Punctuation with two adjacent subordinating conjunctions. Comma at the junction of two conjunctions

With two adjacent subordinating unions (or a subordinating union and an allied word), as well as at a meeting of a coordinating union and a subordinating (or allied word) comma between them put, if the second part of the complex union does not follow - then, so, but:

1. The large, parted hut in which the bursa was placed was decidedly empty, and how many the philosopher did not fumble in all corners and even felt all the holes and traps in the roof, but I did not find anywhere a piece of sacha ichi, at least, an old knish, which, as usual, was hidden by the bursaks (the comma is not put, since after the subordinate clause there is a union but)

Compare: The large, parted hut, in which the bursa was placed, was decidedly empty, and how many the philosopher did not rummage around in all the corners and even felt all the holes and traps in the roof, nowhere did he find a piece of sacha, or at least an old knish, which, as usual, was hidden by the bursaks (in this case, a comma is included, since there is no union but.)

2. and when she stopped on her cheek, then he made out clearly that it was a drop of blood.

Compare: It even seemed to him as if a tear rolled from under the eyelash of her right eye, and when she stopped on her cheek, he made out clearly that it was a drop of blood.

He hurriedly went to the krylos, opened the book and to to encourage myself more, began to read in the loudest voice . The philosopher stood on the highest place in the courtyard, and when turned and looked in the opposite direction, a completely different view presented itself to him. I was surprised what when no matter how you come to grandfather, everything is in the same form as it was ten years ago, exactly time has stopped here, as in an enchanted kingdom. Shining in the sunshine, the sea exactly smiled with the good-natured smile of Gulliver, who was aware what if he wants, one movement - and the work of the Lilliputians will disappear.

Topic hint Comma at the junction of two conjunctions

Put a comma at the junction of conjunctions if the sentence can be restructured without distorting the meaning by rearranging the subordinate clause:

The stars lit up and when the moon appeared in the sky, the steppe lit up with a bluish light. - Stars lit up and the steppe lit up with a bluish light, when the moon has risen. (Compare: The stars lit up and when the moon appeared in the sky, then the steppe lit up with a bluish light. and and then).

The sowing season is over and although it was possible to take a break, the mechanics were engaged in the repair of equipment. - The sowing season is over. and mechanics were engaged in the repair of equipment, although could take a break. (Compare: The sowing season is over and _ though it was possible to rest a little, but the mechanics were engaged in the repair of equipment. In this proposal, such a permutation is impossible, since there will be and and but).

The forest was silent and if if it were not for the sharp, painful cries of the night bird, the silence would be dead. The forest was silent and silence would be dead if not for the painful cries of the night bird.

In complex sentences consisting of three or more predicative parts, there may be combinations of two subordinating conjunctions (WHAT IF, WHAT WHEN, etc.) and combinations of coordinating and subordinating conjunctions (AND HOW, AND ALTHOUGH, etc.).

1. Two subordinating conjunctions in a row can occur in complex sentences with sequential subordination of subordinate clauses. Compare two sentences:

And I'm telling you what I will go with you if you'll go.
And I'm telling you what if you will go, I will go with you (L. Tolstoy).

In the first example, the main part is at the very beginning ( And I'm telling you...), followed by an adjective (... I will go with you...) related to the main part. Such parts of the assumption are called subordinate clauses of the first degree. The sentence ends with an adjective (... if you go), relating not to the main part, but to the first subordinate clause. Such parts of the sentence are called subordinate clauses of the second degree.

In the second case, the subordinate parts are rearranged: after the main part of the sentence, the subordinate clause of the second degree follows, and then the subordinate clause of the first degree. It was in this situation that two subordinating unions turned out to be side by side: the union WHAT, with the help of which the subordinate clause of the first degree is attached, and the union IF, which is attached to the subordinate clause of the second degree. In such a sentence, there is a comma between the two subordinating conjunctions.

Please note: from such a sentence, a subordinate clause of the second degree ( …if you go…) is easy to remove without destroying the entire syntactic construction: And I'm telling you that ... I'll go with you.

Now let's change this sentence a bit:

And I'm telling you what if you'll go, then I will go with you.

In this example, the correlative word TO appeared in the last subordinate clause. This is the second part of the compound union IF ... THEN. As a result, there is no comma between the unions WHAT and IF. Note that here we cannot omit the second-degree clause ( …if you go…), since the sentence will retain the word TO, referring to the last part of the sentence.

It turns out that the union WHAT joins a single construction of two parts connected by the union IF ... THEN, and therefore, a comma between the words WHAT and IF is not needed. Consider two more similar sentences, only with conjunctions WHAT and WHEN.

That's because what when the car stops, your whole body slows down (A. Tolstoy).
Egor brought a remark unexpected for Levin, what when he lived with good masters, then he was pleased with his masters (according to L. Tolstoy).

The comma between the unions WHAT and WHEN is only in the sentence where there is no word THEN.

2. In addition to complex sentences with sequential subordination of subordinate clauses, a similar situation can develop in constructions where both coordinative and subordinating relationships are used at the same time. In this case, there may be coordinating and subordinating conjunctions. Compare two sentences:

Curtain rose, And How as soon as the audience saw their favorite, the theater trembled with applause and enthusiastic shouts (Kuprin).
Curtain rose, And How only the public saw their favorite, So the theater trembled with applause and enthusiastic cries.

Please note: in both examples, AND and HOW are side by side, but only the first sentence has a comma. The fact is that in the second example, the simple union AND and the compound union HOW ... SO were nearby. The second (correlative) part of the compound union follows after the subordinate tense.

Try to remove the clause from the sentence, starting with the word HOW to the next comma. This is possible only in the first case, and in the second sentence the meaning will be destroyed, since the second part of the compound union SO will remain in the subordinate clause.

Compare two more sentences:

and although her words were familiar to Saburov, they suddenly hurt her heart (Simonov).
The woman kept talking and talking about her misfortunes, and although her words were familiar to Saburov, but they suddenly broke my heart.

In the second sentence, a comma is not put between the union AND and the union ALTHOUGH, since the union BUT follows the concessive clause, which actually assumes the function of connecting the first and third parts of the complex sentence. For this reason, in the second example, the words AND ALTHOUGH turn into a single allied combination that does not require separation in writing with a comma.

So, you need to remember the following rules.

1. With consistent subordination, subordinating conjunctions may be nearby (WHAT and IF, WHAT and WHEN, etc.). A comma is placed between them only if there are no correlative words TO or THEN further in the sentence.

2. If in a complex sentence there are coordinating and subordinating conjunctions (AND and ALTHOUGH, AND AND HOW, etc.), then you need to find out if there are correlative words TO, SO or another coordinating union (A, BUT, HOWEVER) after the clause and etc.). A comma is placed only when these words are absent after the subordinate clause.

An exercise

The hunting sign that if the first beast and the first bird are not missed, then the field will be happy, turned out to be fair (L. Tolstoy).

She knew that if the letter was shown to her husband, he would not refuse her (according to Tolstoy).

He felt that if he stumbled, then everything would immediately go to hell (Gogol).

It always happened with Levin that when the first shots were unsuccessful, he got excited, annoyed, and shot badly all day (Tolstoy).

It never occurred to him that if he and other foreign idealists were Russians in Russia, they would be exterminated immediately by the Leninist regime (Nabokov).

In this case, the Foolovites surprised the world with their ingratitude, and as soon as they learned that the mayor was having a bad time, they immediately deprived him of their popularity (Saltykov-Shchedrin).

On the way, he ran into a changer's shop and exchanged all his large paper for small paper, and although he lost it on the exchange, his wallet grew considerably thicker (according to Dostoevsky).

In the penultimate room, Andrei Filippovich met him, and although there were quite a few other faces in the room, completely strangers to Mr. Golyadkin at the present moment, our hero did not even want to pay attention to such a circumstance (Dostoevsky).

By morning the temperature had dropped, and although I was sluggish like a toad, I put on my purple dressing gown over my corn-yellow pajamas and went to the office where the telephone was (Nabokov).

It may very well be that if the forms do not match my requirements, I will abandon the legal claim (Tolstoy).

Andrei Filippovich replied to Mr. Golyadkin with such a look that if our hero had not already been completely killed, he would certainly have been killed another time (Dostoevsky).

For example, she became more and more convinced that if the general conversation was sometimes conducted in French, then this was done by conspiracy for the sake of devilish fun (according to Nabokov).

The regimental commander announced that if these scandals do not stop, then we must go out (Tolstoy).

He felt that if he admitted this, it would be proved to him that he was talking nonsense that had no meaning (Tolstoy).

Levin made the remark a long time ago that when it is awkward with people because of their excessive compliance, humility, it will very soon become unbearable from their excessive exactingness and captiousness (Tolstoy).

Yankel turned to him and said that Ostap was in the city dungeon, and although it was difficult to persuade the guards, he hoped to get him a meeting (according to Gogol).

He also petitioned for the establishment of an academy, and when he was refused, he built a movable house in its place (Saltykov-Shchedrin) without further thought.

Even by the sound of light steps on the stairs, he felt her approach, and although he was pleased with his speech, he became afraid for the upcoming explanation ... (Tolstoy).

1. _ although no one asked himself, what does anyone care about the fact that the mayor is sleeping on the glacier, and not in an ordinary bedroom, but everyone was worried (Saltykov-Shchedrin).

But their hopes did not come true, and when the fields cleared of snow in the spring, the Foolovites saw, not without amazement, that they were standing completely naked (Saltykov-Shchedrin).

In a word, he thoroughly studied mythology, and although he liked to pretend to be pious, in essence he was the worst idolater (Saltykov-Shchedrin).

I liked to visit them, and although I overate terribly, like all those who visited them, although it was very harmful for me, I was always glad to go to them (Gogol).

She told him to hide under the bed, and as soon as the anxiety passed, she called her maid, a captive Tatar, and gave her the order to carefully take him out into the garden and send him over the fence from there (Gogol).

The grammarians started before everyone else, and as soon as the rhetoricians intervened, they already ran away and stood on the dais to observe the battle (according to Gogol).

A comma at the junction of unions can be in two cases:

When a subordinate clause is wedged between two stems connected by coordinating conjunctions,

dependent on the second basis.

With sequential subordination of subordinate clauses, when the second subordinate clause depends on the first, but

while requiring a position in front of him.

A comma is placed at the junction between them when there is no second part of the double union after the subordinate clause then, so or union but:

At night, wood was brought to the river (1) and (2) when white fog wrapped the banks (3) all eight companies

boards (4) were laid on the wreckage of bridges. (Answer: 1234)

At night, wood was brought to the river (1) and (2) when white fog wrapped the banks (3) THEN all eight companies

boards (4) were laid on the wreckage of bridges. (Answer: 134)

empty, and _ no matter how much the philosopher fumbled in all the corners and even felt all the holes and traps in

roof, but nowhere did he find a piece of bacon, or at least an old knish, which, according to

as usual, it was hidden by the Bursaks.- The comma is not put, because after the subordinate clause

sentences have union but.

Compare: The large, parted hut, in which the bursa was located, was decidedly

empty, and no matter how much the philosopher groped in all the corners and even felt all the holes and traps in the roof, nowhere

did not find a piece of lard, or at least an old knish, which, as usual, is hidden

were Bursaks. This sentence contains a comma, since there is no union BUT.

Another trick that allows you to identify whether it is necessary to put a comma at the junction of unions.

Try to remove part of the sentence at the junction of conjunctions:

Thick clouds were layered across the sky (1) and (2 although it was only the third hour of the day (3) it was already dark

Thick clouds were layered across the sky (1) and (3) it was already dark. Withdrawal is possible, which means a comma after

a coordinating union is put, the answer is 123.

Withdrawal is impossible, so the comma after the coordinating union is NOT put: At night, the tops of old lindens were lost in the sky (l) and (2) if a strong north wind began (W), then the stars seemed to fly from branch to branch (4) as if small fireflies were sitting on the trees instead of them. - At night, the tops of old lindens were lost in the sky (l) and (2) ... (З) then the stars seemed to fly from branch to branch (4) as if small fireflies were sitting on the trees instead of them. Answer: 134

Could be so:

A comma is placed at the junction of two unions if the sentence can be restructured without distorting the meaning by rearranging the subordinate clause:

Ø Thick clouds were layered across the sky, and although it was only three o'clock in the afternoon, it was already dark;

Ø Thick clouds were layered across the sky, and it was already dark, although it was only the third hour of the day.

Ø Thick clouds were layered across the sky, and although it was only the third hour of the day, it was already dark. AT

in this sentence, such a permutation is impossible, since there will be and but.

Action algorithm

1. Highlight grammatical foundations.

2. Select unions and determine whether they are coordinating or subordinating.

3. Determine the main and subordinate clauses (the main ones are those from which the question is asked;

subordinate clauses - to which a question is asked).

4. Determine the boundaries of simple sentences that are part of a complex one (unions are often

indicate the beginning of new grammatical foundations!).

5. Pay special attention to the place in the sentence where the coordinating and

subordinating unions.

6. After the subordinate clause, there is no second part of the double union then, so or the union but, a comma is placed,

there is. - not placed

7. Put down all punctuation marks.

Task parsing

Place punctuation marks: indicate all the numbers that should be replaced by commas in the sentence.

Lucy was gently persistent (1) and (2) although it was difficult to remember everything (3) gradually the old woman

told (4) how it was.

First, let's define the grammatical foundations and highlight which of them are main, which are subordinate.

[Lucy was soft persistent] and [(although recall all it was difficult) gradually old lady

told] (as was the case).

This sentence contains a combination of conjunctions AND ALTHOUGH. We read the offer. The second part does not

the continuation of the union TO, SO, BUT, it can be removed from the text (Lucy was gently persistent and gradually the old woman told how it was), therefore, a comma is placed between the unions: AND, ALTHOUGH.

[Lucy was gently insistent], (1) and, (2) [(although it was difficult to remember everything), (3) gradually

the old woman told] , (4) (how it was).

Punctuation at the junction of conjunctions In a complex sentence with several subordinate clauses, as well as in a complex sentence with a coordinating and subordinating connection, two subordinating unions (or a subordinating union and an allied word), a coordinating and subordinating unions (or a coordinating union and a union word) can be nearby. 1) At the junction of unions or unions and allied words (and although, but when, and if; what when, what where, which if, etc.) a comma is placed when there is no union after the subordinate clause but or the second part of the double union - then or like this: The child babbled something, and although the mother heard it more than once, her heart overflowed with joy. * I , and, (2 though) , . But: The child babbled something, and although the mother heard it more than once, her heart overflowed with joy. * I , and (2 though) , but . I noticed that wherever you go, you will find something wonderful. (I. Goncharov) I * f I , (2 what, (3 where), 2). But: I noticed that wherever you go, you will find something wonderful. I * f I , (2 what? (3 wherever), then 2). 2) At the beginning of a sentence, the coordinating and subordinating unions (or allied words), as a rule, are not separated by a comma (the coordinating union here has an additive meaning): And when the celestial eye plunges into the ocean in the evening, sails from the Kru tribe wander far. (N. Gumilyov) And X (1 when), . I Fill in the missing punctuation marks. Determine the types of subordinate clauses, make diagrams of complex sentences from part I.

1) And if there are no half-day words to the stars, then I myself will create my dream and lovingly enchant with the song of battles. 2) I know that I am enchanted by the spell of the crown and the bag, and if I were crowned I would dream of the vaults of the prison ... 3) And when the moon floats to the zenith, the wind rushes through the smells of the forest. 4) And if anything else makes me related to the former flickering in the planetary choir, then this grief is my reliable shield, cold contemptuous grief. 5) But when bullets whistle around when the waves break the sides, I teach them how not to be afraid not to be afraid and do what needs to be done. (N. Gumilyov)

78.2. Punctuation at the junction of unions.

Different types of compound, compound and non-union sentences can be combined into one structure, forming a complex sentence with different types of connection. The rules for punctuation in such constructions are basically the same as in compound, complex and non-union sentences.

Pay special attention to the placement of a comma before the union AND

Consider the offer

Hadji Murad understood Russian a little, and when he did not understand, he smiled, and Marya Vasilievna liked his smile.

Why in this sentence is there a comma before one union AND, but not before the other?

Step 1: Imagine the sentence structure

1 [Hadji Murad understood Russian a little and, 2 (when he did not understand), smiled], and 3 [Marya Vasilievna liked his smile].

Step 2: Review the sentence structure

Part 1 (main) - a simple sentence complicated by homogeneous predicates ( understood, smiled), connected by a single union AND, a comma is not put before AND.

Part 2 (subordinate tense) - connected with the main part by a subordinating union WHEN, a comma is placed before the union.

Part 3 (independent) - associated with 1 and 2 coordinating union And, a comma is placed before the union.

78.2. Punctuation at the junction of conjunctions

Between the parts of a complex sentence with different types of connection, there may be two unions nearby.

§110. Comma at the junction of two conjunctions

1. With two adjacent subordinating conjunctions (or a subordinating union and an allied word), as well as when a coordinating union and a subordinating (or allied word) meet, a comma is placed between them if the withdrawal of the subordinate clause does not require the restructuring of the main clause (practically - if the second part of a double union then, so, but, the presence of which requires such a restructuring), for example: The maid was an orphan whoto feed should have been in service(L. Tolstoy) (adventitious part to feed can be omitted or rearranged to another place in the sentence without restructuring the main part); Finally, he felt that he could no longer, that no force could move him from his place, and that, if now he sits down, he can't get up anymore(B. Polevoy) (conditional clause with conjunction if can be omitted or rearranged); And the woman kept talking and talking about her misfortunes, and, although her words were familiar, they suddenly made Saburov's heart ache(Simonov) (with the withdrawal of the subordinate clause with the union although the prepositional-pronominal combination from them becomes unclear, but structurally such an exception is possible, therefore, a comma is usually placed between the coordinating and subordinating conjunctions in such cases).

If the subordinate clause is followed by the second part of the double union, then a comma is not placed between the previous two unions, for example: The blind man knew, what the sun is looking into the room and what if he stretches his hand out the window, then dew falls from the bushes(Korolenko) (conditional clause with a union if it cannot be omitted or rearranged without restructuring the subordinating sentence, since there will be words nearby what and then); The woman's feet were burned and barefoot, and when she spoke, then hand raked warm dust to the inflamed feet, as if trying to soothe the pain(Simonov) (with the withdrawal or rearrangement of the adverbial tense with the union when the words are nearby and and then).

Wed also: A thunderstorm was coming, and, when the clouds covered the whole sky, it became dark, as in twilight. - A storm was coming, and when the clouds covered the whole sky, it became dark, as in twilight(in the second case after the union and, joining a complex sentence, a comma is not put); The fees were delayed, a when everything was ready for departure, it made no sense to go(after adversarial union a the comma in these cases, as a rule, is not put, since neither the withdrawal nor the rearrangement of the subordinate clause following the union is possible).

In sentences like He left a long time ago, and where is he now, i don't know comma after conjunction and not set.

2. A comma is usually not placed between the connecting union (after the dot) and the subordinating union, for example: And who you are, I know;BUT Why this is said, I do not understand. The possibility of placing a comma after other joining unions is associated with the intonational and semantic separation of the subordinate clause, for example: However, if you are so insistent on your proposal, I am ready to accept it.

§ 33.1

The subordinate clause of a complex sentence is separated or highlighted commas: While the wife was preparing breakfast, Danilov went out into the garden(Pan.); How long did he sit by the fallen spruce, Andrew did not remember(Bub.); Her piercing voice, which are only in the south, cut the distance, almost without weakening(Paul); Kapustin promised to negotiate with the head of the school, that he increase Meresyev's number of sorties, and invited Alexei to draw up a training program for himself(Floor.); The injection of water can serve as direct evidence that pain influences by themselves are not able to lower the secretion(I.P.); The old man ordered to cook the meat for real, to make it look good(Sem.).

§ 33.2

As part of a complex sentence, there may be an incomplete sentence - in the main part or subordinate clause:

1) incomplete in the main part: Already two years since we've been married(cf.: We've been married for two years now- simple sentence); It's been a month how did he come back from the south(cf.: It's been a month since he returned from the south- comma before conjunction as would “tear off” the predicate from the subject); It's been three weeks now how are we here(cf.: We've been here for three weeks now - the circumstance of place is expressed by the combination like here); but: The third day as he is here - a simple sentence, while in the examples above, the words in the main part of the sentence were: passed from that time, from that moment;

2) incomplete or close to incomplete in the subordinate part: It was difficult to understand what's the matter; Ready to help, than I can; Gradually learned to understand what is what(cf.: Understand what's what); People know what they do; come through, who is already with checks; Sit down, where free; Do everything what do you need; Put, as you wish; inform, who should; Resolutely scolded everything who is not lazy(with a touch of clarification; cf.: Leaflets piled in a heap, they are taken by all and sundry - phraseological turnover with the meaning "anyone who wants, who wants to"); Send where needed; but: Do what you want etc. (see § 41, item 2).

§ 33.3

If the main part of a complex sentence is inside the subordinate clause (in colloquial speech), then comma usually placed only after the main part (but not before it); compare: economy can't say for him to do...(G.) - It cannot be said that he would be engaged in farming; But these words I feel uncomfortable, for you to say...(Hertz.) But I don't feel comfortable for you to say those words.

Words not separated by commas see you know etc. in interrogative-exclamatory sentences like: And you know how good he is!; Do you see what he is doing?(see § 25, paragraph 8).

§ 33.4

A comma is not placed between the main and the following subordinate part of a complex sentence in the following cases:

1) if there is a negative particle before the subordinating union or allied word not: At sea, in pitching, sleeping not when you want, but when you can(Gonch.); Try to find out not what they have already done, but what they are going to do next; I came not to interfere with your work, but, on the contrary, to help; The Roman generals considered it important to establish not how many enemy troops are in front of them, but where they are; He knows not only where the game is found, but also what varieties of it live there;

2) if a subordinating union or allied word is preceded by a coordinating union and, or, or etc. (usually repetitive): Please note and what he said, and how he said it; He didn't hear neither how the sister entered the room, nor how she silently left afterwards; I will answer your request or when the next issue of the newsletter arrives, or when I myself make the necessary information, cf. also with a single union: Didn't imagine and how to get out of the situation; I know and how it is done; The boy was forgiven and when he did not listen to anyone, but (with the reverse order of the main and subordinate parts): What was the name of this boy and I don't remember;

3) if the subordinate clause consists of one allied word (relative pronoun or adverb): I would also like to know why(L.T.); Don't know why, but I didn't understand it(Trif.); He left and didn't say where; He promised to return soon, but did not specify when; Hard to say why; The mother determined the temperature of the child with her lips: she would put them on her forehead and immediately determine how many; Someone gave the sick man a cup of water, he did not even look at who; I will not say which, I say - a great misfortune.

A comma is not put and if there are several relative words that act as homogeneous members of the sentence: Don't know why and how but the letter suddenly disappeared; call- R ask who and why.

If the allied word has a particle, then the statement comma optional; compare: I don't remember, what exactly; He finds it hard to say what else; This quote can be found, I even remember about where.

In context, it is possible to set comma and before a single allied word; compare: What should be done? Teach what(strengthened logical selection of the pronoun). - At one time he whispered something, they could not understand - what?(A.T.) (setting a dash emphasizes the meaning of the pronoun and is justified by interrogative intonation).

§ 33.5

If the subordinating conjunction is preceded by the words especially, in particular, that is, namely, for example, as well as, but simply etc. with an attached meaning, then a comma is not placed after these words (cf. § 24, paragraph 4): Schoolchildren do not want to study in the spring, especially when the sun is warm and bright; Additional research work had to be done particular when the experimental verification of the operation of the machine began; The author has the right to receive part of the royalties in accordance with the terms of the contract, i.e when the manuscript is approved by the publisher; The expedition will have to end ahead of schedule under adverse conditions, and exactly when does the rainy season start? Just in case, have your ID with you. For example when will you receive money by postal order; The graduate student came to Moscow to meet with his supervisor, and also to work in the archives.

§ 33.6

If the subordinating conjunction is preceded by reinforcing particles just, just, just, exclusively etc., then comma is placed in front of them despite intonation (when reading, there is no pause in front of them; cf. § 20): Katya left the dining room, just when we stepped towards each other through some suitcases(Kav.); I will do this work only if I am free (cf .: ... if only I am free); He came exclusively to help me(cf.: He came not only to see me, but also to help me - in the influence of a negative particle not).

Do not put a comma after the highlight particles here, after all, standing before the subordinating conjunction in the subordinate clause preceding the main: Nothing to brag about yet here When we get the job done, then come.

§ 33.7

If there is an introductory word between the main and subordinate parts of a complex sentence, then it is highlighted commas on a universal basis: He thought possibly, that I don't want to meet him; If there is a demand for something, means, there will be an offer. The assignment of the introductory word in meaning to the main or subordinate part is determined by the conditions of the context; compare: He got angry apparently because his face was excited(the introductory word refers to the main part: an excited person may be a consequence, and not the cause of his condition). - He was in a hurry because apparently that he was afraid to be late for the meeting(the introductory word refers to the subordinate part, as evidenced by the dismemberment of a complex subordinating union; see § 34, paragraph 2).

§ 34. Comma with complex subordinating unions

§ 34.1

If the subordinate part of a complex sentence is connected to the main one with the help of a complex (compound) subordinating union ( due to the fact that, in view of the fact that, due to the fact that, because, instead of, in order to, while, because, because, despite the fact that, after, before just as, before, since, just as etc.), then comma set once:

1) before the union, if the subordinate part follows the main part or is inside it: The apple trees are gone because the mice ate all the bark around(L.T.); ... Breathing became deeper and freer, as his body rested and cooled(Cupr.); ... trampled on the spot and decided before the sun goes down get together again(Ser.); All wagons because there were bales of wool on them, seemed very tall and plump(Ch.);

2) but more often - after the entire subordinate part, if it precedes the main one: But before that piece could hit the ground, the worker with extraordinary dexterity wrapped it in a chain as thick as his arm.(Cupr.); After the war began and the plant switched to defense orders, shutting down workshops for a day, of course, turned out to be impossible(Pop.).

Wed also: It is impossible to delay the development of society, just as it is impossible to turn back the wheel of history; Forces accumulated as health improved; They haven't met lately since she left; sent sentries, in order to prevent any possibility of a surprise attack; Help me, just as you helped him; He managed to get his due to the fact that his comrades supported him in time; The defendant continued to deny his guilt, despite the fact that he was completely exposed.

§ 34.2

However, depending on the meaning and intonation, the logical underlining of the subordinate part of a complex sentence, the presence of certain lexical elements and other conditions in the sentence, a complex union can be divided into two parts: the first part is included in the main part as a correlative word, and the second plays the role of a union; in these cases comma is placed only before the second part of the combination (i.e., before unions what, to, how) . Wed: He didn't come becausewhatgot sick(the emphasis in the message is on the very fact of non-appearance, the reason for it is not emphasized). - He didn't come becausethat got sick(in the foreground, an indication of the reason for the absence is put forward).

Wed also: Due to the fact that the summer was very hot and dry, every tree had to be watered(Ch.). - In just a few minutes, this small, fragile face seemed charming, precisely because of the fact that that it was so wrong(Kar.);

You promised in if you have a story don't forget us(Dost.). - When, if someone sticks to you, then let him see where you went(Cat.);

To every person in order to act consider your work important and good(L.T.). - All this is said for to arouse attention to the life of thousands of young writers(M.G.);

Not only was the stem pricked from all sides ... - he was so terribly strong that I fought with him for about five minutes(L.T.). - But not only that, that there has never been such hostility, cornflower from ancient times participated in many beautiful rituals and festivities(Sol.);

Raskolnikov was silent and did not resist, despite the fact that I felt in myself enough strength to rise(Dost.). - Despite, that the wind ... swept freely over the sea, the clouds were still(M.G.);

Before they went down into the dugout, he still managed to notice how the soldiers near the anti-aircraft guns ... took away some heavy parts from the trunks(F.). - He ran out of the house at the very last moment before how the roof collapsed(Il.);

Just as the force of a magnet attracts iron filings to itself, cities draw in, suck in people living in adjacent spaces(Sol.). - Like that as a writer's style is a concentrated expression of the inner movements of the emotional mind, portrait - reified psychological world(Bond.);

As my family grew rich, old favorites quietly disappeared from our house(S.-SH.). - Round dances of stars intertwined in wonderful patterns in the distant sky, and one after another went out as how a pale reflection of the east spilled over a dark purple vault (L.);

Only after four hours of duty at Stepan's bed had passed, Ivan Ivanovich departed soul(Copt.). - And even after How poetry is printed he comes back again and again...(Chuk.);

Before I start proving I still need to force myself to listen.(S.-SH.). - But before rather than sit in the saddle, he considered it his duty to address the horse with this speech(Cr.);

Before I stopped in this birch forest I walked with my dog ​​through a high aspen grove(T.). - But before than to talk about the personality of the officer and his conversation, it is necessary to take a closer look at the inside of his booth and know at least a little of his way of life and occupations(L.T.);

The brigade commander decided to stop the pursuit before dawn, with in order to pull up reserves by morning(Sh.). - I invited you, gentlemen, so to give you bad news(G.);

Since she refused Andrei, the old man was officially dry with Nonna(Pan.). - Since then, how my coachman rode behind, he seemed to become more cheerful and talkative(L.T.).

The dismemberment of a complex union is also observed in the following sentences: Grandfather ordered not to wake Tatyana until until she wakes up(Ax.); It's been more than three hours since how i joined the boys(T.); Levin wished that the sun would not rise before how will he get to the swamp(L.T.); As if because that the grass is not visible in the darkness of its old age, a cheerful, young chatter rises in it(Ch.); Bombs fall into the water, into the sand, into the swamp because that the system of enemy aircraft is broken and torn apart(Guide.); Goreva was asked to be a translator in case if guests are interested in the castle(Paul); We went home after how the detachment stopped in the city center(BUT.).

§ 34.3

The conditions for dismembering a complex union include:

1) the presence of a negative particle before the union not: Pastukhov met with Tsvetukhin not because he gravitated towards actors(Fed.); Moscow looked empty from the fact that the life in her has diminished, but because the war swept everything extraneous out of it ...(Leon.); Winkel did not go to Landsberg because he was eager to continue his intelligence activities(Kaz.);

2) the presence of amplifying, restrictive and other particles before the union: He allowed the silence only to scold your daughters(P.); He holds Evprakseyushka only because thanks to her, household chores go on without going astray from the once planned track(S.-SH.); Natasha this winter for the first time began to sing seriously and especially because Denisov admired her singing(L.T.); I just don't care for her because she is indifferent to me(Er.); The driver is just to make people go away stopped the car against the gate(F.); Is it worth it to give up a difficult task only because it's hard?(Crimea.);

3) the presence of an introductory word before the union: ... All this has an inexplicable charm for me, maybe because I don't see them anymore(G.); Young grouse did not respond to my whistle for a long time, probably because I whistled not naturally enough(T.); Here, in the kitchen, it is also night, but in the windows, maybe because the lamp is weaker here, yet I see as if the signs of the day(Ol.);

4) the inclusion of the first part (correlative word) in a series of homogeneous members of the sentence or parallel constructions: The river took on a special form because the water is visible through bare branches, and even more because the water color disappeared from the cold(Ax.); The economic part in the house of Pshenitsyna flourished not because only because Agafya Matveevna was an exemplary hostess, but also because Ivan Matveevich Mukhoyarov was a great epicurean in gastronomic terms (Gonch.); Nekhlyudov went to the aunts because their estate was on the way to his regiment that had passed forward, and because they asked him very much about it (L.T.); Romashov blushed to real tears from his impotence and confusion, and from pain for the offended Shurochka, and because, through the deafening sounds of the quadrille, he could not insert a single word(Kupr.).

§ 34.4

Some unions, when “breaking” into two parts, change their meaning dramatically, so punctuation options are not allowed; compare: The bridge is rotten so its dangerous to drive(the consequence is indicated). - M the ost is so rotten that it is dangerous to drive(the degree of the sign is indicated). Wed also:

We sat on the corner of the bastion so that both sides could see everything(L.). - He lost weight in one night so that only skin and bones remained (L.T.);

In the yard stood a completely black, impenetrable night, so at first Romashov had to, like a blind man, feel the road in front of him(Kupr.). - Then he stood up and stretched so that the bones crunched(M.G.);

After that, Anya did not have a single free day, since she took part either in a picnic, or in a walk, or in a play(Ch.). - H the stranger did not consider us the way we viewed it(Ars.).

§ 34.5

More often, a complex subordinating union is not divided if the subordinate part of the complex sentence precedes the main one: As the chaise approached the porch, Manilov's eyes became more cheerful(G.); Since I got married I don't see the same love from you(Sharp); Before Samghin thought to help her, she picked up a book from the floor(M.G.); After the bandage was removed, the pain has subsided to some extent.(Fed.); Before taking up the violin he rolled up the sleeves of his shirt, bared his chest and stood at the window(Fed.); Before she started working at the post office, she did not think about the problem of its delivery to remote places(gas.); Before answering matchmakers, Stepan exchanged glances with his wife(Mark.).

§ 34.6

Complex unions are not dismembered while, meanwhile, while, while, as if, as well as simple conjunctions and the amplifying particle adjacent to them (even if, only when, only, only, barely, barely, just a little etc.): ... Having met Gapka, he began to scold why she was wandering around doing nothing, while she dragged the grits into the kitchen(G.); ... She realized the strength in herself and decided to fight with her husband, without tears and complaints, to demand, while so far she only cried(Rem.); For some reason, waiting for him on the spot, in while he wandered through the grove, she saw herself as an adult, and him as a small(Fed.); As soon as God's curse was fulfilled, from the same day of nature, hot embraces have cooled down for me forever(L.); Like a mother over her son's grave, the sandpiper groans over the dull plain(N.); But as soon as he drove away from Bagration, how the forces changed him(L.T.).

§ 35. Punctuation marks in a complex sentence with several subordinate clauses

§ 35.1

Between homogeneous subordinate parts of a complex sentence, not connected by unions, is placed comma: I remember, how we ran across the field, how the bullets buzzed, how the branches they torn off fell, how we made our way through the hawthorn bushes (Garsh.); Rumors spread around the farm that grain is being collected for shipment abroad, that there will be no sowing this year, that war is expected from hour to hour (Sh.); Who does not feel self-confidence, who does not have determination, better stay where you are(Azh.).

§ 35.2

If after the homogeneous clauses of a complex sentence there is a generalizing word, which is preceded by an introductory word or a word combination (in a word, in a word, in short etc.), then the last one is preceded by comma and dash(in contrast to the enumeration of homogeneous members of a simple sentence, when in such a case only a dash is put; see § 25, paragraph 2), and after it - comma: On one of the hauls we talked about private affairs, who is from where, what they did, in what environment they grew up, - in a word, on endless topics(Furm.).

(On setting a semicolon in a complex sentence, see § 37.)

§ 35.3

Between homogeneous subordinate parts of a complex sentence connected by non-repeating connecting or separating unions, a comma is not put: My father said that he had never seen such loaves, and that this year's harvest was from a personal(Ax.); It seemed as if the whole forest is uprooted at once, and the roots torn out of the ground and the earth itself groan and scream in pain(Fed.) - there are no repeating unions here (the first union and connects two subordinate parts, the second - homogeneous subjects roots and Earth, third - homogeneous predicates groan and yell); What is this connection and who is Kovpak, we didn't know then(Medv.).

§ 35.4

With repeated coordinating conjunctions between subordinate clauses of a complex subordinate sentence, comma: While in the hospital, he recalled how the fascists suddenly attacked them, and how they ended up surrounded, and how the detachment still managed to get through to their own (gaz.).

§ 35.5

Unions whether ... or are considered as repetitive, and the subordinate clauses of the complex sentence connected by these unions are separated comma: And for a long time all those present remained at a loss, not knowing did they really see those extraordinary eyes, or was it just a dream...(G.); ... To the left, the entire sky above the horizon was filled with a crimson glow, and it was difficult to understand was there a fire somewhere, or was the moon about to rise(Ch.); After that, decide will he fight, fly, live, or will he always be given a seat on the tram and see him off with sympathetic looks (Pol.).

§ 35.6

Between the subordinate parts of a complex sentence with sequential subordination comma placed on a general basis: Victor asked to be a slaughterer, because he heard that this is the most honorable profession in the mine(Hump.); ... Bobrov recalled the poems he read in some magazine, in whom the poet tells his sweetheart that they will not swear to each other, because oaths would offend their trusting and ardent love (Kupr.); I already told you that on that wonderful evening when we honored you, our sweet fairy called you a child(Pog.).

§ 36. Comma at the junction of two unions

§ 36.1

With sequential subordination, one subordinate part of a complex sentence may be inside another and there will be a “meeting” of two subordinating conjunctions or a subordinating union and an allied word: I think, that when the prisoners see the stairs, many will want to run(M.G.) - comma separates subordinating conjunctions what and when; The maid was an orphan who, in order to be fed, had to enter the service(L.T.) - a comma separates the union word which and subordinating conjunction to. The reason for such punctuation is the fact that the second clause can be removed from the text or rearranged to another place - at the end of a complex sentence.

However, not always such a simple operation can be done. Let's compare two sentences with almost the same lexical composition, but with a slight addition in the second of them: He said, that, if he is free, he will come to me in the evening. - He said, that if he is free, he will come to me in the evening(added the second part of the double union if...then). The punctuation is different: in the first sentence (there is a comma between adjacent subordinating conjunctions), the second clause can be removed or rearranged without violating the structure of the sentence; this cannot be done in the second sentence, since with the removal or rearrangement of the second subordinate part, the words will be next something ... something, but such a neighborhood violates the stylistic norms of the literary language. Wed also: The sword felt that if you have to shoot back again, he will no longer be different from Peaks(F.). - I already thought that if I don’t argue with the old man at this decisive moment, then later it will be difficult for me to free myself from his guardianship (P.).

Thus, at the "meeting" of two subordinating unions (or a subordinating union and an allied word) comma between them is placed if the removal of the second subordinate part does not require the restructuring of the main part (practically - if the second part of the double union does not follow further then, so or but, the presence of which requires such a restructuring), and is not placed if the indicated second part of the double union follows.

Compare: (a comma is placed) The road seemed to lead to heaven because, as far as eyes could see, she kept rising(L.); ... He always felt the injustice of his excess in comparison with the poverty of the people and now he decided to himself, that, in order to feel completely right, he ... will now work even harder and allow himself even less luxury (L.T.); …It turned out, that although the doctor spoke very fluently and at length, it was in no way possible to convey what he said(L.T.); The bear fell in love with Nikita so much, that when he went somewhere, the beast sniffed the air anxiously(M.G.); I read before that when he heard the ringing of the bell on the front porch, he did not immediately understand who it was ringing and why(M.G.); Thus, the enemy creates for himself a situation in which which, if we are resolute and bold without hesitation, he himself will expose his main forces to defeat us(A.T.); This silent conversation of glances excited Lisa so much, that when she sat down at a table in the great hall, her eyes, not answering anyone, also spoke of embarrassment(Fed.); Finally he felt that he can no longer, that no force will move him from his place, and that if he sits down now, he will no longer get up (Pol.);

(comma not included) Sobakevich ... in a quarter of an hour with a little drove him[sturgeon] Total, so that when the chief of police remembered him, he saw that only one tail remained from the work of nature (G.); Anton Prokofievich had, by the way, only pantaloons of such a strange quality, that when he put them on, the dogs always bit him on the calves (T.); The garden was followed by peasant huts, which, although they were lined up scattered and not enclosed in regular streets, showed the contentment of the inhabitants (T.); Hadji Murat sat down and said, that if they only send to the Lezgin line and give an army, then he guarantees that he will raise the whole of Dagestan(L.T.); The ferry moved with such slowness, that if it were not for the gradual delineation of its contours, then one would think that it stands in one place or goes to the other side (Ch.); The blind man knew that the sun is looking into the room and that if he stretches his hand out the window, then dew will fall from the bushes(Kor.); Who doesn't know that when a patient wants to smoke, it means the same thing that he wanted to live(Shv.); That's why the locals are convinced that if it were possible to blow up the gorges on the padun and lower the level of the lake, then the banks would dry up and good grass would grow (Prishv.); But, probably, something has already happened in the world or something was happening at that time - fatal and irreparable, - because although it was still the same hot seaside summer, the dacha no longer seemed to me a Roman villa(Cat.).

§ 36.2

There is no comma between comparative and subordinating conjunctions: Not so much because her mother told her, but because it was Konstantin's brother, for Kitty these faces suddenly seemed most unpleasant(L.T.); Report your observations not only when the testing of the machine begins, but also during the entire experiment; Article deserves attention both because the issues raised in it are relevant, and because they have been studied seriously and deeply.

§ 36.3

At the "meeting" of the coordinating union and the subordinating (or allied word) comma between them is placed or not, depending on the conditions indicated above (clause 1). Wed:

(comma is placed) Grigory, scorched by his sudden and joyful determination, with difficulty restrained his horse and, when the last hundred, almost trampling Stepan, rushed past, jumped up to him(Sh.) - when withdrawing the subordinate part with the union when prepositional combination to him it becomes unclear, but structurally such an exception is possible, therefore a comma between the coordinating and subordinating conjunctions in such cases is usually placed; Mumu did not go to the master's house and, when Gerasim carried firewood to the rooms, always stayed behind and waited impatiently for him at the porch(T.); Levin said goodbye to them, but, not to be alone clung to his brother(L.T.);

(comma not included) The woman's feet were burned and barefoot, and when she said then with her hand she raked warm dust to the inflamed feet, as if trying to soothe the pain with this(Sim.) - when withdrawing or rearranging the subordinate part with the union when next to the words and ... that; On a cold night ... the boy knocked on unfamiliar houses, asking where Oznobishin lived, and if dead silence did not answer him, then there was a quarrelsome shout or a suspicious interrogation(Fed.); Nikolai Nikolayevich tries to walk beside him, but as he gets confused between the trees and stumbles, then he often has to catch up with his companion skipping(Cupr.); He looked sadly around, and he felt unbearably sorry for the sky, and the earth, and the forest, and when the highest note of the flute swept long through the air and trembled like the voice of a weeping man, he became extremely bitter and offended by the disorder that had been replaced in nature(Ch.) - after an opposing union a the comma in these cases, as a rule, is not put, even if the second part of the double union does not follow then, since neither the removal nor the rearrangement of the subordinate part is possible without the restructuring of the main part; The sounds gradually died away, and the farther we went from home, the more deaf and dead it became around(M.G.) - union and attaches a whole complex sentence; He left a long time ago and where is he now no one knows - union and joins a whole complex sentence.

§ 36.4

At the "meeting" of the connecting union and and a subordinating union, the following cases are possible:

1) comma put only before the union and(regardless of whether it connects homogeneous members of the sentence, independent clauses or subordinate clauses), if the clause is followed by the second part of the double union how or but(in this case union and joins a whole complex sentence): He wore dark glasses, sweatshirt, ears pawned cotton wool, and when he got into a cab, he ordered raise the top(Ch.) - union and connects homogeneous members of the sentence; Occasionally a small snowflake stuck to the outside of the glass, and if you look closely, one could see its finest crystalline structure(Paust.) - Union and connects simple sentences; Doctor said, that the patient needs rest, and if we don't want to disturb him, then must leave the room- union and connects subordinate subordinate parts; Please find out whether the reviewer read the manuscript, and if you read what is his opinion of her - union and connects subordinated with subordinate parts;

2) comma placed only after union and, if it connects two homogeneous members of a sentence or two subordinate clauses and the second part of the double union does not follow: He thought to surprise her with his generosity, but she even did not lead and when he turned away from her, contemptuously grimaced her clenched lips(T.); Apparently, in his own words attached it is of no small value, and, in order to aggravate their price, tried pronounce them loudly(Ch.); It revealed, that the manuscript has not yet been finalized and, until more work is done on it, you can’t put it in a set;

3) comma put before the union and, and after it, if it connects two simple sentences (and the second part of the double union does not follow the subordinate clause): Gulyaev was a strong man, and, when he returned to the Urals, behind him stretched the brilliant glory of a millionaire(M.-S.); For some reason, they said about him that he was a wonderful artist, and, when his mother died his grandmother sent him to Moscow, to the Komissarov School(Ch.); This newborn gentleman especially annoyed Samghin, and, if Klim Ivanovich were capable of hating, he would hate him(M.G.); ... In my head it became easier, clearer, everything somehow thickened, and, while this condensation was going on in the head, it's quieter outside too.(M.G.); She looked at the calmly beautiful Elizaveta Mikhailovna with large tender eyes, and, when she caressed her with a soft and tender hand, her heart skipped a beat(S.-SH.); Liza went to the deserted square, and, when her legs began to fall heavily from the round bald heads of the cobblestones, she remembered how she returned to this square on a sunny day after the first meeting with Tsvetukhin(Fed.); A frisky wind from the sea blew the sails, and, when the sun rose, and the city walls were left behind the stern of the last plow, a loud song spilled over the expanse of the Volga(Evil.); And the woman kept talking and talking about her misfortunes, and, although her words were familiar, Saburov's heart suddenly ached from them(Sim.); On the turns the sled was thrown to the shores, and, so that it does not break on sharp stones sticking out from under the snow, Alitete pushed off with his feet(Sem.).

§ 36.5

The placement of a comma between the connecting union (at the beginning of the sentence, after the dot) and the subordinating union following it depends on the meaning of the union:

1) usually after union and no comma: And when Levinson, having completed all his daily tasks, finally gave the order to march,- there was such jubilation in the detachment, as if with this order all sorts of ordeals actually ended(F.); And although the weather has improved considerably, the danger of drought has not passed; And instead of turn right, by mistake went straight;

2) after the union a The comma is also omitted: And when the sun rose, a view of the snowy peak opened before us; And if believe the reports of weather forecasters, warming should come tomorrow;

3) after the union but comma not put in the absence of a pause between unions and put if a pause is made; compare: But when he, leaning on a stick, got out of the staff bus to the square ... and, not waiting to be hugged, he himself began to hug and kiss everyone who fell into his arms, something pinched in the wound(Paul); But if even the enemy managed to repulse the attackers, the infantry again rushed to the attack(Sim.);

4) after the union but comma usually set: However, if circumstances require it, I will not stand aside.

§ 37. Semicolon in a complex sentence

If homogeneous clauses of a complex sentence are common, especially if there are commas inside them, then a comma can be placed between such clauses instead of a comma semicolon: What was he thinking about? That he was poor; that by labor he had to give himself both independence and honor; that God could give him brains and money; that there are such idle lucky ones, of a narrow-minded mind, sloths, for whom life is much easier(P.); Davydov felt a little sad because so much had changed there now; that now he would no longer be able to sit all night long at the drawings; that now they seem to have forgotten about him(Sh.).

§ 38. Dash in a complex sentence

§ 38.1

Dash is set for the intonational separation of the main part of a complex sentence from the subordinate clause. Often dash used when the main part is preceded by:

1) subordinate explanatory: How did he get here - he couldn't understand it.(G.); As the teacher said I listened at the window for a long time(Pl.); Of course, it's good that he's married to her, how will they live - who knows(M.G.); Why did he torture her? - she never asked; He will come, but when - I do not know(cf. with a different order of parts: I do not know when he will come) They left but where - did not say; BUT here to admit your guilt in front of everyone - the spirit is not enough; Did she reply to his letter or not - he never found out; That he is a man who knows - fact; There were some new rumors about him, but what kind - unknown; Who doesn't love art - or callous soul, or deaf to everything beautiful; How to be in such cases - radio listeners ask;

2) conditional clause (usually with unions whether ... whether, whether ... or): Will someone ask what - shut up(P.); Whether the head thinks, whether the heart feels, or hands overturn glasses - everything is covered with equal splashes(G.); Looked into the distance, will I look at you - and in the heart some kind of light will light up(Fet); Did Judas realize that it was a stone and not bread, or did he not - it's a moot point(S.-SH.);

3) subordinate concession: Let them tyrannize as they wish, even if they take the skin off the living - I will not give up my will(S.-SH.); No matter how much you look at the sea - it will never get tired(Cat.).

§ 38.2

Conditions Favoring Setting dash:

1) parallelism of the structure of a complex sentence: Whether the plowman sings a song in the distance - a long song takes over the heart; Will the forest begin - pine and aspen(N.); Whoever is cheerful - he laughs, whoever wants - he will achieve, who is looking for - he will always find!(OK.); If someone comes, I rejoice, if no one looks in, I don’t grieve either; What was - is known, what will be - no one knows;

2) incompleteness of the composition of the sentence in the subordinate part: Some ask why there was a delay in resolving the issue, others - why did it come into being at all? third - why other questions are not considered along the way; He is a good person, sorry. - drunkard; I answered something that - I myself do not remember;

3) the presence of words this, here: That she is an honest nature - it's clear to me(T.); When a fly obtrusively curls before your eyes- uh it's unpleasant but when a mosquito blows relentlessly over your ear at night - it's just unbearable; What is wonderful about this forest - is that it is all made of pines; Where is he now, what is he doing - here are the questions I couldn't get answers to; And that he was smart - you can believe me; What did he find in her? - it's his business;

4) listing of accessory parts: If you are not confident in yourself, if you do not have the courage - refuse; Around people and who came for what, who cares - dont clear; BUT what was going on in this chaos of things, how he understood it - the mind is incomprehensible; He is to show that he knows all this and agrees with everything, that he is far from any doubt - immediately offered his services;

5) an abundance of commas, against which the dash acts as a more expressive sign: But we have gained experience, and for experience, as they say, no matter how much you pay, you will not overpay;

6) intonational separation of the main part from the subordinate clause following it: You ask - why did I go for it?; Are you sure - is it necessary?;

7) between subordinate clauses, if the opposite conjunction or the second part of the comparative conjunction is omitted: Artistry lies in the fact that each word is not only in place - so that it is necessary, inevitable and that there are as few words as possible(Black).

§ 39. Colon in a complex sentence

Colon is placed before the subordinating conjunction in those rare cases when the preceding main part of the complex sentence contains a special warning about the subsequent clarification (a long pause is made at this point and you can insert the words namely):And, having done this, I felt that the result was the desired one: that he was touched and she was touched(L.T.); Hadji Murat was sitting next to him in the room and, although he did not understand what they were saying, he understood what he needed to understand: that they were arguing about him.(L.T.); Now that their military duty had been fulfilled, when they had brought clarity to the confusing situation of the bay, when the most important task had been secured, they thought about what so far none of them had even thought: that they were saved, that they did not drown, that in this vast night sea they would not slip past a tiny boat anchored(Inc.); I am afraid of one thing: that the overwork of our people will not be reflected in their work in caring for the wounded.(Pan.); With each passing day, the idea that the Americans themselves expressed to us more than once became more and more obvious: that newspapers in the USA are not yet public opinion.(gas.).

§ 40. Comma and dash in a complex sentence

Comma and dash as a single sign are placed in a complex sentence:

1) before the main part, which is preceded by a series of homogeneous subordinate clauses, if the division of a complex sentence into two parts is emphasized (a long pause is made before the main part): Who is to blame among them, who is right, is not for us to judge.(Cr.); Did Stoltz do anything for this, what he did and how he did it - we do not know.(Good.); How many of them there were in total, these people, whether they came here by chance, how long they will stay here - I cannot tell you this,

2) before the word that is repeated in the subordinate part, in order to connect with it the further part of the same sentence: Now, as a judicial investigator, Ivan Ilyich felt that without exception, the most important, self-satisfied people, everything was in his hands.(L.T.). The same when repeating the word in the main part: And thought, that he can be guided by this interest, that in order to sell this timber he will seek reconciliation with his wife - this thought insulted him(L.T.); A life which began (so miraculously in the memories) with a huge church porch ... and the voice of my mother, in which the familiar flinty path shone a thousand times and the star spoke to the star - this a life with each hour filled with a new, ever new meaning(Cat.).

In other cases dash is placed after a comma that closes the subordinate part, to enhance punctuation, when the structure is “breaking”, before the word This etc.: Once I asked myself: what if he comes back, suddenly comes to you - will you be happy?; The best thing he could do was to leave in time; What was this case in which there was so much obscurity, - this he could not remember; The only thing I like here is the old shady park; Even if I am mistaken, well, it is human nature to make mistakes; He fell silent, but not because he lacked words, he lacked breath; In embarrassment, he did not say what he thought - he uttered the first words that came to mind.