Comparative turnover is a part of a sentence that figuratively characterizes objects, actions, signs by comparing them with other objects, actions, signs. It is introduced into the sentence with the help of comparative conjunctions like, exactly, what, as if, as if, than, etc.
In the sentence, the comparative turnover is one member of the sentence and basically performs the syntactic role of the adverb of the mode of action. For example: And the sparrows, as if from behind the scenes, fell in a flock on the millet.
Pay attention! It is necessary to distinguish between simple sentences with a comparative turnover and complex sentences in which the comparative part is joined by conjunctions like, as if, as if. For example: I remember how you quietly opened the door to your room … In this sentence, the part "how you quietly opened the door to your room" has the grammatical basis "you opened", which means it is a sentence, not a turnover.
Comparative turnover in oral speech is distinguished by intonation, and in writing - by commas. If the turnover is in the middle of a sentence, then commas are placed on both sides. Compare:
- I love, like the sun, a mother's smile.
- Like the sun, love a mother's smile.
- Love a mother's smile like the sun.
In a sentence, phrases are always distinguished that begin with like and. They also distinguish turns with both, provided that they are preceded by the words such and similar, for example: Most children, like adults, love movies; The new article by this author is as interesting and informative as all the others.
A comma is placed before both in the following phrases: none other than or none other than. For example: For a split second it seemed to him that it was none other than his own brother, he decided to play a trick on him.
In addition, such comparative phrases are distinguished by commas, which begin with unions as if, as if, than, as if, exactly, what, than, etc. definitely sick …; It's much better to break up before you regret it later.
Comparative turnover is not separated by commas in such cases:
- If it is part of a compound predicate. In this case, you can put a dash. For example: A child is like a golden sun.
- If in circulation the meaning of the circumstance comes to the fore (more often the mode of action that answers the question How?). Such turns with as usual can be replaced by an adverb or a noun in the instrumental case, for example: How tears flowed in streams (cf.: streams flowed).
- If there are adverbs almost before the comparative phrase,at all. For example: The guys were already talking almost like adults.
- If the turnover is part of a phraseological revolution (to be afraid like fire, pours like a bucket, etc.). For example: It smelled of sulfur, burning, and the rain poured down like a bucket.
Pay attention! Do not confuse comparative turns with an application with the word like, which is mostly not distinguished by commas in writing. For example, in the sentence: Pushkin as a poet, known all over the world - the expression "as a poet" is an application, not a turnover (this sentence does not compare Pushkin with a poet, because he is a poet, we are talking about the fact that Pushkin is known all over the world as a poet).
