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Thread: Optative mood of verbs

  1. #1
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    Optative mood of verbs

    I found the following passage regarding reflexive verbs online. I will post it below, but my question is this: can it be done with any verb, or only some?
    For instance, is it correct to say, to pick something totally random, мне не ответится вопросы на МР (with the intended meaning being "I don't like to answer questions on Master Russian)?

    The optative mood is one which suggests a desire or inclination to do something. In English we say I would like to V or I feel like V-ing in the same situations where the optative would be used in languages with this mood. Russian optatives are always impersonal constructions with the subject in the dative case followed by the 3rd person singular form of the verb. In English, we would say I'm sleepy, for example, meaning I feel like sleeping; Russians would say мне спится. Here are some more examples to consider. (Notice that this mood is usually used in the negative.)

    Ивану сегодня не работается. Ivan doesn't feel like working today.
    Мне не сидится дома. I don't like to stay home.
    Мне не пишется сейчас. I don't feel like writing now.
    Заранее благодарю всех за исправление ошибок в моём русском.

  2. #2
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    Then you should say мне не отвечается на вопросы
    Although I can't imagine why could you say that.
    I mean not every Russian verbs can be used leading such form.

    For me it's a sort of joke - when using the grammatical rules you make a funny word - Russians make it all the time they speak on.
    Я так думаю.

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    So technically you CAN form such verbs, but practically speaking, for many words, you'd normally not encounter it, unless it's a joke?
    Заранее благодарю всех за исправление ошибок в моём русском.

  4. #4
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    Yes it's true.
    You can use this rule for every Russian verb but in many cases it will sound funny.

    The most usual (not funny) verbs are :
    мне не хочется
    мне не нравится
    мне не спится

    but take such situation - you have come to your job and someone asks you :
    Подпишите эти бумаги, пожалуйста.
    You - мне как-то не подписывается. (I don't like to sign that right now - let's first take in some coffee)
    Заполните эти бланки.
    You - мне что-то не заполняется...(I wish not fulfill those blanks at the moment - let's make a break)

    Well perhaps those were not so good examples, but it seems odd when you answer that way seriously. Such phrases are usually said in a lazy tone of spoiled kid. It's a sort of friendly or homely humor. Or course in my opinion...
    Я так думаю.

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