One of the most common in high school is the comma before "what", "how" and in other words in structures that are connected with them. This happens, some authors of school textbooks call all constructions with these words a comparative phrase.
In fact "How" can act as a conjunction or particle. And such a construction is not always a comparative turnover. In some cases it is a circumstance.
The design acts as:
- Predicate: The whole world is like an exciting adventure.
- Definitions or applications: The crocodile, as a rare animal, is listed in the Red Book.
- Comparative turnover or circumstances: Life seethed like a waterfall of passions.
- Introductory design: I decided to change my shirt, or chemise, as my mother would say.
- Subordinate part: Living in the countryside is as difficult as describing the smell of freshly cut grass in words..
Difference and other combinations
Comma before "How" is placed in the following cases:
1) If the combination means exclusively likening, i.e. it means "like" and no longer has any other meanings. This construction is called a comparative phrase and acts as a circumstance in a sentence. For example: Vasily, like a hero, defended his friend. But it is necessary to pay attention to the point that the comparative phrase is not separated by commas if it is in the middle of the sentence. In this case, the part of the sentence to which this construction relates is emphasized. For example: At the ball, Anna, in love like a passionate girl, looked into the eyes of her chosen one. In this sentence, comparative turnover is not separated from "lover" a comma only because these words have a semantic connection. If there is a comma before the word "How", then it will come out “looked like a passionate lioness”, but the sentence has a completely different meaning.
2) If the combination is used together with the conjunction “and”. This construction is also called a comparative phrase and acts as a circumstance in a sentence: Peter, like everyone else in the class, treated me well.
Applications
In order to prevent another mistake, it is necessary to decide which member of the sentence the combination we are interested in is and what words it is associated with:
1) In the case when used before a combination of words “so”, “that”, “such”, “so” and many others. Such constructions are applications, and in a sentence they act as a definition. For example: He usually did not watch films such as horror or thrillers.
2) The combination has the meaning of causality. Usually it is an application, and in a sentence it acts as a definition. For example: The doctor, as a good specialist, paid a lot of attention to sick patients. This sentence shows the reason in combination "good specialist". The doctor paid a lot of attention to sick patients because he was a good specialist. But do not confuse the application with comparative turnover. A comparative phrase is the likening of one object to another. And an application is when an object is called completely differently .
3) The conjunction is part of the expression "nothing else"; "no one else". For example: This event is nothing more than a pre-planned action. The construction given in this sentence is a nominal compound predicate. And we see that this member of the sentence is separated by a comma.
Introductory structures
In some sentences, combinations are not members of the sentence, but appear. They must be separated with commas on both sides.
1) The conjunction is combined with the following words: “now”, “now”, “before”, “always”, “usually”, “exception”, “rule”, “on purpose” and others. These combinations act as introductory words that are not any members of the sentence. For example: As if on purpose, they were in no hurry to go home.
2) The conjunction is part of the introductory sentence. For example: As Katerina correctly noted, the road was especially difficult. This sentence is simple, despite the presence of two grammatical stems. It’s just complicated by the introductory structure. In this case, the construction that contains this conjunction is an introductory sentence. The narrator names the source of the information. The combination is separated by commas.
Comparative phrase and incomplete subordinate clause
Before deciding whether a comma is needed before "How", you need to understand exactly what the difference is between a comparative clause and an incomplete subordinate clause. It can be seen in the following example: Nowhere have I felt as good as at home. In this case, the second part is an incomplete subordinate clause. Also, do not confuse the subordinate clause, which is a one-part sentence, with a comparative phrase: Write stories like thisIt’s as difficult as describing the sound of music in words. The second part is a one-part impersonal
Connection with the predicate
There are many examples where a comma comes before "How" not put:
1) The combination is part of the predicate: Time flew by very quickly, the day felt like one hour. The comparative particle is part of the predicate and is emphasized along with it.
2) The word has a semantic connection with the predicate: The meeting flew by in a flash, and I didn’t even have time to come to my senses. In this case, the comma before "How" is not placed because the entire combination with it is a predicate, and the word itself is a comparative particle. Without it, the predicate would lose its true meaning. This award was like a gift from above. This combination also acts as a predicate, because without it the sentence completely loses its meaning. And a comma before "How" that is why it is not installed.
Persistent expressions
Comma before conjunction "How" not placed if it is part of There are a great many such examples. After the meeting, we gained confidence in the future, because everything went like clockwork. In this case, the combination is part of a compound predicate, which in this sentence is expressed by a phraseological unit. Life should be valued and cherished like the apple of your eye. The combination is also part of a predicate, which is a persistent expression. That is why the use of different ones is unacceptable here.
A few more features of the use of punctuation marks...
To make the right decision, before "How" whether a comma is needed or not, you need to pay attention to some more nuances. Is there a particle in front of this word? "Not" or these words: “simple”, “exactly”, “exactly”, “absolutely” or "almost". If they are used, then there is no need to put a comma. In this case, such a construction will be called a comparative phrase, and in the sentence it will act as a circumstance. For example: Nikolai always behaved with dignity, he acted exactly like a real man. If the combination means "in role", then the comma is also omitted: He spoke at the meeting as a mathematics teacher. This sentence means that the person acted as a mathematics teacher. In fact, he may not be one.
We see that there are quite a few nuances in the use of the comma. You need to pay special attention to them, and then you can easily and simply avoid serious mistakes.
Today we have another entry in the section “ Literacy Minute", and it will talk about a very common difficulty: the placement or non-placement of a comma before the conjunction . I think you, like me, have often found yourself in a difficult position, wondering whether a comma is needed before a conjunction or not. Today we will learn once and for all when this unfortunate comma is used and when it is not. So...
A comma is added.
We will start with those cases where a comma occurs. There are not many of these cases and, in principle, they are not difficult to remember.
1. A comma is placed in the case if union connects parts of a complex sentence. Everything here is easy and clear; in this case, you simply cannot do without a comma.
Example: We watched with pleasure as our friend reached the finish line first.
2. When the union enters into phrases close in meaning to introductory words. There are few such phrases in Russian, here are the main ones: as an exception, as a consequence, as always, as on purpose, as for example, as now, as now, as a rule, etc.
For example: In the morning before leaving, as if on purpose, it started to rain.
3. In the event that if the sentence contains a circumstance expressed by a comparative phrase that begins with a conjunction .
Example: There were people inside like sardines in a barrel.
I draw your attention to the fact that if after the turnover with the union the sentence continues, then you need to put another comma at the end of the phrase (isolate it). For example: In the distance, the water sparkled like a mirror..
The comma is NOT included.
Now I propose to determine those cases when the union is not separated by a comma.
1. In the event that eif unionstands between subject and predicate, Awithouthimthere would have to be a dash there.
For example: Nose like a beak. Night is like day.
2. If the turnover is with a unionis part of a phraseological unit. As we well know, phraseological units are separate integral linguistic structures, usually unchangeable.
For example: Duringconversationhe sat on pins and needles.
3. Whenturnover with the unionin a sentence acts as an adverbial circumstance of the course of action.
For example: The path twisted like a snake.
In such cases, our turnover with the union can be replaced by an adverb ( like a snake) or a noun in the instrumental case ( snake). However, the problem is that the circumstances of the course of action cannot always be distinguished with complete certainty from the circumstances of comparison. It is precisely such cases that cause the most difficulties for writers.
4. In those casesif the turnover is with a unionis part of the predicate and a sentence without such a phrase does not have a complete meaning.
Example: Young womanholdingI wanted tolike a mistress.
5. If a comparative phrase is preceded by a negationNot orone of the following particles: completely, completely, almost, exactly, like, simply, exactly. In this case, instead of a comma, there is already a particle ( no, like, simple, etc..), so such moments, as a rule, do not raise much doubt.
For example: These two are not acting like good friends. In this light, her face was exactly like her mother's.
Compound conjunctions.
Do not forget that the word can be part of a compound union … So And… or because, as well as revolutions: since, as long as, since, as little (more) as possible, etc.. It is quite natural that in such cases the comma before not installed.
For example: All windows are as inthe house itself, and inthere werewide open.
That's all for today. I hope we have brought the necessary clarity to the issue of placing commas before the conjunction , and this knowledge will be useful to you in your everyday writing activities. Don't forget to follow the blog updates! See you soon!
Both students and people with higher education can get confused about punctuation rules. One of the questions on this topic that raises doubts is the comma before “how”. In what cases should it be used and in what cases should it not be used? Let's figure it out.
In what cases is a comma placed before as?
A comma is placed if the conjunction “how” is part of phrases that are close in their role in the sentence to introductory words. These are expressions: as a rule, as a consequence, as an exception, as an example, as on purpose, as now, as never, as now, as always, as usual.
Examples in a sentence:
- Today, as always, I stayed at home.
- The weather, as if on purpose, turned bad before leaving.
- Rooks usually arrive in early spring.
The second case is if the conjunction “how” connects parts of a complex sentence.
Examples in a sentence:
- We watched the sun set for a long time.
- The fisherman showed us how to fold a fishing rod.
- We listened carefully to how the native Englishmen spoke.
The third case is if the sentence contains a circumstance that is expressed by a comparative phrase starting with the conjunction “as”.
Examples in a sentence:
- She was beautiful, like a princess.
- The athlete was as agile as a tiger.
- Andrey spoke so confidently, like a true professional.
The fourth case - we must put a comma if after “how” there is an “and”.
Examples in a sentence:
- Ruslan, like Lyudmila, was madly in love.
- Clouds, like people, tend to cry.
- Heaven, like earth, was created by God.
When is a comma not placed before as?
- If there is a "not" before "how". Example: "He didn't look normal."
- If the turnover is part of the predicate. Example: “There was snow like a blanket.”
- With a double conjunction "both and". Example: “We discussed this both personally and as a group.”
- In the case where a turn of one word independently answers the following questions: “How?”, “In what way?”. Example: "She left like a queen."
To put or not to put a comma before a conjunction? It seems like a simple question. Since school days, we have learned that a comma is used if this conjunction is part of a comparative phrase. Is this statement really true? Or does this rule have exceptions? If they exist, what are they? In order not to get into an awkward situation because of commas, let's figure out when they really need to be placed before this conjunction, and at what moments it is not necessary to do this at all.
In what situations is a comma used?
At first let's look at simpler examples when you need to put a punctuation mark before a conjunction. It is not difficult to remember them, they are quite simple, and there are few such cases.
- If a conjunction joins together separate fragments of a complex sentence, then a comma is used. It’s easy to learn and remember, because in such cases you simply cannot do without a punctuation mark. For example: We recalled with pleasure how our class visited the zoo several years ago.
- If the conjunction is an integral part of the introductory words in a sentence, then we must also put a comma. There are few such phrases in the Russian language, but they are often used in colloquial speech. For example: I was late for school today, as always.
- If a conjunction is used in a comparative phrase, it is separated by a comma on both sides. It is not difficult to recognize such phrases. They have the meaning “like” and it is impossible to choose any other meanings without changing the meaning of the sentence. For example: His eyes are as blue as the sky on a clear day.
Another interesting point should be noted here, if such the phrase is in the middle of the sentence, then it should not be separated by commas. In this sentence, the entire construction that fits the meaning is isolated. For example: In the room, Vadim, angry as hell, paced the room. In this case, the definition of evil is added to the comparative phrase.
This emphasis is made because this part of the sentence has indivisible semantic connection. If we do not put the punctuation mark this way, then we will understand this part of the text differently. The presence of the word and in this situation does not change this rule. This part of the sentence remains a comparative phrase and acts as a circumstance. Consequently, such a part, together with the word, is distinguished by a punctuation mark.
For example: At school, like all children, they treat me well.
4. If the above comparative phrase is in the middle of the sentence, then it is separated by commas on both sides: at the beginning and at the end of this construction. For example: In this case it wouldIt was hot as an oven that day.
Is a comma necessary?
Now let's look at situations where punctuation is not required. With them there is often confusion, although there is nothing complicated here. If you understand these points, you will not have any special difficulties. By the way, such cases when a comma is not needed are also rare in the Russian language, so you won’t need to remember a large amount of information.
- If the conjunction is between the subject and the predicate, and a dash can be put in its place, then a comma is not needed here. The meaning of the phrase should not change. For example: He's like a hawk.
- If this union is part of a phraseological unit. Let us recall that this concept in the Russian language includes indivisible linguistic stable phrases. For example: The brothers were as different as heaven and earth.
- If the conjunction in the continuation denotes a circumstance of the manner of action, then a comma is not placed before it. For example: The flag fluttered like a bird. In these situations, a phrase with a conjunction can be replaced with an adverb ( bird style) or use a noun in the instrumental case ( bird). Often this is the moment that people have the most doubts about. Sometimes it can be very difficult to distinguish a comparison from a circumstance of a course of action.
- When a phrase with a conjunction is an indivisible part of the predicate. Here, a sentence without it will not have the desired meaning. In such cases, a comma is not used. For example: The girl turned red as a tomato.
- If the conjunction is preceded by the words: completely, completely, almost, exactly, like, simply, exactly, and also the particle not, then a comma is not placed in front of it. This is a simple rule, but it is often forgotten. For example: They did not look at each other as friends.
Compound conjunctions and the word like
Sometimes the word as is part of a compound union or turnover, for example: as and so on. Of course, they don’t put a comma here, because in such cases this word is not a conjunction. For example: Since he appeared, silence has disappeared.
The above rules and examples for them, when a comma is placed or not placed in sentences, will help you not make mistakes when writing texts. A person’s literacy is always in his own hands, so a lot depends on attentiveness and knowledge.
WHILE, union
Subordinate clauses joined by the conjunction “while(,) as” are highlighted (or separated) by commas. In this case, the conjunction can be entirely included in the subordinate clause (and not separated by a comma), but it can also be dismembered (in this case, a comma is placed between the parts of the conjunction, before the word “as”). For factors influencing the placement of punctuation marks, see Appendix. 3.
He was married to a poor noblewoman who died in childbirth, while he was in the departing field. A. Pushkin, Young Peasant Lady. It makes me laugh to remember how much the three of us smelled like lipstick. while we started going down the stairs. L. Tolstoy, Childhood. She even felt annoyed with her for the fact that she had recovered just while a letter was sent. L. Tolstoy, Anna Karenina.
If the subordinate part of a complex sentence comes before the main clause, a comma is usually not placed between the parts of the conjunction “while” (a comma is acceptable, but such punctuation is considered obsolete).
While we sat for hours on the fence, peering into the greenish water; from the depths of the tub, these strange creatures rose in flocks every now and then... V. Korolenko, Paradox.
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