Activities and completed results
Say what you are doing, what you have finished and what you will do next.
An activity · читать, писать, делать
An imperfective verb can describe an activity in progress or a routine. Я читал does not tell us by itself whether I finished the text.
- Сейчас я читаю письмо.
- I am reading the letter now.
- Вчера я писал письмо, но не закончил.
- Yesterday I was writing a letter, but I did not finish it.
A completed result · прочитать, написать, сделать
These perfective verbs present the action as a whole or a completed result. Learn each pair with its meaning; adding a prefix does not always produce the same kind of pair.
- Я прочитал письмо. Теперь я знаю все новости.
- I have read the letter. Now I know all the news.
- Нина написала письмо. Оно готово.
- Nina has written the letter. It is ready.
- Я сделал задание. Можно отдыхать.
- I have finished the task. I can rest.
Time · yesterday, now, later
Past forms agree with the subject: он читал, она читала, они читали. Singular forms show gender; plural forms do not. For a future activity, use буду читать. Прочитаю refers to a future completed reading, not an activity happening now.
- Сейчас я читаю. Завтра я буду читать в поезде.
- I am reading now. Tomorrow I will be reading on the train.
- Я прочитаю письмо вечером и отвечу тебе.
- I will read the letter this evening and reply to you.
Check the difference
Read eight short situations and choose the answer that fits.
Write the word form
Complete five short messages or sentences.
Update a friend on your plans
Tell a friend what is finished and what still needs doing.