Thread: The usage of "то"...

try giving English examples where you think these should be used when translated into Russian

I think that I saw him playing ping-pong at the beach -> то
The Americans used the A-Bomb, which still inflicts people today -> что


BTW you posted one second after me so there might be a reply you missed (replying to the Hebrew comment)

Originally Posted by Valda

I think that I saw him playing ping-pong at the beach.

Pick the one which would be closer in meaning:

I think something I saw him playing ping-pong at the beach.
I think, which I saw him playing ping-pong at the beach.

Originally Posted by Valda

I think that I saw him playing ping-pong at the beach -> то
The Americans used the A-Bomb, which still inflicts people today -> что

Я думаю, что я видела как он играл в теннис на пляже

Американцы применили атомную бомбу, которая до сих пор вредит людям OR что до сих пор вредит людям (which is not very literal but understandable)


can you explain on what basis you decide where you're going to put что and where то?

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i think i figured out what your crux is

in Russian то is used to connect two clauses within one compound sentence only when their relationship is conditional and into English it translates as then or so

if you go, then i go too - если ты идёшь, то и я иду

you stay, so i do toо - если ты остаёшься, то и я остаюсь

here то is interchangeable with тогда which literally means then in English