Complicated call the sentence, which in its composition has independent parts connected to each other by creative unions. Components have, as a rule, equal semantic and grammatical meaning. Between them there can be a comma, a semicolon or a dash. Punctuation in a compound sentence is one of the most difficult punctuation topics.
Connecting unions
What punctuation marks are used in a compound sentence? It depends on the context. And in order to answer this difficult question, first of all, it is necessary to understand what construction a similar unit of language has. If it consists of two or more simple sentences, then this is a compound sentence. Moreover, its parts have a semantic connection with each other, and their punctuation marks share. In a complex sentence, in most cases these are commas. They are put in the presence of one of the connecting unions (and, yes). Examples:
- Autumn foliage burned in the sun in shades of green, red and yellow, and in this bright multicolor the deserted and desolate river bank looked so strange.
- Take a look around and you can see so much new and interesting.
- Elena spoke in a whisper, and her mother also tried not to make noise.
Opposing Unions
These service parts are necessary for combining and linking homogeneous members of the proposal. They create a semantic contrast between them, emphasize the difference or inconsistency. And before such words are always punctuation marks. In a complex sentence - in the presence of opposing unions - the component parts are separated by a comma. Examples:
- Ivan Petrovich was tired of exhausting his whole body, but being in an interesting company and listening to his favorite music was so pleasant.
- We must finally take out all this old furniture in the trash, and other things do not leave time for household chores at all.
- Colleagues were hostile towards the new history teacher, while students loved her wholeheartedly.
- Material dependence on anyone was not in its principles, but work and a separate apartment create a feeling of freedom.
- Parents will have to take measures, otherwise he will be expelled from school once for such achievement.
In addition to such service parts of speech, like, but, on the other hand, yes, and not that , the unions also belong to the adversaries , but, however, and that.
Separation Unions
Punctuation marks in a compound sentence are placed before such service parts of speech as either, or, then ... then, or ... or, whether ... or, not ... not that. In the presence of a double separation union, the comma is always placed before its second component. Examples:
- Calm down, or it will be bad.
- He fell silent, then began to speak again.
- Something needs to be done, or he will die!
- Whether he had serious intentions or whether he played again was not clear.
Punctuation marks between parts of a compound sentence in the presence of a double union are placed before its second component.
Joining Unions
These include alliances yes, and also. Before one of them must certainly be a comma. Examples:
- He liked her more and more; he, too, seemed to be partial to her.
- The appearance of this man made a rather depressing impression, his voice was also unpleasant.
Explanatory Unions
As the name implies, these words are intended to clarify, clarify. Unions of this kind - namely, that is. They should always be preceded by a comma. Examples:
- After this terrible event, the number of residents decreased, namely - there was only a gentleman with a blank expression and two old women who could hardly hear anything.
- The time was right for the conversation, that is, it was quiet, calm and there was no need to be afraid of the arrival of uninvited guests.
When are punctuation marks not given?
Complex sentences, examples of which are given below, do not contain a comma. In each of them there is a connecting union. But the parts of the sentence are united by a minor member, and therefore no punctuation mark is required. Examples:
- Soon after the arrival of the train, the town was inundated with tourists and idly roamed its streets until late in the evening.
- His mother has huge, nutty, kind eyes and soft, flaxen hair.
- By that time, the publishing house had published several children's books and two collections of poems.
However, if the members of the proposal are united by a minor member, but the union is repeated, a comma is put. Examples:
- On such a frosty winter night, the wolf does not wander, and the bear does not appear from its den.
- In sunny, calm weather, you don’t feel like working, and the sandy beach attracts and distracts you from everything.
Clause as a common part
Not only a minor member can be common. An adverbial clause sometimes appears in his role. And, of course, in this case, a comma is also not set. Examples:
- It was already dawn and people were gathering at the bus stop when he was just returning home.
- When the guest escorted home, it was completely dark outside and only moonlight illuminated the path.
- When he went on stage, his heart was beating violently and his hands trembled noticeably.
Interrogative sentence
You should know that commas are not always placed in front of the connecting union. In some cases, punctuation marks in complex sentences are not required. Examples:
- Who is he and why did he come without a preliminary call?
- How did they get here and what do they need?
- What time will the meeting be held and what exactly will it be discussed at?
- Will Magomed come to the mountain or should the mountain go to Magomed?
In each of the above examples, the sentence consists of two interrogative bases. Parts are united by interrogative intonation. Therefore, punctuation marks in a compound sentence of this type are not required.
Similar to the previous examples, punctuation between parts of a compound sentence is not required in the following phrases:
- Dismiss all employees and hire new ones only after my approval! (An incentive sentence.)
- How ridiculous and how absurd his antics! (Exclamatory sentence.)
- They began to look for traces of the crime, but, as always, did not find anything (vaguely personal offer).
You should be aware that when repeating the connecting union between the impersonal parts of the sentence, a comma is placed. Example: And rain, and wind, and haze.
Semicolon
Punctuation marks between parts of a compound sentence are not always commas. If parts of complex construction are common sentences and also have commas inside themselves, they are separated by a semicolon. Examples:
- He himself invented all this, because he resolutely did not remember that he dreamed last night; but when the mother, touched by this story, began to calm and comfort him, he almost burst into tears.
- She became unbearably sad at the moment when they saw each other for the last time; however, something similar to relief appeared in her soul.
- He spoke affectionately to her, held his hand, and happiness shone in his eyes; and she took everything for granted, as she got used to enthusiastic looks and long ago ceased to appreciate them.
A comma with a period is more often placed in front of such unions, but, however, yes, and then . And only in rare cases - before a. Examples:
- Five years these strange works were carried out on the construction of the building; but either the climate was unsuitable, or the material was of poor quality, only things did not advance beyond the foundation.
- He studied well, although he was not particularly diligent; he never seriously mourned anything; however, from time to time some wild irresistible obstinacy found on him.
- Drunkenness and carelessness were common among the inhabitants of this village; but many of the necessary qualities were rare for the local inhabitants: hard work, honesty, friendliness.
Punctuation rules in complex sentences may allow a semicolon before unions yes and and . But only in those rare cases when this sign stands between two sentences that would be separated by a period without it. Example:
- Soon the whole park, warmed by the rays of the spring sun, came to life, and dew drops, like diamonds, sparkled on tulips; and the old, already somewhat neglected park seemed festively elegant that day.
Dash
All of the above suggestions are examples of applying the rules that a high school student should know. One of the topics that are paid special attention at the Russian language lessons is “Punctuation marks in a compound sentence”. Grade 9 is an important stage in the school curriculum, when previously acquired knowledge is generalized and consolidated. The dash in complex sentences is a deeper topic. It is worth giving at least a few examples of the use of this punctuation mark.
It is put in those cases if in the second part of the sentence there is a sharp opposition or accession. Examples:
- The hunter threw something into a blazing fire - and immediately everything around him lit up.
- He hurried there, fled that there is urine - and there was not a soul.
In order to correctly place punctuation marks in a compound sentence, it is necessary to determine the composition of its parts. And if there are only two of them, and each of them is one-part nominative, a dash should be put between them. Examples:
- Another moment - and he will fall at her feet.
- Ten years of this existence - and the human soul is broken.
The division of sentences into two semantic parts
Sometimes in one long phrase is a description of two phenomena or actions. In such cases, the sentence is divided into two semantic parts using a dash. Example:
- In the mountains, if you encounter a small rock from a great height, it will touch another in flight, then a third, and they will entail dozens, and there will be hundreds - and then a terrible stone avalanche will rapidly crash down.
But the dash can be shared by simple constructions: "One has only to say a good word - and the person is saved."
Punctuation marks in a compound and complex sentence are topics that can only be mastered with the help of practical exercises. Rules are more quickly remembered if to use various schemes. And although spelling and punctuation are sections of the humanities, it’s worth creating simple graphic images. Especially when it comes to a topic such as “Punctuation marks in compound sentences”.
Table (unions and punctuation marks in compound sentences)
The table below contains the basic rules for using a semicolon, semicolon and dash between parts of a complex sentence. Unions that correspond to one or another punctuation mark are also indicated.
| Punctuation marks are not trumpeted | Comma | Semicolon | Dash |
| Before unions and, yes , if parts of a sentence have a common element (minor member of a sentence, subordinate part, introductory word, particle) | Between simple sentences, before unions and, yes , also, moreover,
| Parts of the proposal distributed | In the second part, there is accession or opposition |
| A sentence consists of parts, each of which is an interrogative, incentive, exclamatory, or vague sentence | Between simple sentences, before unions , but, however, is not that, moreover | | One or two parts are nominative sentences. |
| The sentence consists of parts that include synonymous words | Between simple sentences, before unions or, or | | The sentence falls into semantic parts |
| Between simple sentences, before unions, namely, that is | | The offer consists of short designs. |
From the foregoing, it should be concluded: in order to correctly place punctuation marks, it is necessary to determine the type of sentence, highlight its grammatical foundations, and then understand what kind of unions the service parts of speech connecting the parts of this sentence belong to.