
in - in the Nominative Singular:
F. - a lot of photos
F. - a lot of illustrations
F. - a lot of families
N. - a lot of buildings
N. - a lot of sentences, offers
N. - a lot of exercises
N. - a lot of competitions
Part 4 page 47
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
THE ACCUSATIVE PLURAL OF NOUNS
Eugenia Nekrasova
of Masculine and Feminine
of Masculine and Feminine Animates
Inanimates, also Neuter
= Genitive Plural
nouns = Nominative Plural
E.g.
Gen. Pl. M.
. - from Nom. Pl. F.
He invited some guests. . - from
Gen. Pl. F. He bought the skies.
. - from Nom. Pl. M.
He likes dogs. . - from
He bought the tickets.
For the formation of the Genitive Nom. Pl. N.
Plural see the previous pages. . - from
He learned the words.
Part 4 page 48
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
The attribution of nouns to one of these groups is determined by the
Eugenia Nekrasova
Nom.
. Type
These are my skies.
Dat. .
There are boots for skies.
Acc.=Nom. .
(Inanimate) I bought the skies.
Instr. .
I go in for skiing now.
Gen.
.
My brother has a lot of friends.
.
Dat.
He often calls his friends.
Acc.=Gen. .
(Animate) My brother invited his friends.
.
Instr.
My brother plays hockey with his friends.
(but , , )
.
Prep.
He aIways tells about his friends.
Part 4 page 50
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
Eugenia Nekrasova
+ Here you can find the examples with both types of endings:
Nom. , ,
Gen.
D a t.
Acc.
animates - animates -
inanimates -, inanimates -,
Instr.
P r ep .
Gen. = Prep.
Part 4 page 51
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
Here you can find a list of words in the Nominative Plural declining like :
Eugenia Nekrasova
Here you can find a list of words in the Nominative Plural declining like :
all adjectives ending in , like etc.
all possessive adjectives ending in , like etc.
ordinal numerals , etc.
participles ending in , like
few adjectival pronouns:
, , , ,
adjectival surnames like
Two adjectival pronouns and have slightly different endings:
Nom. ,
hNotice!
Gen. ,
Dat. ,
Acc. Animates - , ( = Gen.) Inanimates - , ( = Nom.)
Instr. ,
Prep. , ( = Gen.)
Part 4 page 52
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
Eugenia Nekrasova
THE DECLENSION TABLES OF THE ADJECTIVAL PRONOUNS,
M. N. F.
F. Pl.
N.
N. ,
G.
G.
D.
D.
A . , ,
A. ,
I.
I.
P.
P.
M. N. F.
F. Pl.
N.
N. ,
G.
G.
D.
D.
A. , ,
A. ,
I.
I.
P.
P.
Part 4 page 53
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
Eugenia Nekrasova
N.
N. ,
G.
G.
D.
D.
A.
A. , , ,
I.
I.
P.
P.
M. N. F.
F. Pl.
N.
N. ,
G.
G.
D.
D.
A.
A. , , ,
I.
I.
P.
P.
N.
N. ,
G.
G.
D.
D.
A.
A. , , ,
I.
I.
P.
P.
Part 4 page 54
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
Eugenia Nekrasova
N.
N. ,
G.
G.
D.
D.
A.
A. , , ,
I.
I.
P.
P.
N.
N. ,
G.
G.
D.
D.
A.
A. , , ,
I.
I.
P.
P.
N.
N. ,
G.
G.
D.
D.
A.
A. , , ,
I.
I.
P.
P.
Part 4 page 55
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
Eugenia Nekrasova
N.
N. ,
G.
G.
D.
D.
A.
A. , , ,
I.
I.
P.
P.
M. N. F.
F. Pl.
N.
N. ,
G.
G.
D.
D.
, ,
A.
A.
,
I.
I.
P.
P.
Part 4 page 56
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
$
or -/-, for example:
, , ,,
#
or -/-, for example:
, , ,,
Dat. Acc.
Instr. Prep.
Part 5 page 57
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
Type
Nom. Acc.
M.
F.
Pl.
Gen. Instr.
Dat.
Prep.
Part 5 page 58
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
Dat. Acc.
Instr.
Prep.
THE DECLENSION OF RUSSIAN PATRONIMICS
$
Russian Male Patronimics end in -/-/- like
, , .
Part 5 page 59
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
(- in )
Prep. .
hNotice!
THE DECLENSION OF NON-RUSSIAN PEOPLE`S NAMES
First names
Male names
Foreign first male names decline, only if they end in a consonant -/-,
or a soft consonant (consonant + ).
For example:
,
,
,
,
Female names
Foreign female names decline only if they end in -, -, - or -.
For example:
,
,
Part 5 page 60
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
adult & adult
young person & young person
,
#$
middle-aged adult & elderly person
Part 5 page 62
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
Part 5 page 63
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
, ,
!
children and teenagers use only to each other.
Referring to God, nature and animals we use .
Part 5 page 64
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
Nom. . = Gen. .
Here is my (girl)friend. She has a dog.
Dat. .
I will go to her in the summer.
or .
I will call her tomorrow.
Acc. .
I saw her yesterday.
Instr. .
I will go to Paris with her.
Prep. .
Part 5 page 66
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
Part 5 page 67
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
Part 5
Dat. = Prep. h
Notice! page 68
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
!
Gen. ? - Special case!
Do you have a fax machine?
Dat. .
I`ll call you.
.
I will come to you tomorrow.
Acc. .
I don`t know you.
Instr. .
Prep.
I`ll go with you.
.
I heard much of you.
Gen.
# $
. - Special case!
We don`t have a car.
Dat. .
He didn`t call us.
.
He will come to us tomorrow.
Acc. .
They don`t know us.
Instr. .
They go with us.
Prep. .
They don`t know anything about us.
Part 5 page 69
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
Pl Pl
Gen.
() M, N F
() Instr.
() M, N F ()
Pl
Pl
()
()
Dat.
() M, N F () Prep.
M, N F
Pl
Pl
()
THE DECLENSION OF THE PRONOUNS /
The Interrogative/Relative pronoun refers to people.
It is used both in the direct questions like:
? Who is that person? and in the indirect ones:
, . He asked who would go to Kiev.
Here are the case forms of :
Nom. ? Who is that man?
Gen. ? Who has a car?
? Whom did you tell it?
Dat.
? Whom are you going to?
Acc. ? Whom do you know here?
Instr. ? Whom are you going with?
Prep. ? Whom are you talking about?
Part 5 page 70
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
The combination ?
This combination is used as an equivalent of the pronoun -
especially when the answer with a specifying word is expected, as in:
- ? What kind of building is it?
- .
The combination is used only in the Nominative of all genders and
numbers.
Compare:
S. ?
What kind of program is it?
Pl. ?
What kind of people are they?
Part 5 page 71
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
Gen. .
John is at his office.
Dat. .
I invite you to my place.
Acc. .
He loves only himself.
Instr. ?
Do you have any papers with you?
Prep. .
He thinks only about himself.
Part 5 page 73
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
Part 5 page 74
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
Part 6
Eugenia Nekrasova
The Case Usage
THE USE OF THE NOMINATIVE CASE
The forms of the Nominative Case coincide with the dictionary form.
The Nominative is used as follows:
It is used to denote the subject of an action or a state:
. My car is in the garage.
. I live in Moscow.
It is used in phrases:
. This is my house.
. These are my friends.
It is used in phrases:
. Here is my house.
. Here are my documents.
It is used in possessive constructions:
? Do you have a car?
. Lena has a spare ticket.
It is used in definitions:
- .
Bulgakov is my favourite writer.
THE USE OF THE GENITIVE CASE
The Genitive is the most frequently used Russian case.
It comprises about 70 % of all the case forms.
The Genitive case can be used both with or without prepositions.
We can speak about:
the Genitive of Negation / Absense / Exception
the Genitive of Possession
the Genitive of Relation / Description
The Case Usage
the Genitive of Quantity
the Genitive of Time
the Genitive of Place
the Genitive used after certain prepositions
the Genitive used after certain verbs
the Genitive of Comparison
the Genitive of Special Descriptive characteristics
Part 6 page 75
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Eugenia Nekrasova
THE GENITIVE OF NEGATION / ABSENSE / EXCEPTION
The Genitive is used to express an absense or non-availiability
of a person, object or quality, for example:
Gen.
. - He is not available.
. - Natasha was not at home.
Gen.
. - I have no car.
Two prepositions - - without and - except are used in the
same meaning, for example:
- without sugar
, - everyone except Natasha
Part 6 page 76
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Eugenia Nekrasova
THE GENITIVE OF QUANTITY
The Genitive is used after words of indefinite or relative amount,
for example:
- more
- less
- few, little
- many, much
-- not a few
- not many, a few
- several
- how many, how much
- so many, so much
- (coll.) - a bit
Gen. Pl. Gen. Sing.
of countables of uncountables
many books much snow
2, 3, 4
take the Genitive Singular
any number ending in 2, 3, 4
E.g.
2 , 22 , 102 etc.
numerals:
, , , , ,
for example:
The Genitive Plural is used after the following words:
- thousand, - million, - billion (1012),
for example:
, .
Part 6 page 78
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Eugenia Nekrasova
THE GENITIVE OF TIME
The Genitive of Time can be used both with or without prepositions.
The Genitive is used to denote:
dates of events
Gen. Gen.
intervals
1300 1400
Gen. Gen. Gen. Gen.
. .
time points
Gen.
. He works here from September.
age points or limits
Gen.
.
He started smoking from the age of 14.
phases or parts of time words
1941 1945
1991
The Case Usage
Gen. Gen. Gen.
Gen. Gen.
coll. 6 - 6 a.m. 6 - 6 p.m.
Gen. Gen.
2 - 2 p.m. 2 - 2 a.m.
Part 6 page 79
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Eugenia Nekrasova
approximate time
coll. - about twelve o`clock
time of the day
first part of an hour:
Gen.
05 05
11 , 23 -
second part of an hour:
Gen.
30 30
11 , 23 -
Gen.
Gen.
55 55
11 , 23 -
- across
- among
- by, passing by
+ Genitive
E.g Gen.
- not far from our house
. We stayed at our friends.
Part 6 page 80
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Eugenia Nekrasova
The Genitive is used to denote a place from where the action is directed
(the starting point of motion). The following prepositions are used:
, , - from a place
- - from behind + Genitive
- - from beneath
E.g.
.
He came back from Paris yesterday night.
800.
I usually leave home at 800.
.
He came from work very late.
.
We went from Stockholm by bus.
The Genitive is used to denote distance between two or more objects/
persons or part of the way:
+ Gen. + Gen.
.
From Moscow to Kiev we were driving the whole night .
() ?
How long does it take to get to London by air?
also
.
I can`t reach you (by phone).
Part 6 page 81
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Eugenia Nekrasova
THE GENITIVE USED AFTER CERTAIN PREPOSITIONS.
/ - to sew
/ - to knit
E.g. .
This box is made of wood.
.
This book consists of five chapters.
Part 6 page 82
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Eugenia Nekrasova
THE GENITIVE USED AFTER CERTAIN VERBS
The following verbs take the Genitive:
- to wish
E.g. ! I wish you succes.
Very often the verb is omitted:
! All the best to you!
It comes from !
/ - to wait
E.g. . We are waiting for your reply.
E.g. . He does not want any scandal.
. He does not want the watermelon.
The main verbs which take the Dative of Person are as follows:
/ - to speak/say/tell
/ - to answer/reply
/ - to tell
/ - to call/phone
/ - to show
/ - to give
Part 6 page 84
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/ - to send
Eugenia Nekrasova
/ - to bring
/ - to pay
/ - to help / - to send
/ - to bring
/ - to help
. - I bought a dog.
subject action object
expressed by in Accusative
transitive verbs
Part 6 page 86
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Eugenia Nekrasova
The Accusative is also used with the same model to denote cost,
measure, distance:
.
The dog costs one thousand dollars.
.
We drove a thousand kilometers.
.
I am going to the countryside.
.
He shot a policeman.
.
He was wounded in his knee.
Part 6 page 87
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Eugenia Nekrasova
The Accusative is used after certain prepositional verbs:
-to pay for the ticket
- to believe in God
- to sell for one thousand dollars
- to punish for a crime
- to vote for the Greens
- to spent money on books
- to answer a question
- to fall in love with a neighbour
- to play football
- to knock on the door
- to converse through an
interpreter
Part 6 page 88
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The Accusative can be used in the following time-expressions:
Eugenia Nekrasova
after - in
. In a week I am going to Spain.
with - ago
. I went to Spain a week ago.
Part 6 page 89
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
with - in, during, in the time of...
Eugenia Nekrasova
- in bad weather
- when it`s hot
- when it`s cold during the war
(coll.)
- in winter time
- in the middle ages
- in our time
-in Stalin`s time
- in stagnation period
- at midday
- at midnight
- at one o`clock
- at the last minute
, , - this, last, next Tuesday
- on the first day
- that morning
- in the reign of Peter the First
Note + Gen is used mostly for the distant past.
also - near Moscow
The Instrumental is used after a number of verbs of which
hNotice!
the most common are /:
. He was a famous photographer.
. He will become a surgeon.
... When I was small...
Also , ,
Some other verbs which take the Instrumental:
- to be
- to seem
- to be considered - to command
- to remain, to stay to control
The Case Usage
- in January etc.
- last year
- next month
- this week etc.
( ) .
- It was in 1948.
. He lived in the 19-th century.
Part 6 page 92
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Eugenia Nekrasova
Some other verbs used with this case after prepositons , :
/ - to work
/ - to study
/ - to be (situated)
/ - to take a walk
/ - to be born
/ - to stay
/ - to sit
/ - to lie
/ - to hang
- to play (sports)
- to play (music instruments) and some others.
The Prepositonal is used with the following verbs after the preposition :
... - to think
... - to speak, to talk
... - to write
... - to read
... - to tell
... - to ask
... - to know
E.g
.
He does not like to talk about his work.
- in tzar time
- in Stalin`s time
Part 6 page 93
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Eugenia Nekrasova
Part 7 Verbs
THE SYSTEM OF THE RUSSIAN VERB
Russian verbs have the following forms:
The Infinitive - - to read
Present Tense - - I read, I am reading
{
The Indicative mood Past Tense - , - I read, I have read
Future Tense - - I will read,
I will be reading
The Imperative - , ! - Please, read!
The Conjunctive mood - Past Tense + ,
- I would read,
The verbs also have some other forms:
The participles and
The adverbial participles or gerunds
Many verbs have the reflexive particle - (-) attached to all their
forms, for example:
- to return,
- to study etc.
When studying the Russian Verb system you have also to bear in mind
such an unusual characteristics as the Aspect.
The verbs of motion, particularly non-prefixed verbs, form a peculiar
group which needs special treatment.
Part 7 page 94
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Eugenia Nekrasova
THE USE OF THE INFINITIVE IN RUSSIAN
Verbs
/
Infinitive It is phrases
with forms
.
He should come tomorrow.
He is supposed to come tomorrow.
.
It is difficult to drive a car in Moscow.
Part 7 page 95
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Eugenia Nekrasova
THE ASPECT
The Russian verb has an extra characteristics: the Aspect.
The action expressed by a verb may be viewed from different stand
points: completion, frequency of occurance, action in progress,
statement of fact etc.
The Aspect is manifested through prefixes or suffixes and not through
the endings as the tenses do. Practically each Russian verb belongs
either to the Imperfective or the Perfective Aspect.
Most Russian verbs go in pairs of Imperfective and Perfective verbs,
for example: - - to do
The Aspect of the Verb is always marked in the dictionaries.
E.g.
h
Notice!
- Imperfective
- Perfective
The verbs which make up an Aspect pair generally have the same
meaning, i.e. they name one and the same real action, for example:
/ - to do,
- to do,
-lit., to have something done.
Stem
of the verb Tense ending
Suffix
Stem Tense
Prefix of the verb + ending
Mind that the Aspect goes through the whole system of the verb:
Verbs
Aspect Aspect
Infinitives Tenses Imperatives Participles
Part 7 page 96
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Eugenia Nekrasova
THE ASPECT IN THE TENSE SYSTEM
The Aspect is a kind of a rod which goes through the Tense system
of the Russian verb.
With reference to the Aspect, the Tense system of the Russian verb can
be presented by the following scheme:
As a base for the Present tense formation we use part of the Infinitive,
for example:
The infinitive Present tense stem
Verbs
-
-
Part 7 page 97
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Eugenia Nekrasova
-ST CONJUGATION, REGULAR FORMATION
Many Russian 1-st conjugation verbs are conjugated on the pattern
of (vowel stem):
,
The 1-st conjugation ( conjugation) comprises the verbs ending in
-, -, -, -, -, -, -, -.
The Present Tense endings are as follows:
Singular Plural
- - after consonants -/-
-/-
- - after vowels - - after consonants
and (soft sign)
-/ - - - after vowels and
, -/ - (soft sign)
Exception!!! Some - verbs also belong to the 1-st Conjugation:
- to live, - to drink, - to pour and some others.
- , , .
, - - in other cases.
Part 7 page 98
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Eugenia Nekrasova
Exception!!!
A big group of common verbs ending in -, - and -
also belongs to the 2-nd Conjugation ( Conjugation).
h
Notice!
Among them are:
- to watch, - to be silent
to look at, to see - to shout, to scream
- to see - to depend on
- to hear - to knock
- to lie - to hold, to keep
- to sit - to breathe
- to stand and many others.
- to sleep
E.g.
Prefixed verbs of both conjugations follow the same conjugation
pattern as their root verbs, for example: h
Notice!
- 2-nd conjugation - to see -
- 2-nd conjugation - to see (suddenly)-
THE IRREGULAR 1-ST CONJUGATION
With some verbs the Present Tense stem differs from the Infinitive stem.
See them below.
Dropping of some parts of the Infinitive
Verbs in -:
- to give
- is dropped.
The stem is - also - - to recognize
- to get up etc.
Verbs in -/-:
- to vote
-- is dropped, -- is added.
Verbs
also - - to demand
- etc.
Part 7 page 99
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Eugenia Nekrasova
changing of the stem vowel
- to sing - to take
- appears in conjugation:
- to live
also - - to swim
Verbs in -:
- to drink also
- to strike,
- to pour,
- to sew, etc.
Verbs in -:
- to wash
Verbs
- verbs:
- , ,
to go , ,
- , ,
to convey , ,
- , ,
to grow , ,
- , ,
to carry , ,
- , ,
to lead , ,
Verbs in - like:
- to wait
also
Verbs
- to tear,
, - to lie
- to be
Only one form is used - ,
which is the 3-d Person Singular and Plural hNotice!
THE PAST TENSE OF THE VERBS
The Past Tense formation is based on the Gender Principal (Singulars).
The stem which serves as a base for the Past Tense formation comes
from the infinitive.
The infinitives end in: -, -, -, -, -, -, - .
As for the Past Tense Formation all the verbs
fall into 2 groups
First Group Second Group
-, - -, -, -, -,
verbs -, several - verbs
Stem + -
Some other verbs of the same type of the Past Tense Formation:
- to help
- he helped - to flow
- she helped
- it helped - to lie down
- they helped
/ - interchange
/ - interchange
- to cut (hair), grass / - interchange
- to bake
Verbs
/ - interchange
/ - interchange
These Past Tense forms serve as basic forms for other verbs,
for example:
Inf. - to go (from )
Past Tense
Verbs
, , ,
carrying verbs
Inf. Inf.
(from ) (from )
Past Tense Past Tense
, , , , , ,
leading verbs
Inf. Inf.
(from ) (from )
Past Tense Past Tense
, , , , , ,
motion.
- to give - to sell
- I will give - I will sell
- to take - to get up
Verbs
! form,
! form.
Part 7 page 113
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Eugenia Nekrasova
The most common ending IS -().
Use it if a stem ends in a consonant.
Infinitive Present Stem Imperative
to say, to tell - / ()
to buy - ()
to forgive - ()
to write down - / ()
to come - ()
to go - ()
to wait - ()
to talk, to speak - ()
to call - ()
to bring - ()
to enter - ()
to help - / ()
! / ! Have a seat!
! / ! Come back!
Long Participles
from - the
passenger who might miss the who has missed the train
train
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE SHORT PASSIVE
Eugenia Nekrasova
PERFECTIVE PARTICIPLES
The Short Passive Perfective Participles are used to describe states
which are the results of some actions.
h
Verbs
Notice!
Part 7 page 117
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
USAGE (MEANING) OF THE ASPECTS
Eugenia Nekrasova
Imperfective verbs describe:
action in progress
.
He was writing his novel for the whole year.
repeated action
. He wrote every day.
statement of fact
- ? What did he do last year?
- . He wrote a novel.
succesion of events
, , .
On Saturday he read, took a walk, played tennis and wrote his
novel.
Perfective verbs describe the completion of a single action.
Usually, a result is implied, for example:
. He has written a novel.
SOME FACTORS WHICH DETERMINE THE CHOICE OF AN ASPECT
If you are asked a question with an Imperfective verb you have to use
an Imperfecive verb in your reply, for example:
Imp.
- ? What did you do yesterday?
Imp.
- . I worked. Aspect in Question Aspect in Answer
Follow the rule: Imperfective Imperfective
Perferfective Perferfective
The Imperfective aspect is used with the time expressions denoting
frequency or occurence:
- often 1 - once a week
- sometimes - many times
- always - every day
Verbs
, ,
, ,
, , ,
Part 7 page 119
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Eugenia Nekrasova Past, Masc. Inf. & Present, 3-p., Sing. Future, 3-p., Sing.
, , / - to take
,
,
, ,
/ - to see
, ,
,
, , / - to return
,
,
, , / - to get up
,
,
, ,
/ - to talk, speak, say
, ,
,
, ,
/ - to do , ,
,
,
, , / - to wait ,
, ,
, , - to live
,
,
, ,
/ - to call, to phone
, ,
,
, , / - to put
,
,
, , / - to go to bed, to lie down
,
,
, , - to lie ,
,
, , - to love, like ,
,
, , / - to find
,
,
, , / - to open
,
,
Verbs
, ,
/ - to write
, ,
,
Part 7 page 120
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Eugenia Nekrasova
Past, Masc. Inf. & Present and 3-p., Sing. Future, 3-p., Sing.
, , / - to sing ,
, , ,
, , / - to show
,
,
, , / - to buy
,
,
, , / - to get, recei ve
,
,
, ,
/ - to help
, ,
,
, , / - to understand
,
,
, , / - to send
,
,
, , / - to ask to do smth
,
,
, , / - to sit down, to take a sit
,
,
, , - to sit ,
,
, , - to listen ,
,
/ - to happen
N.
, ,
/ - to hear
, ,
,
,
, , / - to watch,
,
, to see, look at
,
, , / - to ask
,
,
Verbs
, , ,
/ - to read
,
,
,
Imp. Perf.
/
Imperfective Perfective
- to make up one's face
- to dress oneself
- to undress oneself
- to shave oneself
.
She should be here soon.
.
.
I have got to go.
I must go. =
I have to go.
is more conversational.
Impersonal sentences with / + infinitive.
Sentences with denote permission:
?
May I see? May I have a look?
, .
I think, it is possible to do this.
, .
I think, it is impossible to do this.
Part 8 page 128
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Eugenia Nekrasova
The Tense forms of modal constructions
Modal constructions are based on the verb - be forms:
Present Future Past
, , ,
, , ,
+ +
Present Future Past
M. + inf. M. + inf. M. + inf.
F. + inf. F. + inf. F. + inf.
N. + inf. N. + inf. N. + inf.
Pl. + inf. Pl. + inf. Pl. + inf.
POSSESSIVE CONSTRUCTIONS
(I have / I do not have)
The Possessive construction is the Russian equivalent to the verb have,
for example:
I have a dog. = .
+ +
Genitive Nominative
person object
= there is, is
In the Negative Possessive construction the negated object
Gen.
is expressed by the Genitive: .
+ + .
h
Notice!
Part 8 page 130
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Eugenia Nekrasova RUSSIAN WORD ORDER
The direct word order
The order Subject + Verb + Object is encountered in the vast
majority of sentences which contain these three elements,
for example:
+ +
I bought a car
Subject + Verb + Object
A Pronoun object may precede the Verb:
. .
+ +
Indirect object Verb Subject
.
He came early in the morning.
.
I went there in the winter.
1948 .
He was born in 1948.
.
Ivan does not love Masha. h
Notice!
In connection with going and carrying verbs, we have to mention Verbs of Motion
such a phenomenon as pairing of the verbs: each element of the
pair differs in submeaning but has the same grammatical usage.
Further you will find the basic forms of the pairs of non-prefixed
going verbs and the description of their submeaning differences.
1 2
/ /
Second Pair
Present & Future Tense
1 2
/ /
Third Pair
Past Tense
1 2
1 2
Infinitives / /
/ /
1 /, 1
These verbs are used in two cases:
When a person goes on foot (some walking distances),
for example:
.
- I am going to bed.
.
- I am going for a walk.
When a person visits some places of interest within
the city limits, like theater,cinema, stadium, restaurant,
exhibition, concert, friends, school, university, work, doctor
etc., for example:
.
- I am going to the theater tonight.
.
- I did not go to school yesterday.
Verbs of
single motion
Verbs of habitual
Unidirectional verbs /repeated motion
Verbs of
Multidirectional verbs
motion in progress
UNIDIRECTIONAL VERBS
.
We are going to the theater tonight.
/ .
I am going to London in a week.
These verbs usually combine with the following time-expressions:
- now , ,
- today - in a week, month, year
- tomorrow ,
- soon , - next week, month, year
- in January etc.
Verbs of habitual/repeated motion
Present and Future Tense Second Pair
/ /
The verbs of the second pair are used to describe motion
in a definite direction when it is repeated or habitual:
E.g. .
I go to the pool every Saturday.
. I often visit London.
The following time-expressions accompany the verbs:
Verbs of Motion
and
The Past Tense forms of verbs of both single and habitual/repeated
motion (within the unidirectional verbs)
Past Tense
/
Verbs of Motion
/
M. , , ,
F. , , ,
Pl.&Pol. , , ,
Here are some other common verbs of motion used in these meanings:
. - I dislike jogging.
. - I cannot swim.
. - I cannot drive a car.
. - I like skiing.
Non-prefixed goingverbs with special (figurative) meaning
Here we use the following forms:
Present - ,
Past - , , ,
Future - ,
or ,
Some examples:
Verbs of Motion
Various prefixes can be added to the verbs of motion to specify the action:
to or away from a place, happening or a person; into or out of a place,
happening or a person etc.
Group 1
Someone either goes on foot or visits some place of interest or a
working place without reference to transport used to perform an action.
Imperfective Perfective
1
Group 2
Some means of transport are used to perform an action.
Imperfective Perfective
2
Verbs of Motion
See:
Group 1 .
Group 2 .
Imp. Perf.
Present Past Future Past Future
Meaning: coming, arriving at a place, visiting someone by transport
(also by planes)
Imp. Perf.
Present Past Future Past Future
Meaning: coming by air, arriving at a place
Imp. Perf.
Present Past Future Past Future
Meaning: coming on foot (or the motion is unspecified) and bringing Verbs of Motion
(delivering) something or someone to somewhere or somebody.
Imp. Perf.
Present Past Future Past Future
Meaning: coming by transport and bringing (delivering) something
or someone to somewhere or somebody
Imp. Perf.
Present Past Future Past Future
Meaning: leaving a place or a person by transport
Imp. Perf.
Present Past Future Past Future
Meaning: leaving a place or a person by air
Imp. Perf.
Present Past Future Past Future
Meaning:
taking a thing or a person, going either on foot or the motion is not specified
Verbs of Motion
Imp. Perf.
Present Past Future Past Future
Meaning: taking a thing or a person to some place by transport
coming, arriving at
/
/
/
delivering, carrying to
/
/
delivering, taking to
/
/
- to a place
+ Acc.
- to a place or happening
to a person
with or without preposition + Dat.
- to a place
+ Acc.
- to a place or happening
- to a person + Dat.
Adjective Adverb
-
- -
-
From adjectives denoting nationality the adverbs are usually
derived by means of the ending - in a combination with the prefix -:
-
-. -.
Some adverbs can be used in a sentence as a compliment to some
verbs (predicative adverbs):
- forms
The Adverbs
Adverbs of Time
Here you can find a list of most common Adverbs of Time:
? - when?
- in (the) winter
- in (the) spring
- in (the) summer
- in (the) autumn
- yesterday
- today
- tomorrow
- the day before yesterday
The Adverbs
,
. ... .
I do not see anything in front of me. Go straight on... You have to bypass trams from the front.
,
, .
. We wi l l go back at once. .
He stood i n the back and I You have to bypass
di d not noti ce them. - return ti cket buses from the back.
/
. . You have to turn .
The shop i s on the ri ght. t o t h e r i gh t n ow . Arabs wri te from
ri ght to l eft.
. Wi l l you, pl ease,
move a bi t to the ri ght.
/
. . You have to turn .
The shop i s on the l eft. to the l eft now. We wri te from l eft to
. r i gh t .
Wi l l you, pl ease, move a
bi t to the l eft.
/ /
. .
He i s wai ti ng upstai rs. He went upstai rs. .
. ! You`d better dri l l
There i s a knob at the top. H a n ds u p ! from the top.
/
. .
He i s wai ti ng downstai rs. He went downstai rs. .
. You`d better dri l l
There i s a knob at the from the bottom.
bottom.
.: K-
. ... .
The fax machi ne does not Fi rst i nsert the card... Someone l ocked the
work: the paper got stuck door from i nsi de.
i nsi de.
The Adverbs
. K-
He was wai ti ng outsi de. . . Someone
The door opens outsi de. l ocked the door from
outsi de.
but
. .
He i s at home now. I am goi ng home. - from home
- .
He has already come.
- .
He does not sleep anymore.
- .
He is still sleeping.
- .
He has not come yet.
- .
He is still sleeping.
- .
He is still sleeping.
- .
He has not come yet.
Indefinite Adverbs
-, - - somewhere, anywhere
-, - - somewhere (to), anywhere (to) - direction
-, - - some time, any time, ever
-, - - for some/any reason
-, - - for some/any reason
The Adverbs
Negative Adverbs
- no place, no room, nowhere
- no place, no room, nowhere - direction
- no reason, useless
Comparative
- faster, quicker
Also:
- more expensive, - cheaper
- more difficult, - easier,
- colder, - warmer,
- hotter,
- more convenient, comfortable,
- earlier, - later,
- louder, - more quiet,
- softer,
- more delicious,
- more complicated, - easier,
- further, - closer,
- higher, taller, - lower,
The Adverbs
- best of all -
when compared to something abstract.
E.g.
, .
Nikolay`s car is more expensive than John`s car.
COMPLEX FORM
+ adjective + noun
E.g.
, .
Nikolay bought a more expensive car than Ivan.
much more
E.g.
, .
Nikolay`s car is much more expensive than Ivan`s car.
M. F. N.
, , , , ()
Pl. & Pol.
, ,
Part 10 page 154
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
To avoid difficulties with this tricky subject check the list
Eugenia Nekrasova
of most common short adjectives:
// - glad
. - I am very glad.
// - to agree
? Do you agree?
// - sure
? Are you sure in that?
/// - guilty
. No one is guilty.
// - satisfied, pleased
? Are you satisfied?
/// - similar, alike
. You look very much alike.
/// - free, vacant
? Are you free tonight?
/// - must, have to
. You have to do it today.
/// - necessary, need
. You have to go. It is necessary to go.
/// - right
The Adverbs
. - He is not right.
/// - healthy, recovered
. She has already recovered.
, ...
Would you (be so kind)
, ...
! Be careful!
! Be healthy!
, , , - too small
, , , - too big
E.g.
.
This suit is too small.
.
This suit is too big.
Many other
adjectives can be
used in the short
form by the native
The Adverbs
speakers.
You can negate any meaningful word in Russian with the help of the particle .
The particle always preceeds the negated word:
.
He did not come.
.
I am not going to London.
, .
I am not going to London, but I am going to Paris.
.
It`s not my car.
.
It`s not a new car.
.
It`s not cold today.
Here is the summary table of the use of the Simple Negative in Russian:
etc. etc.
/ Negative Sentences
/
etc. etc.
etc. etc.
verbs + words
words can be :
Negative pronouns Negative adverbs: Negative adjectival
and their case forms pronouns:
based on /:
N. / - never
G. / - nowhere
D. / - nowhere (direction)
A. / - not at all
I. / - in no way and their case forms. Negative Sentences
/ - not once
P. / - from nowhere
/
Nom. .
Nobody came.
Gen. .
He did not ask anybody.
Dat. .
He did not tell anything to anybody.
Acc. .
I don`t know anybody here.
Instr. .
I didn`t speak to anybody about that.
Prep. .
He is not guilty in anything.
. .
He has never been to England. She does not work anywhere.
. .
He did not go anywhere. I am not tired at all.
.
He does not get letters from anywhere.
- not yet
- ? Has he arrived?
- . Not yet.
is used when the verb is omitted.
+ verb
no longer, not any more
+ verb
.
.
He does not live here any more. Negative Sentences
replaces when the verb is omitted:
- ?
Is he still in Moscow?
- . .
Not any more. He has left for London.
. Future Past .
He will not be at home. He was not at home.
Present .
I have no time.
Future Past
. .
I will not have time. I did not have time.
- should not
.You should not come late.
Impersonal Constructions
The Detailed Description of the Impersonal Constructions with the
Dative of Person.
The Dative of Person is used in constructions denoting age:
20 . I am 20 years old. Dative
lit. To me 20 years were given.
Impersonal Constructions
... - I succeeded...
The verbs in the Present Tense are used in the third - person:
. - He is always lucky.
h
Notice!
In the Past Tense the verbs are used in the Neuter:
. - He was lucky.
Constructions with /, ,
could be used in different tense forms:
Present Tense I need, I have to
Impersonal Constructions
force or the authority. Quite often these sentences deal with accidents
or unpleasant situations:
. - He was dismissed/fired.
. - He was killed.
. - He was wounded.
. - He was arrested.
. - He was fined.
. - He was cheated.
. - He was transferred/moved.
. - He was taken to hospital.
Impersonal Constructions
. He does not have money.
. He did not have money.
. He will not have money.
Impersonal Constructions
person Singular in the Present and Future, and in the Past the Neuter
form is used:
. - It`s getting dark early in the winter.
. - It has got dark already.
. - He got an electric shock.
. - I feel sick.
. - I got sea-sick.
. - Everything was flooded by water.
. - The road was snow-bound. etc.
The natural phenomenon or the external force is in the Instrumental:
. - by water.
. - by snow
Part 12 page 166
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
Eugenia Nekrasova
SEMI-IMPERSONAL CONSTRUCTIONS
These sentences are used quite a lot in Russian proverbs, sayings and
general statements like:
- .
- Haste makes waste.
(lit. If you haste you will make people laugh).
they constructions = constructions
Impersonal Constructions
, - they said, told, it was said
- they wrote, it was written
- they showed, it was shown
- they broadcast, it has been
broadcast
The Cardinals from 2 govern the nouns they precede, they take the
Genitive case. For the use of the Genitive case after the cardinals see
The Use of the Genitive Case.
The cardinal numeral one has 3 Gender forms and the Plural form:
1
M. F. N.
M/N F Pl
N. /
G.
D.
A. , , ,
I.
P.
The Nominative case of the Russian cardinal numerals used for two,
has two Gender forms: E.g.
Masculine and Neuter - , M.
Feminine - . N.
F.
All the other case forms do not have this Gender difference.
You`ll find them below.
Prep. .
= Gen. The dictionary was in two volumes.
Acc.= Nom. - .
- The car costs one hundred thousand.
Acc.=Nom. .
The noun follows the noun declension type.
The second half of an hour is rendered with the cardinals, both for
hours and minutes:
Genitive Nominative
1635
1640
1645
1650
1655
Numerals
Nom. ,
Gen. ,
21/ , 31/2 + Genitive, for example:
2
- 21/2 meter
The combinations with the cardinal numerals
In the Nominative the case and the number of a noun follows the
basic rules explained in the part The Use of the Genitive Case.
In all the other cases a noun in such combinations must be
always used in the Genitive Plural, for example:
Singular Plural
Nom. - Gen. -
Plural Plural
Nom. - Gen. -
60th 2001st
61st 10 000th
100 000th
1 000 000th
Part 13 page 174
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
Eugenia Nekrasova
The ordinal numerals can be used both as characterizing words
and as a compliment to the verb - to be, for example:
- first floor
. - He is always first.
Compound ordinals
In the compound ordinals only the last part is ordinal and changes according
to cases, for example:
cardinal ordinal
- the 21st floor
- on the 21st floor
- coll.
Numerals
- off.
The ordinals are also used to denote historical periods, for example:
- in the 19th century
in the thirties
Part 13 page 176
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
Nouns based on numerals
Eugenia Nekrasova
The Neuter nouns based on numerals are used when talking of
anniversaries or historical periods, for example:
| - 10-th anniversary, 10-year period
| - 50-th anniversary
| - centennial
| - bicentennial
| - millenium
The Feminine nouns are used in evaluation, marking grades, in card games, etc.
1 6
2 7
3 8
4 9
5 10
. He got an excellent mark.
When counting in some units we use:
- a ten - ten eggs
- a hundred - twins, - triplets
THE DOUBLE NUMERALS
The double numerals / -both deal with two people,
two animals or two objects.
The double numeral is used for a group of two Masculine nouns
or a group of one Masculine and one Feminine noun, for example:
two people
+ =
M. M.
- both students
- they both
M. F.
+ =
- both students
- they both
Numerals
two animals
M. M.
+ = - both tigers
- they both
Part 13 page 177
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
Eugenia Nekrasova
two objects
M. M. N. N.
+ = + =
- both houses - both windows
- they both - they both
THE INDEFINITE NUMERALS
The Indefinite Numerals are as follows:
- many, much, a lot - several
- not many, a few - enough
- how many, how much - so many
- little, few .., - as much.., as
All the Indefinite Numerals exist only in one unchangeable form.
All of them are followed by the Genitive Singular for the Uncountables and
the Genitive Plural for the Countables, for example:
Uncountables Countables
Gen. S. Gen. Pl.
- much snow - many books
Numerals
Special case:
- a lot of people
h
Notice!
Part 13 page 178
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
Eugenia Nekrasova
THE COLLECTIVE NUMERALS
The Collective Numerals always take the Genitive Plural form of the
nouns, adjectival nouns and personal pronouns, for example:
Gen.
. - We are three. - There are three of us.
- three children
You will also discover that many prepositions can govern different cases
and can have different meanings.
+ Gen.
- without sugar
+ Acc.
. - I am going to London.
. - I will go to London on Friday.
+ Prep.
. - I live in Moscow.
. - I was born in May.
+ Instr.
. - I go with my brother.
+ Gen.
. - He will play instead of me.
Prepositions
+ Gen.
- paper for the printer
. - That`s news to me.
+ Acc.
. - It took us an hour to get there.
. -
You have to reserve the tickets a week in advance.
. - I am glad for you.
. - Thank you for your help.
. - You have to pay the telephone bill.
- bill for
100 . - He bought this book for
hundred dollars.
+ Instr.
. - The car is behind the house.
.
- I am going to the railway station to buy the tickets.
.
- I will come to fetch you early in the morning.
+ Gen.
Prepositions
() + Dat.
+ Gen.
, .
- He eats everything except fish.
+ Instr.
- hockey match between Sweden and Canada
+ Gen.
+ Acc.
Prepositions
+ Instr.
.
- There is a bell over the entrance.
. - He works on a new book.
(, ) + Prep.
. - We spoke about the problems.
? - What is this film about?
+ Gen.
+ Gen.
.
- We drove from Boston by car.
700 .
- It is seven hundred kilometers from Moscow to Kiev.
+ Dat.
. - He travels a lot about Russia.
- Russian exam
- in the mornings
- according to the law
.
- He is talking on the phone now.
+ Acc.
. - He put the box under the table.
+ Instr.
. - The box is under the table.
+ Gen.
. - I will come after lunch.
+ Acc.
+ Instr.
Prepositions
. - I go with my brother.
. - He is my schoolmate.
(lit. I studied with him at school.)
. - I don`t like tea with milk.
+ Gen.
. - I have a dog.
.
- I`ll be waiting for you at the entrance.
+ Acc.
.
- We wilI fly to Moscow via Frankfurt.
. - We wilI go through the center.
. - I wilI come in an hour.
countries: , , , , etc.,
- soccer field,
- tennis court,
- Rus,
- summer cottage.
+ Acc.
-.
I will go to New York tomorrow.
+ Prep.
- .
I will stay for three days in New York.
+ Gen.
- .
I will come back from New York on Sunday.
+ Acc.
+ Gen.
+ Prep. from, down from
Prepositions
+ Acc. + Prep.
. .
I like going to hockey. I was at hockey yesterday.
+ Gen.
.
I came home late from hockey.
Part 14 page 189
A Basic Modern Russian Grammar
Part 15
Eugenia Nekrasova
onjunctions
Conjunctions are invariable words linking parts of sentences or sentences
together in some logical order.
Coordinating and Subordinating
Coordinating conjunctions
include
connective adversative disjunctive
- and - but - or
... - both, and - but , - either, or
... - neither, nor
- and
Connective conjunctions
- and
.
I have to buy a pen and a pad.
, .
He came neither yesterday nor today.
, .
- He is sleeping but I am working.
, .
- He has a bicycle but I don`t.
- but
Adversative conjunction introduces a clause which contains
information contrary to what was said, known or planned, or it may
contain some clarifying information, for example:
, .
- I have some tickets for a hockey match but I don`t want to go.
, .
- I will come but not today.
, .
- He did not come today but he promised to come tomorrow.
Disjunctive conjunctions
- either... or
.
- I have to buy tickets either for Saturday or for Sunday.
Conjunctions
..., - either... or
, .
- I have to buy tickets either for Saturday or for Sunday.
- than
, .
- He works more than his boss.