What is a complex preposition exactly?

It's a group of words that functions as one preposition. They are usually derived from nouns, verbs, or adverbs, like `в течение` (during).

Can I use 'в течение' for distance?

No, `в течение` is strictly for time. For distance or space, you would use other prepositions like `на протяжении`.

Why does 'согласно' take the Dative case?

It comes from the adverb `согласно` (harmoniously). In Russian, words indicating agreement or harmony often govern the Dative case.

Is 'несмотря на' formal or informal?

It's neutral-to-formal. You can use it in a casual chat or a scientific paper without any issues.

What's the difference between 'ввиду' and 'вследствие'?

They are very similar. `Ввиду` often points to a reason existing before an action, while `вследствие` emphasizes the result of a cause.

Can I start a sentence with 'Благодаря'?

Yes! For example: `Благодаря тебе я всё понял` (Thanks to you, I understood everything).

How do I remember the spelling of 'в течение'?

Think of the 'e' at the end as standing for 'Endless time'. If it's about time, use 'e'.

Is 'из-за' a complex preposition?

Technically, it's a compound preposition (two simple ones joined), but it's often grouped with complex ones because it's not a single simple word.

Can I use 'в продолжение' for time?

Yes, it is a synonym for `в течение`, but it often implies a longer or more continuous process.

What case follows 'вопреки'?

It takes the Dative case. Example: `вопреки ожиданиям` (contrary to expectations).

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Gramática
Nuanced Prepositional Logic
Preposições complexas russas: durante, graças a, de acordo com

B2 Prepositions 5 min read Difícil

Preposições complexas russas: durante, graças a, de acordo com

Master complex prepositions to express precise time, cause, and concession while sounding like a sophisticated native speaker.

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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Complex prepositions are formed from nouns, adverbs, or verbs and usually require the Genitive case to function.

Most complex prepositions like 'в течение' (during) always govern the Genitive case.
They are written as two words, unlike simple prepositions like 'в' or 'на'.
They often express abstract relationships like cause, purpose, or time duration.

Complex Preposition + Genitive Case (Noun/Pronoun)

Overview

Preposições complexas são frases de várias palavras que atuam como uma única unidade. Em russo, chamamos de производные предлоги (preposições derivadas). Elas não são apenas palavras aleatórias.

Elas têm regras específicas sobre qual caso as segue. A maioria evoluiu de outras partes do discurso. Por exemplo, в течение vem do substantivo течение (fluxo/corrente).

Agora, significa apenas 'durante'. Usá-las corretamente mostra que você superou o russo básico de 'sobrevivência'. É como atualizar de um telefone antigo para o último iPhone.

Você pode expressar causa, tempo e propósito com muito mais estilo. Além disso, você finalmente entenderá aquelas frases longas na literatura russa.

How This Grammar Works

Essas preposições 'governam' un caso específico. Isso significa que o substantivo que as segue deve mudar sua terminação. A maioria das preposições complexas em russo adora o caso Genitivo.

É o seu favorito. No entanto, alguns rebeldes exigem o caso Dativo. Você tem que memorizar qual é qual.

Outra parte difícil é a ortografia. Algumas parecem exatamente como uma combinação de 'substantivo + preposição'. Mas são escritas de forma diferente ou têm terminações distintas.

Por exemplo, в течение (preposição) sempre termina em е. Mas в течении (substantivo) termina em и. É uma armadilha clássica.

Formation Pattern

A maioria das preposições complexas segue um destes três caminhos:

Baseadas em substantivos: в + Substantivo + е/я. Exemplo: в течение (durante).

Baseadas em advérbios: Advérbio + к ou apenas o Advérbio. Exemplo: согласно (de acordo com).

Baseadas em verbos: Gerúndios que atuam como preposições. Exemplo: несмотря на (apesar de), благодаря (graças a).

Lembre-se: A preposição em si é 'estática'. Você não a conjuga nem muda seu gênero. É um bloco sólido de linguagem. Seu único trabalho é mudar o substantivo que a segue. É como um sistema plug-and-play. Apenas certifique-se de ter o adaptador correto (caso).

When To Use It

Use-as quando quiser parecer formal ou preciso. Elas são perfeitas para e-mails de negócios no Outlook. Use в связи с (em conexão com) para explicar um atraso.

Use согласно (de acordo com) ao citar uma fonte ou uma tendência do TikTok. Se estiver falando de períodos de tempo, в течение é seu melhor amigo. É ótimo para 'durante as férias'.

Use несмотря на (apesar de) quando estiver sendo um pouco dramático. 'Apesar da chuva, fui correr.' Isso soa muito mais 'energia de personagem principal' do que apenas usar 'mas'.

Common Mistakes

A ortografia é a maior dor de cabeça aqui. Muita gente escreve в течении quando quer dizer 'durante'. Isso é um erro! В течении refere-se à corrente literal de um rio. Use в течение para o tempo. Outro erro comum é o caso depois de согласно. Na fala casual, as pessoas usam o Genitivo. Mas no russo correto de alto nível, deve ser Dativo. Diga согласно договору, não согласно договора. É um detalhe minúsculo que faz uma enorme diferença. Não confunda благодаря (graças a) com из-за (devido a).

Contrast With Similar Patterns

Compare в течение e через. Ambos falam de tempo. Через significa 'em' (futuro) ou 'através de'.

В течение significa toda a duração. 'Terminarei em uma hora' vs 'Trabalhei durante toda a hora'. Além disso, veja несмотря на vs хотя.

Хотя (embora) começa uma nova oração com um verbo. Несмотря на (apesar de) é seguido por um substantivo. É a diferença entre 'Embora tenha chovido...' e 'Apesar da chuva...'.

Essas nuances são o que separam os níveis B1 dos B2.

Quick FAQ

Elas são usadas em mensagens de texto?

Às vezes, mas podem parecer um pouco rígidas. Use-as para explicações longas.

Qual caso é o mais comum?

Definitivamente o Genitivo. É o rei das preposições complexas.

Posso usar благодаря para um acidente de carro?

Não, soa sarcástico ou simplesmente errado. Use из-за em vez disso.

в течение é sempre sobre tempo?

Sim, refere-se estritamente a um período de tempo.

O несмотря на muda para o gênero?

Não, é uma forma fixa. Funciona para tudo.

Meanings

Complex prepositions are derived from other parts of speech (nouns, adverbs, participles) and function as single prepositional units.

Temporal

Indicating duration or time frame.

“В течение часа.”

“В продолжение недели.”

Causal

Indicating reason or cause.

“Вследствие дождя.”

“Благодаря помощи.”

Spatial/Relational

Indicating position or relation to an object.

“Напротив дома.”

“Вдоль дороги.”

Common Complex Prepositions

Preposition	Meaning	Case Required
В течение	During	Genitive
Вследствие	Due to	Genitive
Напротив	Opposite	Genitive
Вдоль	Along	Genitive
Вокруг	Around	Genitive
Ввиду	In view of	Genitive

Reference Table

Reference table for Preposições complexas russas: durante, graças a, de acordo com
Preposition	Case Governed	Meaning	Modern Example
в течение	Genitive	during / over	в течение стрима
согласно	Dative	according to	согласно правилам
благодаря	Dative	thanks to	благодаря интернету
несмотря на	Accusative	despite	несмотря на пробки
ввиду	Genitive	due to	ввиду плохой связи
вследствие	Genitive	as a result of	вследствие ошибки
в связи с	Instrumental	due to / regarding	в связи с апдейтом

Espectro de formalidade

Formal

В течение совещания.

В течение совещания. (Work meeting)

Neutro

Во время совещания.

Во время совещания. (Work meeting)

Informal

Пока шло совещание.

Пока шло совещание. (Work meeting)

Gíria

На совещании.

На совещании. (Work meeting)

Origins of Complex Prepositions

Derivative Prepositions

From Nouns

в течение during
в связи с in connection with

From Verbs

благодаря thanks to
несмотря на despite

Time: 'в течение' vs 'в течении'

Preposition (Time)

в течение часа during an hour

Noun + Prep (Water)

в течении реки in the river's flow

Choosing a 'Cause' Preposition

Is the result positive?

YES

Use 'Благодаря' (+ Dative)

Is it formal?

Is it formal writing?

YES

Use 'Ввиду' or 'Вследствие' (+ Genitive)

NO ↓

Prepositions by Case

📝

Genitive (The Majority)

• в течение
• ввиду
• вследствие
• в продолжение

🔥

Dative (The Rebels)

• согласно
• благодаря
• вопреки
• навстречу

Examples by Level

Магазин напротив дома.

The shop is opposite the house.

Мы шли вдоль реки.

We walked along the river.

В течение дня было жарко.

It was hot during the day.

Вследствие болезни он не пришел.

Due to illness, he did not come.

Посредством этого метода мы достигли цели.

By means of this method, we reached the goal.

В продолжение всего вечера он молчал.

Throughout the entire evening, he remained silent.

Easily Confused

Russian Complex Prepositions (в течение, благодаря, согласно) vs Вследствие vs В следствие

One is a preposition, the other is a noun phrase.

Erros comuns

✗

Вдоль дорогу

✓

Вдоль дороги

Requires Genitive.

✗

В течение день

✓

В течение дня

Genitive case needed.

✗

В следствие

✓

Вследствие

One word for the preposition.

✗

Благодаря дождя

✓

Благодаря дождю

Благодаря takes Dative.

Sentence Patterns

Я иду ___ ___.

Real World Usage

Business Email very common

Ввиду обстоятельств...

⚠️

The 'E' Trap

Always end 'в течение' and 'в продолжение' with 'е' when talking about time. Using 'и' is the most common mistake for learners.

🎯

Sound More Professional

Swap 'из-за' for 'ввиду' in emails to your boss. It immediately makes your Russian sound more educated and formal.

💬

Sarcastic 'Благодаря'

While 'благодаря' is for positive things, Russians sometimes use it sarcastically (e.g., 'Thanks to you, we're lost'). But as a learner, stick to the positive rule first!

Smart Tips

Use 'вследствие' instead of 'из-за'.

Из-за дождя мы опоздали. → Вследствие дождя мы опоздали.

Pronúncia

v-sle-DSTVI-ye

Stress

Stress usually falls on the root of the preposition.

Statement

Вдоль дороги ↑ идет человек ↓.

Neutral declarative.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Complex' as 'Combined'—two words becoming one meaning.

Visual Association

Imagine a long road (вдоль) with a shop (напротив) and a clock (в течение) ticking above it.

Rhyme

Вдоль и вокруг, Genitive is the hook.

Story

I walked along (вдоль) the river. Opposite (напротив) the bank, I waited during (в течение) the rain. Due to (вследствие) the cold, I went home.

Word Web

ВдольНапротивВ течениеВследствиеВокругВвиду

Desafio

Write 3 sentences about your day using 'в течение', 'напротив', and 'вдоль'.

Notas culturais

Using formal prepositions like 'ввиду' is expected in emails.

Derived from Old Church Slavonic and early Russian noun-preposition combinations.

Conversation Starters

“

Что находится напротив вашего дома?

Journal Prompts

Describe your walk to work/school.

Test Yourself

Fill in the blank with the correct ending.

Мы обсуждали этот проект в течени__ недели.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: е

When referring to time duration, 'в течение' always ends in 'е'.

Which sentence is grammatically correct? Múltipla escolha

Choose the correct version:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Согласно договору, мы начинаем завтра.

'Согласно' requires the Dative case (договору).

Find and fix the mistake in the cause/effect preposition. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Благодаря сильному дождю мы опоздали на поезд.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Из-за сильного дождя мы опоздали на поезд.

'Благодаря' is for positive results. For a negative cause like rain making you late, use 'Из-за'.

Score: /3

Exercicios praticos

1 exercises

Fill in the blank.

Мы шли ___ (вдоль) реки.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: реки

Вдоль takes Genitive.

Score: /1

Practice Bank

10 exercises

Complete the preposition. Preencher as lacunas

____ на пробки, он приехал вовремя.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Несмотря

Fix the case ending. Error Correction

Мы действовали согласно инструкции.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: No error

Reorder the words to make a sentence. Sentence Reorder

часа / в / отвечу / течение / я

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Я отвечу в течение часа.

Translate to Russian. Tradução

Thanks to the internet, I found the information.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Благодаря интернету я нашёл информацию.

Match the preposition with its meaning. Match Pairs

Match the following:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: в течение : during

Choose the formal variant. Múltipla escolha

Which one is most formal?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ввиду отсутствия времени...

Choose the correct preposition for the context. Preencher as lacunas

____ твоему совету, я сэкономил много денег.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Благодаря

Check the spelling. Error Correction

В течении всего дня шёл снег.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: В течение всего дня шёл снег.

Translate to Russian. Tradução

In connection with the move, I'm selling my sofa.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: В связи с переездом я продаю диван.

Select the correct case for 'вследствие'. Múltipla escolha

Вследствие (сильный шторм) рейс отменили.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: сильного шторма

Score: /10

Perguntas frequentes (1)

Most do, but some like 'благодаря' take Dative.

In Other Languages

German high

Präpositionen mit Genitiv

German case endings are on the article, Russian on the noun.

French moderate

Locutions prépositives

French doesn't have a case system.

Spanish moderate

Locuciones prepositivas

Spanish relies on word order and simple prepositions.

Japanese low

Postpositions

Russian prepositions come before the noun.

Arabic partial

Prepositional phrases

Arabic uses a different root system.

Chinese low