Homogeneous and homogeneous secondary members of a sentence, examples.

Incorrect punctuation is one of the typical mistakes allowed in written speech. The most difficult ones usually include placing commas in sentences where there are heterogeneous or homogeneous definitions. Only a clear understanding of their features and differences helps make the entry correct and readable.

What is the definition?

This is a denoting attribute, property or quality of an object denoted by a noun. Most often expressed by an adjective ( white scarf), participle ( running boy), pronoun ( our home), ordinal number ( second number) and answers the questions "which one?" "whose?". However, there may be cases of use as a definition of a noun ( checkered dress), a verb in the infinitive form ( dream of being able to fly), adjective in simple comparative degree (an older girl appeared), adverbs ( hard boiled egg).

What are homogeneous members

Definition this concept is given in syntax and concerns the structure of the simple (or predicative part). Homogeneous members are expressed by words of the same part of speech and the same form, depend on the same word. Consequently, they will answer general question and perform the same syntactic function in a sentence. Homogeneous members are connected with each other by a coordinating or non-union connection. It should also be noted that their rearrangement within a syntactic structure is usually possible.

Based on the above rule, we can say that homogeneous definitions characterize an object on the basis of common (similar) features and qualities. Consider the sentence: “ In the garden, white, scarlet, burgundy buds of roses that had not yet bloomed proudly towered over their fellow flowers." The homogeneous definitions used in it denote color, and therefore characterize the object according to the same characteristic. Or another example: " Soon, low, heavy clouds hung over the city sweltering from the heat." In this sentence, one feature is logically connected to another.

Heterogeneous and homogeneous definitions: distinctive features

This question often causes difficulties. To understand the material, let’s take a closer look at what features each group of definitions has.

Homogeneous	Heterogeneous
Each definition refers to one word being defined: " The cheerful, uncontrollable laughter of children was heard from all sides.»	The closest definition refers to the noun, and the second to the resulting combination: “ On this frosty January morning I didn’t want to go outside for a long time.»
All adjectives are usually qualitative: “ A beautiful, new bag hung on Katyusha’s shoulder.»	Combination with a relative or with a pronoun, participle, numeral: big stone castle, my good friend, third intercity bus
You can insert a connecting conjunction AND: “ For the craft you needed white, red,(AND) blue sheets of paper»	Cannot be used with I: “ In one hand Tatyana was old, in the other she was holding a string bag with vegetables»
Expressed by one part of speech. Exception: adjective+participial phrase or inconsistent definitions coming after a noun	Refers to different parts speeches: " We finally waited for the first light frost(numeral+adjective) and hit the road»

These are the main features, knowledge of which will allow you to easily distinguish between sentences with homogeneous definitions and heterogeneous ones. This means using punctuation marks correctly.

In addition, when performing syntactic and punctuation analysis of a sentence, you need to remember the following important points.

Definitions that are always the same

Adjectives next to each other characterize an object according to one characteristic: size, color, geographical location, assessment, sensations, etc. " At the bookstore, Zakhar purchased reference books on German, Italian, and French culture in advance.».
A group of synonyms used in a sentence: they call the same feature differently. " From early morning everyone in the house was in a cheerful, festive mood caused by yesterday's news».
Definitions that appear after the noun, with the exception of terms such as grab overhead crane. For example, in A. Pushkin’s poem we find: “ Three greyhounds are running along a boring winter road" In this case, each of the adjectives refers directly to the noun, and each definition is logically highlighted.
Homogeneous members of the proposal represent a semantic gradation, i.e. designation of the characteristic in increasing order. " The sisters, overwhelmed by a joyful, festive, radiant mood, could no longer hide their emotions».
Inconsistent definitions. For example: " He entered the room briskly tall man in a warm sweater, with shining eyes, a bewitching smile».

Combination of a single adjective and participial phrase

It is also necessary to dwell on the next group of definitions. These are adjectives and participial phrases used side by side and related to the same noun. Here, punctuation depends on the position of the latter.

Definitions that correspond to the scheme “single adjective + participial phrase” are almost always homogeneous. For example, " In the distance, dark mountains towering above the forest could be seen" However, if the participial phrase is used before the adjective and refers not to the noun, but to the entire combination, the rule “punctuation marks for homogeneous definitions” does not work. For example, " On wet ground yellow leaves swirling in the autumn air gradually descended».

One more point needs to be taken into account. Consider this example: “ Among the dense, spreading fir trees, darkened in the twilight, it was difficult to see a narrow path leading to the lake" This is a sentence with isolated homogeneous definitions expressed participial phrases. Moreover, the first of them is located between two single adjectives and clarifies the meaning of the word “thick”. Therefore, according to the rules for the design of homogeneous members, they are distinguished in writing by punctuation marks.

Cases when a comma is not required but is preferred

Homogeneous definitions (examples of these can often be found in fiction) denote different, but usually accompanying each other, causal features. For example, " At night,(you can insert BECAUSE) Long shadows from trees and lanterns were clearly visible in the deserted streets" Another example: " Suddenly, deafening sounds reached the old man’s ears,(BECAUSE) terrible blows thunder».
Sentences with epithets that give a diverse description of the subject. For example, " And now, looking at the big one, Luzhin, she... was filled... with pity"(V. Nabokov). Or from A. Chekhov: “ Rainy, dirty, dark autumn has arrived».
When using adjectives in figurative meaning(close to epithets): “ Timofey's large, fishy eyes were sad and carefully looked straight ahead».

Such homogeneous definitions - examples show this - are an excellent means of expressiveness in a work of art. With their help, writers and poets emphasize certain significant details in the description of an object (person).

Exceptional cases

Sometimes in speech you can find sentences with homogeneous definitions, expressed by a combination of qualitative and relative adjectives. For example, " Until recently, old, low houses stood in this place, but now there are new, tall ones." As shown this example, in such a case, two groups of definitions are distinguished, relating to one noun, but having the opposite meaning.

Another case concerns definitions interconnected by explanatory relationships. " Completely different sounds, alien to the boy, were heard from the open window." In this sentence, after the first definition, the words “namely”, “that is” would be appropriate.

Rules for placing punctuation marks

Here everything depends on how homogeneous definitions are related to each other. Commas are placed when non-union communications. Example: " A short, wrinkled, hunchbacked old woman was sitting on a chair on the porch, silently pointing to the open door." Subject to availability coordinating conjunctions(“usually”, “and”) no punctuation is needed. " Women in white and blue homespun shirts peered into the distance, hoping to recognize the horseman approaching them" Thus, these sentences are subject to punctuation rules that apply to all syntactic constructions with homogeneous members.

If the definitions are heterogeneous (their examples are discussed in the table), a comma is not placed between them. Exception with combinations that can be ambiguous. For example, " After much debate and reflection, it was decided to resort to other proven methods" In this case, everything depends on the meaning of the participle. A comma is used if “namely” can be inserted before the word “verified”.

Conclusion

Analysis of all of the above leads to the conclusion that punctuation literacy in to a greater extent depends on knowledge of specific theoretical material on syntax: what is a definition, homogeneous members offers.

The concept of a complex sentence

Sentences with homogeneous members

Homogeneous and heterogeneous definitions

Generalizing words for homogeneous sentence members

1. The concept of a complex sentence

Complex sentences include those sentences in which there are relatively independent syntactic constructions and phrases: isolated members of the sentence, homogeneous members, introductory constructions, inserted constructions, addresses, comparative phrases. Complex sentences on the transitivity scale occupy the transition zone between simple and complex sentences. The complicating part of the sentence contains a semi-predicative element that complements the main predicative core of the sentence. Thus, semi-predicativeness is a message additional to the main statement about the relevance of what is being expressed to reality.

Sentences with homogeneous members

Homogeneous members of the sentence – these are members of the same name, connected to each other by a coordinating connection and performing the same syntactic function in a sentence, i.e. united by the same relationship to the same member of the sentence. Homogeneous members are connected or can be connected by coordinating conjunctions and are pronounced with the intonation of enumeration. In the absence of conjunctions or when they are repeated, homogeneous members are also connected by connecting pauses. The separation of homogeneous components is based on three leading characteristics:

1. single-functionality;

2. subordinating connection with a common / subordinate or subordinate / word;

3. a coordinating connection between them, marked by intonation or coordinating conjunctions.

For example: A fairy tale is needed not onlychildren , but alsoadults /K.Paustovsky/ – in this sentence, homogeneous indirect objects are equally subordinate to the predicate needed and are in a relationship of comparison, realized by a coordinating conjunction. Homogeneous subjects, unlike all other homogeneous members, do not obey, but subordinate to themselves the member of the sentence associated with them - the predicate: Neither power nor life amuses me/A. Pushkin/.

The main members of one-part sentences are not covered by all three parameters, therefore their syntactic structure is not recognized or is called into question: They didn’t knock, didn’t shout, didn’t bother with questions/A. Chekhov/: Night, street, lantern, pharmacy/A.Blok/.

Both main and secondary members of a sentence can be homogeneous, for example: Gardenerfell silent, shoved tube for the boot top (P.S.) – homogeneous predicates; We walked past Dunyashkacaps and scarves, overcoats Andoveralls (E.N.) – homogeneous subjects; Vasya drew on the corners of album sheetsbirds, animals Andangels (P.S.) – homogeneous additions.

Homogeneous members may have the same morphological expression, but can be expressed by different parts of speech: Spokehe is calm, without sadness, without complaint in the voice andSo , as if he himself was listening carefully to his speech, checking it mentally(Bitter).

Homogeneous members of a sentence are characterized by the following signs:

Take the position of one member of the sentence;

Associated with the same member of the sentence by a subordinating connection;

Connected together by a coordinating connection;

Often have the same morphological expression;

Usually they express similar concepts.

The presence of homogeneous members of the sentence in following cases:

When repeating the same words in order to emphasize the duration of an action, a multitude of persons or objects, an enhanced manifestation of a characteristic, etc., for example: I'm going, I'm going in an open field (P.); Here is a dark, dark garden (N.).Drink and drink , and the water from the ground flows and flows/IN. Peskov/.

In complete phraseological expressions: both day and night; both old and young; neither this nor that; neither give nor take; neither back nor forward, etc.

When two verbs are combined in the same form, acting as a single predicate (in the meaning of an action and its purpose, an unexpected or arbitrary action, etc.), for example, I'll go have a look class schedule;took it and did it vice versa, etc.

Members of a sentence connected by explicative/clarifying-explanatory/ relations are not homogeneous: Now, in mid-April, the oak was black and gloomy/IN. Krutilin/.

This phenomenon also does not provide syntactic homogeneity modern language, as an indication of an object in its relation to another object: Tolstoy and his contemporaries: readers and the book: student and perestroika. The presence of an alleged coordinating connection does not indicate homogeneity, but a stylistic predicament: We will drink tea with sugar and with dad/K.Simonov/.

In a block of homogeneous members, its parts are interconnected in meaning and by grammatical means: intonation, coordinating conjunctions and lexico-grammatical means.

The most significant indicator of homogeneity is coordinating connection.

To connect homogeneous members of a sentence, the following categories of coordinating conjunctions are used:

Connecting unions: and, yes,(meaning “and”), neither...nor and others. Union And can be single or repeating. A single conjunction shows that the enumeration is exhaustive, for example: Screaming, barking and howling were heard outside (Ars.).

Repetition of the union And before each homogeneous member of the sentence makes the series incomplete and emphasizes the enumerative intonation, for example: And the sling, and the arrow, and the crafty dagger spare the winner for years (P.).

Union And can connect homogeneous members in pairs, for example: They came together: wave and stone, poetry and prose, ice and fire are not so different from each other (P.).

Repeating conjunction neither...nor used in negative sentences, acting as a conjunction And, For example: Neither the sea nor the sky were visible behind the rain (M. G.)

Union Yes(in the meaning of “and”) is used mainly in colloquial speech; its use in works of art gives the speech a touch of simplicity, for example: And Vaska listens and eats (Kr.); Open the window and sit with me (P.).

Union Yes is also used as a repeating member, but cannot appear before the first homogeneous member, for example: Dog, Man, and Cat, and Falcon once swore to each other eternal friendship(Kr.).

Opposing alliances: ah, but, yes(meaning “but”), however, etc.

Union A shows that one concept is affirmed and the other is denied: The Tit gave glory, but did not light the sea(Kr.).

In the absence of negation, the union A indicates a contrast: The dog barks at the brave, but bites the cowardly(proverb).

Union But introduces a hint of limitation: On the right bank there are peaceful but still restless villages(L.T.)

Union Yes adds a conversational tone: He who is noble and strong, but not smart, is so bad if he has a good heart(Kr.).

Conjunctions emphasize opposition however And but: I hesitated a little, but sat down (T.).

A connecting conjunction can act as an adversative conjunction And: I wanted to travel around the whole world, but I didn’t travel a hundredth part(Gr.).

Dividing unions: or, either, whether... whether, then... that, not that... not that, either... or etc.

Union or(single or repeating) indicates the need to select one of the concepts expressed by homogeneous members and excluding or replacing each other: I was allowed to go to the river with Yevseich every day, either in the morning or in the evening (Aks.)

Union or, with the same meaning (usually repeated), has a colloquial character: Gavrila decided that the mute either fled or drowned along with his dog (T.)

Repeating conjunction then... then indicates the alternation of phenomena: The stars blinked with faint light and then disappeared (T.)

Repeating conjunction whether... whether has a separative-enumerative meaning.

Repeating conjunctions not that... not that, or... or indicate the uncertainty of the impression or the difficulty of choice: There is either laziness or tenderness in the heart (T.)

Comparative(gradational): both - so and; not only – but also; although and – but; if not, then; not that - but (but); not as much - as much as - as much comparisons matter: Although it is simple in appearance, it has a wonderful quality (Kr.).

Connecting:yes and; a and; but also; and even then; and even then, Also have connecting meaning: I peacefully enjoyed my work, success, fame, as well as the works and successes of my friends (P.)

One sentence may contain several blocks (rows) of homogeneous members. In one composed series, synonyms and antonyms occur, forming additional meanings that explode the external uniformity of the series: Rejoicing and mourning, and dripping with black blood , She looks, looks, looks at youWith both hatred and love (Block).

Teacher's comments on the material being studied

Possible difficulties

Good advice

How to correctly place punctuation marks in the following cases?

The sun rose higher and it began to get hot on the beach.

It was already dawn and the air was noticeably warmer.

Please note that both sentences are complex. Some of the simple sentences in their composition do not have a subject, but this does not make the predicates homogeneous. Commas before and in these sentences are required.

The sun rose higher and it began to get hot on the beach.

It was already dawn and the air was noticeably warmer.

Everyone already knew that a girl was born and that she was named Masha.

The paint on the walls peeled off due to moisture and the frames swelled.

Single conjunctions and, or, or can connect two homogeneous subordinate clauses (these subordinate clauses refer to the same main part and answer the same question). There is no comma between them.

Everyone already knew that a girl was born and that she was named Masha.

Single conjunctions and, or, or can link two clauses that have a common minor member. There is also no comma between them.

The paint on the walls peeled off due to moisture and the frames swelled (a common minor term is the circumstance of the cause due to moisture).

Do I need to put a comma before and in the following cases?

What a clear smile_ and what huge eyes this girl has!

Single conjunctions and, or, or can link two exclamations or two interrogative sentences. There is no comma between them.

Who is he and what is he doing here?

What a clear smile and what huge eyes this girl has!

Homogeneous members of the sentence

Homogeneous members of a sentence are those that:

1) play the same syntactic role in a sentence;

2) connected with the same main word through the same question;

3) are connected by a coordinating connection, which indicates their semantic equality in the sentence;

4) are often expressed by the same part of speech.

Let's explain this with a diagram:

She loved dancing, books and romantic encounters.

We have before us a number of homogeneous additions (dances, books, meetings), they all depend on the same predicate, answer the same question and are equal in meaning.

Homogeneous members of a sentence (OSP) can be connected to each other both by a non-union connection and with the help of coordinating conjunctions:

Means of communication between private security forces
Homogeneous members are connected by a non-union bond	Aibolit walks through forests and swamps.
Homogeneous members are connected by connecting unions and, yes(meaning i), neither - nor, not only - but also, both - so and, not so much - as etc.	Long live soap fragrant, and a towel fluffy, and tooth powder! (K. Chukovsky). Neither countries, nor I don’t want to choose a graveyard!(I. Brodsky). He is not so much poor as he is greedy.
Homogeneous members are connected by adversarial unions ah, but, yes(meaning But), but	The stars fall for them on the shoulders, not in the palms. Small spool Yes, dear. Flea small, but evil.
Homogeneous members are connected by dividing unions or (or), either, then - that, not that - not that	I I’ll either burst into tears, or scream, or faint. Is there somewhere city or village with that name.

Complex sentences. Basic types of compound sentences

Compound sentences are complex conjunctive sentences in which simple sentences can be equal in meaning and are connected by coordinating conjunctions.

There was a knock on the door and everyone immediately fell silent.

There may be no money, but your conscience does not hurt.

Based on conjunctions and meaning, complex sentences are divided into three types.

Type and basic conjunctions	Basic values of this type
Complex sentence with connecting conjunctions and, yes(meaning And), neither - nor, too, also.	Listing of phenomena occurring simultaneously or sequentially.	The hole was repaired, and the assistant captain was already checking the navigation instruments. The sailor was silent, the cabin boy also did not say a word.
Compound sentence with disjunctive conjunctions or (or), or - or, either, either - or, then - that, not that - not that.	Alternation of phenomena, the possibility of one phenomenon out of several.	Either the store was already closed, or Oska was simply too lazy to buy bread. Either the battery is not heating, or the frost has increased.
Complex sentence with adversative conjunctions ah, but, yes(meaning But), however, but, with particle same in the function of the union.	One phenomenon is opposed to another.	The wind has died down, but the waves are still high. Andrei came home late, but the children were not yet asleep.

Punctuation marks for homogeneous members

In the absence of a union, a comma is placed between homogeneous members.

The wind rushed through the courtyards, knocked on the windows, buried itself in the leaves.

Answers must be complete, clear, and concise.

In some sentences, words may be repeated for emphasis. A comma is also placed between them, but they are not considered homogeneous members.

She walked and walked and finally came.

And he felt sorry, sorry for his passing life.

For homogeneous members connected by coordinating conjunctions, the following punctuation rules exist:

Cases when homogeneous terms are separated by a comma

Cases when homogeneous terms are not separated by a comma

With single conjunctions a, but, but, yes (meaning but).

The spool is small, but expensive.

With single conjunctions and, or, either, yes (in the meaning And).

You could hear the noise of the forest and the crackling of branches in the fire.

Within groups of homogeneous members, connected in pairs by unions and, or, or, yes (in the meaning And ).

He walked like this in summer and winter, autumn and spring.

With repeated conjunctions and - and, neither - nor, then - that, not that - not that, or - or, either - or, yes - yes.

Neither I nor my friend were tired.

With all double conjunctions: both - and, not only - but also, where - there and, as much - as much, although and - but etc.

He was respected by both friends and enemies.

Although he was old, he was strong.

Pay attention!

A repeating conjunction can be positioned differently relative to a number of homogeneous members. Usually a conjunction is placed before each member of a homogeneous series. In this case, a comma is placed between all homogeneous terms, including after the first of them:

He knew his work, loved it, and knew how to do it.

The stars either barely burned, then disappeared, or suddenly flashed brightly in the sky.

Sometimes there is no conjunction before the first member of a homogeneous series.

In such cases, a comma is also placed between all homogeneous terms, including after the first of them.

I kept only my saber, my pipe, and my father’s gun.

He would then frown with displeasure, or frown, or purse his lips.

In the Russian language there are many phraseological units built on the basis of a number of homogeneous members. In such phraseological units, commas are not used. Remember the main ones:

both this and that;

neither this nor that;

and this way and that;

neither light nor dawn;

both here and there;

neither fish nor meat;

neither day nor night;

neither give nor take;

neither back nor forward etc.

Punctuation marks for single conjunctions AND, OR, OR in simple and complex sentences

Within simple sentence single conjunctions and, or, or connect homogeneous members. In this case, a comma is not placed before these conjunctions.

He simply made a mistake or did not have time to complete the calculations.

Single conjunctions and, or, or can link parts complex sentence. In this case, they are preceded by a comma.

Everyone arrived on time, and the bus moved off.

Single conjunctions and, or, or can connect two homogeneous subordinate clauses (these subordinate clauses refer to the same main part and answer the same question). In this case, there is no comma between them.

Everyone already knew that a girl was born and that she was named Masha.

Single conjunctions and, or, or can connect two sentences that have a common part or common subordinate clause. In this case, there is also no comma between them.

The paint on the walls peeled off due to moisture and the frames swelled.

While the kettle was boiling, Stas cut the sausage_ And we started dinner.

Single conjunctions and, or, or can connect two exclamatory or two interrogative sentences. In this case, there is also no comma between them.

Who is he and what is he doing here?

What a clear smile_ and what huge eyes this girl has!

Homogeneous are called members of the proposal, answering the same question, relating to the same member of the sentence and performing the same syntactic function (i.e., occupying the position of one member of the sentence).

They have equal rights, do not depend on each other and are one and the same member of the sentence. They are connected to each other by a coordinative or non-conjunctive syntactic connection. The coordinating connection is expressed intonationally and with the help of coordinating conjunctions: single or repeated. The non-union connection is expressed intonationally.

For example: I love ice cream.I love ice cream, chocolate, cookie And cakes.

Laughing girls ran into the room.(A simple two-part common sentence.) Merry , laughing , screaming , flashy the girls ran into the room.(A simple two-part common sentence, complicated by homogeneous members.)

Homogeneous there can be everything members of the proposal: subjects, predicates, definitions, additions, circumstances.

For example:

- How boys, so girls passed the sports standards. (Boys and girls are homogeneous subjects.)
- IN big forest trees during a storm moan, are crackling, break down. (Moan, crack, break - homogeneous predicates.)
- Yellow, blue, purple sheets of paper lay on the store counter. (Yellow, blue, violet are homogeneous definitions.)
- I loved books, constructors And cartoons.
(Books, construction sets, cartoons are homogeneous additions)
- We spent all our days in the forest or on the river.(In the forest, on the river– homogeneous circumstances).

Homogeneous members can be separated from each other by other members of the sentence.

For example: The heart is not opened with an iron key, but with kindness.

Homogeneous members of the sentence may be common or uncommon.

For example: The garden is fragrant with autumn freshness, leaves and fruits.

Most often, homogeneous members of a sentence are expressed words of one part of speech, but such homogeneous members are also possible that are expressed by words of different parts of speech, phrases and phraseological units. That is, homogeneous members can be grammatically formatted differently.

For example: The girl answered the exam smartly, sensibly, beautiful language. (Homogeneous circumstances expressed by adverbs smartly, sensibly and noun phrases in excellent language.)

Due to the sudden downpour, we soaked to the skin And frozen. (Homogeneous predicates, expressed by phraseological units, are wet to the skin and frozen by the verb.)

Complications by homogeneous members can be introduced into a sentence in different ways and be punctuated differently.

Homogeneous members of a sentence, as mentioned above, form a combination of words based on a coordinating and/or non-union connection. If these are minor members of the sentence, then the connection with the words on which they depend is subordinate.

Homogeneous members in oral speech are formed intonationally, and in written speech punctuationally.

One sentence can have several rows of homogeneous members.

For example:

Masha, Seryozha And Petya sat around the dining room table and painted. (Masha, Seryozha and Petya– homogeneous subjects – 1st row of homogeneous members; sat and drew– homogeneous predicates – 2nd row of homogeneous terms.)

Enumerative intonation and coordinating conjunctions are involved in the grammatical association of homogeneous members:

a) connecting: And ; Yes in meaning And ; neither ..., neither ; How ..., so and ; not only ...,but also ; Same ; Also ;
b) adversative: A ; But ; Yes in meaning But ; but ; however ;
c) dividing: or ; or ; That ..., That ;not that ..., not that ; either ...,either .

For example:

Siberia has many features like in nature, So
and in human morals. (Union How …, so and – connecting.)

And the Baltic Sea, although shallow, but extensively. (Union But - nasty.)

In the evenings he or read, or watched TV.(Union or – dividing.)

In rare cases, homogeneous members can be connected by subordinating conjunctions (causal, concessive), for example:

For example:

It was useful because it is educational game. Book interesting, although difficult. (In these examples, homogeneous members of the sentence: useful, because developing; interesting, although complex - are connected using subordinating conjunctions because, although.)

The following are not homogeneous members of the sentence:

1) repeated words used to emphasize a variety of objects, the duration of an action, its repetition, etc.

For example: We seemed to be floating in the air and were spinning, were spinning, were spinning. White fragrant daisies run under his feet back, back (Kuprin).

Such combinations of words are considered as a single member of the sentence;

2) repeating identical shapes connected by a particle no, that's right : believe it or not, try, don’t try, write like this, write like this, work like this, work like this;

3) combinations of two verbs, of which the first is lexically incomplete: I’ll take it and tell you, I took it and complained, I’ll go and have a look etc.;

4) phraseological units type: neither fluff nor feather, neither back nor forward, for nothing about anything, neither light nor dawn, neither fish nor meat, neither give nor take, neither alive nor dead, and laughter and sin, and this way and that.

In them There is no comma.

July 17, 2015

Incorrect punctuation is one of the typical mistakes made in written speech. The most complex punctuation rules usually include the placement of commas in sentences where there are heterogeneous or homogeneous definitions. Only a clear understanding of their features and differences helps make the entry correct and readable.

What is the definition?

This is a minor member of a sentence, denoting a sign, property or quality of an object denoted by a noun. Most often expressed by an adjective ( white scarf), participle ( running boy), pronoun ( our home), ordinal number ( second number) and answers the questions "which one?" "whose?". However, there may be cases of use as a definition of a noun ( checkered dress), a verb in the infinitive form ( dream of being able to fly), adjective in simple comparative degree ( an older girl appeared), adverbs ( hard boiled egg).

What are homogeneous members

The definition of this concept is given in syntax and concerns the structure of a simple (or predicative part of a complex) sentence. Homogeneous members are expressed by words of the same part of speech and the same form, depending on the same word. Consequently, they will answer the general question and perform the same syntactic function in the sentence. Homogeneous members are connected with each other by a coordinating or non-union connection. It should also be noted that their rearrangement within a syntactic structure is usually possible.

Video on the topic

Heterogeneous and homogeneous definitions: distinctive features

This question often causes difficulties. To understand the material, let’s take a closer look at what features each group of definitions has.

Homogeneous	Heterogeneous
Each definition refers to one word being defined: " The cheerful, uncontrollable laughter of children was heard from all sides.»	The closest definition refers to the noun, and the second to the resulting combination: “ On this frosty January morning I didn’t want to go outside for a long time.»
All adjectives are usually qualitative: “ A beautiful, new bag hung on Katyusha’s shoulder.»	A combination of a qualitative adjective with a relative adjective or with a pronoun, participle, or numeral: big stone castle, my good friend, third intercity bus
You can insert a connecting conjunction AND: “ For the craft you needed white, red,(AND) blue sheets of paper»	Cannot be used with I: “ In one hand Tatyana had an old straw hat, in the other she held a string bag with vegetables»
Expressed by one part of speech. Exception: adjective + participial phrase or inconsistent definitions after a noun	Refer to different parts of speech: “ We finally waited for the first light frost(numeral+adjective) and hit the road»

In addition, when performing syntactic and punctuation analysis of a sentence, you need to remember the following important points.

Definitions that are always the same

Adjectives next to each other characterize an object according to one characteristic: size, color, geographical location, assessment, sensations, etc. " At the bookstore, Zakhar purchased reference books on German, Italian, and French culture in advance.».
A group of synonyms used in a sentence: they call the same feature differently. " From early morning everyone in the house was in a cheerful, festive mood caused by yesterday's news».
Definitions that appear after the noun, with the exception of terms such as grab overhead crane. For example, in A. Pushkin’s poem we find: “ Three greyhounds are running along a boring winter road" In this case, each of the adjectives refers directly to the noun, and each definition is logically highlighted.
Homogeneous members of a sentence represent a semantic gradation, i.e. designation of the characteristic in increasing order. " The sisters, overwhelmed by a joyful, festive, radiant mood, could no longer hide their emotions».
Inconsistent definitions. For example: " A tall man in a warm sweater, with shining eyes and a bewitching smile, cheerfully entered the room.».

Combination of a single adjective and participial phrase

Definitions that correspond to the scheme “single adjective + participial phrase” are almost always homogeneous. For example, " In the distance, dark mountains towering above the forest could be seen" However, if the participial phrase is used before the adjective and refers not to the noun, but to the entire combination, the rule “punctuation marks for homogeneous definitions” does not work. For example, " Yellow leaves swirling in the autumn air smoothly fell onto the damp ground.».

One more point needs to be taken into account. Consider this example: “ Among the dense, spreading fir trees, darkened in the twilight, it was difficult to see a narrow path leading to the lake" This is a sentence with isolated homogeneous definitions expressed by participial phrases. Moreover, the first of them is located between two single adjectives and clarifies the meaning of the word “thick”. Therefore, according to the rules for the design of homogeneous members, they are distinguished in writing by punctuation marks.

Cases when a comma is not required but is preferred

Homogeneous definitions (examples of which can often be found in fiction) designate different, but usually accompanying each other, causal features. For example, " At night,(you can insert BECAUSE) Long shadows from trees and lanterns were clearly visible in the deserted streets" Another example: " Suddenly, deafening sounds reached the old man’s ears,(BECAUSE) terrible thunderclaps».
Sentences with epithets that give a diverse description of the subject. For example, " And now, looking at Luzhin’s big, pale face, she... was filled... with pity"(V. Nabokov). Or from A. Chekhov: “ Rainy, dirty, dark autumn has arrived».
When using adjectives in a figurative meaning (close to epithets): “ Timofey's large, fishy eyes were sad and carefully looked straight ahead».

Exceptional cases

Sometimes in speech you can find sentences with homogeneous definitions, expressed by a combination of qualitative and relative adjectives. For example, " Until recently, old, low houses stood in this place, but now there are new, tall ones." As this example shows, in such a case there are two groups of definitions that relate to the same noun, but have opposite meanings.

Rules for placing punctuation marks

Here everything depends on how homogeneous definitions are related to each other. Commas are used in non-union connections. Example: " A short, wrinkled, hunchbacked old woman was sitting on a chair on the porch, silently pointing to the open door." If there are coordinating conjunctions (“usually”, “and”), punctuation marks are not needed. " Women in white and blue homespun shirts peered into the distance, hoping to recognize the horseman approaching them" Thus, these sentences are subject to punctuation rules that apply to all syntactic constructions with homogeneous members.

If the definitions are heterogeneous (their examples are discussed in the table), a comma is not placed between them. The exception is sentences with combinations that allow for double interpretation. For example, " After much debate and reflection, it was decided to resort to other proven methods" In this case, everything depends on the meaning of the participle. A comma is used if “namely” can be inserted before the word “verified”.

Conclusion

Analysis of all of the above leads to the conclusion that punctuation literacy largely depends on knowledge of specific theoretical material on syntax: what is a definition, homogeneous members of a sentence.