The Russian negative pronouns are formed by adding ni- to the interrogative pronouns. The only exception— nichto (nothing)— formed according to the general rules, is considered archaic. A more widely used word for “nothing” is nichego.

Remember the rule of double negation. In sentences with negative pronouns, verbs and adverbs also have to be negative: Nikto nichego ne sdelal (No one did a thing).

Negative pronouns decline like interrogative pronouns from which they are produced.

Exercise 39: Producing Negative Pronouns

Form negative pronouns from the following interrogative pronouns. Translate the negative pronouns into English.

Exercise 40: Being Negative

Rewrite the sentences replacing the underlined words with negative pronouns. Remember the rule of double negation.

1. Devushka napisala pis'mo.

2. Eto moj telefon.

3. Professor napisal knigu.

4. Na stole lezhit iabloko.

5. Mne nraviatsia bol'shie sobaki.

6. Turist zashiol v gostinitsu.

7. Pis'mo prishlo po pochte.

8. On liubit narodnye pesni.