придерживаться + Genitive

Adhere to

Level 5Sounds Like priderživatʹsâ + roditelʹnyj

The pattern придерживаться + родительный падеж (Genitive) is the standard way to say 'to adhere to' or 'to stick to' abstract concepts like rules, diets, or opinions.

How It Works

The verb придерживаться is almost always used in the imperfective aspect to show a sustained policy or habit. While the perfective придержаться exists, it is rare and restricted to specific, one-time actions (e.g., a short-term diet before a medical test).

1. Abstract Usage (Genitive Case):
When you 'stick to' a plan, a diet, or a viewpoint, you use the Genitive case directly after the verb. This is common in both formal contexts (legal/academic) and daily life (personal habits).

  • придерживаться правил — to adhere to the rules
  • придерживаться диеты — to stick to a diet

2. The Reflexive Suffix:
The reflexive suffix -ся is mandatory for this meaning. The non-reflexive verb придерживать (without -ся) means 'to hold back' or 'to restrain' (like holding a door or a horse).

3. Physical vs. Abstract:
The Genitive case is used not only for abstract ideas but also for 'keeping to' a specific path or side (e.g., придерживаться правой стороны — to keep to the right side). However, if you are physically holding onto something for support (like a railing), Russian uses a different construction: придерживаться за + Accusative (e.g., придерживаться за перила).

Examples (4)

  1. Редакция придерживается нейтральной позиции в этом вопросе.

    The editorial office maintains a neutral position on this issue.

    Word by Word: Editorial-office adheres-to neutral position in this question.

    Here, the verb shows a formal, consistent policy using the Genitive case for 'neutral position'.

  2. Если вы хотите похудеть, вам нужно строго придерживаться диеты.

    If you want to lose weight, you need to strictly adhere to the diet.

    Word by Word: If you want to-lose-weight, to-you necessary strictly to-adhere-to diet.

    A common everyday usage regarding personal habits and discipline.

  3. Мы всегда придерживаемся правил техники безопасности.

    We always adhere to safety rules.

    Word by Word: We always adhere-to rules of-technique of-safety.

    The plural noun 'rules' (правила) changes to the Genitive plural (правил).

  4. Автор придерживается мнения, что реформы необходимы.

    The author holds the opinion that reforms are necessary.

    Word by Word: Author adheres-to opinion, that reforms necessary.

    Used to express a steadfast intellectual viewpoint.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the Dative case instead of the Genitive.

    Мы придерживаемся правилам.
    Мы придерживаемся правил.

    Learners often use the Dative because the English 'to' or the Russian synonym 'следовать' (to follow) suggests Dative. However, 'придерживаться' strictly requires the Genitive.

  • Omitting the reflexive suffix -ся.

    Я придерживаю диету.
    Я придерживаюсь диеты.

    Without -ся, the verb means 'to hold back' or 'restrain'. To 'adhere to' something, the reflexive form is required.

  • Using a preposition like 'к' for abstract adherence.

    Он придерживается к этой стратегии.
    Он придерживается этой стратегии.

    In its abstract meaning of 'adhering to a strategy/principle', no preposition is used before the Genitive noun.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

придерживаться + GenitiveLevel 5Adhere to

Learn This First

To learn the pattern 'придерживаться + родительный', a learner needs to be comfortable with reflexive verb morphology (the -ся suffix) and the formation of the Genitive case, which this verb requires for its object (e.g., a rule, plan, or position).

Words in This Pattern

придерживаться