Мы используем такие глаголы, когда люди делают что‑то друг с другом.

Breakdown of Мы используем такие глаголы, когда люди делают что‑то друг с другом.

мы
we
когда
when
человек
the person
что-то
something
делать
to do
использовать
to use
глагол
the verb
такой
such
друг с другом
with each other

Questions & Answers about Мы используем такие глаголы, когда люди делают что‑то друг с другом.

What does такие mean in this sentence?

Here такие means such or these kinds of.

So:

  • такие глаголы = such verbs / verbs like these

It points to a type or category of verbs that was probably mentioned earlier.


Why is глаголы in the plural?

Because the sentence is talking about a whole group of verbs, not just one verb.

  • глагол = verb
  • глаголы = verbs

So Мы используем такие глаголы means We use such verbs.


Why do we say используем, not использовать?

Использовать is the dictionary form, meaning to use.

In the sentence, we need a finite verb: we use. That is:

  • я использую = I use
  • мы используем = we use

So используем is the 1st person plural present-tense form.


Why is it делают, not делають or something else?

Делают is the correct 3rd person plural present-tense form of делать:

  • он/она делает = he/she does
  • они делают = they do

Since the subject is люди (people), which is plural, the verb must also be plural:

  • люди делают = people do

There is no soft sign in this form: делают is correct.


Why are both используем and делают imperfective?

Because this sentence expresses a general rule or habitual meaning, not one completed action.

  • используем = we use in general
  • делают = people do in general

Russian often uses the imperfective for repeated, habitual, or general actions.

A perfective form would sound wrong here because the sentence is not about one finished event.


Why is there a comma before когда?

Because когда люди делают что‑то друг с другом is a subordinate clause.

Russian normally puts a comma before subordinate clauses introduced by words like:

  • когда = when
  • если = if
  • потому что = because
  • что = that

So:

  • Мы используем такие глаголы, когда...

is standard punctuation.


Does когда mean when or whenever here?

In this sentence, когда is best understood as when in a general sense, often close to whenever in English.

The idea is:

  • We use such verbs when/whenever people do something with each other.

Because the whole sentence is describing a general rule, English when and whenever can both work depending on style.


What case is глаголы in?

Глаголы is in the accusative plural.

That is because it is the direct object of используем:

  • Мы используем что?такие глаголы

For inanimate masculine plural nouns, the accusative plural looks the same as the nominative plural:

  • nominative: глаголы
  • accusative: глаголы

So the form does not change here.


Why is it что‑то with a hyphen?

Because Russian indefinite pronouns like что‑то, кто‑то, где‑то are written with a hyphen.

Examples:

  • что‑то = something
  • кто‑то = someone
  • где‑то = somewhere

So делают что‑то means do something.


What exactly does друг с другом mean?

Друг с другом means with each other or with one another.

It is a common Russian reciprocal expression used when two or more people do something mutually.

Examples:

  • Они разговаривают друг с другом. = They talk to each other.
  • Мы работаем друг с другом. = We work with each other.

In your sentence:

  • люди делают что‑то друг с другом = people do something with each other

Why is it с другом, with другом in that form?

Because the preposition с in the meaning with normally requires the instrumental case.

The instrumental form of друг is:

  • другдругом

So:

  • с другом = with a friend / with each other as part of this fixed expression

In друг с другом, the important point for a learner is that другом is instrumental because of с.


Is друг с другом a fixed expression, or should I translate each word literally?

It is best learned as a set reciprocal expression meaning with each other.

Word-for-word translation is not very helpful here. Even though друг normally means friend, in this construction it does not literally mean friend. Together, друг с другом functions like each other / one another.

So you should understand the whole chunk:

  • друг с другом = with each other

Could Russian also say между собой here?

Yes, sometimes Russian can use между собой, and it can also mean something like among themselves or with each other, depending on context.

But there is a slight difference in feel:

  • друг с другом strongly emphasizes direct reciprocity: with each other
  • между собой can sound a bit broader: among themselves

In this sentence, друг с другом is very natural because the idea is specifically mutual action between people.


Why does the sentence use люди instead of just leaving the subject out?

Russian often omits subjects when they are clear, but here люди is included because the sentence is making a general statement about people.

  • когда люди делают что‑то друг с другом = when people do something with each other

This makes the statement clearer and more explicit.


Can the word order be changed?

Yes, Russian word order is flexible, but the original order is neutral and natural.

Original:

  • Мы используем такие глаголы, когда люди делают что‑то друг с другом.

Possible variations exist, but they may sound more marked or emphasize different parts of the sentence.

For a learner, the given order is the safest and most standard one to use.


What is the main grammar point illustrated by this sentence?

The key point is the idea of reciprocal action: actions that people do to/with each other.

Russian often expresses this with:

  • друг друга
  • друг другу
  • друг с другом
  • other similar forms depending on the verb and preposition

So this sentence is explaining when a certain kind of verb is used: when the action is mutual between people.

AI Language TutorTry it ↗
What's the best way to learn Russian grammar?
Russian grammar becomes intuitive with practice. Focus on understanding the core patterns first — how sentences are structured, how verbs change form, and how words relate to each other. Our course breaks these concepts into small lessons so you can build understanding step by step.

Sign up free — start using our AI language tutor

Start learning Russian

Master Russian — from Мы используем такие глаголы, когда люди делают что‑то друг с другом to fluency

All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.

  • Infinitely deep — unlimited vocabulary and grammar
  • Fast-paced — build complex sentences from the start
  • Unforgettable — efficient spaced repetition system
  • AI tutor to answer your grammar questions