The Russian language is as beautiful as it is difficult. Moreover, both for foreigners and sometimes for those who speak it from early childhood. The biggest difficulties arise with the stylistic combination of words, spelling and, of course, punctuation. Many rules are complex in that they have many nuances and exceptions. For example, a comma before the conjunction “or”. This article will be devoted to a detailed analysis of this rule.
Why are conjunctions needed in Russian?
This performs a syntactic function, ensuring the connection of words into combinations that are also possible, but do not convey many important elements of meaning.
The classification of these parts of speech is very extensive. They can be simple and compound, single and double, paired and unpaired, etc. According to their function in a sentence, they are divided into two groups - coordinating and subordinating. And according to their meaning, they can be divided into more than 15 types, including explanatory, mode of action, purpose, connective, adversative, disjunctive and many others. We will consider the last of these types in this article. And we will focus in detail on one of the examples of disjunctive conjunctions, as well as the rules for its punctuation.
The meaning of the union
The meaning of this word conveys division or opposition. Such a conjunction is used when the situation being described excludes another.
For example, two objects or phenomena are contrasted:
She will buy milk or kefir.
The characteristics of any objects may be separated or contrasted:
Either he is brave or he is crazy.
Actions often become the object of opposition:
Open the door, or we'll break it down!
Most likely, you have already noticed that in some of the examples given there is a comma before the word “or”, while in others there is not. What influences this? First of all, the features of the proposal itself.
Single union with homogeneous members
Often a situation arises when individual members answer the same question and refer to the same word. These can be two (or more) predicates. Such members of the sentence are called homogeneous.
They can be separated by commas:
A quiet, gentle, melodic sound was heard.
They may be preceded by a colon:
There were dishes on the table: cups, plates, a teapot.
The conjunctions “and”, “a”, “but” are also often used. In some cases, homogeneous members are united by a disjunctive union. The meaning of such a sentence is to separate something similar (objects, signs).
Let's look at examples of how a comma is placed before “or” in such cases, and whether it is placed at all.
In good weather, they usually went on a picnic or walked around the neighborhood.
He was going to go to Paris or London.
The application can be typed on a computer or written by hand.
As we see, a conjunction with a separating function connects different types of homogeneous members of a sentence. Is there a comma before “or” in such cases? No, it is not installed.
Single conjunction in a complex sentence
The grammatical basis - subject and predicate - can be present not only in a single quantity. If a sentence has two (or more) such stems, it is called complex. Two parts can be united either in a non-union way or with the help of various unions, including separation ones. Is a comma necessary before “or” in a complex sentence? Let's look at examples.
Tomorrow we will go to the Petrovs, or they will visit us.
We need to act now, or it will be too late.
The examples clearly show that a comma before “or” connects parts of a complex sentence (two grammatical bases united by semantic unity). This punctuation mark is always necessary between such parts.
Double alliance (“either...or”)
Some sentences express an intensified opposition or separation of certain objects, actions, qualities. This function is performed by a double dividing union. As, for example, in the saying:
Sink or swim.
In this case, a comma is placed before “or” because a double conjunction is used. You can give an example with a simple sentence that has homogeneous members:
It will either rain or hail.
Likewise, a comma before “or” is necessary if we have a complex sentence:
Either you calm down or I'll leave.
In the latter case, this punctuation mark is required for two reasons:
- type of sentence (complex, two grammatical stems);
- double separation union.
So, is a comma needed before “or” if it is a double conjunction? Yes, always. This rule is not affected by accompanying grammatical circumstances.
When not to use a comma
We have dealt with several difficult cases. But a logical question arises: is a comma always placed before “or”?
As we have already understood, in a simple sentence this union does not require separation with a punctuation mark. For example:
The food could be tasty or tasteless.
What other similar cases are there?
For example, when there is a common element that unites all parts.
Look at the clouds: it will rain or hail soon.
Separation is also not required if the constituent elements of a complex sentence are indefinitely personal or have the same predicate form. For example:
I wanted to sleep or just felt cold.
It was getting dark or dawning - it was difficult to make out what time of day it was.
Sometimes there are cases when intonation is the unifying factor. For example, interrogative:
Would it be better to come back tomorrow or should we postpone until the day after tomorrow?
In the cases described above, there is a certain common element that unites the parts of the sentence. Under these conditions, there is no need for a comma before “or.”
Now let's look at other dividing unions. Many of them mean the same thing as the functional part of speech, which became the topic of this article.
Similar in meaning to the conjunction “or”
This part of speech may well replace the word “or”, since it expresses the same meaning: an alternative in the form of two (usually opposite) phenomena, properties or objects. For example:
Will you have tea or coffee?
I don't like it when it's too hot or too cold.
They can wait for you or go themselves.
She spends the summer in the city or in the country.
This union has cases of separation or non-separation. This will be discussed in more detail below.
When to use a comma
The isolation of this conjunction is similar to the rules by which a comma is placed before the word “or”. These are the cases:
- double conjunction “either - or”;
- difficult sentence;
- a double title for a work of art.
An example can be given for each of these situations:
Either he's stupid or he's faking it(double conjunction).
We have to leave early or the bus will leave without us.(difficult sentence).
"The Golden Key, or the Adventures of Pinocchio"(title of the work).
When not to use a comma
There are also rules governing the placement of punctuation marks in cases with a conjunction of similar meaning. There is no need to separate the “or” in the following situations:
- a simple sentence in which homogeneous members are connected by a single conjunction;
- a complex sentence with the presence of a common element for all component parts (member of a sentence, group of words, intonation).
An example of a sentence that fits the first case:
Everyone had already gone outside or gone to bed.
The second situation can be illustrated by the following examples:
Let's bake something for tea: a pie, buns or cookies.
Has it become quiet or have we simply stopped noticing the noise?
As we can see, disjunctive conjunctions are similar not only in the semantic meaning they express, but also in their grammatical functions and interaction with punctuation rules.
Other dividing unions
In addition to the auxiliary part of speech and its double variant, which became the topic of this article, there are a number of similar conjunctions that carry the same meaning. Here they are:
- otherwise;
- and then;
- either - or;
- not that - not that;
- this - that;
- whether - whether;
- or or.
Examples of sentences with these parts of speech clearly demonstrate that they are quite similar in meaning to each other. Compare:
She will cook fish or chicken.
Leave in a good way, otherwise you will be kicked out.
Be quiet, otherwise the child will wake up.
Either no one is home, or they don’t want to open the door.
It's either rain or snow outside.
One thing or another interferes with him.
Whether you want it or not, it doesn't matter.
He is either very brave or crazy.
We see that the rules for placing commas in disjunctive conjunctions are also very similar.
conclusions
The comma before “either”, “or” and other dividing conjunctions is a rather difficult issue. Not in all cases it is possible to unambiguously determine whether this punctuation mark is needed here or not.
If we are talking about a simple or complex sentence without any accompanying features, then the solution is more or less clear.
With homogeneous members, a single conjunction “or” is not isolated. The exception is when the union is double.
In a complex sentence, a comma before the disjunctive conjunction is usually required. But certain factors (general intonation, a unifying word or group of words, impersonal and vaguely personal sentence types) can create exceptions to this rule.
For this reason, it is necessary to carefully analyze the sentence and check the appropriateness of the arrangement. In controversial cases, it would be useful to consult a reference book on punctuation. The classic version of this was written by Professor D. E. Rosenthal.
UNION
Union is a service part of speech that serves to connect homogeneous members of a sentence, parts of a complex sentence, as well as individual sentences in the text. Conjunctions do not change and are not members of the sentence.
Of Education unions are:
1) non-derivative (primitive), that is, those that are not related in origin to other parts of speech: a, but, or, yes and;
2) derivatives (non-derivatives), formed by:
Connecting non-derivative conjunctions: as if,
By combining the demonstrative word from the main part and a simple conjunction: in order to,
By connecting a conjunction with a word with a generalized meaning: as long as, while
Historically from other parts of speech: for now, though, to.
By structure unions are distinguished:
1) simple, consisting of one word: ah, because, to;
2) composite, consisting of several components: since, while.
By use unions are divided into:
1) single (non-repeating): but, however, on the other hand;
2) repeating, which consist of identical parts ( neither...nor, then...that, or...or, either...or).
3) double (two-component) conjunctions, the parts of which are located distantly with an obligatory or optional second part: not so much...as, not only...but also; if...then, once...then, barely...how.
According to the nature of syntactic relations, conjunctions expressed by them are divided into: 1) coordinating: and, but, even, but, however;
2) subordinates: although, so that, if, because.
Coordinating Conjunctions connect equal components. They connect homogeneous members of a sentence, parts of a complex sentence, sentences in the text.
Coordinating conjunctions, depending on the meanings conveyed, are combined into categories according to meaning.
Classification of coordinating conjunctions by meaning
|
Name |
Unions |
Examples |
|
Connecting |
and, yes (=and), too, also, neither... nor and etc. |
1. The grasshoppers are chattering dryly, And lulls, And this whisper-crack excites me(I. Bunin). 2. Peter stood up, I Same got up. |
|
Separating |
or, either, then... that, not that... not that and etc. |
1. They harnessed the horse, threw two of them onto the cart or three bundles, a bed and a wooden trestle bed - that’s all the household(V. Rasputin). 2. That Cold, That very hot, That the sun will hide That shines too bright(I. Krylov). |
|
Nasty |
a, but, yes (=but), however, on the other hand, same and etc. |
1. I will laugh with everyone A I don't want to cry with anyone(M. Lermontov). 2. They tut at us, drive us home from the cold, But we're not leaving(V. Astafiev). |
|
Gradational |
not only... but also, not so much... as, not that... but, etc. |
I.E. Repin has repeatedly asserted that Leonid Andreev Not only appearance, but also his character reminds him of one of the most charming Russian writers - Garshin(K. Chukovsky). |
|
Explanatory |
that is, namely, or (=that is) and etc. |
He was one of the young people who “played tetanus” at every exam, that is didn’t answer a word to the professor’s questions(I. Turgenev). |
|
Connection |
yes and, moreover, besides and etc. |
When the exhausted musicians stopped playing, the excitement caused by the music disappeared and I felt like I was about to fall, yes and would have fallen if there had not been a timely rest stop(V. Garshin). |
Subordinating conjunctions combine unequal components and indicate the dependence of one of these components on the other. They mainly connect parts of a complex sentence, but can also be used in a simple sentence to connect homogeneous members: The book is interesting, although a little long. Unions How, as if, as if, than connect homogeneous and heterogeneous members of a sentence: In winter, the night is longer than the day; The pond is like a mirror.
The categories of subordinating conjunctions are varied in meaning.
Classification of subordinating conjunctions by meaning
|
Name |
Unions |
Examples |
|
|
Explanatory |
what, to, as if and etc. |
1. It seemed What colorful shreds fall to the ground(Yu. Olesha). 2. My goal was to visit Old Street(I. Bunin). |
|
|
Temporary |
when, until, since, only, barely and etc. |
1. The first sound of the bell rang through the frosty air, When Makar entered the hut(V. Korolenko). 2. So the hut will become lopsided, Bye will not fall completely or will not wait for a kind owner(V. Rasputin). |
|
|
Causal |
because, because, since, due to the fact that, due to the fact that and etc. |
And now it was difficult for a foreign newcomer to fight a simple local pipe, because she appeared to the blind boy, accompanied by all related Ukrainian nature(V. Korolenko). |
|
|
Target |
so that, in order to, in order to and etc. |
1. Then, to to reward themselves for a dreary day, the passengers huddled together with the sailors in the wardroom(I. Bunin). 2. In order to To raise real men, you need to raise real women(V. Sukhomlinsky). |
|
|
Conditional |
if, if, if... then, whether and etc. |
If you will successfully choose a job and put your soul into it, That happiness will find you on its own(K. Ushinsky). |
|
|
Concessive |
despite the fact that, although and etc. |
1. There was no time to admire the view Although the view deserved it(Yu. Olesha). 2. The horse was starting to get tired, and he was dripping with sweat, although he was constantly waist-deep in snow(A. Pushkin). |
|
|
Comparative |
as, as if, as if, as if, as if, exactly and etc. |
The flame appeared in one second, as if someone let sunbeams into the crowd(Yu. Olesha). Comparative conjunctions can add a comparative phrase: Thunder jumped How the ball and rolled in the wind(Yu. Olesha). |
|
|
Consequences |
So |
Everything goes according to plan, So act boldly. |
These examples of subordinating conjunctions can be supplemented with compound subordinating conjunctions, for example: while, as if, only, in connection with the fact that, for the purpose of etc. (see above). Some conjunctions are ambiguous and can be classified into several categories, for example to(target and explanatory), When(temporary and conditional).
Often writers have a question about whether a comma is placed before “or” or not. The reason for doubt is that this is not a very common conjunction, which, moreover, belongs to the category of disjunctive conjunctions, and they, unlike adversative ones, are not so clear regarding punctuation with them. So, let's look at different cases when this word is separated by commas or not.
The word “or” is separated by commas
Before the word
1. Since “or” is a disjunctive conjunction, synonymous with “or” and used in almost the same way, a comma is needed before “or” in a complex sentence (except for the cases discussed below).
- We will arrive tomorrow at five o'clock in the evening, or you can come on Sunday morning.
- Every lesson, Fedor was obliged to approach the teacher and submit his disciplinary diary, or the teacher himself demanded a diary for some violation.
2. There will be a comma even if the conjunction is repeated. If so, it does not matter whether it is a complex sentence or homogeneous members. You just need to be careful not to put an extra comma before the first homogeneous member or part of a complex: it is not needed, even if there is also an “or” in front of it.
- On the weekend we are going to either the circus or the theater.
- Either he will pass the test in geography, or he will be expelled from the gymnasium.
No comma needed
1. A comma is not placed before a single conjunction “or” if it connects homogeneous members of the sentence.
- Pay for your purchase by credit card or cash.
- Please bring milk or kefir.
2. In a complex sentence, a comma is not placed before the conjunction “or” if the parts of the complex have common minor members or a common part.
