Plug-in constructions are individual words, phrases or additional sentences that represent some kind of comments, introduce additional amendments, clarifications, explanations to the main idea expressed in the whole sentence.
Characteristic features of plug-in structures:
- they cannot stand at the very beginning of a sentence;
- on the letter, the inserted constructions are separated by brackets or dashes, but not by commas;
- in places of insertion of a plug-in structure, when pronouncing a phrase, a pause is observed, the tone of speech usually decreases. Examples:
- In the late evening (it was about eleven) we were awakened by a light knock on the window pane.
- Many young girls (like Chekhov's “sisters”) try to find luck and happiness in Moscow.
- Obeying the strange whim, as well as the innate instinct of the clown, comedian, he betrayed himself - and not just anywhere, but in Paris! - for the Englishman. (Dode)
- By the simplicity of his nature - this was his hallmark - he could trust the first comer.
- Meanwhile, twilight was thickening rapidly (it was winter), and the contours of objects became more and more vague.
Plug-in constructions can function as predicative parts of a sentence, that is, they can be a simple sentence in a single semantic and syntactic integrity with a complex sentence.
- You will (as I have already noted) be present with the rest of the meeting.
- The rain (and he had been walking for three hours) did not seem to stop all night.
A fairly large group consists of inserts in which the date is indicated: year, century, etc.
- It was just the time (60s) of the debate of “physicists and lyricists”.
- Bramante was seventy years old when he passed away (1514), without completing the reconstruction of the Vatican.
Plug-in constructions, examples of which are given below, are connected to the main sentence using conjunctions and allied words.
- He did not object to the reproach in his address (because he did not have time to do anything), but his mood was spoiled for the whole day.
- Mikhail was always attracted to architecture (and he dreamed of the profession of an architect from childhood), and he always began his acquaintance with a new city with architectural monuments.
Distinguish between introductory and plug-in designs. Unlike the latter, introductory constructions are not formally associated with proposal members . They can express various meanings with emotional coloring: surprise, joy, regret, irony, etc. (to surprise, to horror, to luck, to chagrin, fortunately, it’s a sin to conceal):
- What a sin to hide, he was little interested in farming.
Introductory constructions mean a sequence of actions or statements of thoughts (firstly, secondly, first of all, in conclusion, finally):
- Firstly, I have already seen this film, and secondly, I prefer the psychological thriller to melodrama .
They can also perform a modal function, giving an assessment in terms of the reality of the event in question (undoubtedly, probably, definitely, of course, of course, perhaps):
- Perhaps you should not go fishing because of the promised hot weather.
Plug-in constructions and introductory words enrich both oral speech, making it more expressive and vibrant, as well as the author's style of the writer. However, it should be remembered that the use of these structures should not be abused.