Thread: Newbie PLZ help! Verb Conjigation bad:(

I'm just starting to learn the russian language and im finding quite a bit of information on verbs but i cant seem to find a trick on conjigating verbs or an easier way to identify them to conjigate them. I'm used to the spanish conjigation where its pretty set on how the endings are except for a few exceptions and its pretty simple. With russian im totally lost. If anyone could help i would really really appreciate it. I'm really set on learnign it because my girlfriend is russian and her english isn't to great for those serious in depth talks we tend to have and i want to be able to understand how she feels in her own language. thanks for the time.
chase

There are two main kinds of verb endings

First conjugation

Я -ю
Ты -ешь
он, она, оно -ет
Мы -ем
Вы -ете
Они -ют


Second conjugation

Я -ю
Ты -ишь
он, она, оно -ит
Мы -им
Вы -ите
Они -ят

Take a look at this link for some examples:
http://masterrussian.com/blverbs.shtml

thank you for your help. when conj. verbs i understand there are different tenses like in spanish but i dont understand the whole masculin, feminin and neuter things and how it makes a difference in verbs and irregular verbs i dont understand the rules that are involved with stem or consonantal change or losing syllables and acquiring new endings. I learn alot better if its visual like in a chart explaining it or when its broken down into a more simple way for me to understand. Anyone help is appreciated. Thanks!
chase

chase:

Unfortunately, I think that you're rushing yourself. To acquire verbs in any language is difficult, especially if you are looking for immediate comprehension in your "in depth" talks with your girlfriend. Just the fact that your girlfriend can't form all of her thoughts into English is example enough. I'm sorry to say, this will take time. One thing that you have going for you is that your girlfriend's native tongue is Russian and yours is English. Take time and help one another.

I don't know if books will help (I'm all about the books!), but try these for all Russian grammar.

Essentials of Russian Grammar: A Complete Guide for Students and Professionals by Nicholas Maltzoff
Passport Books publisher
ISBN: 0-8772-4244-6
This book lists at $17.95 (US $). The chapters are broken down as such (1) Alphabet and pronunciation, (2) Nouns, (3) Declension of nouns, (4) Adjectives, (5) Pronouns, (6) Numerals, (7) VERBS!!!!, (8) Adverbs, (9) Prepositions, (10) Conjunctions, (11) Particles and (12) Interjections. Each chapter goes deep onto each subject, VERY DEEP. I think that chapter 7 will answer the questions you have, but you will have to take some time to go through the material. The chapter itself is 107 pages. This book helped me more than words can say. One stubbling block that I had was comprehending what aspect, perfective or imperfective, that I could use (to be grammatically correct, not necessarily colloquially correct). This book laid it out in a form that I still use in the back of my mind today (page 158). The chapter will even take you into verbs of motion.
* For your girlfriend, this series of books also has "Essentials of English Grammar".

Schaum's Outlines: Russian Grammar by James S. Levine
McGraw-Hill publisher (www.schaums.com)
ISBN:0-07-038238-7
This book lists at $16.95 (US $). This book is good for explaination and practice (with answers!). The knowledge is good and the material is cut down (not as deep as the previous book). I use it for review and clarification of concepts that somewhere down the line I confused in my mind. There is also a book on vocabulary. You can find everything on the website and order from most major bookstores.
* For your girlfriend, this series also covers an English book, "Schaum's Outline of English Grammar by Ehrlich, Eugene
ISBN: 0071359850
List price $16.95 (US $).

I hope that this can help you. Good luck to you and your girlfriend. May you both have many "serious, in-depth" conversations with a better understanding!

Originally Posted by chase

thank you for your help. when conj. verbs i understand there are different tenses like in spanish but i dont understand the whole masculin, feminin and neuter things and how it makes a difference in verbs and irregular verbs i dont understand the rules that are involved with stem or consonantal change or losing syllables and acquiring new endings. I learn alot better if its visual like in a chart explaining it or when its broken down into a more simple way for me to understand. Anyone help is appreciated. Thanks!
chase

All this is true but don' t mix everything together, address one problem at a time. Gender matters for Russian verbs only in the past tense, where ending do not change by person (I, you, he, etc) but by gender and sg/pl. Consonants do change in verbs but this also follows some rules. You're better off getting textbooks and grammar books, which will show you basics and all the graphs. Some people when learning new verbs have to look up their personal forms as well, so this sinks in better, e.g.

Here is an example with one verb with one type of conjugation:

видеть (to see)

Present:
я вижу
ты видишь
он (она, оно) видит
мы видим
вы видите
они видят

Past:
(единственное число - singular): видел (мужской род - masculine), видела (женский род - feminine), (средний род - neuter) видело

(множественное число - plural): видели (вы is always plural, even if used with a single person (polite form)

Er..I don't think Chase is around.......that was over 3 months ago!

Is anybody still around!

DDT is

Awesome name Lt.Colombo...just one more thing though...

I must break you. WTF?

Dolph Lundgren. Rocky 4. And break 'em he did