Homogeneous elements in a sentence have a mutual compositional relationship and, as a rule, perform the same function. They can be expressed not only in separate words, but also in constructions. What is a common mistake in constructing sentences with homogeneous members? Examples are presented in the article.
The concept
The members of a sentence that answer the same question and fulfill a common syntactic function are called homogeneous. They are equal, are dependent on each other. The connection between them can be unionless or composing. There are four options for connecting homogeneous elements.
The first is an incomplete listing. For example: “In literature, he was omnivorous. I read classics, science fiction, ironic detectives. ” Similar constructions are found in texts that are characterized by a neutral narrative.
The second option is characterized by intonation of homogeneous members. Although there is an incomplete enumeration here. For example: "He visited Berlin, Munich, and Frankfurt."
The third option for listing homogeneous elements is a vicious circle. For example: "Father brought a hammer, nails and several boards."
The fourth option has three varieties. This combination of homogeneous members is an enumeration of paired groups that are close in value. Varieties of the fourth variant of the combination of homogeneous elements:
- Paired words are close in meaning (“The appearance and speech of the owner, the light and warmth in the room calmed the guests”).
- Groups of paired words are contrasting concepts ("Hopes and fears, fear and joy filled her soul").
- A pairwise combination of words that are logically far apart (“He loved poetry and prose, science fiction and realism”).
What is the most common mistake in constructing sentences with homogeneous members? Examples, classification are given below. Such errors not only negatively affect the style of the text, but can also mislead the reader.
Incomparable concepts
A common mistake in constructing sentences with homogeneous members, examples of which can be found in a neutral text, is to use words that have different stylistic meanings. That is, disparate concepts act as homogeneous members. However, in literary texts this can be considered as a special technique of expressiveness.
So, using disparate concepts is a common mistake in constructing sentences with homogeneous members. Examples of it can be found in works of art. In this case, such a “mistake” is nothing but a way to create a comic effect. This is a special stylistic device that individualizes the speech of a character or storyteller. Examples:
- A maid ran out to meet him with a candle and a joyful face.
- Toward the end of his life, he got a new position, an impressive bald patch and a young wife.
Lexical Incompatibility
In the above examples, there is an incorrect construction, which the author carries out intentionally. In neutral style texts, such a phenomenon is unacceptable.
Lexical incompatibility is a common mistake in constructing sentences with homogeneous members. Examples are provided below. In brackets, each of them contains a sentence with the correct construction.
- In just two hours, he managed to complete a written assignment and an essay on literature (In just two hours, he managed to complete a written assignment and an essay on literature).
- During the debate, the participants made several suggestions and comments (During the debate, the participants made several suggestions and made a number of comments).
- In the creation of this project, his proposals played a significant role and crucial (In the creation of this project, his proposals played a significant role and were crucial).
Incompatibility of specific and generic concepts
In everyday life, the incorrect construction of a sentence is often found. Such errors are not blatant. However, they can distort the meaning. Incompatibility of specific and generic concepts is a mistake in constructing sentences with homogeneous members. Examples:
- The store has a large selection of pastries, cakes, cakes and chocolates.
- This shopping center has the widest range of mixers, multicookers and appliances.
- He did not find a single novelty in the library. On the shelves were only Chekhov's stories, Tolstoy's novels and works of Russian literature.
- At this creative evening, school students demonstrated their skills in playing the piano, synthesizer and keyboards.
In each of the examples, the generalizing word is placed in one row with homogeneous elements. This is the mistake. For example, in the third sentence, the phrase “works of Russian literature” is a generalizing element. Tolstoy’s novels and Chekhov’s stories are homogeneous elements.
Crossbreeding Concepts
The list of homogeneous members should not contain words that match in meaning. That is, the use of intersecting concepts. This is a fairly common mistake in constructing sentences with homogeneous members. Examples and types of such errors are similar to those that are present in the above sentences.
The Russian language has a fixed momentum. For example: International Festival of Students and Youth. In phrases that are not exceptions, the use of concepts that are similar in meaning as homogeneous members is unacceptable. Examples of incorrect combinations of homogeneous elements:
- In the boarding house lived poets, writers and vacationers.
- Violinists, pianists, and musicians perform at the Philharmonic.
- Famous filmmakers, actors, directors and producers arrived at the international festival from all over Europe.
Stylistic mistakes
Unsuccessful word proximity is also a common mistake in constructing sentences with homogeneous members. Examples of offers:
- The training of rangers for the extermination of foxes and wolves responsible for organizing this event (of course, not forest animals are responsible).
- List of documents for obtaining citizenship and a residence permit required at the initial stage (A list of papers is required, but not a residence permit).
Paired homogeneous members
A random combination of words is a mistake in constructing sentences with homogeneous members. Examples and proper use:
- This topic is covered in newspapers and books, brochures and lectures, magazines and reports (This topic is covered in newspapers and books, brochures and magazines, lectures and reports).
- The online store has a wide range of products for women: dresses and tunics, accessories and fur coats, jewelry sets and coats (The online store has a wide range of products for women: dresses and tunics, fur coats and coats, accessories and jewelry).
Heterogeneous morphological categories
In journalistic texts, various lists and listings are often present. Examples:
- The advantages of this cafe network: 1. Reasonable prices. 2. The menu contains a variety of dishes.
- Features of this literary genre: 1. Compressed plot. 2. A small number of characters. 3. The final is not over.
Each listing contains a grammatical error in constructing sentences with homogeneous members. Examples of correct wording:
- The advantages of this cafe network: 1. Reasonable prices. 2. A varied menu.
- Features of this literary genre: 1. Compressed plot. 2. A small number of characters. 3. The unfinished finale.
Of course, deviations from stylistic and grammatical norms are permissible in fiction. Especially if colloquially vernacular constructions take place. There are many examples of “incorrect constructions” in the works of Dostoevsky. Transmitting the dialogue of heroes, the writer with the help of such techniques gives a specific coloring to the character's speech.
Comparative Union Offers
Violations of the stylistic norm are a common mistake in constructing sentences with homogeneous members. Examples and rules are present in Russian language textbooks for grade 11. But after passing the exam, the material is quickly forgotten. In order not to make grammatical and stylistic mistakes when writing texts, it is necessary to determine which members in the sentence are homogeneous. The connection between them can be a double alliance.
For example: "It is necessary to pay attention not only to the content of the poetic work, but also to the means of expression." Here, the phrase “content” and “means of expression” play the role of homogeneous members. Therefore, parts of the comparative union are in front of each of them. Such a construction of the sentence would be incorrect: "It is necessary not only to pay attention to the content of the poetic work, but also to expressive means."
There is also the misuse of the doubles. Examples:
- For several years, not only a theater and other cultural and educational institutions were built in this city, as well as a new hospital and a house for the disabled (the use of the double union “not only ... but also” is appropriate.
- She wrote both novels and novels, as well as scripts for films (the union “both ... and” should be used).
Case Coordination
In a sentence that lists homogeneous elements, a generalizing word may be present. In this case, it is important to pay attention to case matching. Otherwise, an error is made in constructing sentences with homogeneous members. The examples and types listed above do not have such pronounced grammatical violations as those that are present in the following phrases:
- Over the fifty years of continuous literary creation, this writer has written many works: essays, essays, short stories, short stories.
- In her wardrobe was a myriad of dresses: evening, beach, office.
- He often traveled around the country and in only a year he visited four cities: Samara, Lipetsk, Ufa, Kaluga.
Heterogeneous designs
What other errors are there? Not only in colloquial speech, but also in writing, heterogeneous syntactic constructions are often combined with the help of a compositional union. For example: "He asked her about yesterday's premiere and what she thinks about the performance."
Violation of grammatical norms in fiction, as already mentioned, is permissible. Wrong construction of a sentence with homogeneous elements in a journalistic text is a gross stylistic or grammatical mistake.