Insert constructions are separate words, phrases or additional sentences that represent a kind of comments, make additional amendments, clarifications, explanations to the main idea expressed in the whole sentence.
Characteristic features of plug-in structures:
- they cannot be at the very beginning of the sentence;
- in writing, insertable constructions are separated by brackets or dashes, but not by commas;
- at the places where the insertion is placed, when pronouncing the phrase, a pause is observed, the tone of speech usually decreases. Examples:
- Late in the evening (it was about eleven) we were awakened by a light knock on the window pane.
- Many young girls (like Chekhov's "sisters") try to find luck and happiness in Moscow.
- Obeying to a strange whim, as well as the innate instinct of a buffoon, a comedian, he gave himself away - and not just anywhere, but in Paris! - for an Englishman. (Dode)
- Because of the innocence of his nature - this was his hallmark - he could trust the first person he met.
- Meanwhile, twilight was gathering rapidly (it was in winter), and the contours of objects became more and more blurry.
Insert constructions can function as predicative parts of a sentence, that is, they can be a simple sentence that is in the same semantic and syntactic integrity with a complex sentence.
- You will (as I noted) attend with the rest of the meeting.
- The rain (and it had been going on for three hours) didn't seem to stop all night.
A fairly large group is made up of inserts that indicate the date: year, century, etc.
- It was just the time (60s) of the disputes between "physicists and lyricists".
- Bramante was seventy years old when he died (1514) without completing the reconstruction of the Vatican.
Insert constructions, examples of which are given below, are connected to the main sentence using conjunctions and allied words.
- He didn't mind being reproached (because he didn't have time to do anything), but the mood was ruined for the day.
- Mikhail was always attracted by architecture (and he dreamed of becoming an architect since childhood), and he always started his acquaintance with a new city with architectural monuments.
It is necessary to distinguish between introductory and plug-in constructions. Unlike the latter, introductory constructions are not formally connected with the members of the sentence. They can express various emotional meanings: surprise, joy, regret, irony, etc. (to surprise, to horror, to luck, to chagrin, fortunately, to be honest):
To be honest, he was interested in housekeepinglittle
Introductory constructions mean a sequence of actions or a statement of thoughts (firstly, secondly, first of all, in conclusion, finally):
Firstly, I have already seen this film, and secondly, I prefer a psychological thriller to a melodrama
They can also perform a modal function, giving an assessment in terms of the reality of the event in question (undoubtedly, probably, definitely, of course, of course, perhaps):
Probably shouldn't go fishing because of the promised hot weather
Insert constructions and introductory words enrich both oral speech, making it more expressive and vivid, and the author's style of the writer. However, it should be remembered that the use of these structures should not be abused.
