Perfective verbal adverbs (-в, -вши)

Describing Sequential Actions

When you want to express that one action was completed before another action began, use a perfective verbal adverb (деепричастие совершенного вида).

In English, this usually translates to "having [done something]" (e.g., "having graduated, she found a job"). Like imperfective verbal adverbs, these words do not change to match gender, number, or case.

Formation: The -в Ending

To form a perfective verbal adverb, take the past tense masculine form of a perfective verb. If it ends in a vowel plus -л, drop the -л and add -в.

• написать (to write) -> написа-л -> написав (having written)
• окончить (to graduate/finish) -> окончи-л -> окончив (having graduated)

Reflexive Verbs: The -вшись Ending

If the perfective verb is reflexive (ending in -ся or -сь), drop the past tense -л- and add -вшись.

• подготовиться (to prepare oneself) -> подготови-л-ся -> подготовившись (having prepared oneself)

Rules for Use: Subjects, Commas, and Tense

The foundational rules for verbal adverbs still apply:

1. Same-Subject Rule: The person or thing performing the main verb must also be the one who completed the verbal adverb's action.
2. Punctuation: The verbal adverb and any attached words form a phrase that is always set off by commas, regardless of where it sits in the sentence.

While the verbal adverb indicates a completed past action relative to the main verb, the main verb itself can be in the past, present, or future.

Academic Milestones

Perfective verbal adverbs are particularly useful for narrating major life events and academic milestones in chronological order.