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Pronoun Choice and Register in Advanced Contexts
Practise reciprocal and reflexive choices, indefinite pronouns, and formal-register distinctions.
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Browse Pronouns practiceQuestion 1
Братья часто помогают ___.
English context
Choose the reciprocal pronoun for “The brothers often help each other.”
Options
- друг другу
- себе
- друг друга
- между собой
Accepted answers and explanation
Accepted answers
- друг другу
Correct feedback
Correct. «Помогать кому?» takes dative «друг другу».
Grammar rule
The reciprocal expression «друг другу» takes the case required by the verb.
Question 2
Они смотрели друг на ___.
English context
Choose the reciprocal form after «на» in “They looked at each other.”
Options
- друга
- другу
- другом
- друг
Accepted answers and explanation
Accepted answers
- друга
Correct feedback
Correct. «Смотреть на кого?» takes accusative «друга».
Grammar rule
The reciprocal phrase «друг на друга» uses accusative after «на».
Question 3
Она гордится ___.
English context
Choose the reflexive form for “She is proud of herself.”
Options
- собой
- себя
- себе
- свой
Accepted answers and explanation
Accepted answers
- собой
Correct feedback
Correct. «Гордиться» takes instrumental «собой».
Grammar rule
The reflexive pronoun «себя» has instrumental form «собой».
Question 4
Кто бы ни позвонил, ответьте ___.
English context
Assume the caller is male. Choose the dative pronoun for “Whoever calls, answer him.”
Options
- ему
- его
- им
- ним
Accepted answers and explanation
Accepted answers
- ему
Correct feedback
Correct. «Ответить кому?» takes dative «ему» for a singular person.
Grammar rule
After «кто бы ни», a singular pronoun can refer back to the person; «ему» agrees with the specified male caller.
Question 5
___ из этих вариантов подойдёт.
English context
Choose the formal/neutral indefinite pronoun agreeing with «вариант» in “Any one of these options will do.”
Options
- Какой-либо
- Какого-либо
- Какая-либо
- Какие-либо
Accepted answers and explanation
Accepted answers
- Какой-либо
Correct feedback
Correct. «Какой-либо вариант» means any one option, and «-либо» suits formal or neutral language.
Grammar rule
The indefinite adjective-pronoun «какой-либо» agrees with «вариант» in gender, number, and case.
Question 6
Он сделал это сам, без ___ помощи.
English context
Choose the formal indefinite pronoun after «без» for “without anyone's help.”
Options
- чьей-либо
- чьей-то
- чьей-нибудь
- чья-либо
Accepted answers and explanation
Accepted answers
- чьей-либо
Correct feedback
Correct. «Без» takes genitive, and feminine «помощи» requires «чьей-либо».
Grammar rule
Indefinite «-либо» pronouns decline for case and agree with the noun: «чьей-либо помощи».
Question 7
Участники должны уважать ___.
English context
Choose the reciprocal pronoun for “Participants must respect one another.”
Options
- друг друга
- друг другу
- себя
- между собой
Accepted answers and explanation
Accepted answers
- друг друга
Correct feedback
Correct. «Уважать кого?» takes accusative «друг друга».
Grammar rule
The reciprocal expression «друг друга» is accusative when it is the direct object.
Question 8
В официальном письме лучше написать: «Просим ___ сообщить о решении».
English context
Choose the formal second-person plural pronoun for a polite written request.
Options
- Вас
- тебя
- тебе
- вы
Accepted answers and explanation
Accepted answers
- Вас
Correct feedback
Correct. «Просить кого?» takes accusative «Вас» in formal address.
Grammar rule
In formal correspondence, capitalized «Вы/Вас» may mark respectful address, especially to a singular recipient; lowercase forms are also used depending on style.
Question 9
Каждый участник отвечает за ___ работу.
English context
Choose the reflexive possessive for “Each participant is responsible for their own work.”
Options
- свою
- его
- себя
- свой
Accepted answers and explanation
Accepted answers
- свою
Correct feedback
Correct. The work belongs to the subject «каждый участник», so use «свою».
Grammar rule
«Свой» avoids ambiguity when possession refers back to the subject; it agrees with «работу».
Question 10
___ может подать заявку через портал.
English context
Choose the formal written pronoun meaning “Anyone may submit an application through the portal.”
Options
- Кто-либо
- Кто-то
- Кое-кто
- Никто
Accepted answers and explanation
Accepted answers
- Кто-либо
Correct feedback
Correct. «Кто-либо» is a formal neutral way to say “anyone.”
Grammar rule
In formal or written statements, «-либо» often expresses an unrestricted possible person or thing.