Spelling of verbs with suffixes -ova-(-eva-)/-iva-(-yva-) in terms of grammatical aspect

Abstract

The article aims to reveal the relationship between the orthogram in the verbal suffixes -ova-(-eva-)/-iva- (-yva-) and aspectual varieties and inter-aspectual correlation of Russian verbs. Another objective is to provide additional recommendations for choosing the correct suffix spelling. The relevance of the topic is due to the challenge of fostering a culture of conscious literacy which the modern school faces. To examine the factual material, the research employed observation, morphemic and word-formation analysis, as well as comparative-contrastive analysis. The existing recommendations for selecting the correct spelling of the suffixes -ova-(-eva-)/-iva-(-yva-) are based on the formal relationship between verb stems. However, taking account of the fact that the suffixes under consideration can result in perfectivation and imperfectivation of verbs might help to resolve this spelling issue. The study does not include verbs with the stressed suffix -ova-(-eva), verbs with the morphs -irova-, -izirova- and the suffix -stvova- in the controversial cases as the variants *-iryva-, *-iziryva-, *-stvyva- are unacceptable. Perfective verbs, including bi-aspectual verbs, are also excluded since their structure cannot contain the suffix -iva-(-yva-). The article notes the following regularity: imperfective verbs with the suffix -ova-(-eva-) acquire the perfective aspectual meaning while performing the function of a derivational base. Verbs with the suffix -iva-(-yva-) acquire the imperfective aspectual meaning performing the function of a derived unit. The specific morphemic structure of derivational bases determined the absence of prefixes in imperfective verbs with the suffix -ova-(-eva-) and the regular presence of prefixes, including etymological ones, in verbs with the suffix -iva-(-yva-). Based on these patterns, the paper formulates additional recommendations for choosing the correct vowel in the suffixes -ova-(-eva-)/-iva-(-yva-). These guidelines could be useful in the practice of teaching the Russian language at school.