Provided are methods of producing product nucleic acids involving the use of oligonucleotides that are modified by the application of a stimulus. Aspects of such methods may include producing product nucleic acids using de-activatable oligonucleotides that are deactivated by a de-activating stimulus, as well as methods that may include producing product nucleic acids using activatable oligonucleotides that are activated by an activating stimulus and de-activatable oligonucleotides that are deactivated by a de-activating stimulus. Also provided are kits, compositions and devices that include de-activatable oligonucleotides or activatable and de-activatable oligonucleotides, e.g., for use in performing the methods as described herein.