Every noun and [[adjective]] can be declined in 6 [[grammatical case|cases]]: nominative, genitive, dative, accusative, prepositional (locative) and instrumental; both in the singular and plural. Because of this freedom, [[word order]] is not very important to the speaker, and he or she is able to use word order to make subtle distinctions in tone, in importance, or in relevance.
[[Verb]]s are conjugated in the present, past and future tenses, in the indicative, subjunctive and imperative [[mood (grammar)|moods]]. All verbs have at least two forms (one in the imperfective [[aspect (grammar)|aspect]] and another in the perfective) to reflect the perceived completion of the action; verbs of motion can have two imperfective forms, one having a habitual meaning and one having a progressive meaning. The tenses are formed as follows:*The present tense uses [[affix|endings]] to represent [[person (grammar)|person]] and [[number (grammar)|number]].*The past tense is based on a [[participle]] and therefore agrees with the subject in number and, in the singular, [[Grammar#Gender|gender]], but not person.*The future tense of perfective verbs uses the present-tense endings, since perfective verbs have no present tense. The future tense of imperfective verbs is formed by the future tense of "to be" (быть) with the [[infinitive]].
Examples: