In the Russian language you can find words and phrases that are never separated by commas in a sentence. In some cases, commas are used, but only under certain conditions. Let's figure out when punctuation marks are not needed.

Never separated by commas

In selling or informational texts there are expressions that make you want to use a comma. These constructions are often confused with introductory words and punctuation marks are mistakenly used.

Remember these words - “provocateurs” and never separate them with commas:

Likewise, literally, solely, ultimately, as a result, in connection with this, precisely, exclusively, as if, in addition, ultimately, for the most part, extremely, certainly, especially, definitely, by decision, by decree, approximately, only, nevertheless, that is, as if etc.

A sentence can begin with a conjunction consisting of several words. Commas are not used in such constructions.

For example, since…; before...; after…; in order to...; in case... etc.

Set expressions are not separated by commas in writing, which are mistakenly taken for homogeneous members. These are phraseological units consisting of two words with opposite meanings and connected by conjunctions AND or NI.

For example: both, both, neither here nor there.

A comma is not placed before HOW in set expressions with a comparison value: the illness vanished as if by hand; everything is as if chosen; sounds like music; have at one's fingertips; clear as day etc.

separated/not separated by commas under certain conditions

The texts raise doubts about constructions that in one case may be separated by commas from the rest of the words in the sentence, but in another case not separated.

Introductory words and similar sentence parts

The following technique will help to distinguish an introductory word from a homonymous member of a sentence: try to remove the questionable word from the sentence. If this word cannot be excluded, the meaning of the sentence is lost, then commas are not needed. This is a sentence member.

For example: The workshop can be reorganized(It will not be possible to remove the word “perhaps”; the sentence will fall apart).

When a word is excluded from a sentence without difficulty, and the meaning of the statement does not suffer, then it is necessary to add punctuation marks: The workshop may have already been reorganized.“Perhaps” is an introductory word with the meaning of uncertainty.

It should be remembered that in selling texts, introductory words are stop words. Therefore, it is better to abandon such structures.

Let's look at a few more frequently found examples on the Internet of the use of words that may or may not be separated by commas.

However

If the word “however” is at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence and is easily replaced by the conjunction BUT, then this word is not an introductory word, and therefore is not separated by commas on both sides.

For example: However (=BUT) you should not immediately refuse the bonus card. Here “however” is a conjunction that connects sentences in the text.

Working as a copywriter is difficult, but (=BUT) interesting. In this sentence, “however” connects homogeneous members.

In other cases, “however” is an introductory word and is separated by commas.

Really

The word “really” is not separated by commas if it occupies a position in the middle or at the end of a sentence: You will really be pleased with the wide selection of products in our store.

If “really” is at the beginning of a sentence and expresses confidence, then this word is emphasized: Indeed, the work of a copywriter is interesting.

Finally

When the word “finally” in a sentence means “as a result” and is easily replaced by the synonym “in the end,” then commas are not used: You discussed the possible risks and finally came to an agreement.

If the word “finally” indicates the order of thoughts (in the sense of “and yet”), then commas are required. For example: In the summer you can go to Crimea, Karelia and, finally (=and again), relax in Altai. In this case, “finally” is an introductory word.

Use punctuation rules to place punctuation marks correctly.

Good luck to you!

Nobody is perfect. We also make typos. If you find an error, please highlight a piece of text and click Ctrl+Enter. Thanks for your help!

Copywriter-philologist, Russian language teacher with extensive experience

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In case

pretext

The adverbial phrases “in case + noun” can be distinguished by punctuation marks (commas). For more information about the factors influencing the placement of punctuation marks, see Appendix 1. ()

In case If they disobeyed, the musicians were imprisoned in the guardhouse, like ordinary soldiers. D. Mamin-Sibiryak, Faithful Slave. Ivan Pavlych Vologzhanin tirelessly began to travel around to all his acquaintances and collect useful information about the life of the Krutogorsk inhabitants, in order, if necessary, present this bouquet to Mr. Inspector and through this declare your activity and devotion. M. Saltykov-Shchedrin, Arrival of the auditor. And then, realizing that I was also a man, I set out in search of myself, rightly believing that in case failures are a small loss for everyone, but in case good luck this is a godsend for many. M. Ancharov, Soda-sun.

Dictionary-reference book on punctuation. - M.: Reference and information Internet portal GRAMOTA.RU. V. V. Svintsov, V. M. Pakhomov, I. V. Filatova. 2010 .

Synonyms:

See what “in case” is in other dictionaries:

anyway- Unism. 1. Under any circumstances, necessarily. Usually with verb. owls like: in any case, find, help out, find out... I know him well. In any case, he won't let you down. However, in any case, military measures must be taken. (A. Pushkin.)… …

For murder, dial "M" (film)- In case of murder, dial “M” Dial M for Murder Genre detective Director Alfred Hitchcock Producer Alfre ... Wikipedia

Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict 1954- The emblem adopted by the Hague Convention of 1954 is a distinctive sign of cultural property. The Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict was adopted in The Hague (Netherlands) ... Wikipedia

In case of murder, dial "M"- Dial M for Murder ... Wikipedia

as a last resort Educational phraseological dictionary

as a last resort- in the most extreme case, Neism. In urgent need, in the absence of another way out, opportunity. With verb. nesov. and owls type: call, contact, call, contact... in what case? as a last resort. Voloshin could only speak out like that... Educational phraseological dictionary

Adverbial expression Words “in case something happens” can be highlighted with punctuation marks - commas or dashes. Isolation is justified in the case when a pause can be made at the place of the comma during reading. Along this lane in case... ...

Conjunction Syntactic constructions beginning with conjunctions “in case” and “in case when” are separated by punctuation marks, usually commas. In this case, the first punctuation mark can be placed either before a compound conjunction or between its parts. ABOUT… … Dictionary-reference book on punctuation

in case- ▲ if availability, some, situation in case of something, which (# failure). in case something happens. in case. in that case. in this case. this time (colloquial). if so. if that's the case (colloquial). if, if as soon as possible. once. When. Then. then (# leave... Ideographic Dictionary of the Russian Language

in case something happens- Unism. If there is a need, if something happens, if any difficulties or complications arise. Most often with verb. in led. incl.: in what case? if something happens, call and tell me... If something happens immediately... ... Educational phraseological dictionary

Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict- This term has other meanings, see the Hague Convention. The emblem adopted by the Hague Convention of 1954 is a distinctive sign of cultural property. The Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict was adopted ... Wikipedia

Books

Dying is a last resort. Typhoons with affectionate names, Bogomil Rainov. We present to your attention a collection of novels by Bogomil Raynov. The collection includes the novels “Typhoons with affectionate names”, “Dying is a last resort”...

There are many rules in Russian punctuation that are not easy to understand. After all, punctuation marks not only define the boundaries of phrases and sentences, but also help convey the feelings and emotions of the people reproducing them. Whether it’s worth highlighting “predominantly” with commas or not, we’ll talk about it in this article.

To understand whether commas are needed to highlight the word “mostly”, it is necessary to determine its meaning and grammatical characteristics.

“Predominantly”, that is, in dominance over others. For example, “He chooses mostly teddy bears,” that is, when choosing from a variety of toys, he chooses bears and not something else.

From a morphological point of view, it can be noted that the word “predominantly” is an adverb formed from the adjective “predominant” in a suffixal way.

This adverb is similar to words such as: certainly, indeed, which, in addition to one of the members of the sentence, can be introductory words.

“His leadership in our team is unquestionable.” Leadership (what?) is unconditional. In this sentence, the analyzed word is part of a compound nominal predicate, expressed by a short neuter adjective.

“Of course, he is the leader of our team.” In this sentence, the analyzed word does not answer the question, therefore, is not one of the members of the sentence, is used to indicate confidence, and is easily omitted without changing the meaning. Maybe highlight “predominantly” with commas?

Introductory words

Introductory words are expressions used to give additional meaning to a phrase. They are not members of the sentence; in writing they are separated, separated by commas on both sides. They can be expressed by words of different parts of speech, phrases, both stable and changing.

Introductory words are used in several cases:

When formalizing the train of thought (firstly, on the one hand, therefore).

When expressing emotions, confidence, uncertainty (fortunately, unfortunately, of course, without a doubt).

When indicating the source of speaking (according to words, according to a message, in other words).

In case of attracting attention (imagine, see, know).

When indicating the measure (at least the largest, without exaggeration).

The word we are analyzing does not have any of the above, there is no need to highlight it “primarily” with commas in writing. It cannot be an introductory word.

Exception words

It is correct not to separate “primarily” with commas, as is the case with other exception words, such as: “decisively”, “approximately”, “exclusively”.

She wanted mainly a warm relationship.

His actions were strongly rejected.

To make the pie you need approximately five apples.

He does this solely for her safety.

Clarifying circumstances

“Predominantly” is an adverb, therefore, in a sentence, as a rule, it acts as an adverb. In some cases, circumstances tend to become isolated.

Is it possible to highlight “primarily” with commas, following this punctogram?

Circumstances stand out in two cases:

Determining the additional meaning of time: “Today, at nine o’clock in the evening, my favorite film will be shown on TV.” When will the film be shown? Today. And when exactly? At nine o'clock in the evening.

Determining the additional meaning of the place: “Tomorrow I’m going to the village, to my parents.” Where am I going? To the village. Where exactly? To my parents.

Isolated circumstances have a clarifying meaning of place and time. Each subsequent one will answer the question “when exactly”, “where exactly”.

The word we are interested in is not a circumstance of time or place, and therefore cannot be isolated.

A circumstance is a minor member of a sentence that denotes a sign of an action or other characteristic. The circumstances are explained by predicates or other members of the sentence. When parsing a sentence, circumstances are emphasized with a dotted line (dash, dot, dash). Circumstances must be separated by commas in three cases. Let's look at each of them in turn.

First case

Circumstances in sentences can be expressed in four parts of speech:

adverb, for example: The janitor gets up early;

participle or participial phrase, for example: The men, seeing the landowner, took off their hats;

infinitive, for example: Everyone went outside (why?) to clear the snow;

In addition, the circumstance can be expressed by an expression that is integral in meaning, for example: It rained for two weeks straight.

It is necessary to remember that It is necessary to highlight with commas the circumstances that are expressed by the participle or participial phrase. Compare: He sat leafing through a magazine and was bored And He was sitting on a bench. In the first sentence the circumstance leafing through a magazine stands out, since it is expressed by an adverbial phrase, and in the second, the circumstance on the bench is not isolated, since it is expressed by a noun with a preposition.

Second and third cases

According to their significance, circumstances are divided into the following main groups:

circumstances of a place that answer the questions WHERE? WHERE? WHERE? For example: We entered (where?) into the city;

circumstances of time that answer the questions WHEN? SINCE WHEN? UNTIL WHEN? HOW LONG? For example: We waited for them for about two hours;

circumstances reasons that answer the questions WHY? WHY? FOR WHAT REASON? For example: I could not speak from fatigue;

circumstances of the goal that answer the questions WHY? FOR WHAT? FOR WHAT PURPOSE? For example: In the sanatorium everything is prepared for the treatment of vacationers;

circumstances of the manner of action and degree, answering the questions HOW? HOW? TO WHAT EXTENT? For example: I got a little thoughtful or My father did not let me go one step;

circumstances conditions that answer the question UNDER WHAT CONDITION? For example: With effort you can achieve success;

circumstances of the assignment that answer the question DESPITE WHAT? For example: The street, despite the frost, was crowded;

circumstances of comparison that answer the question HOW? For example: Her head is shorn, like a boy's.

In the classification of circumstances by meaning, one of the eight types are circumstances of comparison: they answer the question HOW? and begins with the conjunctions AS, AS WELL or AS IF. For example: She had long hair, soft as flax. In some textbooks and reference guides, circumstances of comparison are also called comparative phrases. It is necessary to remember that circumstances of comparison in sentences are separated by commas.

Another type of circumstances that must be separated by commas are the circumstances of the assignment. Such circumstances answer the question DESPITE WHAT? and begin with the preposition DESPITE (or, less commonly, despite). For example: On the streets, despite the bright sun, lanterns were burning.

So, you should remember three cases when circumstances need to be separated by commas:

if they are expressed by an adverbial phrase,

if they represent comparative turnover,

if they begin with the preposition DESPITE.

Look at the examples again. Sparks swirled quickly in the heights.(Lermontov) She suddenly disappeared, like a bird scared out of a bush(Lermontov). Despite unforeseen difficulties, the work was completed on time.

This rule has several important notes:

The adverbs STANDING, SITTING, LYING, SILENTLY should be distinguished from gerunds. RELUCTANTLY, JOKINGLY, WITHOUT LOOKING, PLAYING. They were formed due to the transition of words from the category of gerunds to adverbs. The circumstances expressed in such words are not isolated. For example: He stood silently.

Circumstances expressed by phraseological units are also not highlighted, for example: They worked with their sleeves rolled up or I spin all day like a squirrel in a wheel.

In addition to the circumstances of the assignment, which are always distinguished, circumstances expressed by nouns with derived prepositions THANKS, ACCORDING TO, CONTRARY, IN VIEW, CONSEQUENCE, can optionally be isolated, for example: Thanks to good weather, we swam in the river all summer. Usually such circumstances are isolated if they are common and come before the predicate.

Exercise

In two weeks_ our employee will return from vacation.

Peter went to the library to prepare for the exam.

Running out to the podium, he quickly spoke.

Overtaking a truck, the car drove into the oncoming lane.

Despite the danger, the captain ordered to continue moving.

For the sake of victory_ they are ready to do anything.

The wet steps turned out to be slippery like ice.

The port will be closed_ in case of strong wind.

It was dark, only two stars, like two rescue beacons, sparkled on the dark blue vault (Lermontov).

- Flies_ headlong! Almost knocked me off my feet! - muttered the old woman.

A precious stone stuck out like an eye on the side of the jacket (M. Bulgakov).

The old woman, despite her advanced age, sees and hears perfectly (A. Chekhov).

Having gone through difficult trials, he managed to preserve his human dignity (M. Sholokhov).

The stove was humming like a fire (M. Bulgakov).

He answered the investigator's questions reluctantly.

The boat dived like a duck and then, flapping its oars, as if with wings, jumped to the surface (M. Lermontov).

Having grabbed the German major and a briefcase with documents, Sokolov gets to his people (M. Sholokhov).

Having experienced a strong shock, he fell asleep like the dead.

Everywhere and in everything he tried to emphasize his superiority, considering himself well-mannered and humane (A. Fadeev).

And then hundreds of small incendiary bombs were sprinkled on the fires like grains on freshly plowed ground (K. Vonnegut).

There are quite a few people in this world who are lonely by nature, who, like a hermit crab or a snail, try to retreat into their shell (A. Chekhov).

Some kind of bastard, Siberian-looking stray cat emerged from behind a drainpipe and, despite the blizzard, smelled the Krakow one (M. Bulgakov).

For a long time he struggled with his guess, taking it for a dream of an imagination inflamed by food supplies, but the more often the meetings were repeated, the more painful the doubts became (M. Saltykov-Shchedrin).

Verbs, names and adverbs in a sentence can act as introductory words, which in one way or another - grammatically, lexically, intonation - express the speaker’s attitude to what he is reporting.

Compare two sentences:

This question, it seemed made it difficult for the guest.

Face his it seemed calm.

In both examples the word is used it seemed , but only in the second case is this word included in the members of the sentence: there it is part of a compound nominal predicate.

In the first example the word it seemed serves only to express the speaker’s attitude towards what he is reporting. Such words are called introductory words; they are not part of the sentence and can easily be omitted, for example: This question... made the guest difficult. Please note that in the second sentence, skip the word it seemed impossible.

Compare some more examples in the table:

Take it with you By the way, our books.
This phrase by the way, reminded me of an old joke.

These words are spoken By the way.

This phrase was said by the way.

Words separated by commas can be removed from a sentence without destroying its meaning.

By the way, from the first sentence you can ask the question HOW?
To the phrase BETWEEN OTHERS, you can ask the question WHEN?

Many words can be used as introductions. But there is a group of words that are never introductory. Read two sentences:

There will obviously be a good harvest this year;
There will certainly be a good harvest this year.

The first sentence uses the word obviously, in the second – certainly . Although these words are very close in meaning, only the word from the first sentence is separated by commas and is introductory. The words presented below need to be remembered: they are very similar to introductory ones, but they are not commas are not separated:

PERHAPS, SUDDENLY, SUDDENLY, SO, HARDLY, STILL, EVEN, EXACTLY, AS IF, JUST, CAREFULLY, MANDATORY, ALMOST, ONLY, ALLEGEDLY.

Introductory words can convey five different types of meaning:

Most often, with the help of introductory words, the speaker conveys various degree of confidence in what he reports. For example: You will undoubtedly do well on the exam. or It seems like you need to study more. This group includes the words:

OF COURSE, OF COURSE, UNDOUBTEDLY, UNDOUBTEDLY, WITHOUT A DOUBT, UNCONDITIONALLY, ACTUALLY, SEEMED, PROBABLY, POSSIBLY, POSSIBLY.

Introductory words can also convey feelings and attitude speaker to what he is communicating. For example: Unfortunately, you did not pass the exam very well.

FORTUNELY, UNFORTUNATELY, SURPRISINGLY, UNFORTUNATELY.

Sometimes introductory words indicate on source of information, which is reported by the speaker. Introductory phrases in this case begin with the words BY MESSAGE, BY WORDS, BY OPINION. For example: According to doctors, you need to stop training for a while.

The source of the message may also be the speaker himself (IN MY OPINION, IN MY OPINION) or the source may be uncertain (THE SAY IS HEARD). For example: They say you will have to stop training.

ACCORDING TO THE MESSAGE, ACCORDING TO WORDS, ACCORDING TO OPINION, ACCORDING TO RUMORS, SAYING, HEARD, IN MY OPINION, IN MY OPINION, IN YOUR OPINION.

Introductory words are also used For organizing thoughts and indications of their connections with each other. For example: Firstly, this participle was formed from a perfective verb; secondly, it has dependent words. Therefore, it must contain two letters N.

FIRSTLY, SECONDLY, THIRDLY, FINALLY, CONSEQUENTLY, MEAN, SO, OPPOSITE, FOR EXAMPLE, ON THE CONVERSE.

There are also sentences where introductory words indicate on way of organizing thoughts. For example: In a word, everything went well.

IN OTHERWISE, IN ONE WORD, IT IS BETTER TO SAY, TO SPEAK SOFTLY.

Introductory words also include words that serve to attract attention interlocutor:

YOU KNOW (KNOW), UNDERSTAND (UNDERSTAND), LISTEN (LISTEN), SEE (SEE) and others.

The same meanings can be expressed not only by introductory words, but also by similar predicative constructions (introductory sentences). Compare: The snowfall will probably end soon And The snowfall, I think, will end soon. In addition to commas, parentheses or dashes can be used to highlight introductory sentences. This is done when the introductory construction is very common and contains additional comments or explanations. For example:

We're passing through our village once, years ago - how can I tell you without lying - about fifteen years old. (Turgenev)
Alexey (the reader already recognized him) Meanwhile, he looked intently at the young peasant woman. (Pushkin)

The rule for isolating introductory words and sentences has several very important notes.

If the introductory word is preceded by the conjunction A or BUT, then a comma is not always placed between the introductory word and the conjunction. Compare a couple of sentences:
The doctor finished the appointment but of course will look at a seriously ill patient.
He gave his word and therefore must restrain him.

The introductory word can be rearranged or removed without a conjunction only in the first case, therefore a comma is required between the introductory word and the conjunction. It is impossible to do this in the second sentence, which means there is no comma.

Very often difficulties arise in sentences with the words HOWEVER and FINALLY. The word HOWEVER is highlighted only when it cannot be replaced by the conjunction BUT. Compare two sentences:
However we understand that this figure is still low(HOWEVER = BUT) . Bye, however, we don't yet have a clear picture of what's happening(HOWEVER – introductory word) .

The word FINALLY is introductory only when it does not have a spatial or temporal meaning, but indicates the order of thoughts. For example:
I hope that in the near future this project finally will be implemented. AND, finally, The last thing I would like to draw your attention to.

Introductory words can begin a separate construction, for example, a clarifying phrase. In this case, a comma is not placed after the introductory word (in other words, the comma, which was supposed to “close” the introductory word, is moved to the end of the separate phrase).

I saw, or rather felt, that she was not indifferent to me.

In addition, a comma is not placed before an introductory word located at the end of a separate phrase.

For the holidays we decided to go somewhere, to Kolomna for example.

If the introductory word is in the middle of a separate construction, then it is separated by commas on a common basis.

I decided to declare my love, feeling, it seems, in my heart that she was not indifferent to me.

If introductory words are located before a phrase beginning with the words “how” or “so that,” then they are separated by commas.

The day she lived seemed meaningless to her, in essence, like all life.
He thought for a moment, likely, to find the right words.

Exercise

The portraits hung opposite the mirror.
On the contrary, he didn’t even change his face.
On the one hand_ I completely agree with you.
On one side, the coin depicted a double-headed eagle.
The truth is always better than a lie.
I_really_ was somewhat surprised by this news.
In spring_possible_flooding.
There may be a flood in the spring.
Everyone in our city is already talking about this.
In Greece_ they say_ everything is there.
Maybe you deigned to express yourself this way for the beauty of the style? (Gogol).
According to weather forecasters, it will be colder next week.
As scientists say, global warming awaits us.
The train leaves in an hour_ therefore_ we need to leave the house.
Fortunately_ Pechorin was deep in thought (Lermontov).
We have gathered here_first_to resolve the issue of the timing of the work.
He didn’t want to shoot himself - thank God - he didn’t want to try... (Pushkin).
Of course_ you have seen the district young lady’s album (Pushkin) more than once.
In one word, you got off easy.
So_ now we can draw a conclusion.
“You don’t bother me at all,” he objected, “if you please, shoot yourself, but as you please; your shot remains behind you; I am always ready at your service (Pushkin).
She suffered for a very long time after separation, but as you know, time heals any wounds.
The wind, however, was strong.
Fedya brought flowers_ however_ Masha didn’t like it.
A strong, yet warm wind blew through the window.
A good upbringing, as we know, can be achieved in boarding schools (Gogol).
However_ there are various improvements and changes in methods... (Gogol).
You_ definitely_ should come to us.
I took the ace of hearts from the table, as I remember now, and threw it up (Lermontov).
However, General Khvalynsky himself did not like to talk about his career; He seems to have never been to war (Turgenev).
You will become wild_ you know_ if you live locked up all the time (Gogol).
He was probably a grateful person and wanted to pay for his good treatment.
You supposedly had to come to his office and report on the trip.
Yes_ I confess_ I thought so myself.
I still decided to do it my own way.
Ivan Petrovich, you know, was an extraordinary man.
Nobody, of course, went to see him (Turgenev).
Gleb, as far as I knew, studied well at the Bryansk gymnasium (Paustovsky).
But perhaps the reader is already tired of sitting with me at Ovsyannikov’s house, and therefore I eloquently fall silent (Turgenev).
My arrival—I could have noticed it—at first somewhat confused the guests.
However_ the political process began to develop in a different way.
In my last report, I hastened to inform you that we finally managed to solve this problem.
The experiences of transformations that happened around us had, without a doubt, a strong influence on the thoughts of the majority of people involved in them (M. M. Speransky).
A group of border guards led by an officer approached the violators with the intention, as had happened before, to protest and demand that they leave the territory.
Finalization of the agreement will probably take several more months.
Secondly, there are a lot of abuses in the field of international tourism.
However, if we remain committed to the spirit and letter of this document, it could not have been otherwise.
We all know well, and everyone here knows well, that on the western, or as they say, the second front, about 1.5 million Allied troops and about 560 thousand German troops were concentrated.
This modest, symbolic gesture seems to me to be full of deep meaning.
Fortunately, the examples mentioned above are the exception, not the rule.
Increased baggage value may be claimed for certain types of items.
The reason for this is obvious: when the mind begins to recognize the price of freedom, it dismisses with carelessness all the children's toys, so to speak, with which it amused itself in its infancy (M. M. Speransky).
Pravda_ spoke to me politely, did not force me to do anything, and I remember having the impression that he did not look at all these accusations seriously.
But in our case, the truth quickly came out, and we were soon released.