Russian Declension and Conjugation Chapter 6: Conjugation

The basic structure of Russian words prefix + root + suffix ++ ending All parts preceding the ending are the stem Root shapes: –Most common is CVC, where final C is a hard consonant, a velar, or j (or rarely a palatal or c, which are secondary) –Other shapes: CC, VC, CVCVC (TORT)

The shapes of prefixes Possible shapes are: C, CC, CVC, CV, V, VC, CVCV What part of the prefix is most important? –The last segment, since it interacts with the beginning of the root –We can group prefixes into those that end in V and those that end in C –In some instances we will treat those ending in C as – C/ (fill vowel) –Note that the z>s assimilation is spelled at the end of a prefix

What about -ся? Where does –ся fit into the basic structure of the Russian word?

What about -ся? Where does –ся fit into the basic structure of the Russian word? Well, actually it goes beyond the structure of one word: -ся is an enclitic and gets added AFTER the ending

Why? Why do we use the term “non-past”?

Why? Why do we use the term “non-past”? Because Russian has only two tenses: past and not. The non-past conjugation is interpreted as present or future (and a few other things) depending upon the aspect of the verb and the construction it is in.

Finding the base form Basically, you want to look for the LONGEST stem, the one with the most information –Unsuffixed verbs and those suffixed in – aj+ and –ej+ use the non-past stem –Suffixed verbs use the infinitive stem

Verb types and conjugations I ConjugationII Conjugation All unsuffixed verbs and most suffixed verbs I, E, h-A, OJ-A only

Combinations of stem + ending V + CC + VYield addition V + VC + CYield truncation of first element

V + V If the second V is u or o, the preceding C mutates, except: –ns-A, NU, (NU) –ža  žd-a+, or-a  +, sos-a  +, ston-a  + –OVA & OV-A, where ov > uj –Velar stems only before o (includes lg -a  +) Consonant mutations are: –Dentals & velars > palatals, labials > labial + l’, others (n, l, r) just get soft

Notes on stress Unless otherwise noted, all primary (nonsuffixed) verbs have fixed stress in non- past. Placement of fixed stress depends on stem type. (All are ending stress except N, J, and gn’ij+ is an exception). Symbols indicate past stress. Unless otherwise noted (n/s-A) all secondary (suffixed) verbs have fixed stress in the past. Symbols indicate non-past stress.

Let’s go over these together… Let’s grind through all the verb types one after another…