Abstract nouns
An abstract noun names an idea rather than a thing. In Russian most end in -ние or -тие (neuter) or -ость (feminine), so you can often tell the gender at a glance. Tap any word to hear it.
Linking words for essays
These words open a sentence or a clause and tell the reader how it connects to what came before. In writing they are almost always followed (or surrounded) by a comma: Одна́ко, … For the everyday joining words (и, но, потому́ что), see joining sentences.
| Job | Word | English |
|---|---|---|
| Ordering | firstly | |
| Ordering | secondly | |
| Ordering | finally | |
| Adding | moreover, in addition | |
| Adding | what is more | |
| Contrasting | however | |
| Contrasting | nevertheless | |
| Contrasting | on the other hand | |
| Illustrating | for example | |
| Illustrating | in particular | |
| Concluding | consequently, therefore | |
| Concluding | on the whole |
Academic verbs and their cases
Formal Russian avoids plain “is” and “makes” and uses these verbs instead. Each one fixes a case or preposition, shown in blue. See verbs and their cases.
Six ways to say “because of”
Russian distinguishes good and bad causes, and everyday from official style. Each is a preposition (a linking word before a noun) with its own case.
How certain are you?
These words show the strength of a claim. They are parenthetical: placed inside a sentence and set off with commas, like English “apparently,” or “undoubtedly,”. Ordered here from most to least certain.
Check yourself
Say the Russian out loud, then reveal it.