Russian grammar - Verb Conjugations: Type II

Verb Conjugations: Type II

The second verb present tense conjugation type is:

• Type II: Verbs whose infinitives end in -ить. These conjugate as follows:

-- говорить (to speak, to say): я говорю, ты говоришь, он говорит, мы говорим, вы говорите, они говорят

-- учить (to teach): я учу, ты учишь, она учит, мы учим, вы учите, они учат

The difference here is that final stem consonants г, к, ж, ч, ш and щ are followed by -у/-ат rather than -ю/-ят.

There are many exceptions to the Type I and Type II conjugation patterns, but these will give you a good first stab when encountering a new Russian verb.

Examples:
	Я говорю о погоде. I am talking about the weather. говорить (to talk, to speak) ⇒ (я) говорю Stem ends in р so use normal -ю/-ят conjugation endings.
	Она говорит во сне. She is talking in her sleep. говорить (to talk, to speak) ⇒ (она) говорит Stem ends in р so use normal -ю/-ят conjugation endings.
	Я учу историю в школе. I am studying history at school. учить (to study) ⇒ (я) учу Stem ends in ч so use -у/-ат conjugation endings.
	Вот что мы учим в вечерней школе. That's what we study in night school. учить (to study) ⇒ (мы) учим Stem ends in ч so use -у/-ат conjugation endings.
	Они учат русский язык в Лондоне. They study Russian language in London. учить (to study) ⇒ (они) учат Stem ends in ч so use -у/-ат conjugation endings.
	Где в Санкт_Петербурге вы живёте? Where in Saint Petersburg do you (formal) live? жить (to live) ⇒ (вы) живёте Single syllable verbs are usually irregular - need to learn them by heart.
	Они живут вместе. They live together. жить (to live) ⇒ (они) живут Single syllable verbs are usually irregular - need to learn them by heart.
	Я живу одна. I (female) live alone. жить (to live) ⇒ (я) живу Single syllable verbs are usually irregular - need to learn them by heart.
	Мы пьём чай утром. We drink tea in the morning. пить (to drink) ⇒ (мы) пьём Single syllable verbs are usually irregular - need to learn them by heart.
	Они пьют наше пиво! They are drinking our beer! пить (to drink) ⇒ (они) пьют Single syllable verbs are usually irregular - need to learn them by heart.