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Current events Differences between Russian and English. This is sparse at the moment. Please add more examples!
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1 Grammar
Toolbox 1.1 Literal Translations From Russian
What links here 1.2 Reduced Use of Present Simple
Related changes 1.3 Articles
Special pages 1.4 Word Order
Printable version 1.5 Overuse of will for future tenses
1.6 Misuse of what vs that
Permanent link
1.7 Double Negative
1.8 Perfect vs Perfective Aspect
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2 Vocab
2.1 False friends
2.2 Similar Idiomatic Expressions
Share this page 2.3 Spelling
Like 0 3 Pronunciation
Tweet 1
Grammar
Literal Translations From Russian
I feel myself well / Я чувстую себя хорошо.
I am agree / Я согласен
I want that you do something / Я хочу, чтобы ты сделал...
Tell me, please. Give me, please. (considered impolite in English, but the direct translation is acceptable in Russian)
To decide a problem / решить проблему (overused instead of solve)
Reduced Use of Present Simple
Russian omits the verb 'to be/быть' in the present simple form.
Articles
There are no articles in Russian.
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Common Mistakes for Russian Speakers - teachdesk http://teachdesk.org/wiki/Common_Mistakes_for_Russian_Speakers
See Articles
Word Order
Russian has a less-strict word order than English. Additional errors come from English question word order and usage of auxiliary verbs.
E.g.
Why you no help me? vs Why don't you
Overuse of will for future tenses
Mirroring Russian usage, students frequently substitute 'will' in cases where any of the following constructions will sound more natural.
Present Continuous
Going to
About to / due to
Present simple with future meaning.
Misuse of what vs that
In Russian, there is one word, что, which can serve the functions of both 'what' and 'that' depending on the context.
Common mistakes involving usage of 'what' and 'that':
The car what I wanted to buy... (incorrect usage)
He said what? vs He said that? (difference in meaning)
It was amazing, what he spoke. vs It was amazing that he spoke. (meaning)
See: What vs That
Double Negative
In Russian, usage of the double negative is common practice. In English, it can only be used in specific situations. See Double Negative
Perfect vs Perfective Aspect
English has the Perfect tenses , while Russian does not. In Russian, each verb has a Perfective Aspect , which indicates whether or
not the action is completed.
Vocab
Some words do form a one-to-one match between English and Russian. Students may or may not realize the distinction, and will often
search for the non-existent or not-commonly-used English translation. For example:
turtle/tortoise = черепаха
boots = сапоги ('high' boots) / ботинки ('low' boots)
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Common Mistakes for Russian Speakers - teachdesk http://teachdesk.org/wiki/Common_Mistakes_for_Russian_Speakers
Other phrases commonly misused:
useful food (полезная еда) / healthy food
I have big experience
There was big traffic
False friends
actual vs topical (актуально)
accurate vs neat (аккуратно)
magazine vs shop (магазин)
concourse vs competition (конкурс)
chef (шеф-повар) vs chief (шеф) vs boss (шеф) vs cook (повар) vs cooker (плита)
lunatic vs sleepwalker (лунатик)
preservative vs condom (презерватив)
Similar Idiomatic Expressions
English Russian
crow's foot goose foot (гусиные лапы)
tone-deaf a bear/elephant stepped on your ears (медведь/слон на ухи наступил)
Spelling
Written Russian is largely phonetic. Beginner students especially will have trouble spelling English words.
Pronunciation
Stress is more important in Russian.
Short vs long vowel sounds
/θ/ and /ð/ /w/ and /v/
Falling/rising intonation and politeness
Category: Common Mistakes
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