Sometimes introductory words can puzzle even an experienced user of the Russian language. One of the most common problems is determining whether to separate a word with commas. The phrase “in this way” can be safely placed in the category of doubt. For correct punctuation, you need to find out if the phrase is introductory, and in what context it is used.
How to decide if a given phrase is introductory
All introductory words and combinations have a distinctive feature that allows you to calculate their belonging to a given class. Introductory phrases do not affect the meaning of the rest of the sentence. If you take them out of context, the main idea remains unchanged.
For example: “Next Thursday we may go to the theater”. When you remove the word "possibly" from the sentence, the meaning does not change. Introductory words only make additions and clarifications to the existing one.
For further punctuation of the phrase “thus”, it is necessary to determine whetherit belongs to the category of introductory.
Instances where punctuation is required
If the phrase "in this way" is introductory, punctuation is indispensable. You can determine its belonging to the introductory in meaning. If the phrase is used to summarize, it acts as an introductory phrase. When it is used to draw a certain conclusion, it takes on the meaning of the words “therefore” and “therefore”.
Wherever the phrase “in this way” is placed, commas are always needed. Here are 3 possible options:
- The phrase is in the middle of a sentence. In this case, you need to highlight it on both sides.
- The introductory construction is at the very beginning of the sentence. A fairly common case, as this is the most logical placement for the intro before the conclusion. A comma, sometimes a dash, is placed only after the phrase.
- Combination with union. If a sentence begins with an insertion phrase preceded by the conjunctions “a” or “and”, a comma is placed only after the phrase.
It is often possible to find such usage where the phrase is introductory in the context: “Thus, we come to the conclusion…”. With this, everything is clear.
Synonyms for “thus” in each of the cases are such words: therefore, so, consequently, therefore, from which one can conclude, hence follows. They are designed to summarize and coherently present thoughts in a sentence, text or speech.
Option without commas
The second use of the phrase “in this way” is as part of a sentence. In this case, it cannot be removed from the text, as the main idea or meaning will be distorted.
If the phrase is not introductory, then it acts as a simple circumstance, phraseological phrase. In this case, it acquires the meaning "in this way, in this way, in this way." More emphasis is placed on the word "image", which is now used as a way or method of doing things.
You should not use commas or any other punctuation marks for a phrase that is not introductory.
Usage examples in context
You can only learn to distinguish introductory constructions in sentences and put the correct punctuation marks with practice.
A good way to consolidate the topic and test your knowledge is to write dictations and place commas in phrases yourself. You can ask someone to read the examples below so that it is not possible to peep the correct punctuation mark ahead of time.
Examples with introductory phrases:
- It was late in the evening, so the suspect had no opportunity to be at the scene of the crime. He has an alibi.
- This is unlikely, and thus it is safe to say that the variant should not be considered in data processing.
Examples of sentences in which the phrase is not introductory:
- The balance was thus maintained. The cat continued to move along the branch.
- Equipment thus convertedlasts longer than usual.
It can be concluded
To learn how to quickly and accurately put punctuation marks in their places, you need to know the rules well. There is no need to cram anything, because the best results are shown by those who understand the meaning of grammar and punctuation rules well, and do not memorize them.
Important rule: do not be content with a good understanding of the theory. It is better to debug in memory what has been honed in practice. In addition, only with the help of training on real sentences can you speed up the search for the right option.
