Today, let’s dedicate this post in our blog to the Russian prepositions and the cases they are followed by. Of course, in the Russian language, there are tons of them, but we have tried to gather here the most used ones.

In our opinion, they easiest way is to learn the list of them by heart, rather than to understand the logics of usage, since in other languages, everything might be different or even opposite.

Prepositions

As Nominative case always denotes the main subject in any sentence, none of the prepositions are followed after it.

We use Genitive case after many different prepositions.

Из, с(о), отFrom
ДляFor
БезWithout
ДоBefore
ПослеAfter
Около, уNear
ВокругAround
Вместо Instead
НапротивOpposite
КромеExcept/
apart from

Let’s clarify the difference between из, с, от. Из is used when we come from inside, closed places with roof or/and precise boundaries, cities, countries, continents. For example: из квартиры (from the apartment), из парка (from the park), из Сингапура (from Singapore), из Южной Америки (from South America).

С means from outside, when we come from open places, events, islands. For example: с пляжа (from the beach), с конференции (from the conference), с Кипра (from Cyprus). Exceptions are: с фабрики (from the factory), с завода (from the power plant), с почты (from the post office), с вокзала (from the train station). We use со if the next word starts with two or more consonants: со встречи (from the meeting).

От is when you get away/depart/walk from the place or point you don’t step in. It could any picture or sculpture you stare at and then turn to another one: от картины (from the picture), от скульптуры (from the sculpture). Also, when you leave a doctor’s office: от врача (from the doctor).

Prepositions около and у are absolute synonyms and mean near smth/smb.

Here are some examples:

Я не могу проснуться без зелёного чая.I can’t wake up without green tea.
После тренировки я еду в офис.After my work out, I’m driving to the office.
Мы сидели напротив большого фонтана.We were sitting opposite the big fountain.
Все пришли сюда, кроме нашего бухгалтера.Everyone has come here except our accountant.

Dative case goes after:

К(о)Towards/to (a person)
ПоAlong/around
БлагодаряThanks/due to
СогласноAccording to
ВопрекиDespite

It worth mentioning that we also use the preposition по in phrases like учебник по русскому языку (the Russian language textbook) and экзамен по математике (Math exam).

Согласно последним наблюдениям, астероид не угрожает Земле.According to the latest observations, there is no threat to the Earth from that asteroid.
Он пришёл на приём к врачу.He came to the doctor’s appointment.
Они нашли этот дом благодаря точной карте.They have found that building thanks to the precise map.
Мы гуляли по ночному городу.We were walking around the night city.

We use Accusative case after:

В(о)Into
НаOnto
ЧерезAcross
ПроAbout
ЗаWithin
СквозьThrough
Несмотря наIn spite of

The prepositions в(о) and на very often are used after verbs of motion. В(о) is for the closed places, cities, countries and continents, and на is for the opened ones and events. For example:

Гости пришли на свадьбу в половине первого.The guests came to the wedding at half past twelve.
Нам пришлось пройти сквозь весь торговый центр, прежде чем мы увидели кинотеатр.We had to go through the whole shopping mall before we saw the cinema.
Я проплыла 100 метров за 7 минут.I swam 100 meters within 7 minutes.
Мамочка, расскажи нам сказку про ёжика.Mummy, tell us a fairy tale about hedgehog.

Prepositions + Instrumental case:

С(о)With
НадOver
ПодUnder
МеждуBetween
ЗаBehind
Рядом с(о)Next to
ПередJust before/
in front of

Normally, we use the prepositions над, под, между, за after stative verbs like находиться (to be situated), стоять (to stand), сидеть (to sit), лежать (to lay) и висеть (to hang).

Картина висит над диваном.The picture hangs over the couch.
Под кроватью лежали игрушки.Toys laid under the bed.
Я стою рядом с кинотеатром и жду тебя.I’m standing next to the cinema and waiting for you.
Моё любимое блюдо – утка с яблоками.My favourite dish is duck with apples.

And finally, the last case. There are only four prepositions after which Prepositional case goes.

В(о)In
НаOn
О/об(о)About
ПриWith/around/under

So, в(о) and на + Prepositional case denote location, whereas with Accusative case they are used for direction. But the applied rule for closed/opened places is the same.

The option об is used if the next word starts with vowels о, а, у, и, э: об Аргентине (about Argentina), об этой книге (about this book). Обо is very common in phrases like обо мне (about me) and обо всех (about everyone).

Мой брат работает в новом офисе.My brother works in the new office.
На этой улице можно увидеть старинное здание.You may see the ancient building in that street.
Мы говорили обо всём на свете.We were talking about everything in the world.
Объединение Германской империи произошло при Отто фон Бисмарке.The unification of Germany happened under Otto von Bismarck.

Now, you might be sure that you are familiar with the most used Russian preposition. Keep practicing and very soon your grammar and communicative skills will become better.

Check yourself

Also, we invite you to learn and practice TONGUE TWISTERS in Russian.

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