Why is there a comma before the conjunction? Comma before “and”: when is it used and when is it not? Comma for complex subordinating conjunctions

Coordinating conjunction and can connect:

• homogeneous members of the sentence;
• simple sentences as part of a complex sentence;
• homogeneous subordinate clauses in a complex sentence with several subordinate clauses.

Punctuation marks for homogeneous parts of a sentence

If homogeneous members of a sentence are connected by a single conjunction and a comma is not placed between them.
For example: I have two brothers and three sisters.

If homogeneous members of a sentence are connected by a repeating conjunction and, a comma is placed between them. In this case, a comma is placed before the second of the repeated conjunctions.
For example: In the store we bought bread and sausage, butter, and potatoes.

If before homogeneous members of a sentence connected by a repeating conjunction and, there is a member of a sentence without a conjunction, then a comma is placed before the first repeating conjunction.
For example: In the store we bought bread, sausage, butter, and potatoes.

Attention! A comma is not used in expressions such as dad and mom, grandparents and the like, since both words can be replaced with one, for example, parents.

Punctuation marks in a complex sentence

If the conjunction AND connects simple sentences as part of a complex sentence, then a comma is always placed before it.
For example: Spring has begun, and all the roads have washed away.

A comma is not used if both parts of a complex sentence have a common minor member.
For example: In the morning, birds wake up in the forest and wild animals go out to hunt (both birds wake up and animals go out to hunt in the morning).

Punctuation marks for homogeneous subordinate clauses

In a complex sentence with several subordinate clauses, the subordinate clauses can be connected to each other by homogeneous subordination (that is, they join the main clause with the same conjunctions and answer the same questions). Such subordinate clauses can be connected to each other by a conjunction and, in this case, the second subordinating conjunction is omitted. There is no comma before the conjunction.
For example: [The neighbor told me] (that the children had already returned from school) and (the father returned from a business trip).

First, let’s be clear: the conjunction itself and (as, indeed, other conjunctions) are not a reason for the inclusion or absence of a comma.

For some reason, some people firmly believe: before the union And There is no comma. And therefore they skip it everywhere: both with homogeneous members and in complex sentences. I also came across the opposite opinion: people who once heard about placing a comma between simple sentences in complex sentences began to put it everywhere - even where it was not required at all.

Fortunately, punctuation is based on rules, not rules. Fortunately - because otherwise we, like the builders of the Tower of Babel, would cease to understand each other. Let us at least remember the notorious “execution cannot be pardoned”…

Generalized rules for placing or not using a comma before And can be represented in the form of a diagram like this. Figure it out. 🙂

And now a little theory.

When to use a comma before a conjunction And?

Comma before And necessary between parts of a complex sentence. In this case, it separates one simple sentence from another, one thought from another, that is, its formulation is quite natural from the point of view of logic. At the same time, the union And can be either single or repeating.

There was a storm coming And clouds covered the sky.

AND the storm was approaching And clouds covered the sky.

You need to put a comma before the conjunction And between parts of a complex sentence– in the event that the conjunction is repeated:

I remember how the storm was coming And how the clouds covered the sky, And as it grew darker.

Comma before And can also be placed in a simple sentence - if the conjunction is used with homogeneous terms and wherein repeats itself:

AND in winter, And in spring, And Our garden is beautiful in summer.

When to not use a comma before a conjunction And?

No comma needed before And with homogeneous terms, if the union is single:

In summer And In spring our garden is especially beautiful.

A comma is also not used when homogeneous members are arranged in pairs:

In summer And spring, autumn And Our garden is good in winter.

In such cases, commas separate pairs of homogeneous members.

In a complex sentence- complex and complex - situations are possible when a comma before And not installed.

A comma is not required in a complex sentence if there is a minor member common to its two parts:

Yesterday a thunderstorm was approaching And clouds covered the sky.

The same logic applies in cases where both parts of a complex sentence apply one introductory word or sentence.

Unfortunately , a storm was approaching And clouds covered the sky.

As eyewitnesses say, a thunderstorm was approaching And clouds covered the sky.

There is no need to put a comma in a complex sentence, if at the end there is question or exclamation mark:

Who is this man And where did he come from ?

Connected by a conjunction are not separated by a comma And one-piece impersonal and nominal sentences, if there are two of them:

Must be on time And you need to prepare everything in advance.

Freezing And Sun.

There is no comma in complex incentive sentence, consisting of two simple ones:

Let summer come soon And the holidays will begin.

Complex sentences do not need a comma with homogeneous subordination, that is, when two subordinate clauses refer to one main part (from one main clause you can ask a question to two subordinate clauses):

I remember as the storm was approaching And how the clouds covered the sky.

However, there is a condition: the union should not be repeated.

When is a comma placed before the word “which”? This is a question people often ask themselves when writing complex sentences. The rule of the Russian language states that if a sentence is complex, then a comma must be placed before the word “which”. Since this word is the connecting link of a complex sentence.

For example: We went to pick mushrooms in the forest, which began immediately behind the river.
Or this: We went into the forest, which began behind the river, to pick mushrooms.
A comma is added here.

A comma before the word “which”.

But if the sentence were interrogative and sounded like this: Which Russian language lesson?
There is no need for a comma here. Since this is a simple non-union proposal.

There is also a rule that if the word “which” is used together with a preposition, then a comma must be placed before the preposition.
As in this case: In the summer you need to eat as many fresh vegetables and fruits as possible, which contain many healthy vitamins.

Conjunctions are one of the most difficult topics that students encounter. Teachers spend a long time trying to explain what this part of speech is and how to handle it.

So, conjunctions are an independent part of speech that connects two sentences with each other. But it's not that simple.

After all, there is one more thing that absolutely every person needs to know: which conjunctions are preceded by a comma.

Rules for placing commas before conjunctions in Russian

According to the rule, a comma is placed before all conjunctions in complex sentences.

But there are some nuances.

If there are particles in front of the union "only", "merely", "exclusively"(and others similar to them) you can safely skip the comma. She's not needed there. As, for example, in this sentence:

“I only smiled when I was sure no one was watching.”

You can also skip the comma when there are words before the conjunction such as “especially”, “that is”, “namely”, “in particular”(and others similar to them). For example, take the following sentence:

“There was always a desire to live in his eyes, especially when he saw me.”

Cases when a comma before “and” is not needed

Let's list these points:

• A conjunction connects homogeneous members of a sentence:

“I equally loved peaches, grapes, and apricots”;

• There is a common minor term:

“Lizonka could easily discern the makings of a great artist and ability for music”;

• Several interrogative sentences are combined:

“Where did you see him and what did he say?”;

• Several impersonal sentences are connected:

“You need to add salt and sprinkle the dish with pepper.”

Depending on the meaning, a complex conjunction can be divided into several parts and separated by commas. For example:

• “Lisa didn’t show up for work, because overslept (emphasis on the event itself)”;
• “Lisa didn’t show up for work because overslept (emphasis on the reason).”

Some conjunctions always break apart and are separated by commas. For example: “such as”, “more than”, “better than” and others (a comma before “not that” and “not that” is not needed).

A complex conjunction is separated by a comma if:

1. Before the conjunction there is a particle “not”;
2. The conjunction is preceded by intensifying words and other particles;
3. The first part of the conjunction is included in the homogeneous members of the sentence.

A comma is not needed when a complex conjunction comes before the main clause.

Examples of placing commas before some conjunctions:

1. "I wanted to buy or red, or black, or white sneakers, but my father chose green ones, and I had to agree”;
2. "You looked at me like that as if I betrayed you and gave you to the wolves”;
3. "Clouds have covered the sky, And the sun was no longer visible";
4. "I loved him, But he never loved me";
5. “Misha has always been kind, A Gosha was his complete opposite”;
6. “He used to hit me hard, That's why I never respected him";
7. “Kostya was tall, and Also brown-eyed";
8. « I loved him no matter what for already knew him inside and out”;
9. "I did not see, How she fell, but I heard her scream”;
10. "I've seen better than him, Although no, there has never been anyone better than him”;
11. "You motivate me to be better than yesterday, better than Hour ago";
12. "I didn't love anyone because your own mother";
13. "I wanted to scream but still I held back because it didn’t make any sense”;
14. "Every child changes as the world will know";
15. « Considering that this task was difficult, you can safely be proud of yourself”;
16. “I didn’t think about anything at all. before got into an accident";
17. "Thank you friends and family for what they didn’t abandon me in a difficult situation”;
18. "Not dollars, namely rubles! – I kept telling Olga”;
19. "I will do it, if only will you give me permission";
20. “He was too stubborn; than he didn’t want to change, there was no question of our future together”;
21. « Not only that he can’t read, and he also speaks poorly”;
22. "I never blamed her, even despite the fact that she left when I was five”;
23. "I didn't like honey whereas you adored him";
24. "I decided not to do anything to don’t embarrass yourself once again”;
25. “You are different, you are a welcome guest in his house, regardless weather, mood, condition";
26. "I remember every minute of my life since got in an accident";
27. "I was Not really stupid, but strange";
28. "Because of I was an only child, I grew up selfish”;
29. "I'm surprised, however, No less than you, this is frightening, but today your absent-mindedness is especially frightening”;
30. “We've been through a lot; that it happened that it was better for no one to know”;
31. "You're so sweet What I want to touch you and keep you in dust on a shelf, but you’re not good for anything more”;
32. "You would have had to leave anyway, otherwise I would hurt you too much";
33. "I love you, as if birds love the heights of heaven";
34. "I miss, as well as did you miss me once";
35. "I weighed more than enough";
36. “If you really want to give up everything, That why are you holding on to me”;
37. "I will only smile in case if and you will";
38. “I will definitely do everything, after I’ll rest”;
39. “Your plans are delightful; in order to to fulfill them, we don’t need to buy anything more”;
40. "I liked it equally How yellow, So and blue color";
41. "After such words, How "“darling”, “dear”, “sweet”, I feel needed and loved”;
42. “I respected Nastya, after all She always kept her word."

Conclusion

Conjunctions are a tricky part of speech. You need to be careful and careful with her. That is why this topic deserves special attention.

Homogeneous are those members of a sentence that answer the same question and relate to the same member of the sentence or are explained by the same member of the sentence.

Compare two sentences:

I often getletters Andparcels . I oftenI get AndI'm sending letters

In the first sentence, two complements answer the question WHAT? and refer to the same predicate, and in the second sentence two predicates are explained by one common addition.

Homogeneous members are usually expressed by words of one part of speech, as was the case in the sentences above, but can also be expressed by different parts of speech. For example: He spoke slowly With long pauses. In this sentence, the first circumstance is expressed by an adverb, and the second by a noun with a preposition.

Homogeneous members in sentences can be extended, that is, they can have dependent words. Consider the following sentence carefully.

Guys filmedfrom the head of the cap andbowed.

Here there are two homogeneous predicates (REMOVED and BOWED): the first is common by circumstance (FROM THE HEAD) and the object (HATS), and the second is not common (it has no dependent words).

One sentence can have several rows of homogeneous members. For example:

The moon rose and illuminated the road, field and houses of the village.

The first row of homogeneous members in this sentence is created by predicates, the second - by complements.

Homogeneous and heterogeneous definitions

The same word in a sentence can have several definitions, which can be homogeneous or heterogeneous. It is necessary to learn to distinguish between these two types of definitions, since homogeneous definitions in writing are separated by commas, and a comma is not placed between heterogeneous definitions.

1. Homogeneous definitions are pronounced with enumerative intonation and characterize an object on one side: by color, shape, size, and so on.

In the morning the sun hits the gazebo through purple, lilac, green and lemon foliage(Paustovsky).

This sentence contains four definitions for the word FOLIAGE; they are uniform, since they all name the color and are pronounced with the intonation of enumeration.

Heterogeneous definitions characterize an object from different angles and are pronounced without enumerative intonation, for example:

It was an unbearably hot July day(Turgenev).

The definition of HOT tells us about the weather, and the definition of JULY tells us what month this day was in.

Please note that homogeneous definitions can be connected by coordinating conjunctions, and if there are no conjunctions, they can be easily inserted. Compare the three sentences below.

He spoke German, French, and English.
He spoke German, French and English.
He spoke German, French, and English.

2. Homogeneous definitions cannot be expressed by adjectives belonging to different lexical categories.

If definitions are expressed by adjectives, then you can determine whether they need to be separated by commas in the following way. It is known that adjectives are divided into three categories: qualitative, relative And possessive . If one word has definitions expressed by adjectives of different categories, then these definitions will be heterogeneous.

His old woman is standing on the porchExpensive sablewarmer jacket(Pushkin).

The word DUSHEGREYKA has two definitions: DEAR (qualitative adjective) and SOBOLEY (relative adjective).

3. Definitions are considered heterogeneous if one definition is expressed by a pronoun or numeral, and the other by an adjective.

Look at the examples in the illustration.

Why don't you put it onyours newdress?
Finally we have waitedfirst warmdays.

4. Sometimes in works of art there may be sentences in which there are commas between definitions that characterize the subject from different sides.

Read sentences from the works of I. A. Bunin and A. P. Chekhov. In them, the authors strive to create a single, holistic idea of ​​an object or phenomenon, and such definitions can be considered homogeneous.

Has arrivedrainy, dirty, darkautumn(Chekhov).
Clear days have changedcold, bluish-gray, soundless(Bunin).

Punctuation in sentences with homogeneous members connected by coordinating conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions in Russian speech are divided into three categories: connective, divisive and adversative.

Meaning connecting unions can be conventionally designated by the phrase: “BOTH THIS AND THAT.” They connect two homogeneous members to each other. Meaning dividing conjunctions can be defined as follows: “EITHER THIS OR THAT.” Such unions indicate the possibility of only one homogeneous member out of several or their alternation. Meaning adversative unions is expressed differently: “NOT THIS, BUT THIS.” Opposite conjunctions contrast one homogeneous member with another. Consider examples of conjunctions of each category in the illustration.

Please note that the conjunction YES is written both in the column with connecting conjunctions and in the column with adversative conjunctions. The fact is that it can be used in two meanings. Compare two sayings: Without thread Yes needles cannot sew fur coats And Small spool Yes roads. In the first saying, the conjunction YES can be replaced by AND, and in the second - by BUT.

Some coordinating conjunctions consist of several words, for example, AS... AND; NOT ONLY... BUT ALSO. Such unions are called compound.

The placement of commas in sentences where homogeneous members are connected by coordinating conjunctions depends on what category they belong to.

Before coordinating conjunctions connecting homogeneous members, a comma is placed in three cases:

1) if in a sentence homogeneous members are connected by an adversative conjunction:
The berry is red,Yes tastes bitter. The task is difficultbut interesting;

2) if homogeneous members are connected by repeating unions:
It's noisy in the forest alone,And creepy,And funny(Fet);

3) if homogeneous members are connected by compound unions:
There will be a holidayNot only Today,but also Tomorrow..

Now let's turn to cases when there is no need to put a comma before conjunctions connecting homogeneous members.

1. If homogeneous members are connected by a single connecting or dividing conjunction, for example:

Minnows were splashing in the cageAnd perches.
In this forest in the pine trees you may notice a squirrelor woodpecker.

2. If unions combine homogeneous members into pairs, for example:

There were many knives in his collection And daggers, pistols And guns, decorated with precious stones.

3. If two homogeneous members are connected by repeating unions, but form a stable combination: BOTH DAY AND NIGHT, AND LAUGHTER AND SIN, NEITHER YES NOR NO, NEITHER TWO AND A AND A HALF, NEITHER BACK NOR FORWARD and others.

We were woken upneither lightneither dawn.

Punctuation marks in sentences with generalizing words

Read the proposal carefully.

Conifers grew near the housetrees: spruce, pine, fir.

In this example there are four subjects, but it is impossible to call them all homogeneous, because the first of them - the word TREES - unites the subsequent ones in its meaning, or, conversely, the last three subjects specify and clarify the meaning of the first. Between the first subject and the subsequent ones, you can insert the question: “Which ones exactly?”

If one of the words in a sentence is specified, clarified by a number of homogeneous members, then such a word is called generalizing . Please note: the generalizing word is the same member of the sentence as the homogeneous members.

Generalizing words in sentences can be expressed by different parts of speech, but pronouns are especially often used in this capacity, for example:

Neither noble family, nor beauty, nor strength, nor wealth - nothing can escape trouble.(Pushkin) or It has always been this way: a hundred and three hundred years ago.

Generalizing words can also be expressed as whole phrases, for example:

Every day old Moses began to bringvarious large fish : pike, ide, chub, tench, perch(Aksakov).

In this sentence, the combination will be DIFFERENT LARGE FISH.

In sentences with generalizing words, punctuation marks are placed in accordance with the rule of three main points.

1. If a generalizing word comes before homogeneous members, then a colon is placed after it.

Yellow maple leaves layeverywhere : cars.

2. If a generalizing word comes after homogeneous members, then a dash is placed in front of it.

On paths, on benches, on roofs cars – everywhere yellow maple leaves lay.

3. If a generalizing word comes before homogeneous members, and after them the sentence continues, then a colon is placed after the generalizing word, and a dash is placed after the homogeneous members.

Everywhere : on paths, on benches, on roofs cars – yellow maple leaves lay.

Exercise

He lay on his back and looked at the sky for a long time.

The outlines of trees, sprinkled with rain and agitated by the wind, began to emerge from the darkness (Turgenev).

Exhausted_dirty_wet, we reached the shore (According to Turgenev).

In the deep silence, the clinking of a nightingale (Bunin) could be heard clearly and cautiously throughout the garden.

I collected my goodies and returned to my sister (Bunin).

Dew glistened on the wet, fragrant, thick flowers and herbs (Bunin).

The clatter of hooves and the ringing of wheels echoed with thunder and reverberated from four sides (According to Gogol).

Songs and screams were heard louder and louder through the streets (Gogol).

We took a rubber inflatable boat with us and at dawn we went beyond the edge of the coastal water lilies to fish. (Paustovsky)

The waiter put cold and hot appetizers on the table, as well as the main dish - stuffed salmon.

From somewhere outside came the restlessly growing, mighty, menacing noise of a huge crowd (Babel).

I threw a heavy lead sinker at the she-wolf (Paustovsky).

From here one could see a large neglected garden (A. Gaidar).

The menu offered a large selection of white_red wine_ as well as carbonated drinks_ and juices.

Evgeny Schwartz grew up in the small provincial southern city of Maykop.

In the depths of the garden stood an awkward two-story shed, and under the roof of this shed fluttered a small red flag (Gaidar).

It’s especially good in the gazebo on quiet autumn nights, when the leisurely, vertical rain is making a low noise in the garden (Paustovsky).

There are many gas_electric stoves_ and ovens on display at the exhibition.

Ahead is a deserted September day (Paustovsky).

He packed not only clothes but also books into the suitcase.

He decided to pack either clothes or books in his suitcase.

He took out a suitcase and put there_ shirts_ and ties_ and an album with photographs.

The album contained photographs of his wife_ and relatives_ and friends.

In the depths of the garden there was a small outbuilding with small windows that did not open either in winter or in summer.

There were already pies_ and pancakes, pancakes_ and cheesecakes on the table.

I'll order_ either ice cream_ or strawberry juice.

I'll order ice cream_ or strawberry pie_ or cheesecake.

I will order_ not only ice cream_ but also apple pie.

Before, Yegorushka had never seen steamboats, locomotives, or wide rivers (Chekhov).

He is well acquainted with the life of the landowner and the peasant and bourgeois (Turgenev).

On the left side you can see vast fields, forests, three or four villages, and in the distance the village of Kolomenskoye with its high palace (Karamzin).

And the deceptive wave of the blue sea in the hours of fatal bad weather_ and the sling_ and arrow_ and the crafty dagger_ spare the winner for years (Pushkin).

The palisade was hung with bunches of dried pears and apples and airy carpets (according to Gogol).

There were a lot of flowers growing there: crane peas, porridge, bluebells, forget-me-nots, field carnations (Turgenev).

He knows a lot about everything that is important_ and interesting for a Russian person_ in horses_ and in cattle_ in the forest_ in bricks_ and in dishes_ in red goods_ and in leather goods_ in songs_ and dances (Turgenev).

The hare has many enemies: the wolf and the fox and man.

Whether at home or on the street or at a party, he felt someone’s gaze on him everywhere.

Tatyana prepared everything necessary for embroidery: multi-colored threads, beads, sequins, beads.

In our department store you can purchase various_ hats_ caps_ hats_ winter_ and sports hats.

Everywhere_ in the club_ on the streets_ on benches at the gates_ in houses_ noisy conversations took place (Garshin).

Everything merged, everything mixed up: earth_ air_ sky.

The next day, very tasty crayfish pies and lamb cutlets (Chekhov) were served for breakfast.

There were no human feelings left in him - neither love for his son nor compassion for his neighbor.

Deciduous trees_ aspen_ alder_ birch_ are still bare (Soloukhin).

The dew drops shimmered with all the colors of the rainbow: red_ yellow_ green_ purple.

It was joyfully young both in heaven and on earth and in the heart of man (Tolstoy).

1. _ and fatal secrets of the grave, fate_ and life in their turn_ everything was subject to their judgment (Pushkin).

And the shepherd driving the cows and the land surveyor riding in a chaise across the dam and the gentlemen walking all look at the sunset and every single one of them finds that it is terribly beautiful, but no one knows or will say what the beauty is (Chekhov).

And the fact that they were sitting in the living room, where everything, the chandelier in its case, and the armchairs, and the carpets underfoot, said that these same people, who were now looking out of the frames, had once walked, sat, and drank tea, and the fact that it was now silent here beautiful Pelageya walked - it was better than any stories (Chekhov).

Sometimes it happens that the clouds crowd in disarray on the horizon, and the sun, hiding behind them, paints them and the sky in all sorts of colors: crimson, orange, gold, purple, dirty pink; one cloud looks like a monk, another like a fish, the third like a Turk in a turban (Chekhov).

The glow covered a third of the sky, glitters in the church cross_ and in the glass of the manor's house_ reflects in the river_ and in the puddles_ trembles in the trees; far, far away against the background of dawn a flock of wild ducks is flying somewhere to spend the night... (Chekhov).

Imagine... a cropped head with thick, low-hanging eyebrows, a bird's nose, a long gray mustache, and a wide mouth, from which a long cherry chibouk protrudes; this head is clumsily glued to a skinny, hunchbacked body, dressed in a fantastic suit, a scanty red jacket and wide, bright blue trousers; this figure walked with his legs apart and shuffling shoes, spoke without removing his chibouk from his mouth, and carried himself with purely Armenian dignity, did not smile, did not widen his eyes, and tried to pay as little attention to his guests as possible.

A good conductor, conveying the composer’s thoughts, does twenty things at once: reads the score, waves his baton, follows the singer, moves towards the drum, then the horn, and so on. (Chekhov).

Alien people_ alien nature_ pathetic culture_ all this, brother, is not as easy as walking along Nevsky in a fur coat, arm in arm with Nadezhda Fedorovna_ and dreaming of warm lands (Chekhov).

Hatred for von Koren_ and anxiety_ all disappeared from the soul (Chekhov).