All parts of speech are usually divided into independent and official. The first are the most important.
They represent the basis of linguistic diversity. The latter perform an auxiliary function. These
parts of speech include unions. In Russian, they serve to connect the
independent parts of speech. There are special rules for their use. In addition, such parts of speech can be divided into types. What are unions in Russian? You will find the answer to this question below.
What are unions?
In the Russian language, this part of speech is called upon to unite homogeneous members, as well as parts of a complex sentence, and at the same time express semantic relations between them.
Unlike the prepositions close to them, unions are not assigned to any case. All of them are classified on various grounds. So, in their structure, unions are divided into two types: simple and compound. The former consist of one word (or, too), the latter consist of several (because, since).
Main classification
There is another reason why they are divided into types of unions in the Russian language. The table fully discloses the essence of this classification.
Types of unions depending on the functions performed |
Composing (serve to connect both homogeneous members and parts of complex sentences) | Subordinates (link the main and subordinate parts in a complex sentence) |
Connecting | And, yes, too, no, no, also | Explanatory | To, like ... |
Causal | Because, because ... |
Nasty | Yes, but, however, but | Target | To, then to ... |
Temporary | When, barely ... |
Conditional | If, when ... |
Dividing | Or, or, this, that, or that, not that, or that | Concessional | Although, let ... |
Comparative | As if... |
In addition, all unions can be divided into non-derivatives (and how) and derivatives, that is, formed from other parts of speech (despite).
Punctuation points
There are special rules according to which it is determined whether to apply any punctuation mark or not. As a rule, this is most often a comma. It is always put before the union, but not after.
It should be noted that, despite the similarity of some parts of speech, the same rules cannot be applied to them. Thus, the unions and prepositions dotting the Russian language, although they have much in common, are nevertheless characterized in different ways. Let us return to the rules established directly for the part of speech that interests us. So, a comma before unions is needed if they are nasty (“She’s not that angry, but even screamed”), paired (“Either the snow will fall, or the rain”) or subordinate (“I’ll come if you you will call "). In addition, this punctuation mark is needed if it separates the parts of a complex sentence (“Spring has come, and starlings have arrived”). If the union connects homogeneous members, then a comma is not required ("Green and blue balls rushed into the sky"). These are the general rules for using this part of speech in writing. If a union has a comma before writing, then a pause should be made in speech at this place.