Before. Is a comma necessary before "as"? Is there a comma before the word “how” or not? Before a comma at the beginning of a sentence

Whether “first of all” is set off with commas or not must be decided on a case-by-case basis. If the phrase is an introductory combination, it can be removed from the statement, then we highlight it on both sides. Is a comma necessary and where to put it? Replacing “first of all” with the words “first”, “first of all” will help. The meaning of the phrase “first of all” in statements has such a small difference that it is difficult to say unambiguously where the introductory words are and where the members of the sentence are. Compare: First of all, we think about the future. (First we think about the future) and First of all, we think about the future. (First, we think about the future). In the first sentence there is a circumstance; a comma is not needed. In the second - an introductory combination, a comma is needed. In such cases, the authors of the text put commas according to their own considerations, the so-called author's commas.

“First of all” is separated by commas

On both sides

If the phrase is an introductory combination, it stands in the middle of the statement and can be replaced with a word - firstly.

• The student must first of all attend lectures.
• Your appearance, first of all, is unkempt and indecent.

Before the phrase

“First of all,” being an introductory combination, stands at the end of the sentence, preceded by a comma.

• I want to know the reasons for your terrible behavior during the school evening; I hope to hear from high school students, first of all.
• Where to start preparing for the exam, with reading, first of all

After the phrase

If used with the words a, but, then a comma is not needed before “first of all”; it is placed only after this phrase.

• I'm glad to meet you, but first of all, I want to warn you that I don't have much time.
• You are about to leave, and first of all, you need to remember whether you wrote everything down.

No comma needed

If the phrase is used in the meaning of “first”, “first” and is an adverbial circumstance in a sentence.

• First of all, fill out the table, it’s easier to work with.
• When you come to the clinic, first of all go to the surgeon with your sore leg.

Do you know..

Which option is correct?
(according to last week’s statistics, only 50% answered correctly)

§ 33.1

The subordinate part of a complex sentence is separated or highlighted with commas: While the wife was preparing breakfast, Danilov went out into the garden(Pan.); How long did he sit by the fallen spruce tree? Andrey didn't remember(Bub.); Her shrill, harsh voice the kind that only exist in the south, crossed the distance, almost without weakening(Paul.); Kapustin promised to reach an agreement with the head of the school, so that he increases Meresyev’s number of sorties, and suggested Alexey create a training program for himself(Floor.); Injecting water can provide direct evidence that painful influences by themselves are not able to reduce secretion(I.P.); The old man ordered the meat to be cooked for real, so that it looks good(Sem.).

§ 33.2

A complex sentence may contain an incomplete sentence - in the main part or subordinate clause:

1) incomplete in the main part: Already two years we've been married(cf.: We've been married for two years now- simple sentence); It's been a month now how he returned from the south(cf.: He's been back from the south for a month now- comma before conjunction How would “tear off” the predicate from the subject); It's been three weeks now how are we here(cf.: We've been here for three weeks already - the circumstance of place is expressed by the combination like here); But: It's the third day he's been here - a simple sentence, whereas in the above examples the words in the main part of the sentence were implied: has passed since that time, since that moment;

2) incomplete or close to incomplete in the subordinate clause: It was difficult to understand what's the matter; Ready to help, as much as I can; Gradually we learned to understand what is what(cf.: You'll understand what's what); People know what they are doing; Come on in, who already has checks; Sit down, where free; Do everything what do you need; Put it down as you wish; Please let me know who should; Absolutely everyone scolded who cares(with a touch of clarification; cf.: The leaflets are piled up in a heap, they are taken by all and sundry - phraseological phrase meaning “anyone who wants, whoever wants”); Send where necessary; But: Do what you want etc. (see § 41, paragraph 2).

§ 33.3

If the main part of a complex sentence is inside a subordinate clause (in colloquial style of speech), then comma usually placed only after the main part (and not before it); compare: Farming it's impossible to say for him to do...(G.) - It cannot be said that he would do housework; But these words I feel uncomfortable, for you to say...(Hertz.) But I don't feel comfortable for you to say these words.

Words are not separated by commas you see, you know etc. in interrogative and exclamatory sentences like: And you know how good he is!; Do you see what he is doing?(see § 25, paragraph 8).

§ 33.4

A comma is not placed between the main clause and the subordinate clause that follows it in the following cases:

1) if there is a negative particle before the subordinating conjunction or allied word not: At sea, in motion, sleeping not when you want, but when you can(Gonch.); Try to find out not what they have already done, but what they are going to do next; I came not to interfere with your work, but, on the contrary, to help; Roman generals considered it important to establish not how many enemy troops are in front of them, but where they are; He knows not only where the game is found, but also what varieties live there;

2) if there is a coordinating conjunction before the subordinating conjunction or allied word and, or, either etc. (usually repeated): Please note and what he said, and how he said it; He didn't hear neither how the sister entered the room, nor how she then silently left; I will answer your request or when the next issue of the newsletter arrives, or when I myself make the necessary inquiries, Wed also with a single union: I didn't imagine and how to get out of this situation; I know and how it is done; The boy was forgiven and when he didn't listen to anyone, but (with the reverse order of the main and subordinate parts): What was this boy's name? and I don’t remember;

3) if the subordinate clause consists of one allied word (relative pronoun or adverb): I would also like to know Why(L.T.); Don't know Why, but I didn't understand him(Trif.); He left and didn't say Where; He promised to return soon, but did not specify When; Hard to say Why; The mother determined the child’s temperature with her lips: she would put them to the forehead and immediately determine How many; Someone handed the sick man a cup of water, he didn’t even look at who; I will not say which, I say - a great misfortune.

A comma is not used even if there are several relative words acting as homogeneous members of the sentence: Don't know why and how, but the letter suddenly disappeared; They'll call- R ask who and why.

If there is a particle with a conjunctive word, then the statement comma optional; compare: I don't remember, What exactly; He finds it difficult to say what else; This quote can be found, I even remember approximately where.

Given the context, it is possible to set comma and before a single allied word; compare: What should be done? Teach What(strengthened logical emphasis of the pronoun). - At one time he whispered something, they could not understand - What?(A.T.) (the placement of a dash emphasizes the meaning of the pronoun and is justified by interrogative intonation).

§ 33.5

If the subordinating conjunction is preceded by the words especially, in particular, that is, namely, for example, and also, but simply etc. with a connecting meaning, then a comma is not placed after these words (cf. § 24, paragraph 4): Schoolchildren don’t want to study in the spring, especially when the sun is warm and shining brightly; It was necessary to carry out additional research work in in particular when the experimental testing of the machine’s operation began; The author has the right to receive a portion of the royalties in accordance with the terms of the contract, that is when the manuscript is approved by the publisher; The expedition will have to end early under unfavorable conditions, and exactly when the rainy season begins; Just in case, have your ID with you, For example when will you receive money by postal order? The graduate student came to Moscow to meet with his supervisor, and Also to work in the archives.

§ 33.6

If the subordinating conjunction is preceded by intensifying particles just, only, only, exclusively etc., then comma is placed in front of them contrary to intonation (when reading there is no pause before them; cf. § 20): Katya left the dining room, just when we stepped towards each other through some suitcases(Kav.); I will do this job only if I am free (cf.: ... if only I am free); He arrived exclusively to help me(cf.: He came not only to see me, but also to help me - in negative particle fusion Not).

There is no comma after excretory particles here, after all, standing before the subordinating conjunction in the subordinate clause preceding the main one: There’s nothing much to brag about yet, Here Once we get the job done, then come.

§ 33.7

If there is an introductory word between the main and subordinate parts of a complex sentence, then it stands out commas on a universal basis: He thought Maybe, that I don't want to meet him; If there is a demand for anything, Means, there will be a proposal. The assignment of an introductory word in meaning to the main or subordinate part is determined by the conditions of the context; compare: He was angry apparently because his face was excited(the introductory word refers to the main part: an excited face may be a consequence, not a cause, of its condition). - He was in a hurry because apparently that I was afraid of being late for the meeting(the introductory word refers to the subordinate clause, as evidenced by the dismemberment of the complex subordinating conjunction; see § 34, paragraph 2).

§ 34. Comma in complex subordinating conjunctions

§ 34.1

If the subordinate part of a complex sentence is connected to the main one using a complex (compound) subordinating conjunction ( due to the fact that, in view of the fact that, due to the fact that, due to the fact that, instead of, in order to, in order to, while, because, because, despite the fact that, after, before since, before, since, just as etc.), then comma put once:

1) before the conjunction, if the subordinate part follows the main part or is inside it: The apple trees are gone because the mice ate all the bark around(L.T.); ...Breathing became deeper and freer, as his body rested and cooled(Cupr.); ...We marked time and decided before the sun goes down get together again(Ser.); All the carts because there were bales of wool on them, seemed very tall and plump(Ch.);

2) but more often - after the entire subordinate clause, if it precedes the main one: But before this piece could fall to the ground, the worker with extraordinary dexterity wrapped it in a chain as thick as his hand(Cupr.); After the war began and the plant switched to defense orders, stopping workshops for a day, naturally, turned out to be impossible(Pop.).

Wed. Also: It is impossible to delay the development of society, just as it is impossible to turn back the wheel of history; Strength accumulated as health improved; They haven't met lately, since since she left; They posted sentries in order to prevent any possibility of a surprise attack; Help me, just as you helped him; He managed to achieve his goal thanks to the fact that his comrades supported him in time; The defendant continued to deny his guilt, despite the fact that he was completely exposed.

§ 34.2

However, depending on the meaning and intonation, the logical emphasis of the subordinate part of a complex sentence, the presence in the sentence of certain lexical elements and other conditions, a complex conjunction can break up into two parts: the first is part of the main part as a correlative word, and the second plays the role of a conjunction; in these cases comma is placed only before the second part of the combination (i.e. before conjunctions what, in order, how) . Wed: He didn't come becauseWhatgot sick(the emphasis in the message is on the very fact of non-appearance, the reason for it is not emphasized). - He didn't come becausethat he was sick(an indication of the reason for non-appearance comes to the fore).

Wed. Also: Due to the fact that the summer was very hot and dry, every tree had to be watered(Ch.). - After just a few minutes, this small, fragile face seemed charming, precisely because that it was so wrong(Kar.);

You promised in if you have a story, don't forget us(Adv.). - When, if anyone follows you, then let him see where you went(Cat.);

To every person in order to act, you must consider your activities important and good(L.T.). - All this is said to to arouse attention to the lives of thousands of aspiring writers(M.G.);

Not only was the stem pricking from all sides... - he was so terribly strong that I fought with him for about five minutes(L.T.). - But not only that, that there has never been such hostility, Since ancient times, cornflower has participated in many beautiful rituals and festivals(Sol.);

Raskolnikov was silent and did not resist, despite the fact that I felt enough strength to rise(Adv.). - Despite, that the wind... rushed freely over the sea, the clouds were motionless(M.G.);

Before they went down to the dugout, he still managed to notice how the soldiers near the anti-aircraft guns... took away some heavy parts from the barrels(F.). - He rushed out of the house at the very last moment before how the roof collapsed(Ill.);

Just as the force of a magnet attracts fine iron filings, cities draw in, suck in people living in adjacent spaces(Sol.). - Just like as a writer's style is a concentrated expression of the inner movements of the emotional mind, portrait - materialized psychological world(Bond.);

As my family grew richer, old favorites quietly disappeared from our home(S.-Sch.). - The round dances of the stars intertwined in wondrous patterns in the distant sky and faded one after another as how a pale glow of the east spread across the dark purple vault (L.);

Only after four hours of vigil at Stepan’s bedside had passed, Ivan Ivanovich lost his soul(Copt.). - And even after how the poems are printed, he returns to them again and again...(Chuk.);

Before you start to prove, you still have to force yourself to listen(S.-Sch.). - But first, rather than sit in the saddle, he considered it his duty to address the horse with this speech(Kr.);

Before I stopped in this birch forest, I walked with my dog ​​through a tall aspen grove(T.). - But first, than talking about the officer’s personality and his conversation, it is necessary to take a closer look at the inside of his booth and know at least a little about his lifestyle and activities(L.T.);

The brigade commander decided to stop the pursuit before dawn, with in order to increase reserves by morning(Sh.). - I invited you, gentlemen, because to tell you some bad news(G.);

Since she refused Andrey, the old man was officially dry with Nonna(Pan.). - Since then, as my driver rode behind, he seemed to become more cheerful and talkative(L.T.).

The dismemberment of a complex union is also observed in the following sentences: Grandfather ordered not to wake Tatiana until until she wakes up(Ax.); More than three hours have passed since then how I joined the boys(T.); Levin wished the sun had not risen first, before he gets to the swamp(L.T.); As if because that the grass is not visible in the darkness of its old age, a cheerful, young chatter rises in her(Ch.); Bombs fall into water, into sand, into swamps because that the formation of enemy aircraft is broken and torn apart(Guide.); Goreva was asked to be a translator in case if guests are interested in the castle(Paul.); We went home after how the squad stopped in the city center(BUT.).

§ 34.3

The conditions for dismembering a complex union include:

1) the presence of a negative particle in front of the conjunction not: Pastukhov did not get along with Tsvetukhin because I gravitated towards actors(Fed.); Moscow looked rather empty from the fact that the life in her has diminished, but because the war swept away everything extraneous from it...(Leon.); Winckel did not go to Landsberg because he wanted to continue his intelligence activities(Kaz.);

2) the presence of intensifying, restrictive and other particles before the conjunction: He allowed silence unless to scold your daughters(P.); He only holds Eupraxeyushka because thanks to her, household chores go on without straying from the once planned track(S.-Sch.); This winter Natasha began to sing seriously for the first time, and especially because Denisov admired her singing(L.T.); I'm only partial to her because she's indifferent to me(Er.); The driver is just for people to go away, stopped the car against the gate(F.); Is it worth giving up on a difficult task just because it's difficult?(Crimea.);

3) the presence of an introductory word before the conjunction: ...All this has an inexplicable charm for me, perhaps because I won't see them anymore(G.); The young grouse did not respond to my whistle for a long time, probably because I didn't whistle naturally enough(T.); Here, in the kitchen, it’s also night, but in the windows, maybe because the lamp here is weaker, still I see as if the signs of the day(Ol.);

4) inclusion of the first part (correlative word) in a number of homogeneous members of the sentence or parallel constructions: The river took on a special look because the water is visible through the bare branches, and even more because the water color disappeared from the cold(Ax.); The economic part of Pshenitsyna’s house did not flourish only because Agafya Matveevna was an exemplary housewife, but also because Ivan Matveevich Mukhoyarov was a great epicurean in gastronomic terms (Gonch.); Nekhlyudov stopped by to see his aunts because their property was on the way to his regiment that had passed ahead, and because they really asked him about it (L.T.); Romashov blushed to real tears from his powerlessness and confusion and pain for the insulted Shurochka, and because through the deafening sounds of the quadrille he could not get in a single word(Cupr.).

§ 34.4

Some conjunctions, when “broken” into two parts, dramatically change their meaning, so punctuation options are not allowed; compare: The bridge is rotten so it's dangerous to drive on it(consequence is indicated). - M the ost is so rotten that it is dangerous to drive on it(the degree of the characteristic is indicated). Wed. Also:

We sat on the corner of the bastion, so we could see everything in both directions(L.). - He lost weight overnight so that only skin and bones remained (L.T.);

It was a completely black, impenetrable night outside, so at first Romashov had to feel the road in front of him, like a blind man(Cupr.). - Then he stood up and stretched so that bones crunch(M.G.);

After that, Anya didn’t have a single free day, since she took part either in a picnic, or in a walk, or in a play(Ch.). - N the stranger did not look at us the way we viewed it(Ars.).

§ 34.5

More often, a complex subordinating conjunction is not divided if the subordinate part of the complex sentence precedes the main one: As the chaise approached the porch, Manilov's eyes became more cheerful(G.); Since I got married I don’t see the same love from you anymore(Acute); Before Samghin thought of helping her, she picked up a book from the floor(M.G.); After the bandage was removed, the pain has gone away to some extent(Fed.); Before you take up the violin, he rolled up his shirt sleeves, exposed his chest and stood by the window(Fed.); Before she started working at the post office, she did not think about the problem of delivering it to remote places(gas.); Before answering the matchmakers, Stepan exchanged glances with his wife(Mark.).

§ 34.6

Complex unions are not dismembered while, meanwhile, whereas, as if, as well as simple conjunctions and the intensifying particle adjacent to them (even if, only when, only only, only, barely, barely, just barely and so on.): ...When he met Gapka, he began to scold her why she was wandering around doing nothing, while she was dragging the cereal into the kitchen(G.); ...She realized the strength in herself and decided to fight with her husband, without tears or complaints, to demand, whereas until now she had only cried(Room.); For some reason, while waiting for him on the spot, in while he wandered through the grove, she saw herself as an adult, and him as a child(Fed.); As soon as God's curse was fulfilled, since that day nature's hot embrace has cooled forever for me(L.); Like a mother over her son's grave, the sandpiper moans over the dull plain(N.); But as soon as he left Bagration, how his strength failed him(L.T.).

§ 35. Punctuation marks in a complex sentence with several subordinate clauses

§ 35.1

Between homogeneous subordinate parts of a complex sentence, not connected by conjunctions, is placed comma: I remember, how we ran across the field, how the bullets buzzed, how the branches they tore off fell, how we made our way through the hawthorn bushes (Garsh.); Rumors spread around the village, that grain is being collected to be sent abroad, that there will be no sowing this year, that war is expected any hour (Sh.); Those who do not feel confident in their abilities, those who lack determination, let him stay in his current place better(Already).

§ 35.2

If after homogeneous subordinate parts of a complex sentence there is a generalizing word, which is preceded by an introductory word or a combination word (in a word, in a word, in short etc.), then the last one is preceded by comma and dash(in contrast to listing homogeneous members of a simple sentence, when in such a case only a dash is placed; see § 25, paragraph 2), and after it - comma: On one of the stages we started talking about private affairs, who is from where, what did they do, what environment did they grow up in, - in a word, on endless topics(Furm.).

(For placing a semicolon in a complex sentence, see § 37.)

§ 35.3

A comma is not placed between homogeneous subordinate clauses of a complex sentence connected by non-repeating connecting or disjunctive conjunctions: My father said that he had never seen such grain and that this year’s harvest was personal(Ax.); It seemed like as if they were uprooting the entire forest at once and the roots being torn out of the ground and the earth itself were groaning and screaming in pain(Fed.) - there are no repeating conjunctions here (the first conjunction And connects two subordinate clauses, the second - homogeneous subjects roots And Earth, third - homogeneous predicates moan And scream); What kind of connection is this and who is Kovpak, we didn't know then(Med.).

§ 35.4

With repeated coordinating conjunctions between subordinate clauses of a complex subordinate sentence, comma: While in the hospital, he recalled how the Nazis suddenly attacked them, and how they found themselves surrounded, and how the detachment still managed to break through to their own (gas.).

§ 35.5

Unions either...or are considered as repeating, and the subordinate parts of a complex sentence connected by these conjunctions are separated comma: And for a long time all those present remained in bewilderment, not knowing did they really see these extraordinary eyes, or was it just a dream...(G.); ...To the left, the entire sky above the horizon was filled with a crimson glow, and it was difficult to understand was there a fire somewhere, or was the moon about to rise?(Ch.); After this it will be decided will he fight, fly, live, or will they always give up his seat on the tram and see him off with sympathetic glances (Pol.).

§ 35.6

Between subordinate parts of a complex sentence with sequential subordination comma placed on a general basis: Victor asked to be a slaughterer, because he heard that this is the most honorable profession in the mine(Hump.); ...Bobrov remembered poetry he had read in some magazine, in whom the poet tells his sweetheart that they will not swear to each other, because oaths would offend their trusting and ardent love (Kupr.); I already told you that on that amazing evening when we honored you, our sweet fairy called you a child(Pog.).

§ 36. Comma at the junction of two conjunctions

§ 36.1

With sequential subordination, one subordinate part of a complex sentence may appear inside another and a “meeting” of two subordinating conjunctions or a subordinating conjunction and a conjunctive word will occur: I think, that when the prisoners see the stairs, many will want to escape(M.G.) - a comma separates subordinating conjunctions What And When; The maid was an orphan, who, in order to feed herself, had to enter service(L.T.) - a comma separates the conjunction word which and subordinating conjunction to. The basis for such punctuation is the fact that the second subordinate clause can be removed from the text or rearranged to another place - at the end of a complex sentence.

However, such a simple operation cannot always be performed. Let's compare two sentences with almost identical lexical composition, but with a small addition in the second of them: He said, that, if he is free, he will come to me in the evening. - He said, that if he is free, he will come to me in the evening(added second part of double union if...then). Punctuation is different: in the first sentence (there is a comma between adjacent subordinating conjunctions), the second subordinate clause can be removed or rearranged without violating the structure of the sentence; in the second sentence this cannot be done, since with the removal or rearrangement of the second subordinate clause the words will appear next to each other something... something, eh such a juxtaposition violates the stylistic norms of the literary language. Wed. Also: Mechik felt that if he has to shoot back again, he will no longer be any different from Pika(F.). - I already thought that if at this decisive moment I do not argue with the old man, then later it will be difficult for me to free myself from his guardianship (P.).

Thus, when two subordinating conjunctions (or a subordinating conjunction and a conjunctive word) “meet” comma placed between them if the removal of the second subordinate part does not require the restructuring of the main part (practically - if the second part of the double conjunction does not follow then, so or But, the presence of which requires such a restructuring), and is not placed if the indicated second part of the double conjunction follows.

Wed: (a comma is placed) It seemed that the road led to heaven, because as far as my eyes could see, she kept rising(L.); ...He always felt the injustice of his excess in comparison with the poverty of the people and now decided to himself, that, in order to feel completely right, he... will now work even more and allow himself even less luxury (L.T.); …It turned out, that, although the doctor spoke very fluently and for a long time, it was impossible to convey what he said(L.T.); The bear loved Nikita so much, that when he went somewhere, the animal anxiously sniffed the air(M.G.); I've been reading so much that when I heard the bell ringing on the front porch, I didn’t immediately understand who was ringing and why(M.G.); Thus, the enemy creates for himself a situation in which which, if we are decisive and courageous without hesitation, he himself will expose his main forces to us for defeat(A.T.); This silent conversation of glances excited Lisa so much, that when she sat down at a table in the large hall, her eyes, without answering anyone, also spoke of embarrassment(Fed.); Finally he felt that he can no longer, that no force will move him from his place and that if he now sits down, he will no longer rise (Pol.);

(no comma) Sobakevich... reached him in a little over a quarter of an hour[sturgeon] Total, so when the police chief remembered about him... he saw that only one tail remained from the work of nature (G.); Anton Prokofievich, by the way, had some trousers of such a strange quality, that when he put them on, the dogs always bit him on the calves (T.); The garden was followed by peasant huts, which, although they were lined up scattered and not enclosed in regular streets, showed the contentment of the inhabitants (T.); Hadji Murat sat down and said, that if only they send to the Lezgin line and give an army, then he guarantees that he will raise all of Dagestan(L.T.); The ferry moved so slowly that if it were not for the gradual outline of its contours, one would think that it was standing in one place or going to the other shore (Ch.); The blind man knew that the sun is looking into the room and that if he stretches out his hand through the window, dew will fall from the bushes(Cor.); Who doesn't know that when a patient wanted to smoke, it means the same thing that he wanted to live(Prishv.); This is why local residents are convinced that if it were possible to blow up the gorges on the padun and lower the level of the lake, then the shores would dry out and good grass would grow (Prishv.); But, probably, something has already happened in the world or was happening at that time - fatal and irreparable - because although it was still the same hot seaside summer, the dacha no longer seemed to me like a Roman villa(Cat.).

§ 36.2

There is no comma between comparative and subordinating conjunctions: Not so much because her mother told her, but because it was Konstantin's brother, for Kitty these faces suddenly seemed extremely unpleasant(L.T.); Please report your observations not only when testing the machine begins, but also during the entire experiment; The article deserves attention both because the issues raised in it are relevant and because they have been studied seriously and deeply.

§ 36.3

When a coordinating conjunction and a subordinating (or allied word) “meet” comma between them is placed or not placed depending on the conditions specified above (clause 1). Wed:

(a comma is placed) Gregory, burned by a sudden and joyful determination, barely restrained his horse and, when the last hundred, almost trampling Stepan, rushed past, jumped up to him(Sh.) - when removing a subordinate clause with a conjunction When prepositional-nominal combination to him becomes unclear, but structurally such an exception is possible, therefore a comma is usually placed between the coordinating and subordinating conjunctions in such cases; I didn’t go to Mumu’s manor house and, when Gerasim carried firewood into the rooms, always stayed back and waited impatiently for him at the porch(T.); Levin said goodbye to them, but so as not to be alone, clinging to his brother(L.T.);

(no comma) The woman's feet were burned and barefoot, and when she said then with her hand she scooped up warm dust to her sore feet, as if trying to soothe the pain(Sim.) - when removing or rearranging a subordinate clause with a conjunction When there will be words nearby and...that; On a cold night... the boy knocked on unfamiliar houses, asking where Oznobishin lived, and if dead silence did not answer him, then there was a scolding shout or a suspicious question(Fed.); Nikolai Nikolaevich tries to walk next to him, but since he gets confused between the trees and stumbles, then he often has to catch up with his companion by skipping(Cupr.); He looked around sadly, and he felt unbearably sorry for the sky, and the earth, and the forest, and when the highest note of the pipe swept through the air and trembled like the voice of a crying man, he felt extremely bitter and offended by the disorder that had replaced nature(Ch.) - after the adversative conjunction A a comma in these cases, as a rule, is not placed, even if the second part of the double conjunction does not follow That, since neither the removal nor the rearrangement of the subordinate part is possible without the restructuring of the main part; The sounds gradually died away, and The farther we went from home, the more desolate and dead everything around us became.(M.G.) - union And attaches a whole complex sentence; He left a long time ago, and where is he now, no one knows - union And attaches a whole complex sentence.

§ 36.4

When “meeting” a connecting conjunction And and a subordinating conjunction, the following cases are possible:

1) comma is placed only before the conjunction And(regardless of whether it connects homogeneous members of a sentence, independent clauses or subordinate subordinate clauses), if the subordinate clause is followed by the second part of a double conjunction how or But(in this case the union And attaches a whole complex sentence): He wore dark glasses, a sweatshirt, ears pawned cotton wool, and when he got into the cab, then ordered raise the top(Ch.) - union And connects homogeneous members of a sentence; Occasionally a small snowflake stuck to the outside of the glass, and if you look closely, then one could see its finest crystalline structure(Paust.) - union And connects simple sentences; Doctor said, that the patient needs rest, and if we don't want to disturb him, then must leave the room- union And connects subordinate subordinate clauses; Please find out whether the reviewer read the manuscript, and if you read it, then what is his opinion of her - union And connects subordinate parts;

2) comma is placed only after the conjunction And, if it connects two homogeneous members of a sentence or two subordinate clauses and the second part of the double conjunction does not follow: He thought to surprise her with his generosity, but she even raised an eyebrow didn't lead and when he turned away from her, she scrunched her clenched lips contemptuously(T.); Apparently, in his own words gave it is of no small importance and, to add to its price, tried pronounce them in a stretched manner(Ch.); It revealed, that the manuscript has not yet been completely edited and, until further work is done on it, You cannot put it in as a set;

3) comma is also placed before the union And, and after it, if it connects two simple sentences (and the subordinate part is not followed by the second part of the double conjunction): Gulyaev was a strong man, and when he returned to the Urals, the brilliant fame of a millionaire followed him(M.-S.); For some reason they said about him that he was a wonderful artist, and, when his mother died, his grandmother sent him to Moscow, to the Komissarovsky School(Ch.); This newborn master especially irritated Samghin, and if Klim Ivanovich were capable of hating, he would hate it(M.G.); ...My head became lighter, clearer, everything somehow thickened, and, while this condensation was happening in my head, the street has also become quieter(M.G.); She looked at the calmly beautiful Elizaveta Mikhailovna with large, tender eyes, and, when she caressed her with a soft and gentle hand, her heart sank sweetly(S.-Sch.); Lisa walked into the deserted square, and when her legs began to fall heavily from the round bald spots of the cobblestones, she remembered how she was returning to this square on a sunny day after her first meeting with Tsvetukhin(Fed.); A frisky wind from the sea inflated the sails, and when the sun rose and the city walls remained behind the stern of the last plow, a loud song spread over the expanse of the Volga(Zl.); And the woman kept talking and talking about her misfortunes, and, although her words were familiar, Saburov’s heart suddenly ached from them(Sim.); At turns, the sled was thrown towards the banks, and, so that it does not break on sharp stones sticking out from under the snow, Alitet pushed off with his feet(Sem.).

§ 36.5

The placement of a comma between the connecting conjunction (at the beginning of the sentence, after the period) and the subordinating conjunction that follows depends on the meaning of the conjunction:

1) usually after the union And no comma is used: And when Levinson, having completed all the everyday tasks, finally gave the order to march,- there was such jubilation in the detachment, as if with this order all sorts of ordeals actually ended(F.); And although the weather has improved significantly, the danger of drought has not passed; AND instead of turn right, go straight by mistake;

2) after the joining union A There is also no comma: And when the sun rose, a view of a snowy peak opened before us; And if believe weather forecasters, warming should come tomorrow;

3) after the union But comma is not put when there is no pause between conjunctions and is put if there is a pause; compare: But when He, leaning on a stick, walked out of the headquarters bus onto the square... and, without waiting for someone to hug him, he began to hug and kiss everyone who fell into his arms, something pinched in the wound(Paul.); But if even the enemy managed to repel the attackers, the infantry again rushed to the attack(Sim.);

4) after the union however comma usually put: However, if circumstances will require it, I will not stand on the sidelines.

§ 37. Semicolon in a complex sentence

If homogeneous subordinate clauses of a complex sentence are common, especially if there are commas inside them, then between such subordinate clauses a comma can be placed instead semicolon: What was he thinking about? That he was poor; that through labor he had to gain both independence and honor for himself; that God could have given him more intelligence and money; that there are such idle happy people, short-sighted people, sloths for whom life is much easier(P.); Davydov felt a little sad because a lot had changed there now; that now he will no longer be able to sit all night long over drawings; that now they apparently forgot about him(Sh.).

§ 38. Dash in a complex sentence

§ 38.1

Dash is used to intonation separate the main part of a complex sentence from the subordinate clause. More often dash used in cases where the main part is preceded by:

1) explanatory clause: How did he get here - he just couldn’t understand this(G.); As the teacher told me - I listened for a long time at the window(Pl.); Of course, it’s good that he’s marrying her, how will they live? - who knows(M.G.); Why did he torture her? - she never asked; He will come, but when - Don't know(compare with a different order of parts: I don’t know when he will come); They left, but Where - they didn’t say; A here to admit your guilt in front of everyone - lacks spirit; Did she answer his letter or not? - he never found out; That he is a knowledgeable person - fact; There were some new rumors about him, but which - unknown; Who doesn't love art - either callous in soul, or deaf to everything beautiful; What to do in such cases - radio listeners ask;

2) subordinate conditional (usually with conjunctions whether...li, whether...or): If anyone asks what - shut up(P.); Is it the head that thinks, the heart that feels, or the hands that turn over the glasses? - everything is covered with equal splashes(G.); I looked into the distance, would I look at you? - and some kind of light will light up in the heart(Fet); Did Judas realize that it was a stone and not bread, or did he not realize - this is a controversial issue(S.-Sch.);

3) subordinate concessive: Let them tyrannize as they wish, let them at least skin them alive. - I will not give up my will(S.-Sch.); No matter how much you look at the sea - it will never get boring(Cat.).

§ 38.2

Conditions favorable for staging dash:

1) parallelism of the structure of a complex sentence: Whether a plowman sings a song in the distance, the long song touches the heart; Will the forest begin - pine and aspen(N.); He who is cheerful laughs, he who wants will achieve it, he who seeks will always find!(OK.); If someone comes, I rejoice; if no one comes, I don’t grieve either; What was - is known, what will happen - no one knows;

2) incompleteness of the sentence in the subordinate part: Some ask why there was a delay in resolving the issue, others - why did it even arise? third - why are other issues not considered at the same time; He's not a bad person, but it's a pity - drunkard; I answered something that - I don’t remember myself;

3) presence of words this, here: That she is an honest nature - it's clear to me(T.); When a fly is annoyingly hovering before your eyes- uh it's unpleasant but when a mosquito trumpets tirelessly over your ear at night - it's simply unbearable; What's wonderful about this forest - it's all made of pine trees; Where is he now, what is he doing - These are the questions I couldn't get answers to; And that he was smart - you can believe me; What did he find in her? - this is his business;

4) listing of subordinate parts: If you are not confident in yourself, if you lack courage - refuse; There are people all around and who came why, who has what business - dont clear; A what was going on in this chaos of things, how he understood it - incomprehensible to the mind; He is to show that he knows all this and agrees with everything, that he is far from any doubts - immediately offered his services;

5) an abundance of commas, against which the dash acts as a more expressive sign: But we gained experience, and for experience, as they say, no matter how much you pay, you can’t overpay;

6) intonation separation of the main part from the subordinate clause following it: You may ask - why did I do this?; Are you sure - is this necessary?;

7) between subordinate subordinate clauses, if the adversative conjunction or the second part of the comparative conjunction is omitted: Artistry lies in the fact that every word is not only in place - that it is necessary, inevitable and that there are as few words as possible(Black).

§ 39. Colon in a complex sentence

Colon is placed before the subordinating conjunction in those rare cases when the preceding main part of the complex sentence contains a special warning about subsequent clarification (at this point a long pause is made and the words can be inserted namely):And, having done this, he felt that the result was the desired one: that he was touched and she was touched(L.T.); Hadji Murat sat next to him in the room and, although he did not understand what they were saying, he understood what he needed to understand: that they were arguing about him(L.T.); Now that their military duty had been fulfilled, when they had brought clarity to the confusing situation of the bay, when the most important task had been secured, they thought about something that none of them had even thought about before: that they were saved, that they did not drown, that in this huge night sea they would not slip past the tiny boat standing at anchor(Esb.); I am afraid of one thing: that the overwork of our people will not affect their work in caring for the wounded(Pan.); Every day the idea that the Americans themselves expressed to us more than once became more and more obvious: that newspapers in the USA are not yet public opinion(gas.).

§ 40. Comma and dash in a complex sentence

Comma and dash used as a single sign in a complex sentence:

1) before the main part, which is preceded by a number of homogeneous subordinate clauses, if the division of a complex sentence into two parts is emphasized (a long pause is made before the main part): Who is to blame and who is right is not for us to judge(Kr.); Did Stolz do anything for this, what did he do and how did he do it - we don’t know.(Voluntary); How many of them there were, these people, whether they came here by accident, how long they would stay here - I cannot tell you that,

2) before a word that is repeated in a subordinate clause, in order to connect with it the further part of the same sentence: Now, as a judicial investigator, Ivan Ilyich felt that all the most important, self-satisfied people, without exception, were all in his hands(L.T.). The same thing when repeating a word in the main part: AND thought, that he can be guided by this interest, that in order to sell this forest he will seek reconciliation with his wife - this thought insulted him(L.T.); Life it, which began (so wonderfully in my memories) with a huge church porch... and with the voice of my mother, in which the flint path glittered a thousand times familiar and the star spoke to the star - this life with each passing hour it was filled with new, ever new meaning.(Cat.).

In other cases dash placed after the comma closing the subordinate clause, to enhance punctuation, when the structure is “broken,” before the word This etc.: One day I asked myself: what if he returns, unexpectedly appears to you, will you be happy?; The best he could do was to leave on time; What kind of case was this, in which there was so much uncertainty, - this he couldn't remember; The only thing I like here is the old shady park; Even if I’m wrong, well, it’s human nature to make mistakes; He fell silent, but not because he lacked words - he lacked breath; In embarrassment, he did not say what he thought - he uttered the first words that came to mind.

BEFORE. Ozhegov's explanatory dictionary. S.I. Ozhegov, N.Yu. Shvedova. 1949 1992 … Ozhegov's Explanatory Dictionary

before- conjunction Syntactic constructions starting with the conjunction “before” are highlighted with punctuation marks (commas). In this case, the first punctuation mark is often placed before the compound conjunction, and not between its parts (before the word “than”). About the factors influencing... ... Dictionary-reference book on punctuation

before- Unism. Before, until (indicates that the time of action in the main clause precedes the time of action in the subordinate clause). Someone put the letter down... and disappeared before Marya Kirilovna had time to come to her senses. (A. Pushkin.) A year and a half... ... Educational phraseological dictionary

before- see before; (book) ... Dictionary of many expressions

Conjunction Used when joining a subordinate part of a complex sentence, the action of which follows the action of the main part; before, before. Ephraim's explanatory dictionary. T. F. Efremova. 2000... Modern explanatory dictionary of the Russian language by Efremova

before- union... Spelling dictionary of the Russian language

before- Temporal conditionality... Dictionary of Russian synonyms

Before we part... Wikipedia

From the “Statement of the Editorial Board of Iskra” (1900), written by V. I. Lenin (1870 1924). In the original: “Before we unite, and in order to unite, we must first resolutely and definitely disengage.” The meaning of the expression: the unification will be... ... Dictionary of popular words and expressions

- “BEFORE WE LEAVE”, USSR, MOSFILM, 1984, color, 84 min. Melodrama. During the war, a small Far Eastern airport was built to ferry aircraft along the Alaska-Russia front route. Soon an American plane crashed in these parts... Encyclopedia of Cinema

Before starting any business, you need to sharpen the tool- Every business requires preliminary preparation, choice of means and method of implementing the plan... Dictionary of folk phraseology

Books

• Before you die, Anna Babyashkina. "Before I Die" is a semi-fiction novel about those who are 30-40 years old today. More precisely, about what these people will become at an advanced age. The action takes place in 2039 in the Moscow region...
• Before You Die, Babyashkina A.. “Before You Die” is a semi-fiction novel about those who are 30-40 years old today. More precisely, about what these people will become at an advanced age. The action takes place in 2039 in the Moscow region...

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" is 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.

Before Neism. Before, until (indicates that the time of action in the main clause precedes the time of action in the subordinate clause).

Someone put the letter down... and disappeared before Marya Kirilovna had time to come to her senses. (A. Pushkin.)

A year and a half passed after this conversation before Pavel Petrovich decided to carry out his intention. (I. Turgenev.)

If only I could get to the forest before the month ends. (L. Tolstoy.)

Educational phraseological dictionary. - M.: AST. E. A. Bystrova, A. P. Okuneva, N. M. Shansky. 1997 .

See what “before” is in other dictionaries:

Before- BEFORE. Ozhegov's explanatory dictionary. S.I. Ozhegov, N.Yu. Shvedova. 1949 1992 … Ozhegov's Explanatory Dictionary

before- conjunction Syntactic constructions starting with the conjunction “before” are highlighted with punctuation marks (commas). In this case, the first punctuation mark is often placed before the compound conjunction, and not between its parts (before the word “than”). About the factors influencing... ... Dictionary-reference book on punctuation

before- see before; (book) ... Dictionary of many expressions

Before- conjunction Used when joining a subordinate part of a complex sentence, the action of which follows the action of the main part; before, before. Ephraim's explanatory dictionary. T. F. Efremova. 2000... Modern explanatory dictionary of the Russian language by Efremova

before- union... Spelling dictionary of the Russian language

before- Temporal conditionality... Dictionary of Russian synonyms

Before we part- Before we part… Wikipedia

Before we unite, we need to resolutely disassociate ourselves- From the “Statement of the Editorial Board of Iskra” (1900), written by V.I. Lenin (1870-1924). In the original: “Before we unite, and in order to unite, we must first resolutely and definitely disengage.” The meaning of the expression: the unification will be... ... Dictionary of popular words and expressions

BEFORE YOU LEAVE- “BEFORE WE LEAVE”, USSR, MOSFILM, 1984, color, 84 min. Melodrama. During the war, a small Far Eastern airport was built to ferry aircraft along the Alaska-Russia front route. Soon an American plane crashed in these parts... Encyclopedia of Cinema

Before starting any business, you need to sharpen the tool- Every business requires preliminary preparation, choice of means and method of implementing the plan... Dictionary of folk phraseology

Books

• Before you die, Anna Babyashkina. "Before I Die" is a semi-fiction novel about those who are 30-40 years old today. More precisely, about what these people will become at an advanced age. The action takes place in 2039 in the Moscow region... Buy for 513 rubles
• Before You Die, Babyashkina A.. “Before You Die” is a semi-fiction novel about those who are 30-40 years old today. More precisely, about what these people will become at an advanced age. The action takes place in 2039 in the Moscow region...