An associative compound sentence (BSP) is a sentence that consists of two or more parts, and these parts are connected only with the help of intonation and various punctuation marks. What punctuation marks can be found in a non-union complex sentence? This question can be answered with the following: comma, semicolon, colon or dash. In this article, we will consider cases and examples of setting a dash in BSP.
BSP Examples
First, let's look at examples of complex sentences. The semantic segments (parts) of such sentences consist in a certain semantic relationship, which is why you can find both a dash in an associative complex sentence and other punctuation marks. Consider some complex sentences, parts of which are not connected by conjunctions or allied words. For example:
- It was warm outside, a light breeze was blowing, it was getting dark.
- He went outside and saw: everything around was in a terrible mess, as if over the citya deadly hurricane swept through.
- She wanted to stay at home today: she was too tired.
- He lay down - the featherbed fell under his overweight body.
- I peered into the crowd, full of bright outfits and cheerful faces, and saw her; she passed nearby and gave me an affectionate smile, full of hidden love and motherly tenderness.
- The weather changed overnight - it's impossible to walk today.
- He got up, went to the table, took a pen and an inkwell; by evening the letter was ready.
- Today Maria got out of bed and saw flowers - there were none in the evening.
So, what are the rules for putting dashes in a non-union complex sentence? Let's try to figure it out.
Punctuation mark - dash
The rules for stating this punctuation mark, which occurs quite often, consist of several important points. So, a dash in the BSP is placed if:
- The first part of the sentence indicates the time of the second part.
- The first part contains the event condition.
- The second part is a corollary or conclusion referring to the first part of an unassociative compound sentence.
- The second part contains a comparison related to the event of the first part.
- The second part is the opposite of the first.
- BSP parts contain fast-paced events.
Let's consider each of them separately.
Time
First of all, a dash in a non-union complex sentence can be put when the subordinating conjunction "when" is omitted. I.esuch a BSP construction can be easily replaced by a complex sentence with a subordinate part of time. Consider examples of sentences in which the first part indicates the time of an event that happened (or is happening) in the second part.
I was walking through the park - the clouds were gathering
This BSP, which consists of two parts, can be replaced by a complex sentence: As I walked through the park, clouds gathered.
We traveled from afar - met foreigners
Equivalent: When traveling from afar, met foreigners.
"Children will grow up to become brave astronauts," the mother suggested
This sentence consists of the words of the author and direct speech, which is an example with a dash in a non-union complex sentence. You can replace it with the following complex sentence: When the children grow up, they will become brave astronauts.
Condition
This case is very similar to the previous one. The only difference is that the pattern with a dash in a non-union complex sentence can be replaced with a complex sentence with the union “if”. Let's look at some examples.
If the weather were good, we would go for a walk
Replace this sentence with its complex equivalent: If the weather were fine, we would go for a walk with you.
You will ask a lot - you will not know anything
Complex sentence: If you ask a lot,you won't know anything.
If you don't find the lost book, you will be punished
This sentence is a prime example of a dash in a non-union compound sentence. Substitute the union "if": If you do not find the lost book, you will be punished.
Consequence, conclusion
Such non-union complex sentences often replace complex sentences with a subordinate clause of the consequence, which is attached to the main one with the conjunction "so".
Spring came early - nightingales have already arrived in March
Complex sentence: Spring came early, so the nightingales have already arrived in March.
Boy quarreled with parents - got a bad grade at school
The boy had a fight with his parents, so he got a bad grade in school.
There was a terrible earthquake - many houses were seriously damaged
Equivalent: There was a terrible earthquake, so many houses were seriously damaged.
Comparison
Also, a dash in a non-union complex sentence is put in this case, if the second part of this sentence contains a comparison. As a rule, such a construction can be replaced by an allied NGN, in which the dependent part is an adverbial clause with a comparison value.
To replace the BSP with a complex sentence, you can substitute the conjunctions “as if”, “as if”, “exactly”, “like”, “similarly to” and some others between the parts of this sentence.
Watchful hunter noticedin the distance, a red fox tail - a small light flickered among the dark trees
Let's substitute one of the possible unions: A vigilant hunter noticed a red fox tail in the distance, like a small light flickered among the dark trees.
Today it was raining very hard - someone invisible poured ice water from a large bucket on every passerby
Complex sentence: Today it was raining very hard, as if someone invisible poured ice water from a large bucket on every passer-by.
Opposition
The opposition of two parts often causes difficulties when doing dash exercises in a non-union complex sentence. In fact, this case does not differ from others in increased complexity. What is its essence?
In such a BSP there is a clear opposition of the second part of the first. That is, the meaning of the first part contradicts the meaning of the second. A distinctive feature of this type of sentence is that its construction can be replaced by a compound sentence, the parts of which are connected using intonation and one of the coordinating adversative conjunctions (“a”, “but”, “yes” - in the meaning of the union “but”, “but”, “however”, sometimes “same”).
Examples of non-union complex sentences with opposition of its parts:
I decided to do everything myself - nothing worked out for me
Replacement: I decided to do everything myself, but I did not succeed.
Noticing the lifeless body of a kitten on the street, I took him home and tried to warm him up - bring him back to life for mefailed
Compound sentence: Noticing the lifeless body of a kitten on the street, I took him home and tried to warm him up, but I failed to bring him back to life.
The tasks set could not be carried out - I helped my sister solve her problem
Equivalent: Failed to complete tasks, but helped sister solve her problem.
Nothing terrible happened - he was still terribly scared
Replacement: Nothing terrible happened, but he was still terribly scared.
Quick change of events
This situation is a special point highlighted when studying the dash rule in a non-union complex sentence. Such a sentence cannot be replaced by either a compound or a complex equivalent. Its main difference from the rest of the BSP with a dash lies in the meaning of its constituent parts. A dash between parts of an allied sentence is placed when the action of the second part occurs immediately after the event of the first part. For a better understanding of this rule, consider examples.
I went out into the yard - the first snow crunched under my soles
The snow crunched right after the hero of the narrator went out into the yard. That is, BSP events change instantly.
- Vasily raised the curtains - bright sunlight hit his eyes.
- I began to think about our problem - she immediately offered an original solution.
- He still decided to sit on this unreliable bench - it immediately collapsed.
Setting a dash in BSP is a rather complicated topic when learning the Russian language, since it includes several important points. But in addition to the dash and the uncomplicated comma, there are other punctuation marks in such a sentence. Let's consider some features of their setting.
Colon
Having studied the setting of colons and dashes in a non-union complex sentence, you can easily perform the corresponding tasks. When is a colon used in BSP?
In this situation, separate points can also be distinguished, however, unlike the rules for setting a dash, there are only three such points.
1. The second part of the BSP indicates the cause of the event that occurred in the first part. In this case, the union “because” can be put between the parts of the sentence, turning it into a complex sentence with an adjective part of the reason. Examples:
- I decided to be alone today: it was too painful for me to have someone else's presence.
- We didn't know what to do: all our ideas turned out to be worthless.
2. The second part of the sentence explains the meaning of one or more words from the first. Between the parts of such a BSP, you can substitute the union “what”. In addition, the first part can be supplemented with a verb expressing sensory perception (saw, noticed, felt, heard, felt). Examples of such BSPs:
- And he repeated: there is no salvation for anyone.
- I looked out the window: there was a terrible snowstorm outside.
Mother went into the children's room: Pavlusha was reading a book about sailors, Nadya was buildinglayout of a military fighter
3. The second part of the BSP reveals the content of the first part. In this case, a stable combination of “namely” can be inserted between its parts. For example:
- Her drawing seemed too colorful to me. There was no empty space on it: seagulls flew everywhere, children played and bright red tulips grew.
- I learned a lot from him: information about many scientists, scientific facts and details of important historical events.
Semicolon
When stating this punctuation mark, unlike the colon and dash in an associative complex sentence, one cannot be guided by specific rules. In this case, it is necessary to pay attention to the meaning of the sentence (using the principle “here the comma is few, and the dots are many”) and the composition of the parts of the complex sentence. So, if parts of the BSP are complicated by various participial / gerund phrases, homogeneous members, etc. (that is, they contain additional punctuation marks), they must be separated from each other using a semicolon.
- That evening she, in a beautiful dress, sitting on the stage and forgetting about everything, played her favorite melody on the cello; the hall listened to her with bated breath.
- Misha, akimbo, stood next to his mother and looked menacingly at passers-by; the man, noticing the serious look of a five-year-old boy, slightly smiled.
- Standing in the crowd, among hundreds or maybe thousands of people meeting, she was waiting only for him; as she hoped, he noticed her immediately.
Examples of BSP in artliterature
Punctuation - comma:
From that time on, he was rarely seen in the farm, he did not even visit the Maidan. (M. Sholokhov "Quiet Don")
Prokofy rushed into the house, but they caught up with him in the entrance hall. (M. Sholokhov "Quiet Flows the Don")
The door, as then, opened to a tiny crack, and again two sharp and distrustful glances stared at him from the darkness. (F. Dostoevsky "Crime and Punishment")
Dash in non-union complex sentence:
We warmed the frog with our hot breath for a long time - he still did not come to life. (M. Prishvin "The Frog")
I want to go to him - you drag with you. (A. Griboyedov "Woe from Wit")
…I was gloomy - other children are cheerful and talkative; I felt myself superior to them - I was placed below. (M. Lermontov "A Hero of Our Time")
Colon in BSP:
In the expression of his face, in his movements, in his gait, there was almost no noticeable former pretense, fatigue and laziness: he looked like a man who does not have time to think about the impression he makes on others, and is busy with pleasant and interesting business. (L. Tolstoy - "War and Peace")
His face expressed more satisfaction with himself and those around him; his smile and look were more cheerful and attractive. (L. Tolstoy - "War and Peace")
Semicolon:
Then, like a wave, a wrinkle ran across his face, his forehead smoothed out; he bowed his head respectfully, closed his eyes, silently let Mack pass him, and closed the door behind him. (L. Tolstoy - "War and Peace")
A minute has passed; even in her eyes something like mockery seemed to him, as if she had already guessed everything. (F. Dostoevsky - "Crime and Punishment")
He rushed at her with an axe; her lips twisted so plaintively, like those of very young children when they begin to be frightened of something, stare intently at an object that frightens them and are about to scream. (F. Dostoevsky - "Crime and Punishment")
So, we have studied specific cases when a dash is put in non-union complex sentences, most often consisting of two parts. The use of complex sentences in speech is an indicator of the literacy and richness of a person's language. Therefore, gain knowledge and acquire the ability to write and speak correctly, which is the basis of a quality education.
