How to Change Irregular Verbs in Present Tense in Russian

Changing irregular verbs in Russian might seem tricky, but it's easier than it looks! Here’s a simple guide to help you understand.

1. Look for the Stem Change

Some irregular verbs change their main part when you use them in different forms.

For example:

• The verb "идти" means "to go."
• Here’s how it changes:
  • я иду (I go)
  • ты идёшь (you go)
  • он/она идёт (he/she goes)

2. Know the Conjugation Endings

Different people use special endings for these verbs. Here’s a quick look:

• For 1st person singular (я): It usually ends in -у or -ю.
• For 2nd person singular (ты): It often ends in -ёшь or -ишь.
• For 3rd person singular (он/она): It usually ends in -ёт or -ит.

3. Practice with Common Irregular Verbs

Here are a couple of common verbs and how they change:

• The verb "быть" means "to be":

  • я есть (I am)
  • ты есть (you are)
  • он/она есть (he/she is)

• The verb "ехать" means "to drive":

  • я еду (I drive)
  • ты едешь (you drive)
  • он едет (he drives)

4. Understand the Difference Between Actions

In Russian, there are two types of actions to keep in mind:

• Imperfective: These are ongoing actions (like things that are happening right now).
• Perfective: These are completed actions (like things that have already happened).

Knowing the difference between these helps you understand and use the verbs better.

By following these simple rules, you'll get the hang of Russian verb changes and improve your speaking skills! Happy learning!