3 quick questions!

[http://users.livejournal.com/_prettypolly/]

hey everyone, I'd be really grateful if you could help me out with a few things that have been lingering in my mind. I'll list them from smallest answer to most complicated, haha. :)


1. мне было надо or мне надо было? I never know how to word it. I want to use it in the context "I had to go to the store." (while we're at it, which verb of motion would you use? I'm assuming ездить to imply that I returned? but then again, it sounds like a one time phrase. I don't know - verbs of motion are the hardest for me, as a native english speaker.


2. how do you say, "I wish"? I'm familiar with the verb желать, however I'm not sure if the usage is exactly the same. I want to use it in this context: "I wish I could go with you." or in a conversation like this: "Did you go to the concert yesterday?" "I wish!"...is it the same word?


3. The more I study Russian, the more intrigued I am by -овать stem verbs. they're easy to conjugate and many seem to come from other languages. I guess these verbs are something of an inside joke in my class - if we don't know a verb we just use the english+овать (I think the funniest thing someone has said was, мне нравится дринковать шнапсу...even funnier because he used an unnecessary feminine accusative ending on schnapps. haha. XD)
So, I'm trying to compile a list of овать/евать verbs. what are some you can think of, so I can add to my list? :)

thanks so much for all your help!
спасибо большое за помощь!

благодарить - direct object - which case?

[david-us.livejournal.com]

When you are thanking somebody, you can say "Благодарю Вас." (I thank you.)

You don't say "Благодарю Вам."

It appears the object of this verb takes the accusative case.

However, there are phrases like "Я здоров благодаря тому, что занимаюсь спортом." (I'm healthy thanks to the fact that I play a sport.)

I realize that this is participial usage but, nonetheless, I would think that, logically, the object would be in the accusative - as it is with the conjugated verb form. "Тому" is the dative case. What is the reason for the switch? Why isn't it "благодаря того, что ..."?

David Emerling
Memphis, TN