Thread: Order of words in russian sentences and other grammar

Originally Posted by Vladi

I try to put in order some rules abt. it, but I don't get to. In the lesson abt. it, it says that this order is rather free and gives some rules slightly structurated on interrogative and negative sentences. However I see once and again expressions (not explained) like: Я ни с кем не говорил об этом, instead of Я не говорил об этом ни с кем. I myself find this direct order odd because of finding always the first (indirect) way. No one of the rules gives me explanation for it. I have looked for it in the web with no result, I see it is something put aside. If you can help me, tks, in other case I'll put it in the tray of "things that the time will solve".

Grammatically both sentences are right.
The difference is in emphasis.
But in the first case it seems more important fact for author is "ни с кем"
In the last case more important fact for author "не говорил"

Я ни с кем не говорил об этом. (And don't write to anybody)
Я не говорил об этом ни с кем. (Well, may be write to Vasya).

In oral speech inflexion can change everything.

Я ни с кем не говорил об этом - (But Vasya could)

Я не говорил об этом ни с кем. is just the same as Я ни с кем не говорил об этом.
Я не говорил об этом ни с кем. is just the same as Я ни с кем не говорил об этом.