How to Use Gerunds and Verbal Adverbs in Ukrainian for English Speakers

What Are Gerunds and Verbal Adverbs in Ukrainian?

In Ukrainian, gerunds and verbal adverbs (дієприслівники) are special verb forms that express an action related to the main verb, often indicating how or when something happens. They are similar to English gerunds or adverbial participles but have unique forms and uses in Ukrainian.

Forming Verbal Adverbs in Ukrainian

Ukrainian verbal adverbs are typically formed from the imperfective or perfective aspect of verbs. The formation depends on the verb conjugation group and aspect.

From Imperfective Verbs

To form a verbal adverb from an imperfective verb, you usually add the suffix -ючи or -ючи to the verb stem. For example:

From Perfective Verbs

Verbal adverbs from perfective verbs often end with -вши. For example:

Usage of Verbal Adverbs in Ukrainian

Verbal adverbs describe an action that happens simultaneously with or prior to the action of the main verb. They answer questions like "how?" or "when?" and are often translated into English as "while doing" or "after doing" something.

For example:

Він, читаючи книгу, слухав музику. - He, reading a book, was listening to music.

Прочитавши лист, вона пішла додому. - Having read the letter, she went home.

Differences Between Gerunds in English and Verbal Adverbs in Ukrainian

While English gerunds function as nouns (e.g., "Reading is fun"), Ukrainian verbal adverbs function as adverbs describing the manner or timing of an action. Ukrainian does not use gerunds as nouns; instead, verbal nouns or infinitives are used for that purpose.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

English speakers often confuse Ukrainian verbal adverbs with participles or infinitives. Remember that verbal adverbs describe how or when an action occurs relative to the main verb and are not used as subjects or objects.