Because there's a comma. Because of. A comma is not placed at the beginning of a sentence

Recently, a cheat sheet on the Russian language spread across LJ. I took it from here: http://natalyushko.livejournal.com/533497.html

However, there were errors and inaccuracies.
I corrected what I noticed, plus added information from my notebook and other sources.

Use it. =)

If you notice any errors or have any additions, please write about it.

Editor's note. Part 1

Commas, punctuation

“In addition” is ALWAYS highlighted with commas (both at the beginning and in the middle of a sentence).

“Most likely” in the meaning of “very likely, most likely” is separated by commas (Of course, it’s all because of the cognac and the steam room, otherwise he would most likely have remained silent.).
In the meaning of “quickest” - NO (This is the most likely way to get to the house.).

"Quicker". If it means “better, more willingly”, then WITHOUT commas. For example: “She would rather die than betray him.” Also WITHOUT commas, if it means “better to say.” For example: “making some remark or rather an exclamation.”
BUT! A comma is needed if this is an introductory word expressing the author’s assessment of the degree of reliability of this statement in relation to the previous one (in the meaning of “most likely” or “most likely”). For example: “He cannot be called a smart person - rather, he is on his own mind.”

“Of course”, “of course” - the word of course is NOT separated by commas at the beginning of the response, pronounced in a tone of confidence, conviction: Of course it is!
In other cases, a comma is REQUIRED.

The expressions “in general”, “in general” are SEPARATED in the meaning “in short, in a word”, then they are introductory.

“First of all” stands out as introductory in the meaning of “first of all” (First of all, he is a fairly capable person).
These words do NOT stand out in the meaning of “first, first” (First of all, you need to contact a specialist).
A comma after “a”, “but”, etc. is NOT needed: “But first of all, I want to say.”
When clarifying, the entire phrase is highlighted: “There is hope that these proposals, primarily from the Ministry of Finance, will not be accepted or will be changed.”

“at least”, “at least” - are isolated only when inverted: “This issue was discussed twice, at least.”

“in turn” - is not separated by a comma in the meaning “for its part”, “in response, when it was the turn.” And the quality of introductory ones is isolated.

“literally” - not introductory, not separated by commas

"Hence". If the meaning is “therefore, therefore, it means,” then commas are needed. For example: “So you, therefore, are our neighbors.”
BUT! If it means “therefore, as a result of this, based on the fact that,” then the comma is needed only on the left. For example: “I found a job, therefore we will have more money”; “You are angry, therefore you are wrong”; “You can’t bake a cake, so I’ll bake it.”

"Least". If it means “the least”, then without commas. For example: “At least I’ll wash the dishes”; “He made at least a dozen mistakes.”
BUT! If in the meaning of comparison with something, emotional assessment, then with a comma. For example: “At a minimum, this approach involves control,” “To do this, you need, at a minimum, to understand politics.”

“that is, if”, “especially if” - a comma is usually not needed

“That is” is not an introductory word and is not separated by commas on either side. This is a conjunction, a comma is placed before it (and if in some contexts a comma is placed after it, then for other reasons: for example, to highlight a certain isolated construction or subordinate clause that comes after it).
For example: “There are still five kilometers to the station, that is, an hour’s walk” (a comma is needed), “There are still five kilometers to the station, that is, if you walk slowly, an hour’s walk (a comma after “that is” is placed to highlight the subordinate clause "if you go slowly")

“In any case” are separated by commas as introductory ones if they are used in the meaning “at least”.

“Besides that”, “besides this”, “besides everything (other)”, “besides everything (other)” are isolated as introductory ones.
BUT! “Besides that” is a conjunction, a comma is NOT needed. For example: “In addition to not doing anything himself, he also makes claims against me.”

“Thanks to this”, “thanks to that”, “thanks to that” and “along with that” - a comma is usually not required. Segregation is optional. The presence of a comma is not an error.

“Moreover” - WITHOUT a comma.
“Especially when”, “especially since”, “especially if”, etc. — a comma is needed before “even more so.” For example: “Such arguments are hardly needed, especially since this is a false statement”, “especially if it is meant”, “rest, especially since a lot of work awaits you”, “you shouldn’t sit at home, especially if your partner invites you to the dance."

“Moreover” is highlighted with a comma only in the middle of the sentence (on the left).

“Nevertheless” - a comma is placed in the middle of the sentence (on the left). For example: “He has decided everything, however, I will try to convince him.”
BUT! If “but nevertheless”, “if nevertheless”, etc., then commas are NOT needed.

If "however" means "but", then the comma on the right side is NOT placed. (An exception is if this is an interjection. For example: “However, what a wind!”)

“In the end” - if it means “in the end”, then a comma is NOT placed.

“Really” is NOT separated by commas in the meaning of “in fact” (that is, if this is a circumstance expressed by an adverb), if it is synonymous with the adjective “valid” - “real, genuine”. For example: “The bark itself is thin, not like oak or pine, which are really not afraid of the hot rays of the sun”; “You are really very tired.”

“Indeed” can act as an introductory and SEPARATE. The introductory word is characterized by intonation isolation - it expresses the speaker’s confidence in the truth of the reported fact. In controversial cases, the author of the text decides on the placement of punctuation marks.

“Because” - a comma is NOT needed if it is a conjunction, that is, if it can be replaced with “because”. For example: “As a child, he underwent a medical examination because he fought in Vietnam,” “maybe it’s all because I love when a person sings” (a comma is needed, because replace with “because” it is forbidden).

"Anyway". A comma is needed if the meaning is “be that as it may.” Then this is introductory. For example: “She knew that, one way or another, she would tell Anna everything.”
BUT! The adverbial expression “one way or another” (the same as “in one way or another” or “in any case”) does NOT require punctuation. For example: “War is necessary one way or another.”

Always WITHOUT commas:
Firstly
at first sight
like
it seems
for sure
similarly
More or less
literally
in addition
in the (eventual) end
in the end
as a last resort
best case scenario
Anyway
at the same time
overall
mostly
especially
in some cases
through thick and thin
subsequently
otherwise
as a result
due to this
after all
in this case
in the same time
generally
in this regard
mainly
often
exclusively
at most
meanwhile
just in case
in case of emergency
if possible
as far as possible
still
practically
approximately
with all that
with (all) desire
on occasion
wherein
equally
the biggest
at the very least
actually
generally
maybe
as if
in addition
to top it off
I guess
by the proposal
by decree
by decision
as if
traditionally
supposedly

The comma is NOT included
at the beginning of a sentence:
“Before... I found myself...”
"Since…"
"Before as…"
"Although…"
"As…"
"In order to…"
"Instead of…"
“Actually...”
"While…"
“Especially since...”
"Nevertheless…"
“Despite the fact that...” (at the same time - separately); There is NO comma before “what”.
"If…"
"After…"
“And...”

“Finally” in the meaning of “finally” is NOT separated by commas.

“And this despite the fact that...” - a comma is ALWAYS placed in the middle of a sentence!

“Based on this, ...” - a comma is placed at the beginning of the sentence. BUT: “He did this based on...” - a comma is NOT used.

“After all, if..., then...” - a comma is NOT placed before “if”, since then comes the second part of the double conjunction - “then”. If there is no “then”, then a comma is placed before “if”!

“For less than two years...” - a comma is NOT placed before “what”, because This is NOT a comparison.

A comma is placed before “HOW” only in case of comparison.

“Politicians such as Ivanov, Petrov, Sidorov...” - a comma is added because there is a noun "policy".
BUT: “...politicians such as Ivanov, Petrov, Sidorov...” - a comma is NOT placed before “how”.

Commas are NOT used:
“God forbid”, “God forbid”, “for God’s sake” - are not separated by commas, + the word “God” is written with a small letter.

BUT: commas are placed in both directions:
“Thank God” in the middle of the sentence is highlighted with commas on both sides (the word “God” in this case is written with a capital letter) + at the beginning of the sentence - highlighted with a comma (on the right side).
“By God” - in these cases, commas are placed on both sides (the word “God” in this case is written with a small letter).
“Oh my God” - separated by commas on both sides; in the middle of the sentence, “God” - with a small letter.

If introductory word Can omit or rearrange to another place in the sentence without violating its structure (usually this happens with the conjunctions “and” and “but”), then the conjunction is not included in the introductory construction - a comma is NEEDED. For example: “Firstly, it became dark, and, secondly, everyone was tired.”

If introductory word remove or rearrange it is forbidden , then a comma after the conjunction (usually with the conjunction “a”) is NOT placed. For example: “She simply forgot about this fact, or maybe she never remembered it,” “..., and therefore, …”, “..., and maybe …”, “..., and therefore, …”.

If introductory word Can remove or rearrange, then a comma is NEEDED after the conjunction “a”, since it is not associated with the introductory word, i.e., welded combinations such as “and therefore”, “and however”, “and therefore”, “and maybe”, etc. p.. For example: “She not only didn’t love him, but maybe even despised him.”

If at first sentences worth coordinating union(in the connecting meaning) (“and”, “yes” in the meaning of “and”, “too”, “also”, “and that”, “and that”, “yes and”, “and also”, etc.) , and then an introductory word, then there is NO need for a comma in front of it. For example: “And really, you shouldn’t have done that”; “And perhaps it was necessary to do something differently”; “And finally, the action of the play is ordered and divided into acts”; “Besides, other circumstances have come to light”; “But of course, everything ended well.”

It happens rarely: if at first offers worth joining union, A the introductory construction stands out intonationally, then commas are NEEDED. For example: “But, to my great chagrin, Shvabrin decisively announced...”; “And, as usual, they remembered only one good thing.”

Basic groups of introductory words
and phrases
(set off by commas + on both sides in the middle of the sentence)

1. Expressing the speaker’s feelings (joy, regret, surprise, etc.) in connection with the message:
to annoyance
to amazement
Unfortunately
unfortunately
unfortunately
to joy
Unfortunately
to shame
fortunately
to the surprise
to horror
bad luck
for joy
for luck
the hour is not exactly
there's no point in hiding
by misfortune
fortunately
strange affair
amazing thing
what good, etc.

2. Expressing the speaker’s assessment of the degree of reality of what is being communicated (confidence, uncertainty, assumption, possibility, etc.):
without any doubts
undoubtedly
undoubtedly
may be
right
probably
apparently
Maybe
Indeed
in fact
there must be
Think
Seems
it would seem
Certainly
Maybe
May be
Maybe
Hope
presumably
is not it
undoubtedly
obviously
apparently
in all probability
truly
perhaps
I guess
in fact
essentially
Truth
right
of course
goes without saying
tea, etc.

3. Indicating the source of what is being reported:
They say
they say
they say
transmit
In your
according to...
I remember
In my
in our opinion
according to legend
according to information...
according to…
according to rumors
according to message...
in your opinion
audible
report, etc.

4. Indicating the connection of thoughts, the sequence of presentation:
All in all
Firstly,
secondly, etc.
however
Means
in particular
The main thing
Further
Means
So
For example
Besides
by the way
By the way
by the way
by the way
finally
vice versa
For example
against
I repeat
I emphasize
more than that
on the other side
On the one side
that is
thus, etc.
as it were
whatever it was

5. Indicating techniques and ways of formatting expressed thoughts:
or rather
generally speaking
in other words
if I may say so
if I may say so
in other words
in other words
in short
better to say
to put it mildly
in a word
simply put
in a word
as a matter of fact
if I may say so
so to speak
to be precise
what is it called, etc.

6. Representing appeals to the interlocutor (reader) in order to attract his attention to what is being reported, to instill a certain attitude towards the facts presented:
do you believe
do you believe
do you see
you see)
imagine
let's say
do you know)
Do you know)
Sorry)
believe me
Please
understand
do you understand
do you understand
listen
suppose
Imagine
Sorry)
let's say
agree
agree, etc.

7. Measures indicating an assessment of what is being said:
at least, at least - are isolated only when inverted: “This issue was discussed twice, at least.”
the biggest
at the very least

8. Showing the degree of normality of what is being reported:
It happens
it happened
as usual
according to custom
happens

9. Expressive statements:
All jokes aside
between us it will be said
just between you and me
need to say
it won't be said as a reproach
frankly
according to conscience
in fairness
admit say
to speak honestly
funny to say
Honestly.

Set expressions with comparison
(without commas):
poor as a church mouse
white as a harrier
white as a sheet
white as snow
fight like a fish on ice
pale as death
shines like a mirror
the disease vanished as if by hand
fear like fire
wanders around like a restless person
rushed like crazy
mumbles like a sexton
ran in like crazy
lucky, as a drowned man
spins like a squirrel in a wheel
visible as day
squeals like a pig
lies like a gray gelding
everything is going like clockwork
everything is as chosen
jumped up as if scalded
jumped up as if stung
stupid as a plug
looked like a wolf
goal like a falcon
hungry as wolf
as far as heaven from earth
shaking as if with a fever
trembled like an aspen leaf
he's like water off a duck's back
wait like manna from heaven
wait like a holiday
lead a cat and dog life
live like a bird of heaven
fell asleep like the dead
frozen like a statue
lost like a needle in a haystack
sounds like music
healthy as a bull
know like crazy
have at one's fingertips
fits like a cow's saddle
goes next to me like it's sewn on
like he sank into the water
roll around like cheese in butter
sways like a drunk
swayed (swayed) like jelly
handsome as god
red like a tomato
red as a lobster
strong (strong) like an oak
screams like a catechumen
light as a feather
flies like an arrow
bald as a knee
it's raining cats and dogs
waves his arms like a windmill
rushing around like crazy
wet as a mouse
gloomy as a cloud
dropping like flies
hope like a stone wall
people like sardines in a barrel
dress up like a doll
you can't see your ears
silent as the grave
dumb as a fish
rush (rush) like crazy
rush (rush) like crazy
rushing around like a fool with a written bag
runs around like a chicken and an egg
needed like air
needed like last year's snow
needed like the fifth spoke in a chariot
Like a dog needs a fifth leg
peel off like sticky
one like a finger
remained broke like a lobster
stopped dead in his tracks
razor sharp
different as day from night
different as heaven from earth
bake like pancakes
turned white as a sheet
turned pale as death
repeated as if in delirium
you'll go like a darling
remember your name
remember like in a dream
get caught like chickens in cabbage soup
hit like a gun on the head
sprinkle like a cornucopia
similar as two peas in a pod
sank like a stone
appear as if by command of a pike
loyal like a dog
stuck like a bath leaf
fall through the ground
good (useful) like milk from a goat
disappeared as if into the water
just like a knife to the heart
burned like fire
works like an ox
understands oranges like a pig
disappeared like smoke
play it like clockwork
grow like mushrooms after the rain
grow by leaps and bounds
drop from the clouds
fresh like blood and milk
fresh as a cucumber
sat as if chained
sit on pins and needles
sit on coals
listened as if spellbound
looked enchanted
slept like a log
rush like hell
stands like a statue
slender as a Lebanese cedar
melts like a candle
hard as a rock
dark as night
accurate as a clock
skinny as a skeleton
cowardly as a hare
died like a hero
fell as if knocked down
stubborn as a sheep
stuck like a bull
mulish
tired as a dog
cunning like a fox
cunning like a fox
gushes like a bucket
walked around like a daze
walked like a birthday boy
walk on a thread
cold as ice
skinny as a sliver
black as coal
black as hell
feel at home
feel like you're behind a stone wall
feel like a fish in water
staggered like a drunk
It's like being executed
as clear as two and two is four
clear as day, etc.

Do not confuse with homogeneous members

1. The following stable expressions are not homogeneous and therefore are NOT separated by a comma:
neither this nor that;
neither fish nor fowl;
neither stand nor sit;
no end or edge;
neither light nor dawn;
not a sound, not a breath;
neither for yourself nor for people;
neither sleep nor spirit;
neither here nor there;
for no reason about anything;
neither give nor take;
no answer, no hello;
neither yours nor ours;
neither subtract nor add;
and this way and that;
both day and night;
both laughter and grief;
and cold and hunger;
both old and young;
about this and that;
both;
in both.

(General rule: a comma is not placed inside complete phraseological expressions formed by two words with opposite meanings, connected by a repeated conjunction “and” or “nor”)

2. NOT separated by commas:

1) Verbs in the same form, indicating movement and its purpose.
I'll go for a walk.
Sit down and rest.
Go take a look.
2) Forming a semantic unity.
Can't wait.
Let's sit and talk.

3) Paired combinations of a synonymous, antonymous or associative nature.
Seek the truth.
There is no end.
Honor and praise to all.
Let's go.
Everything is covered.
It's nice to see.
Questions of purchase and sale.
Greet with bread and salt.
Tie hand and foot.

4) Compound words (interrogative-relative pronouns, adverbs that contrast something).
For some people, but you can’t.
It’s somewhere, somewhere, and everything is there.

Compiled by -

Of course no comma

Punctuation reminder

“Of course”, “of course” - the word of course is not separated by commas at the beginning of the response, pronounced in a tone of confidence, conviction: Of course it is!
In other cases, a comma is needed.

The expressions “in general”, “in general” are isolated in the meaning “in short, in a word”, then they are introductory.

“First of all” stands out as introductory in the meaning of “first of all” (First of all, he is a fairly capable person).
These words do not stand out in the meaning of “first, first” (First of all, you need to contact a specialist).
A comma after “a”, “but”, etc. is not needed: “But first of all, I want to say.”
When clarifying, the entire phrase is highlighted: “There is hope that these proposals, primarily from the Ministry of Finance, will not be accepted or will be changed.”

“At least”, “at least” - are isolated only when inverted: “This issue was discussed twice, at least.”

“In turn” - is not separated by a comma in the meaning “for its part”, “in response, when it was the turn.” And the quality of introductory ones is isolated.

“Literally” is not introductory; it is not separated by commas.

“That is, if”, “especially if” - a comma is usually not needed

“In any case” are separated by commas as introductory ones if they are used in the meaning “at least”.

“Thanks to this”, “thanks to that”, “thanks to that” and “along with that” - a comma is usually not required. Segregation is optional. The presence of a comma is not an error.

“Moreover” - without a comma.
“Especially when”, “especially since”, “especially if”, etc. — a comma is needed before “even more so.” For example: “Such arguments are hardly needed, especially since this is a false statement”, “especially if it is meant”, “rest, especially since a lot of work awaits you”, “you shouldn’t sit at home, especially if your partner invites you to the dance."

“Moreover” is highlighted with a comma only in the middle of the sentence (on the left).

If "however" means "but", then the comma on the right side is NOT placed. (An exception is if this is an interjection. For example: “However, what a wind!”)

“In the end” - if it means “in the end”, then a comma is NOT placed.

“Really” is not separated by commas in the meaning of “in fact” (that is, if this is a circumstance expressed by an adverb), if it is synonymous with the adjective “valid” - “real, genuine”. For example: “The bark itself is thin, not like oak or pine, which are really not afraid of the hot rays of the sun”; “You are really very tired.”

“Really” can act as an introductory word and stand alone. The introductory word is characterized by intonation isolation - it expresses the speaker’s confidence in the truth of the reported fact. In controversial cases, the author of the text decides on the placement of punctuation marks.

Always without commas:

Firstly
at first sight
like
it seems
for sure
similarly
More or less
literally
in addition
in the (eventual) end
in the end
as a last resort
best case scenario
Anyway
at the same time
overall
mostly
especially
in some cases
through thick and thin
subsequently
otherwise
as a result
due to this
after all
in this case
in the same time
generally
in this regard
mainly
often
exclusively
at most
meanwhile
just in case
in case of emergency
if possible
as far as possible
still
practically
approximately
with all that
with (all) desire
on occasion
wherein
equally
the biggest
at the very least
actually
generally
maybe
as if
in addition
to top it off
I guess
by the proposal
by decree
by decision
as if
traditionally
supposedly

There is no comma at the beginning of a sentence:

“Before... I found myself...”
"Since…"
"Before as…"
"Although…"
"As…"
"In order to…"
"Instead of…"
“Actually...”
"While…"
“Especially since...”
"Nevertheless…"
“Despite the fact that...” (at the same time - separately); There is NO comma before “what”.
"If…"
"After…"
“And...”

“Finally” in the meaning of “finally” is NOT separated by commas.

“And this despite the fact that...” - a comma is ALWAYS placed in the middle of a sentence!

“Based on this, ...” - a comma is placed at the beginning of the sentence. BUT: “He did this based on...” - a comma is NOT used.

“For less than two years...” - a comma is NOT placed before “what”, because This is NOT a comparison.

A comma is placed before “HOW” only in case of comparison.

Commas are NOT used:
“God forbid”, “God forbid”, “for God’s sake” - are not separated by commas, + the word “God” is written with a small letter.

BUT: commas are placed in both directions:
“Thank God” in the middle of the sentence is highlighted with commas on both sides (the word “God” in this case is written with a capital letter) + at the beginning of the sentence - highlighted with a comma (on the right side).
“By God” - in these cases, commas are placed on both sides (the word “God” in this case is written with a small letter).
“Oh my God” - separated by commas on both sides; in the middle of the sentence, “God” - with a small letter.

If the introductory word can be omitted or rearranged to another place in the sentence without disturbing its structure (usually this happens with conjunctions “and” and “but”), then the conjunction is not included in the introductory construction - a comma is NEEDED. For example: “Firstly, it became dark, and, secondly, everyone was tired.”

If the introductory word cannot be removed or rearranged, then a comma is NOT placed after the conjunction (usually with the conjunction “a”). For example: “She simply forgot about this fact, or maybe she never remembered it,” “..., and therefore, …”, “..., and maybe …”, “..., and therefore, …”.

If the introductory word can be removed or rearranged, then a comma is NEEDED after the conjunction “a”, since it is not associated with the introductory word, i.e., welded combinations such as “and therefore”, “and however”, “and therefore” are not formed. or maybe”, etc. For example: “She not only didn’t love him, but maybe even despised him.”

If at the beginning of the sentence there is a coordinating conjunction (in the connecting meaning) (“and”, “yes” in the meaning of “and”, “too”, “also”, “and that”, “and that”, “yes and”, “ and also”, etc.), and then an introductory word, then a comma in front of it is NOT needed. For example: “And really, you shouldn’t have done that”; “And perhaps it was necessary to do something differently”; “And finally, the action of the play is ordered and divided into acts”; “Besides, other circumstances have come to light”; “But of course, everything ended well.”

It happens rarely: if at the beginning of a sentence there is a connecting conjunction, and the introductory construction is highlighted intonationally, then commas are NEEDED. For example: “But, to my great chagrin, Shvabrin decisively announced...”; “And, as usual, they remembered only one good thing.”

Main groups of introductory words and phrases
(set off by commas + on both sides in the middle of the sentence)

1. Expressing the speaker’s feelings (joy, regret, surprise, etc.) in connection with the message:

to annoyance
to amazement
Unfortunately
unfortunately
unfortunately
to joy
Unfortunately
to shame
fortunately
to the surprise
to horror
bad luck
for joy
for luck
the hour is not exactly
there's no point in hiding
by misfortune
fortunately
strange affair
amazing thing
what good, etc.

2. Expressing the speaker’s assessment of the degree of reality of what is being communicated (confidence, uncertainty, assumption, possibility, etc.):

without any doubts
undoubtedly
undoubtedly
may be
right
probably
apparently
Maybe
Indeed
in fact
there must be
Think
Seems
it would seem
Certainly
Maybe
May be
Maybe
Hope
presumably
is not it
undoubtedly
obviously
apparently
in all probability
truly
perhaps
I guess
in fact
essentially
Truth
right
of course
goes without saying
tea, etc.

3. Indicating the source of what is being reported:

They say
they say
transmit
In your
according to...
I remember
In my
in our opinion
according to legend
according to information...
according to…
according to rumors
according to message...
in your opinion
audible
report, etc.

4. Indicating the connection of thoughts, the sequence of presentation:

All in all
Firstly,
secondly, etc.
however
Means
in particular
The main thing
Further
Means
For example
Besides
by the way
By the way
by the way
by the way
finally
vice versa
For example
against
I repeat
I emphasize
more than that
on the other side
On the one side
that is
thus, etc.
as it were
whatever it was

5. Indicating techniques and ways of formatting expressed thoughts:

or rather
generally speaking
in other words
if I may say so
if I may say so
in other words
in other words
in short
better to say
to put it mildly
in a word
simply put
in a word
as a matter of fact
if I may say so
so to speak
to be precise
what is it called, etc.

6. Representing appeals to the interlocutor (reader) in order to attract his attention to what is being reported, to instill a certain attitude towards the facts presented:

do you believe
do you believe
do you see
you see)
imagine
let's say
do you know)
Do you know)
Sorry)
believe me
Please
understand
do you understand
do you understand
listen
suppose
Imagine
Sorry)
let's say
agree
agree, etc.

7. Measures indicating an assessment of what is being said:

at least, at least - are isolated only when inverted: “This issue was discussed twice, at least.”
the biggest
at the very least

8. Showing the degree of normality of what is being reported:

It happens
it happened
as usual
according to custom
happens

9. Expressive statements:

All jokes aside
between us it will be said
just between you and me
need to say
it won't be said as a reproach
frankly
according to conscience
in fairness
admit say
to speak honestly
funny to say
Honestly.

Stable expressions with comparison (without commas):

poor as a church mouse
white as a harrier
white as a sheet
white as snow
fight like a fish on ice
pale as death
shines like a mirror
the disease vanished as if by hand
fear like fire
wanders around like a restless person
rushed like crazy
mumbles like a sexton
ran in like crazy
lucky, as a drowned man
spins like a squirrel in a wheel
visible as day
squeals like a pig
lies like a gray gelding
everything is going like clockwork
everything is as chosen
jumped up as if scalded
jumped up as if stung
stupid as a plug
looked like a wolf
goal like a falcon
hungry as wolf
as far as heaven from earth
shaking as if with a fever
trembled like an aspen leaf
he's like water off a duck's back
wait like manna from heaven
wait like a holiday
lead a cat and dog life
live like a bird of heaven
fell asleep like the dead
frozen like a statue
lost like a needle in a haystack
sounds like music
healthy as a bull
know like crazy
have at one's fingertips
fits like a cow's saddle
goes next to me like it's sewn on
like he sank into the water
roll around like cheese in butter
sways like a drunk
swayed (swayed) like jelly
handsome as god
red like a tomato
red as a lobster
strong (strong) like an oak
screams like a catechumen
light as a feather
flies like an arrow
bald as a knee
it's raining cats and dogs
waves his arms like a windmill
rushing around like crazy
wet as a mouse
gloomy as a cloud
dropping like flies
hope like a stone wall
people like sardines in a barrel
dress up like a doll
you can't see your ears
silent as the grave
dumb as a fish
rush (rush) like crazy
rush (rush) like crazy
rushing around like a fool with a written bag
runs around like a chicken and an egg
needed like air
needed like last year's snow
needed like the fifth spoke in a chariot
Like a dog needs a fifth leg
peel off like sticky
one like a finger
remained broke like a lobster
stopped dead in his tracks
razor sharp
different as day from night
different as heaven from earth
bake like pancakes
turned white as a sheet
turned pale as death
repeated as if in delirium
you'll go like a darling
remember your name
remember like in a dream
get caught like chickens in cabbage soup
hit like a gun on the head
sprinkle like a cornucopia
similar as two peas in a pod
sank like a stone
appear as if by command of a pike
loyal like a dog
stuck like a bath leaf
fall through the ground
good (useful) like milk from a goat
disappeared as if into the water
just like a knife to the heart
burned like fire
works like an ox
understands oranges like a pig
disappeared like smoke
play it like clockwork
grow like mushrooms after the rain
grow by leaps and bounds
drop from the clouds
fresh like blood and milk
fresh as a cucumber
sat as if chained
sit on pins and needles
sit on coals
listened as if spellbound
looked enchanted
slept like a log
rush like hell
stands like a statue
slender as a Lebanese cedar
melts like a candle
hard as a rock
dark as night
accurate as a clock
skinny as a skeleton
cowardly as a hare
died like a hero
fell as if knocked down
stubborn as a sheep
stuck like a bull
mulish
tired as a dog
cunning like a fox
cunning like a fox
gushes like a bucket
walked around like a daze
walked like a birthday boy
walk on a thread
cold as ice
skinny as a sliver
black as coal
black as hell
feel at home
feel like you're behind a stone wall
feel like a fish in water
staggered like a drunk
It's like being executed
as clear as two and two is four
clear as day, etc.

Do not confuse with homogeneous members.

1. The following stable expressions are not homogeneous and therefore are NOT separated by a comma:

neither this nor that;
neither fish nor fowl;
neither stand nor sit;
no end or edge;
neither light nor dawn;
not a sound, not a breath;
neither for yourself nor for people;
neither sleep nor spirit;
neither here nor there;
for no reason about anything;
neither give nor take;
no answer, no hello;
neither yours nor ours;
neither subtract nor add;
and this way and that;
both day and night;
both laughter and grief;
and cold and hunger;
both old and young;
about this and that;
both;
in both.

(General rule: a comma is not placed inside complete phraseological expressions formed by two words with opposite meanings, connected by a repeated conjunction “and” or “nor”)

2. NOT separated by commas:

1) Verbs in the same form, indicating movement and its purpose.
I'll go for a walk.
Sit down and rest.
Go take a look.

2) Forming a semantic unity.
Can't wait.
Let's sit and talk.

3) Paired combinations of a synonymous, antonymous or associative nature.
Seek the truth.
There is no end.
Honor and praise to all.
Let's go.
Everything is covered.
It's nice to see.
Questions of purchase and sale.
Greet with bread and salt.
Tie hand and foot.

4) Compound words (interrogative-relative pronouns, adverbs that contrast something).
For some people, but you can’t.
It’s somewhere, somewhere, and everything is there.

In Russian, the rules are sometimes so flexible that they are difficult to remember. For example, after the phrase “including,” is a comma necessary or not? In short, there are different options. In some places it is needed, in others it is not.

What is this phrase

According to dictionaries, the phrase “including” is a compound (consisting of several words) coordinating conjunction (connecting homogeneous members of a sentence and parts of a complex sentence) conjunction. Refers to connecting. That is, he brings some additional information to the sentence, adding it to what is already available.

The conjunctions themselves are not separated by commas; these are not introductory words. It's all about the information they bring with them. Usually this is some additional information to tell you more about something.

This information is called connecting turn, member of the sentence. As soon as it was formed, the union became dependent and is now considered together with the entire turnover. If it is in the middle or at the end of a sentence, it is highlighted (in the middle) or separated (at the end) with commas. Dashes are used less often.

Is there a need for a comma after “including”: rule

In the “Academic Directory”, paragraph 84, we read: “...Adjunct members of a sentence... are separated by commas.” The following mistake is often made here: understanding this phrase as an independent adjunct phrase, they put two commas on both sides. Thus, “including” is separated by commas as a connecting member of the sentence, being in fact a conjunction.

The mistake is that the second comma after this conjunction is placed too early. It should be placed after the attached information. The Union seems to be making an announcement: now there will be information. This information follows. And after them you need a comma.

Examples of correct and incorrect spelling

When is a comma needed after “including” and when not?

Example of correct spelling:

, including.

Example of incorrect spelling:

including, about connecting revolutions.

The part of the sentence that, with the help of this conjunction, complements what was said earlier is highlighted in italics. It should not be broken by a comma. It should only be highlighted, separated from the previous text. And here a comma is needed.

When to put a comma after a revolution

Sometimes a comma is also placed after the turn. This happens when the sentence does not end there and the thought from its first part continues. Then in a phrase starting with the words “including”, a comma on both sides highlights it, and the phrase is entirely enclosed in commas. Example:

There is a lot of boring information in this text, includingabout connecting revolutions, and only an academician can understand this.

Here, if you remove the phrase, commas are not needed. The conjunction “and” excludes them. But it happens that even if you remove the phrase, commas are needed. This is required if an idea from the first or second part is being explained. Example:

There is a lot of boring information in this text, includingabout connecting revolutions, which only an academician can understand.

The idea from the first part of the sentence is explained.

There is a lot of boring information in this text, includingabout connecting revolutions

The idea from the second part of the sentence is explained.

It is important to understand that these examples do not apply to the rule of writing only the conjunction “including”. They are given in order to show the emphasis of the turnover with this union. They will also stand out with another union. Example:

This text contains a lot of boring information. , namely about connecting revolutions, which only an academician can understand.

Knowing conjunctions, it is easy to understand where to put commas.

When a comma is not used

There are cases when they write “including” without commas. Example:

Previously, we occupied office number one hundred, and now we occupy number one hundred thirty-seven. It's a shame they moved, I liked it including ease of memorization.

Everything is clear here. From the context it is clear that we are talking about numerals. The meaning of the phrase is different. And the rules are different. This is no longer a conjunction, but a noun “number” in the prepositional case. Here's a more complicated example:

Due to the unrepaired vehicle fleet, field cultivation has been reduced. As we see, fluctuations in the amount of gross product occur including and due to the liquidation of an auto repair company.

Neither before nor after " including"There is no comma. Context is important here too. If you remove the conjunction, the meaning of what was said changes slightly. That is, the only reason for fluctuations in the amount of gross product is indicated - the liquidation of an automobile repair enterprise. Because of the phrase, it is clear that this reason is not the only one. You can rephrase this so that the connecting phrase becomes visible:

Fluctuations in the amount of gross product are influenced by certain reasons, including liquidation of a car repair company.

The word “reasons” is supplemented with a phrase (in italics).

In common speech it might look like this:

It happened including and it's your fault.
It happened and through your fault as well.

Classic option:

Many people are to blame for what happened, including and you.

Here the word “many” is supplemented with a phrase. It is implied, but not in the previous version. Here is an example of the movement of the tongue. This is how the majority began to speak, these constructions (with the missing explanatory word) are pronounced on the radio, they fly from the lips of politicians. Many sentences that were previously considered unacceptable constructions due to the lack of a generalizing word are now the norm.

When a proposal is made incorrectly

It happens that the sentence itself containing this conjunction is composed incorrectly. The rules stipulate that the connecting structure must refer to a specific word. If it is not there, there is nothing to add.

At the alumni meeting we recalled including and the Petrov twins.

Here the conjunction “including” is completely unnecessary; the comma in front of it speaks of an attached phrase. But there is just no word that needs to be added. Sounds ignorant. You can rephrase it like this:

At the alumni meeting, many classmates were remembered, including and the Petrov twins.

Why do you need to know this?

Not only schoolchildren, but also adults have to figure out where to put a comma. Imagine this situation: a graduate wrote a resume and sent it to companies that require a specialist of his level. He was sure that they would take him.

While his competitors sitting in line for an interview were worried, he calmly imagined himself in a new place of work. Imagine his surprise when the employer’s representative pointed to his resume as the reason for the refusal!

It turned out that, trying to present himself from the best side, the applicant wrote the following phrase:

I had the opportunity to develop software products for large companies, innumber, for "A" and "B" and I have a certificate of successful implementation of one of them.

After the conjunction “including” there is a comma, but it should come after the turn (in italics), and not break it. Apparently, the young man was afraid to put a comma before “and”. In vain.

This is how a specialist competent in his field can suddenly become a loser.

Is it worth replacing this phrase?

It should be noted that such phrases can be added without conjunctions. For example:

This text contains a lot of boring information. .
This text contains a lot of boring information. about connecting revolutions.

In the second case, the conjunction will be thrown out, but the meaning has changed a little. Now from the sentence it follows that boring information contains connecting phrases. In the first sentence, this is not the only reason; some other reason is implied.

Some people try to replace awkward words and write in simple sentences to avoid mistakes. Thus, the language is impoverished and deprived of turns of speech. Words that accurately express the thought are gone. Ultimately, this leads to an impoverished vocabulary and the inability to explain or prove anything.

Having dealt with unions, it will be easy to pass the literacy test, and the mistakes of your colleagues will only make you smile. The best way to improve literacy is to read fiction. It is rich in expressive means; in it you can find all the techniques necessary for writing texts.

The main thing is not to give up, and everything will work out!

The comma is the simplest and most prosaic, but at the same time the most insidious sign. Its formulation implies an understanding of how speech is constructed and structured, what meanings appear and disappear if the comma is placed incorrectly. Of course, in a short article it is impossible to describe in what cases a comma is used and list absolutely everything; we will focus only on the most common and simple ones.

Enumeration and homogeneous members

Correct placement of commas in a simple sentence begins with knowing the rule that homogeneous members of a sentence must be separated by a comma:

I love, adore, idolize cats.

I love cats, dogs, horses.

Difficulties arise if there is a conjunction “and” between homogeneous members of the sentence. The rule here is simple: if the conjunction is single, a comma is not needed:

I love dogs, cats and horses.

If there is more than one conjunction, then a comma is placed before the second conjunction and further:

I love dogs, cats, and horses.

Otherwise, a comma is placed before the conjunction “a”. The rule dictates the placement of the sign in any case and also applies to the conjunction “but” and the conjunction “yes” in the meaning of “but”:

My neighbor doesn't like dogs, but cats.

Cats love cautious people, but avoid noisy and angry people.

Definition with personal pronoun

Difficulties with where a comma is needed also arise when it comes to definition. However, everything is simple here too.

If a single adjective refers to a personal pronoun, it is separated by a comma:

Satisfied, she entered the room and showed the purchase.

I saw this dog then. She, joyful, wagged her tail, trembled and jumped on her owner all the time.

Separate definition

If you are memorizing the rules about when to use a comma, then the third point should be a separate definition.

By separate definition we mean, first of all, It is separated by commas in the case when it follows the word to which it refers:

A boy who has read books about travel will never pass indifferently past a travel agency or a store with tents and lanterns.

The cat, who had barely waited for the treat, was now purring and looking affectionately at its owner.

A boy who has read books about travel will never pass indifferently past a travel agency or a store with tents and lanterns.

The cat, which had barely waited for the treat, was now purring and looking affectionately at its owner.

Special circumstances

Commas in both simple and complex sentences separate a single gerund and a participial phrase:

The cat purred and lay down on my lap.

The dog, after growling, calmed down and let us talk.

After making a number of comments about the new project, the boss left.

Introductory words

Introductory words are words that show the reliability of information, its source or the speaker’s attitude to this information.

These are words that could potentially be expanded into a sentence:

This artist, of course, won the hearts of all his contemporaries.

Natasha doesn't seem to have any intention of taking care of her father.

Leonid apparently has no idea why so many people have appeared around him lately.

Appeals

If there is an address in the sentence, and it is not a pronoun, then it must be separated by commas on both sides.

Hello, dear Leo!

Goodbye, Lydia Borisovna.

Do you know, Masha, what I want to tell you?

Linda, come to me!

Unfortunately, ignorance of when to use a comma often leads to illiterate execution of business letters. Among these errors are the omission of a comma when addressing, and the insertion of an extra comma when pronouncing:

Good afternoon Pavel Evgenievich!(Need to: Good afternoon, Pavel Evgenievich!)

Svetlana Borisovna, we have also prepared our new samples for you. ( Need to : Svetlana Borisovna, we have also prepared our new samples for you.)

How do you think it is advisable to conclude this agreement? ( Need to : Do you think it is advisable to conclude this agreement?)

Comma in a complex sentence

In general, all the rules regarding the cases in which a comma is placed in a complex sentence essentially boil down to one thing: all parts of any complex sentence must be separated from each other by a punctuation mark.

Spring has come, the sun is shining, sparrows are scurrying about, children are running around triumphantly.

They bought him a new computer because the old one could no longer work due to the small amount of memory and incompatibility with new programs.

What else can you do if not have fun when there is nothing else left to do?

At the head of the procession was a little red-haired boy, he was probably the most important.

A comma in a complex sentence is placed in all cases, except for a unifying word, and if another sign is not needed at the junction of parts of the sentence, first of all, a colon.

Exception: unifying word

If parts of a complex sentence are combined by a single word (for example, then a comma is not placed between these parts of the sentence:

and the birds flew in, our company somehow perked up.

Wed: Spring has come, the birds have flown in, and our company has somehow become more lively.

This word can be not only at the very beginning of a sentence:

We will go to this meeting only as a last resort, only if all the conditions are agreed upon and the text of the agreement is agreed upon.

Comma or colon?

A colon should replace a comma if the meaning of the first part is revealed in the second:

It was a wonderful time: we drew what we wanted.

Now he got down to the most important thing: he was making a gift for his mother.

The dog no longer wanted to go for walks: the owners had so intimidated her with training that it was easier to sit under the table.

Sentences containing "how"

Many mistakes regarding when to use a comma arise from a misunderstanding of the difference between the two meanings of the word “as.”

The first meaning of this word is comparative. In this case, the sentence is separated by commas:

The aspen leaf, like a butterfly, rose higher and higher.

The second meaning is an indication of identity. In such cases, the phrase with “how” is not separated by commas:

The butterfly as an insect is of little interest to people who are accustomed to seeing animals as a source of warmth and communication.

Therefore the sentence: " I, like your mother, will not allow you to ruin your life" can be punctuated in two ways. If the speaker is really the listener's mother, then the word "how" is used as a word indicating identity ("I" and "mom" are the same thing), so there is no need for commas.

If the speaker compares himself with the mother of the listener (“I” and “mother” are not the same thing, “I” is compared” with “mother”), then commas are needed:

I, like your mother, will not allow you to ruin your life.

If “how” is part of the predicate, the comma is also omitted:

The lake is like a mirror. ( Wed .: The lake, like a mirror, sparkled and reflected the clouds).

Music is like life. (Music, like life, does not last forever.)

Formal signs of the need for a comma: to trust or not?

Special features of sentences will help you pay attention to when a comma is used. However, you should not trust them too much.

So, for example, this primarily concerns whether a comma is placed before “so that.” The rule seems to be unambiguous: “A comma is always placed before “so that”.” However, any rule should not be taken too literally. For example, a sentence with "so" could be:

He wanted to talk to her to find out the truth and to talk about how he lived his life.

As you can see, the rule works here, but the second “so” does not require a comma. this error is quite common:

We went to the store just to study the prices and to see what we could buy for lunch in this city.

Right : We went to the store just to study the prices and to see what we could buy for lunch in this city.

The same goes for the word “how”. It was already said above that, firstly, a word has two meanings, and secondly, it can be part of different members of a sentence, so you should not trust the common formulation “There is always a comma before “as”.”

The third common case of a formal sign of the need for a comma is the word “yes”. However, it should also be treated with great caution. The word “yes” has several meanings, including “and”:

He took his brushes and went to paint.

The jackdaws and crows flocked in, but the titmice were still missing.

Such formal signs should rather be treated as potentially “dangerous” places. Words like “so that”, “what would”, “how”, “yes” can signal that there may be a comma in this sentence. These “signals” will help you not to miss commas in sentences, but the rule regarding these signs themselves should never be overlooked.

At the same time, when placing commas, you should rather focus not on the “rules”, but on the meaning of the sign. The comma, in general, is intended to separate homogeneous members of a sentence, parts of a complex sentence, as well as fragments that do not fit into the structure of the sentence, which are alien to it (addresses, introductory words, etc.). The rules only specify each case. This even applies to the formula “you need a comma before “to”.” This rule actually specifies the general principle of punctuation. But in general, of course, when writing you need to think!

There are a number of words in the Russian language (for example, introductory words) that require commas to separate them; Obviously, it is precisely this fact that influences the consciousness of the writers in this case and makes one doubt whether the word “what” is separated by commas, whether a comma is placed before “what” or “after”. But these issues are solved much more simply and in a completely different way. The essence of the rule is not that it is necessary to somehow punctuate the word “what” - it simply requires signs between parts of a complex sentence.

The word “what” is separated by commas

On both sides

Can there be a comma after "what"? Yes, but this is not related to the conjunction itself or the conjunction word. It’s just that after it there is something that in itself requires commas: an introductory construction, a separate phrase, etc. The comma before “what,” which separates parts of a complex sentence, is not affected in any way.

He was surprised that, having noticed the charming Sonya, his acquaintances were trying to quickly sneak away. (after “what” is an adverbial phrase)
Ignat agreed that it looked like we wouldn’t have time to get to the city today. (after “what” is an introductory word)

Before the word

Why do commas even appear in the word “what”? “What” is a conjunction or pronoun, often acting as a connective word. It connects parts of a complex sentence. And in this case, except for rare exceptions, which are discussed below, a comma is required. The sign is always placed before the conjunction - this is the answer to the frequent question “Is a comma placed before the “what” or after?”

He didn't tell me what was in the envelope.
We thought he had already returned from a trip abroad.

No comma needed

Is there always a comma before “what” or not?

1. Usually a comma is used, but there is an exception. We are talking about complex sentences with homogeneous subordinate clauses connected by the conjunction “and”. These are sentences in which the main clause is joined by two (sometimes more) subordinate clauses that are similar in meaning. They answer the same question, although they may be joined by different unions. If there is an “and” between them, then a comma is not placed before the second conjunction.

He told me what happened in the office and what he thought about it. (told you about what?)
The child quickly understands what actions it is better not to do and what happens if the prohibition is violated.

2. Sometimes the combination with the conjunction “what” is not a subordinate clause; then the comma is not needed. This is not difficult to check: without the part of the phrase with the conjunction “that,” the sentence loses its meaning.

They will always find something to ban.
He has something to say.

3. Of course, there is no need to break stable expressions like “just now” with a comma.

The film has just started.
We will never back down!

4. Compound conjunctions can be formalized using commas in different ways; it depends on the author's intention: whether the comma is placed before the entire construction or in the middle.

He was late because he overslept again.
He was late because he overslept again. (but if before the conjunction there are words like “exactly”, “only”, etc., a comma must certainly be before “that”: He was late precisely because he overslept)

Do you know..

Which option is correct?
(according to last week’s statistics, only 21% answered correctly)