In this article we will talk about what punctuation marks are put in with homogeneous members and in what cases it is necessary to set one or another of them. First of all, let's define the very concept of "homogeneous members".
Sentence members are considered homogeneous if:
- perform a common syntactic function in the work;
- depend on one word;
- answer one question.
Unassociated homogeneous members
As you know, every rule has an exception. Punctuation marks for homogeneous members, for example, may or may not be placed. A comma is placed between unconnected unions of homogeneous members. However, there are a few exceptions. No comma needed:
- in set expressions (for example, talk about this and that);
- between two verbs used in the same form, which indicate the purpose of the movement or the movement itself and form a single semantic unity (for example, sit down write, I'll go find out, sit down and talk, etc.).
Common members, especially if there are commasinside them, can also be separated by a semicolon instead of a comma.
An example is as follows: pleasure deluxe boats for excursions have long been left behind; station, seething with the shuddering of trains; floating boards, shimmering with the sound of metal, into which were inserted, as if in a box, the slightly flattened egg-shaped hulls of ships.
What is a homogeneous definition?
Considering punctuation marks with homogeneous members, one cannot help but talk about homogeneous definitions. The definition is a minor member of the sentence, denoting the attribute of the subject. It answers questions such as "what?", "Which?", "Whose?" Example: green dense spruce forest near the road; fluffy deep forests.
Definitions explain the members of a sentence that are expressed by nouns (as well as other parts of speech that have the meaning of a noun). They are homogeneous in the case when they denote features that characterize a given subject on the one hand. Example: everything slept in a he althy, motionless, sound sleep. In this example, all 3 definitions refer to sleep quality. What should be the punctuation marks for homogeneous terms that are definitions? Let's answer this question.
Commas between homogeneous definitions
According to the rules of grammar, commas are placed between unrelated conjunctions of homogeneous definitions.
To the definedeach of these homogeneous definitions is directly related to the noun, and a constructive union can be put between them. They can characterize an object from different angles, while in the context being united by a common feature (causality, similarity of the impression that is produced, appearance, etc.). Example: thin, morning, spring ice (a common feature here is "fragile, weak"); inflamed, red eyelids (they are red precisely because they are inflamed).
Epithets (artistic definitions) are, as a rule, homogeneous. For example: the old woman closed her dull, leaden eyes. Homogeneous are usually a single definition and located behind it, expressed by participial turnover. An example is the following: it was the first joy of discovery, not clouded by fears.
Homogeneous, as a rule, agreed definitions, which are located after the word being defined. Definitions can be considered homogeneous if they are united by some common feature. Let's take the following example: a large stone building was allocated for tourist bases (the unifying concept here is "comfortable").
Commas between heterogeneous definitions
We have considered punctuation marks with homogeneous terms that are definitions. However, definitions can also be heterogeneous. This is typical for a situation if they characterize some object in different respects, from different sides. An example is as follows: in the corner of the living room there was a walnutpot-bellied bureau (material and form); Underwater magical islands quietly pass and quietly float round white clouds (shape and color). No commas are placed between heterogeneous definitions.
Usually heterogeneous definitions are expressed by a combination of relative and qualitative adjectives, as they express different features. Example: The bright summer sun peeked through the window.
Non-repeating unions and homogeneous members with them
Do we need punctuation marks between homogeneous members that are connected by connecting non-repeating unions "and" and "yes" (in case its meaning is similar to the value of "and"), as well as separating unions, such as "either" and "or"? No, you don't need a comma between them.
However, if the union has the meaning "and moreover" (connective), or it connects 2 predicates, the second of which indicates a consequence of something or expresses a quick change of actions, a sharp opposition, then a dash or a comma is placed before it.
For example: he wanted to travel around the whole world - and did not travel even a small fraction; but I give you a job, and a very interesting one. A comma is also written before the union "yes and" (connective): It remains to read the last book, and even then it is small in volume.
Comma is not needed before the adjunctive "and" if it is followed by a demonstrative pronoun "that", "that", "that","those". Example: my own sister wouldn't have done more for me.
A comma is not needed before the union "yes", when it comes to combinations like "I would take it and do it", "I'll take it and tell you".
Now let's consider the punctuation marks between homogeneous members, which are connected by the unions "yes" (meaning "but"), "but", "a" (these are opposite unions). A comma is required between them. Example: Give me a call, not a telegram, and tell me the date of departure.
What other punctuation marks can be used besides a comma? Unions with homogeneous members of the sentence (adversative) are sometimes omitted. When one of them is omitted, a dash is written between them. Example: not a small fishing sail - I dream of ships.
Repeated unions and homogeneous members with them
Repetitive conjunctions and punctuation marks with homogeneous members connected by them have their own peculiarity. A comma is needed between homogeneous members connected by such unions. Conjunctions can be as follows: "yes … yes", "and … and", "neither … nor", "either … or", "not that … not that", "or … or", "that … that", etc..
A comma is not placed before the first of them when connecting with repeated unions "and", "then", "or" if the enumeration begins with it. Example: he went to the mountains, and sat 2 times in prison, and fought with the Russians. However, a comma should be placed before the first of the unions in the case when a homogeneous member with it continues the enumeration that has already begun. Examplenext: he loved thick groves, silence, solitude, and the stars, and the night, and the moon.
A comma is not placed with 2 homogeneous members with the same union, if this forms a unity that is closely related in meaning. Usually such homogeneous terms do not have explanatory words with them. An example is the following: he both breathed and lived with it. A comma is usually placed when there are explanatory words. Example: you have both direct honor and pride in your heart.
Pair groups of homogeneous members
Union can pairwise connect homogeneous members, and in this case a comma is placed between the paired groups. Inside these pairs, on the contrary, it is not needed. Example: human suffering and joy, tears and laughter, anger and love, unbelief and faith have come down to us from the abyss of time. In turn, paired groups can be interconnected by a repeating alliance. Let us give the following example: among the rivers there are both violent and calm, and large and small, and slow and fast. However, a comma is not needed if 2 homogeneous members have unions and form a group that is closely related in meaning, which is also connected by a union with the 3rd homogeneous member. An example is the following: Maria was a fearless and direct girl, and in her own way even cruel in cases where she did not love someone (the pair group here is "straight" and "fearless").
Do not put a comma inside integral expressions, which are formed by two words that have the opposite meaning, connected by repeated conjunctions "neither", "and". Examples: old and young, and laughter and sin, and cold and hunger, and so and so, neither fish normeat.
Double unions and homogeneous members with them
If double conjunctions such as "not so… as", "like… so", "not only… but also", "as much… as", "not so much… as", "if not… then", " although … but" homogeneous members are connected, then only a comma is placed before the 2nd part of the union. An example is the following: Siberia has many features both in human mores and in nature.
What is a generic word?
Generalized word - a word that is broader in its meaning, uniting homogeneous members. Most often, generalizing words are pronouns such as "everyone", "everyone", "all", "none", "nothing", "nobody", "always", "everywhere", etc. Example: everywhere: below and above - they sang birds. The generalizing word is usually the same member of the sentence as the homogeneous members. Punctuation marks with homogeneous members, if any, has its own patterns.
Colon for generalizing words
Before listing various homogeneous members, a colon is required after the generalizing word. Example: the sounds of labor were reflected in the depths of the forest: the rustle of sand, the gnashing of stone, screams, clanging, horns of cars.
If such words as "for example", "namely", "like that", etc. are after a generalizing word, then a comma should be put between them, and after - a colon. Example: good people understood life only as the ideal of inaction and peace, broken from time to time.unpleasant accidents, such as: losses, illnesses, quarrels.
If there is a generalizing word in front with homogeneous members, punctuation marks in this case have one feature. Usually a colon is not used. But in scientific and business speech, it can be put even if there is no generalizing word. Example: the meeting was attended by (surnames are listed below); It is necessary to take to obtain this mixture (components are listed).
Setting a dash with a generalizing word
Before the generalizing word, after all homogeneous members in the sentence, a dash is needed. Example: Guards badge, Order of the Red Star, harness belt, tunic - all this went to her.
In the case when before the generalizing word after them there is an introductory word ("in short", "in one word", "word", etc.), before the last one you need to put a dash, and after - a comma. Example: in dry grass, among insects, birds - in a word, the approach of autumn was felt everywhere.
If homogeneous members after the generalizing word do not end the sentence, then a colon is placed before them, and after - a dash. Example: everywhere: under your feet, above your head - rumbles, iron lives.
Dash is used instead of a colon if a group of homogeneous members expresses a clarifying remark or explanation. Thus, with the help of a dash, homogeneous terms are highlighted on both sides. Example: millions of people - Czechs, French, Ukrainians, Russians, Yugoslavs - marchedup and down Europe and saw fascism.
If, according to the conditions of the context, after homogeneous members with a generalizing word preceding them, a comma is needed, then after enumeration the dash is often omitted. An example is the following: people have experienced many natural disasters: drought, floods, fires, but this did not break our will to fight against nature.
So, we have considered homogeneous members of the sentence, generalizing words, punctuation marks with them. This topic is best studied in practice, considering various examples. So you will work out punctuation marks between homogeneous members of the sentence, and their setting will no longer cause difficulties.
