Subjectless sentences
Three types: “one/they” (говоря́т), impersonal (темне́ет), general truths (proverbs).
⚡Key points
Three types of subjectless sentence
Russian often builds sentences without an expressed subject. There are three types: неопределённо-ли́чные (“they / one”), безличные (impersonal: nature, state) and обобщённо-ли́чные (truths valid for everyone).
Неопределённо-ли́чные: “they / one”
Indefinite agent
3rd person plural verb = “they / one”
Говоря́т, что будет дождь. (They say it will rain.)
В дверь стуча́т. (Someone is knocking at the door.)
Здесь продаю́т цветы. (Flowers are sold here.)
💡⚠️ 3rd person plural = “they / one”
Безличные: nature, state, necessity
Impersonal sentences
| Nature | Темне́ет. Хо́лодно. | It is getting dark. It is cold. |
| State (dative) | Мне хо́лодно. Ему́ гру́стно. | I am cold. He is sad. |
| Wish / need | Хо́чется спать. Ну́жно идти. | One feels like sleeping. One must go. |
| Absence (genitive) | Нет вре́мени. Не было де́нег. | There is no time. There was no money. |
| Obligation / advice | Сле́дует подумать. | One should think it over. |
Usage
No possible subject (nature, state)
Вечере́ет, стано́вится прохла́дно. (Evening is falling, it is getting cool.)
Мне не спится. (I cannot sleep.)
Обобщённо-ли́чные: general truths
Proverbs and universal advice
General truths (often 2nd person singular)
Тише е́дешь — дальше будешь. (Slow and steady wins the race.)
Что посеешь, то и пожнёшь. (You reap what you sow.)
Advice that applies to everyone
Без труда́ не вы́тащишь и ры́бку из пруда́. (Nothing is achieved without effort.)
Dialogue: a winter evening
Anya: It is already getting dark, and cold. — Borya: Yes, I am chilly too. They say there will be frost tonight. — Anya: Then we should dress more warmly. — Borya: Agreed. As they say, prepare the sled in summer (≈ plan ahead).