Union-free compound sentence (BSP) is a sentence that consists of two or more parts, and these parts are connected only with the help of intonation and various punctuation marks. What punctuation marks can be found in a unionless sentence ? This question can be answered with the following: comma, semicolon, colon or dash. In this article, we will consider cases and examples of setting a dash in BSP.
BSP Examples
To begin, consider examples of complex sentences. The semantic segments (parts) of such sentences consist in a certain semantic correlation, which is why one can meet both a dash in an all-union complex sentence and other punctuation marks. Consider some complex sentences, parts of which are not connected by unions or allied words. For instance:
- It was warm outside, a light wind was blowing, it was getting dark.
- He went outside and saw: everything around was in a terrible mess, as if a deadly hurricane had swept over the city.
- Today she wanted to stay home: she was too tired.
- He lay down - the feather bed fell through his overweight body.
- I peered into the crowd, mottled with bright outfits and cheerful faces, and saw her; She walked nearby and gave me a gentle smile, full of hidden love and maternal tenderness.
- During the night the weather changed - today you can’t walk.
- He got up, went to the table, took a pen and an inkwell; by evening, the letter was ready.
- Today Mary got out of bed and saw flowers - in the evening they were not there.
So, what are the rules for setting a dash in an all-union compound sentence? Let's try to figure it out.
Punctuation mark - dash
The rules for setting this punctuation mark, which is quite common, consist of several important points. So, a dash in the BSP is set if:
- The first part of the sentence indicates the time of the event of the second part.
- The first part contains the condition of the event.
- The second part is a consequence or conclusion relating to the first part of an all-union compound sentence.
- The second part includes a comparison related to the event of the first part.
- The second part is the opposition of the first.
- Parts of the BSP contain a quick change of events.
Let's consider each of them separately.
Time
First of all, a dash in an all-union compound sentence can be set when the subordinate union “when” is omitted. That is, such a construction of the BSP can easily be replaced by a complex proposal with an additional part of the time. Consider examples of sentences in which the first part indicates the time of an event that has occurred (or is occurring) in the second part.
- I walked through the park - clouds were gathering.
This BSP, which consists of two parts, can be replaced by a complex sentence: When I walked through the park, the clouds thickened.
- We traveled from afar - met with foreigners.
Equivalent: When traveling from afar, met with foreigners.
- “Children will grow up - they will become brave astronauts,” the mother suggested.
This sentence consists of the words of the author and direct speech, which is an example with a dash in a union-free compound sentence. It can be replaced with the following complex sentence: When the children grow up, they will become brave astronauts.
Condition
This case is very similar to the previous one. The only difference is that the model with the dash in the all-union compound sentence can be replaced by a complex sentence with the “if” alliance. Let's look at some examples.
- It would be nice weather - would we go for a walk.
Replace this proposal with its complex equivalent: If the weather was nice, we would go for a walk with you.
- He will ask a lot - you won’t know anything.
Complicated sentence: If you ask a lot, you won’t know anything.
- If you don’t find a lost book, you will be punished.
This sentence is a prime example of a dash in an all-union compound sentence. Let us substitute the “if” union: If you do not find a lost book, you will be punished.
Consequence, conclusion
Such unionless compound sentences often replace complex sentences with a subordinate part of the investigation, which joins the main one with the help of the so-so union.
- Spring came early - in March, nightingales had already arrived.
Complicated proposal: Spring came early, so that in March, nightingales arrived.
- The boy quarreled with his parents - he received a bad grade at school.
The boy quarreled with his parents, so he received a bad grade at school.
- A terrible earthquake happened - many houses were seriously damaged.
Equivalent: A terrible earthquake struck, so many homes were badly damaged.
Comparison
Also, a dash in a non-union compound sentence is set in this case if the second part of this sentence contains a comparison. As a rule, a similar construction can be replaced by an allied SPP, in which the dependent part is the subordinate circumstantial part with the comparison value.
To replace the BSP with a complex sentence, between the parts of this sentence you can substitute the unions “as if”, “as if”, “exactly”, “how”, “like” and some others.
- A vigilant hunter noticed a red fox tail in the distance - a small light flashed among the dark trees.
Let us substitute one of the possible alliances: A vigilant hunter noticed a red fox tail in the distance, as if a small light had flickered among dark trees.
- Today it was very heavy rain - someone invisible poured icy water from a large bucket into each passerby.
Complicated sentence: Today it was very heavy rain, as if someone invisible poured icy water from a large bucket into every passerby.
Contrast
The juxtaposition of the two parts often causes difficulties when performing exercises on the dash in an all-union compound sentence. In fact, this case does not differ from others in increased complexity. What is its essence?
In such a BSP there is a clear contrast between the second part of the first. That is, the meaning of the first part contradicts the meaning of the second. A distinctive feature of this type of sentence is that its construction can be replaced by a compound sentence, parts of which are connected by intonation and one of the creative opposing conjunctions (“a”, “but”, “yes” - in the meaning of the union “but”, “ but "," however, "sometimes" the same ").
Examples of unionless complex sentences with the contrast of its parts:
- I decided to do everything myself - I didn’t succeed.
Replace: I decided to do everything myself, but nothing worked out for me.
- Noticing the lifeless body of the kitten on the street, I took it home and tried to warm it - I could not bring it back to life.
Complicated proposal: Having noticed the lifeless body of a kitten on the street, I took it home and tried to warm it, but I could not bring it back to life.
- It was not possible to carry out the tasks set - helped my sister solve her problem.
Equivalent: The tasks set could not be completed, but helped my sister solve her problem.
- Nothing terrible happened - he was still terribly scared.
Substitution: Nothing terrible happened, but he was still terribly scared.
Quick change of events
This situation is a special point highlighted in the study of the dash rule in an all-union compound sentence. Such a proposal cannot be replaced by either a complex or complex equivalent. Its main difference from the rest of the BSP with a dash is the value of its constituent parts. A dash between the parts of the union-free sentence is set when the action of the second part occurs immediately after the event of the first part. For a better understanding of this rule, consider the examples.
- I went out into the yard - the first snow crunched under my soles.
The snow crunched right after the protagonist went out into the yard. That is, the events of the BSP are replaced instantly.
- Vasily raised the curtains - bright sunlight hit him in the eye.
- I began to think about our problem - she immediately proposed an original solution.
- He nevertheless decided to sit on this unreliable bench - it immediately collapsed.
Setting a dash in BSP is a rather complicated topic when studying the Russian language, as it includes several important points. But besides a dash and a comma that does not cause any difficulties, other punctuation marks are put in this sentence. Consider some features of their formulation.
Colon
By examining the colon and dashes in an all-union compound sentence, you can easily complete the appropriate tasks. When is a colon placed in the BSP?
In this situation, you can also highlight individual points, however, in contrast to the rules for setting dashes, there are only three such points.
1. The second part of the BSP indicates the cause of the event that occurred in the first part. In this case, an alliance “because” can be put between the parts of the sentence, turning it into a complex sentence with a subordinate part of the reason. Examples:
- Today I decided to stay alone: ​​it was too painful for anyone to be present.
- We did not know what to do: all our ideas were void.
2. The second part of the sentence explains the meaning of one or more words from the first. Between the parts of such a BSP, you can substitute the “what” alliance. In addition, the first part can be supplemented with a verb expressing sensory perception (saw, noticed, felt, heard, felt). Examples of such BSPs:
- And he repeated: there is no salvation to anyone.
- I looked out the window: a terrible snowstorm was chalking in the street.
- Mother went into the room with the children: Pavlush read a book about sailors, Nadia was building a model of a military fighter.
3. The second part of the BSP discloses the content of the first part. In this case, between its parts you can insert a stable combination of "namely." For instance:
- Her drawing seemed to me too colorful. There was no empty space on it: seagulls flew everywhere, children played and bright red tulips grew.
- I learned a lot from him: information about many scientists, scientific facts and details of important historical events.
Semicolon
When setting this punctuation mark, unlike a colon and a dash in an all-union compound sentence, one cannot be guided by specific rules. In this case, it is necessary to pay attention to the meaning of the sentence (using the principle “here the comma is small and the dots are many”) and the composition of the parts of the complex sentence. So, if parts of the BSP are complicated by various participle / participle phrases, homogeneous members, etc. (that is, they contain additional punctuation marks), they must be separated from each other using a semicolon.
- That evening, she, in a beautiful dress, sitting on the stage and forgetting everything, played her favorite melody on the cello; the hall listened with bated breath.
- Misha, akimbo, stood next to his mother and looked menacingly at passers-by; the man, noting the serious look of a five-year-old boy, smiled faintly.
- Standing in a crowd, among hundreds or maybe thousands of people, she waited only for him; as she hoped, he noticed her right away.
Examples of BSP in Fiction
The punctuation mark is a comma:
Since then, he has rarely seen him in a farm; he has not been to the Maidan. (M. Sholokhov "Quiet Don")
Prokofy rushed into the house, but in the Sentsi he was caught up. (M. Sholokhov "Quiet Don")
The door, as then, opened to a tiny crack, and again two sharp and distrustful eyes looked at him from the darkness. (F. Dostoevsky "Crime and Punishment")
Dash in a unionless sentence:
We warm the frog for a long time with our hot breath - it still did not come to life. (M. Prishvin "The Frog")
I want to him - you drag with you. (A. Griboedov "Woe from Wit")
... I was gloomy, - other children are cheerful and talkative; I felt taller than them - they put me lower. (M. Lermontov "Hero of our time")
Colon in BSP:
In the expression of his face, in his movements, in his gait, there was almost no noticeable previous pretense, fatigue and laziness: he looked like a person who did not have time to think about the impression he makes on others, and was busy with a pleasant and interesting business. (L. Tolstoy - "War and Peace")
His face expressed more satisfaction with himself and others; his smile and his eyes were more cheerful and attractive. (L. Tolstoy - "War and Peace")
Semicolon:
Then, like a wave, a wrinkle ran across his face, his forehead smoothed out; he bowed his head respectfully, closed his eyes, silently let Mac through him, and shut the door behind himself. (L. Tolstoy - "War and Peace")
A minute passed; even in her eyes it seemed to him something like a mockery, as if she had already guessed everything. (F. Dostoevsky - "Crime and Punishment")
He rushed at her with an ax; her lips twisted as pitifully as in very young children, when they start to get scared of something, look intently at a subject that scares them and are about to scream. (F. Dostoevsky - "Crime and Punishment")
So, we studied specific cases when a dash is put in union-free complex sentences, which often consists of two parts. The use of complex sentences in speech is an indicator of the literacy and richness of a person’s language. Therefore, gain knowledge and acquire the ability to write and speak correctly, which is the basis of quality education.