While a comma is needed. Difficult cases of punctuation

Today we have another entry in the section “ Literacy Minute", and it will talk about a very common difficulty: the placement or non-placement of a comma before the conjunction . I think you, like me, have often found yourself in a difficult position, wondering whether a comma is needed before a conjunction or not. Today we will learn once and for all when this unfortunate comma is used and when it is not. So...

A comma is added.

We will start with those cases where a comma occurs. There are not many of these cases and, in principle, they are not difficult to remember.

1. A comma is placed in the case if union connects parts of a complex sentence. Everything here is easy and clear; in this case, you simply cannot do without a comma.

Example: We watched with pleasure as our friend reached the finish line first.

2. When the union enters into phrases close in meaning to introductory words. There are few such phrases in Russian, here are the main ones: as an exception, as a consequence, as always, as on purpose, as for example, as now, as now, as a rule, etc.

For example: In the morning before leaving, as if on purpose, it started to rain.

3. In the event that if the sentence contains a circumstance expressed by a comparative phrase that begins with a conjunction .

Example: There were people inside like sardines in a barrel.

I draw your attention to the fact that if after the turnover with the union the sentence continues, then you need to put another comma at the end of the phrase (isolate it). For example: In the distance, the water sparkled like a mirror..

The comma is NOT included.

Now I propose to determine those cases when the union is not separated by a comma.

1. In the event that eif unionstands between subject and predicate, Awithouthimthere would have to be a dash there.

For example: Nose like a beak. Night is like day.

2. If the turnover is with a unionis part of a phraseological unit. As we well know, phraseological units are separate integral linguistic structures, usually unchangeable.

For example: Duringconversationhe sat on pins and needles.

3. Whenturnover with the unionin a sentence acts as an adverbial circumstance of the course of action.

For example: The path twisted like a snake.

In such cases, our turnover with the union can be replaced by an adverb ( like a snake) or a noun in the instrumental case ( snake). However, the problem is that the circumstances of the course of action cannot always be distinguished with complete certainty from the circumstances of comparison. It is precisely such cases that cause the most difficulties for writers.

4. In those casesif the turnover is with a unionis part of the predicate and a sentence without such a phrase does not have a complete meaning.

Example: Young womanholdingI wanted tolike a mistress.

5. If a comparative phrase is preceded by a negationNot orone of the following particles: completely, completely, almost, exactly, like, simply, exactly. In this case, instead of a comma, there is already a particle ( no, like, simple, etc..), so such moments, as a rule, do not raise much doubt.

For example: These two are not acting like good friends. In this light, her face was exactly like her mother's.

Compound conjunctions.

Do not forget that the word can be part of a compound union … So And… or because, as well as revolutions: since, as long as, since, as little (more) as possible, etc.. It is quite natural that in such cases the comma before not installed.

For example: All windows are as inthe house itself, and inthere werewide open.

That's all for today. I hope we have brought the necessary clarity to the issue of placing commas before the conjunction , and this knowledge will be useful to you in your everyday writing activities. Don't forget to follow the blog updates! See you soon!

To put or not to put a comma before a conjunction? It seems like a simple question. Since school days, we have learned that a comma is used if this conjunction is part of a comparative phrase. Is this statement really true? Or does this rule have exceptions? If they exist, what are they? In order not to get into an awkward situation because of commas, let's figure out when they really need to be placed before this conjunction, and at what moments it is not necessary to do this at all.

In what situations is a comma used?

At first let's look at simpler examples when you need to put a punctuation mark before a conjunction. It is not difficult to remember them, they are quite simple, and there are few such cases.

1. If a conjunction joins together separate fragments of a complex sentence, then a comma is used. It’s easy to learn and remember, because in such cases you simply cannot do without a punctuation mark. For example: We recalled with pleasure how our class visited the zoo several years ago.
2. If the conjunction is an integral part of the introductory words in a sentence, then we must also put a comma. There are few such phrases in the Russian language, but they are often used in colloquial speech. For example: I was late for school today, as always.
3. If a conjunction is used in a comparative phrase, it is separated by a comma on both sides. It is not difficult to recognize such phrases. They have the meaning “like” and it is impossible to choose any other meanings without changing the meaning of the sentence. For example: His eyes are as blue as the sky on a clear day.

Another interesting point should be noted here, if such the phrase is in the middle of the sentence, then it should not be separated by commas. In this sentence, the entire construction that fits the meaning is isolated. For example: In the room, Vadim, angry as hell, paced the room. In this case, the definition of evil is added to the comparative phrase.

This emphasis is made because this part of the sentence has indivisible semantic connection. If we do not put the punctuation mark this way, then we will understand this part of the text differently. The presence of the word and in this situation does not change this rule. This part of the sentence remains a comparative phrase and acts as a circumstance. Consequently, such a part, together with the word, is distinguished by a punctuation mark.

For example: At school, like all children, they treat me well.

4. If the above comparative phrase is in the middle of the sentence, then it is separated by commas on both sides: at the beginning and at the end of this construction. For example: In this case it wouldIt was hot as an oven that day.

Is a comma necessary?

Now let's look at situations where punctuation is not required. With them there is often confusion, although there is nothing complicated here. If you understand these points, you will not have any special difficulties. By the way, such cases when a comma is not needed are also rare in the Russian language, so you won’t need to remember a large amount of information.

1. If the conjunction is between the subject and the predicate, and a dash can be put in its place, then a comma is not needed here. The meaning of the phrase should not change. For example: He's like a hawk.
2. If this union is part of a phraseological unit. Let us recall that this concept in the Russian language includes indivisible linguistic stable phrases. For example: The brothers were as different as heaven and earth.
3. If the conjunction in the continuation denotes a circumstance of the manner of action, then a comma is not placed before it. For example: The flag fluttered like a bird. In these situations, a phrase with a conjunction can be replaced with an adverb ( bird style) or use a noun in the instrumental case ( bird). Often this is the moment that people have the most doubts about. Sometimes it can be very difficult to distinguish a comparison from a circumstance of a course of action.
4. When a phrase with a conjunction is an indivisible part of the predicate. Here, a sentence without it will not have the desired meaning. In such cases, a comma is not used. For example: The girl turned red as a tomato.
5. If the conjunction is preceded by the words: completely, completely, almost, exactly, like, simply, exactly, and also the particle not, then a comma is not placed in front of it. This is a simple rule, but it is often forgotten. For example: They did not look at each other as friends.

Compound conjunctions and the word like

​Sometimes the word as is part of a compound union or turnover, for example: as and so on. Of course, they don’t put a comma here, because in such cases this word is not a conjunction. For example: Since he appeared, silence has disappeared. The above rules and examples for them, when a comma is placed or not placed in sentences, will help you not make mistakes when writing texts. A person’s literacy is always in his own hands, so a lot depends on attentiveness and knowledge.

One of the most common in high school is the comma before "what", "how" and in other words in structures that are connected with them. This happens, some authors of school textbooks call all constructions with these words a comparative phrase.

In fact "How" can act as a conjunction or particle. And such a construction is not always a comparative turnover. In some cases it is a circumstance.

The design acts as:

• Predicate: The whole world is like an exciting adventure.
• Definitions or applications: The crocodile, as a rare animal, is listed in the Red Book.
• Comparative turnover or circumstances: Life seethed like a waterfall of passions.
• Introductory design: I decided to change my shirt, or chemise, as my mother would say.
• Subordinate part: Living in the countryside is as difficult as describing the smell of freshly cut grass in words..

Difference and other combinations

Comma before "How" is placed in the following cases:

1) If the combination means exclusively likening, i.e. it means "like" and no longer has any other meanings. This construction is called a comparative phrase and acts as a circumstance in a sentence. For example: Vasily, like a hero, defended his friend. But it is necessary to pay attention to the point that the comparative phrase is not separated by commas if it is in the middle of the sentence. In this case, the part of the sentence to which this construction relates is emphasized. For example: At the ball, Anna, in love like a passionate girl, looked into the eyes of her chosen one. In this sentence, comparative turnover is not separated from "lover" a comma only because these words have a semantic connection. If there is a comma before the word "How", then it will come out “looked like a passionate lioness”, but the sentence has a completely different meaning.

2) If the combination is used together with the conjunction “and”. This construction is also called a comparative phrase and acts as a circumstance in a sentence: Peter, like everyone else in the class, treated me well.

Applications

In order to prevent another mistake, it is necessary to decide which member of the sentence the combination we are interested in is and what words it is associated with:

1) In the case when used before a combination of words “so”, “that”, “such”, “so” and many others. Such constructions are applications, and in a sentence they act as a definition. For example: He usually did not watch films such as horror or thrillers.

2) The combination has the meaning of causality. Usually it is an application, and in a sentence it acts as a definition. For example: The doctor, as a good specialist, paid a lot of attention to sick patients. This sentence shows the reason in combination "good specialist". The doctor paid a lot of attention to sick patients because he was a good specialist. But do not confuse the application with comparative turnover. A comparative phrase is the likening of one object to another. And an application is when an object is called completely differently .

3) The conjunction is part of the expression "nothing else"; "no one else". For example: This event is nothing more than a pre-planned action. The construction given in this sentence is a nominal compound predicate. And we see that this member of the sentence is separated by a comma.

Introductory structures

In some sentences, combinations are not members of the sentence, but appear. They must be separated with commas on both sides.

1) The conjunction is combined with the following words: “now”, “now”, “before”, “always”, “usually”, “exception”, “rule”, “on purpose” and others. These combinations act as introductory words that are not any members of the sentence. For example: As if on purpose, they were in no hurry to go home.

2) The conjunction is part of the introductory sentence. For example: As Katerina correctly noted, the road was especially difficult. This sentence is simple, despite the presence of two grammatical stems. It’s just complicated by the introductory structure. In this case, the construction in which this conjunction is present is an introductory sentence. The narrator names the source of the information. The combination is separated by commas.

Comparative phrase and incomplete subordinate clause

Before deciding whether a comma is needed before "How", you need to understand exactly what the difference is between a comparative clause and an incomplete subordinate clause. It can be seen in the following example: Nowhere have I felt as good as at home. In this case, the second part is an incomplete subordinate clause. Also, do not confuse the subordinate clause, which is a one-part sentence, with a comparative phrase: Write stories like thisIt’s as difficult as describing the sound of music in words. The second part is a one-part impersonal

Connection with the predicate

There are many examples where a comma comes before "How" not put:

1) The combination is part of the predicate: Time flew by very quickly, the day felt like one hour. The comparative particle is part of the predicate and is emphasized along with it.

2) The word has a semantic connection with the predicate: The meeting flew by in a flash, and I didn’t even have time to come to my senses. In this case, the comma before "How" is not placed because the entire combination with it is a predicate, and the word itself is a comparative particle. Without it, the predicate would lose its true meaning. This award was like a gift from above. This combination also acts as a predicate, because without it the sentence completely loses its meaning. And a comma before "How" that is why it is not installed.

Persistent expressions

Comma before conjunction "How" not placed if it is part of There are a great many such examples. After the meeting, we gained confidence in the future, because everything went like clockwork. In this case, the combination is part of a compound predicate, which in this sentence is expressed by a phraseological unit. Life should be valued and cherished like the apple of your eye. The combination is also part of a predicate, which is a persistent expression. That is why the use of different ones is unacceptable here.

A few more features of the use of punctuation marks...

To make the right decision, before "How" whether a comma is needed or not, you need to pay attention to some more nuances. Is there a particle in front of this word? "Not" or these words: “simple”, “exactly”, “exactly”, “absolutely” or "almost". If they are used, then there is no need to put a comma. In this case, such a construction will be called a comparative phrase, and in the sentence it will act as a circumstance. For example: Nikolai always behaved with dignity, he acted exactly like a real man. If the combination means "in role", then the comma is also omitted: He spoke at the meeting as a mathematics teacher. This sentence means that the person acted as a mathematics teacher. In fact, he may not be one.

We see that there are quite a few nuances in the use of the comma. You need to pay special attention to them, and then you can easily and simply avoid serious mistakes.

Instructions

If the sentence contains a circumstance that is expressed by a comparative phrase, starting with the conjunction “as,” then a comma must be added. For example: Her eyes were blue, like the clearest sky. Another example: he was strong, like a lion in mortal combat.

It is worth noting that if after a phrase with the conjunction “as” the sentence does not end, then at the end of the phrase it is necessary to put another comma. For example: I clearly heard a child crying, but did not get up. Another example: she laughed like the happiest person and ran towards me.

If a phrase containing the conjunction “how” acts in a sentence as an adverbial modifier of action, then it is not necessary. For example: he spoke like an Englishman. In these cases, the turnover can be easily replaced (in this case, “by-”). In some cases, the phrase is replaced by a noun in case. Unfortunately, it is quite difficult to distinguish the circumstances of the course of action from the circumstances of comparison.

Also, you should not use a comma if the conjunction “how” is part of . However, here you need to be sure that this phrase is stable. For example: he sat in the chair in front of me as if on pins and needles.

If a sentence without the conjunction “how” does not have a complete meaning and is part of the predicate, then there is no need to put a comma either. For example: he behaves like a wolf. Also, there is no need to put a comma if the word “how” is between . If this conjunction were missing, then it would be necessary to put a dash. For example: water is like a mirror (water is a mirror).

If the comparative phrase is preceded by the negation “not” or the particles “simply”, “exactly”, “exactly”, “like”, “completely”, “almost”, “at all”, then there is no need to put a comma. For example, Harry's eyes were exactly like Lily's.

Competent writing of sentences is one of the signs of education and culture, therefore every person should strive for the best mastery of Russian speech. Isolating the conjunction “how” is a problem for many, and therefore studying a number of rules will help you learn the correct placement of punctuation marks.

Instructions

All introductory words and constructions are highlighted on both sides. This also applies to phrases, part of which is “as”: “as a rule”, “as a consequence”. For example: “He was late, as always”; “The woman, as if on purpose, forgot hers at home.” Before “how” also, if it separates two parts of a complex sentence: “Mom will never know how her son skipped school”; “The hunter stood for a long time and watched the elk leave unharmed.”

The comparative phrase is a circumstance from both sides: “The dove walked in circles for a long time and looked after the turtledove, like a real gentleman”; “She jumped high like a mountain doe and literally flew over the bar.” This construction begins with a sign and ends with it even when the main sentence comes after it: “A falcon swooped down from above, like an inexorable natural element.”

The phrase with “how” can also act as a circumstance of the manner of action, and in this case it is not used: “The horse flew like an arrow and at the finish line overtook the favorite by half a head.” Despite the difficulty of distinguishing between these two categories, the circumstance of the manner of action can be recognized if you mentally replace the word form from “how” with a similar one: “The horse flew like an arrow and at the finish line overtook the favorite by half a head.” “Like an arrow” is an integral part of the predicate and when parsing a sentence together with a double line.

Phraseologisms have turned into indivisible phrases and become one part of speech, so they are not separated by a comma: “The children are growing by leaps and bounds,” “He drank the linden infusion, and his cold went away.” In addition to them, complex predicates have also become inseparable, which can include not only circumstances of the manner of action, but also comparisons: “She came like, but became an indispensable member of the family.”

If the subjects belong to the same part of speech, then a dash is placed between them. However, it can be replaced by the word “like”: “The sky is like the sea”, “A breeze is like a breath of freshness”. If the sentence is continued, the phrase will turn into a comparison and will be set off with commas: “The sky, like the sea, was azure-clear.” The negation or presence of particles “exactly”, “almost”, “completely” removes the comma, even if it should be there in meaning: “The daughter does everything wrong”, “At the evening of meetings they sat at their desks just like twenty years ago".

A simple sentence is one that has only one grammatical stem in its composition. Moreover, it can have many minor members, which in some cases need to be separated by a comma.

Isolation of definitions, applications, additions and circumstances

The definition is separated by commas if it stands next to: “She, beautiful, sat and was sad.” Also, commas are placed if the definition is behind the word being defined: “The sky, bright and majestic, smiled with the sun.” If the definition comes before the word being defined and the circumstances are significant, a comma is also necessary: ​​“Rejected by everyone, he stood behind the house.”

The application must be separated by commas if it appears next to the personal pronoun: “We believe...”. It also becomes isolated if it comes after a proper name: “Anna, the hostess, remained sitting.” If the application contains the words “even”, “for example”, “that is”, “or”, “especially”, “by name”, a comma is added: “Few people loved him, especially me.”

Additions with the prepositions “except”, “besides”, “excluding”, “over” are separated by commas: “No one, including Fyodor, pitied Anna.” Circumstances with a clarifying meaning are highlighted in a simple sentence: “He left us here, on the shore, near the old pier.” If the circumstance has the preposition “despite”, it also requires isolation: “Despite the pain, the soldier continued to walk.”

Comparative and explanatory phrases

Comparative phrases in a simple sentence are usually separated by commas. The comparative phrase has the conjunctions “as”, “exactly”, “as if”, “as if”, etc. “He laughed like he was crazy.”

Explanatory phrases with the words “that is”, “precisely”, “even”, “including”, “mainly”, “moreover” require commas. “She’s just a friend, not even a relative.” Addresses are always isolated in a simple sentence: “Dear mother, good afternoon!”

Availability of introductory constructions and homogeneous members

If a simple sentence has an introductory construction, it requires highlighting. These can be single words: “Probably everyone died.” There may also be sentences: “The door, as he said, was broken into.”

A comma in a simple sentence is placed between two or more homogeneous members without conjunctions: “The boys grew up, got stronger, became more mature.” If they have a repeated conjunction, a comma is also needed: “Neither brother nor suspected anything.” The presence of homogeneous members of the conjunctions “a”, “but”, “yes” also indicates the need for a comma: “He was scared, but did not show it.”

Comma before the conjunction "as"

A comma before the conjunction “how” in a simple sentence is placed in a number of cases. If the union enters into a comparative turn: “A prince came out, handsome as the moon.” If the conjunction “how” is included in the introductory construction: “On the way, as usual, he joked and laughed.”

A comma is placed before the conjunction “how” if it is used in an application with a causal meaning: “As a beloved friend, Anna will never leave him in trouble.” If there is an “and” after the conjunction: “Animals, like people, have different characters.” A comma is needed in the expressions “no one else but”, “nothing else but”.

Video on the topic

1. In the combinations “no one other than”, “nothing other than” - a comma is required.
- None other than my comrade came to the rescue.
2. Index words: so, such, such, that.
“She couldn’t dance as beautifully as last time.”
3. A comma is always placed before the combination “as and”.
- The room, like the whole house, was cozy.
4. Always stands apart “as one,” “as a rule.”
- Everyone, as one, came to his defense
5. If a sentence has a cause meaning, then a question can be made from one part of it, and an answer from the other.
- Peter, as the best hunter, was chosen as the eldest.
Why was Peter chosen as the eldest? Because he is the best hunter.
6. Comparison - always use a comma.
- She is as beautiful as a rose.

There is no comma before “how”:

1. As.
- The play was perceived as a call to fight.
2. The expressions “as possible”, “as always” are never
are isolated.
- You need to run the cross as quickly as possible
3. We write the conjunction “both... and” without a comma before as, but before “so and” a comma is always placed.
- I love to relax here both in winter and in summer.
4. There is never a comma in phraseological units.
- Wait like manna from heaven. Goal like a falcon. White as snow.
5. Compound conjunctions at the beginning of a sentence are not separated by a comma. “Since”, “Until”, “Since.”)
- While we work, many rest.
6. There cannot be a comma between the subject and the predicate.
- She's like a rose.