How to explain the setting of commas and colons in a letter and how to determine their location? Every educated person should know the answers to such questions, which is why so much time is devoted to this topic in the learning process. For the correct placement of punctuation marks in writing, one of the main topics in the school curriculum in the Russian language are union and union-free sentences.
What is a union?
In order to deal with this topic, first you need to familiarize yourself with the definition of such a part of speech as union. This is a service part used to connect words in separate phrases, as well as several grammatical foundations of a complex sentence. The union, like prepositions, does not answer questions, does not denote an object, its action or sign, and if this part of speech is used to connect words or components of a sentence, then it is called allied. If this connection is transmitted only with the help of intonation and meaning, then we have before us all-union proposals. Examples of such a semantic dependence can be found in any statement. Both that and other communication on the letter are distinguished by certain punctuation marks depending on the arrangement of parts of the sentence.
Varieties and classification
In their structure, unions are of several types.
- Compound - consisting of two or more words. For example: since, in order to, because.
- Simple - consisting of one word. For example: a, and, but, however.
- Derivatives - which are formed on the basis of other parts of speech. For example: also where, which.
- Single or non-repeating unions. They can only be used once per sentence.
- Paired or double - having pairs. For example: if ... then, because ... how.
It should be noted that one and the same union in structure can refer to several points at once. For example: “and” - simple, non-derivative and single.
By the method of linking parts of a sentence or its homogeneous members, unions are divided into subordinate and composing. These two groups, in turn, are divided into several varieties.
The composition of the compositional unions includes:
- connecting, serving for semantic communication in the enumeration (yes, and, not only ... but also others);
- opposing unions are used to contrast the qualities and attributes of an object;
- Separation - serve solely to dilute the text, breaking a number of listings.
The second group is subordinate unions, which are used to connect words and parts of complex sentences.
- Explanatory, expressive explanations. These include the words: what, to, as if.
- Circumstances unifying complex sentences with an indication of location, time, purpose, effect, condition, concession, comparison and reason. These include such unions: where, where, to, so that, as if, although, despite.
What are unionless sentences?
Examples of non-union communication between several grammatical foundations in the Russian language are very common. The essence of such combinations lies in its name. In other words, unions in conversation are replaced by intonation, and in writing they are separated by the same punctuation marks as in their use. It should be noted that a complex sentence is called only if it has several grammatical foundations. The union-free sentence with a comma looks something like this:
- The sun was setting over the horizon, the wind was rising. - Such a connection when reading is separated by a pause, and a comma on the letter.
The same sentence can be written using the union:
- The sun was setting over the horizon and the wind was rising. - In this example, the union of “and” is used to connect the two grammatical foundations.
In addition to the comma, sentences can be separated by semicolons and dashes.
Punctuation and communication options in a sentence
How to determine which signs in union-free sentences should be used when writing them? First you need to understand what is the semantic connection between all grammatical foundations, which makes the statement a single whole.
In conversation, an intonational connection is usually used, which is divided into three types.
- Enumeration. For example: It was raining, the wet asphalt darkened, a delicate aroma emanated from wet dust.
- The contrast. For example: There will be rain - there will be mushrooms.
- Explanation. For example: I definitely say: you have talent.
It is based on the intonation of the statement that it is very often easy to determine what the author wants to express, and, accordingly, write down all the words with the correct punctuation marks.
Comma and All-Union Suggestions
Examples of sentences with union-free communication using a comma can be found in almost any text. As already mentioned, this punctuation mark is used in writing complex sentences with several grammatical foundations, which are closely related in meaning and sound like an enumeration. That is, when there is a connecting connection between all the fundamentals, where the relationship between them is constructed in such a way that the union of “and” harmoniously fits between them. Grammatical foundations with all parts of speech attached to them in this case are marked with commas on the letter. In conversation, they are distinguished by intonation with notes of enumeration and pauses.
When to put a semicolon?
As a rule, the object of writing a semicolon is a sentence with non-union connection. This sign is often found in literary works and is used in several cases:
- When there is no close semantic connection between the parts of a sentence. Or they are diluted with a large number of other members with a comma between them.
- In the event that a complex non-union proposal has several groups that are distant from each other in meaning.
- When the sentence is observed and semantic, and allied connection. In this case, a semicolon is placed on the border of the parts, and only a comma is placed before the union.
Colon in sentences
Very often, they use union-free sentences to convey the intonation of a statement in a letter with a certain dependence of its parts. Examples of the use of a colon in such cases are quite common, and this sign should be put in such cases:
- The second part reveals or explains the meaning of the first, both of which can be composed of several grammatical bases. As a rule, between them you can easily substitute the union “namely.”
- The first part contains a verb that warns of a subsequent description or statement of fact. In this case, the union of “what” can easily be inserted between the parts.
- If the second part indicates the reason or basis for the action described in the first component. It is easy to supplement such a connection with the unions “since”, “because”, “because”.
- In the event that the second part is a direct question.
When to put a dash
The main object of writing a dash is the union-free sentence. Examples of its formulation in complex sentences show that this sign is used in several cases:
- With the unexpected joining of the second part to the first, where the dash is easily replaced by the union “and”. In this case, it is very important not to confuse the close semantic connection with the unexpected turn of the utterance.
- When there is a contrast between one grammatical basis of a complex sentence and another, where it is easy to substitute the union “but” or “a”.
- If the second part of the sentence is a consequence of the first or the conclusion proceeding from the first part. It is easy to verify such a connection by substituting in the proposal the unions “therefore” and “then”.
- In the case of indicating the time, condition or comparison of the occurring event described in the second part of the complex sentence.
- If between the grammatical foundations you can put the word "it."
The use of punctuation marks makes it possible to convey a semantic and intonational connection in a letter. And it also allows you to emphasize the dependence of simple grammatical foundations, combined into a complex or complex subordinate sentence. It is such signs as a comma, semicolon, dash and colon that allow you to write down and then correctly read the emotions expressed by the author.