First Conjugation Verbs

In Russian, first conjugation verbs are one of the two main conjugation patterns (the other being second conjugation). These verbs follow specific rules when conjugated in the present tense.

Key Features of First Conjugation Verbs:

• Infinitive Ending: Most verbs whose infinitive does NOT end in "-ить" are 1st Conjugation.
  • Common endings: -ать (читать), -ять (гулять), -еть (уметь), -уть (дунуть), -ти (нести), -чь (мочь).
  • Key exceptions: брить (to shave), стелить (to spread) are 1st Conjugation despite ending in -ить.
• "They" Form (Они): This is the most reliable test. If the 3rd person plural (они) form ends in -ут or -ют, it's 1st Conjugation.
  • e.g., они читают (they read), они несут (they carry).

Typical Endings for 1st Conjugation (Present Tense / Simple Future Tense):
(Stem + ending)

• я (I): -у / -ю (читаю, несу)
• ты (you sg.): -ешь / -ёшь (читаешь, несёшь)
• он/она/оно (he/she/it): -ет / -ёт (читает, несёт)
• мы (we): -ем / -ём (читаем, несём)
• вы (you pl./formal): -ете / -ёте (читаете, несёте)
• они (they): -ут / -ют (читают, несут)

Note: -ё- appears when the ending is stressed.
Key Characteristics:

• The vowels -е- (or -ё-) in most forms, and -у-/-ю- in "я" and "они" forms are hallmarks.

Common Pattern:

• Verbs in -овать/-евать (e.g., рисовать - to draw) change this to -ую in the present/future stem before adding endings: я рисую, ты рисуешь.

Difficulties for Foreigners:

• Correctly identifying the conjugation, especially with exceptions.
• Stem changes within the conjugation (e.g., писать: пишу, пишешь).
• Stress patterns affecting -е- vs -ё-.

In summary, 1st conjugation verbs are a large and common group in Russian. Mastering their endings and recognizing them is a fundamental step in learning to speak and write Russian correctly. PROMT.One Conjugator is always here to help you. With one click, you can access complete conjugation tables for any Russian verb.