Top 5 mistakes even Russians often make in Russian

1) '-тся/-ться' in verbs

These verb prefixes are one of the most common mistakes. However, it is quite easy to check the spelling. If the verb is in the infinitive form, a soft sign (‘ь’) is needed. If it is a third person form of the verb, you no longer need the soft sign.

You should just ask the correct question to check yourself.

Here’s an example: 

“Она любит учиться.” – “She likes to study.” (To check, we ask – “Что она любит делать?”)

“Она учится плохо.” – “She studies badly.” (To check, we ask – “Что она делает?”)

2) -ете/-ите in verbs

Verb conjugation is one of the most difficult topics for foreigners. But, Russians often get confused about which endings to put, as well. 

For example, there is a difference between two cases: the imperative and the declarative.

“Вы напишете диссертацию в срок?”  (“Will you write your paper in time?”)

OR

“Напишите диссертацию в срок, иначе вас выгонят из института.” (“Write your paper in time or else you will be kicked out of the institute.”)

However, Russians often confuse and use 'напишите' instead of 'напишете', 'выйдите' instead of 'выйдете' (‘go out’), 'расскажите' instead of 'расскажете' (‘tell’). Thus, turning an ordinary question or phrase into a command. 

And the rule is simple. You just need to remember the conjugation of the verb (While the imperative always uses -ите).

3) ‘бы’ particle

‘Бы’ or its shorter form ‘б’ is a functional word which is used in the subjunctive mood. 

“Если бы она взяла зонт, то не промокла под дождем.” (“If only she grabbed an umbrella, she wouldn’t get wet under the rain.”)

‘Бы’ and ‘б’ are always written separately with other words. The same applies to the particles ‘ли’ and ‘же’.

But, for some reason, Russians often forget about it and connect 'бы', 'ли' and 'же' and the word in front of it with a hyphen. (By the way, this was actually the norm in the 19th century).

4) ‘Чересчур’

There are prefixes in the Russian language that are spelled differently, depending on the letter in front of which they stand, whether it is a capital or a deaf letter. ‘Без-/бес-’, ‘рас-/раз-’ and many others, including ‘чрез-/черес-’. 

This rule often confuses Russians. And they completely confuse the spelling of the word 'чересчур', because 's' (‘c’) sounds more like 'z' (‘з’) here. But, 's' (‘c’) is always used before 'ch' (‘ч’). For example, ‘'бесчувственный’'.

5) 'Прийти'

Motion verbs are often difficult for foreigners, but Russians use them everywhere. However, with such a seemingly simple case as the infinitive of the verb 'прийти' (‘to come’), there is often confusion and Russians write 'придти'. 

Apparently, the mistake is due to the fact that there is another, similar verb – ‘идти’ ('to go'). 

‘Gateway to Russia’ is thankful for Gramota.ru (Грамота.ру) for their help in preparing this article.