Commas for introductory words and sentences. Introductory words and sentences with examples What do commas mean in an introductory word?

Probably everyone understands that commas are always used in introductory words. But attention should be paid to the fact that often students and those who have already graduated secondary school, there are enormous difficulties with such punctuation. We will look at what exactly this is connected with in this article.

General information

Almost everyone knows that an introductory word is separated by commas. But only a few can define this part of the sentence.

So, introductory words are those that are not formally connected in any way with the members of the sentence. Moreover, they are not them, but only express their characteristics and attitude to the information being reported.

What parts of speech are they represented by?

It is not enough to know where a comma is placed to highlight introductory words and where it is not. After all, in order to apply the rules of punctuation, you need to find that very expression. And this is not always a common task. From a grammatical point of view, such words can be represented by pronouns and nouns (without prepositions and with prepositions), various verbal forms (infinitives, finite forms, gerunds), also nominal phraseological units (sometimes verbal) and adverbs.

What are the difficulties?

As is clear, commas are always used in introductory words. But it must be emphasized that when determining them, enormous difficulties often arise. What exactly are they?

Among introductory words and similar combinations, there are quite a few that are used in sentences only as introductory ones, but as follows, are always isolated. Here's an example: if I may say so, in my opinion, firstly and so on. Almost always, completely monotonous words can be used both as introductory words, and as members of a sentence (events or predicates), and as function words, in other words, particles or conjunctions. To distinguish them, you need to read the entire sentence or paragraph. After all, introductory words appear only in context.
2nd difficulty faced most of students, it will be that the punctuation of introductory words depends on their environment.

Why are introductory words needed?

Commas in introductory words should be put only when they appear as such in the sentence. But how can you tell them apart?

Typically, introductory words are used in certain sentences for:

Indications of the degree of reliability of a fact or message (in truth, without a doubt, perhaps, certainly, correctly, certainly, clearly, for sure, more precisely, in essence, apparently, naturally, really, etc.).
Indications of the degree of commonality of some information (as usual, it happens, as usual, it happened, as usual, usually, it happens, it happens).
Expressions of a sensory assessment of what is being talked about or reported (to amazement, a vicious matter, unfortunately, a well-known thing, to shame, as a failure, astonishingly, as luck would have it, unfortunately, to chagrin, to regret, fortunately, to chagrin, to joy, to surprise, in some way, a strange thing, etc.).

Indications of one or another source of the message (I think, I see, as I believe, as it is clear, as they said, they say, as I remember, it is clear, I remember, as I remember, according to words, as heard, according to messages, in my opinion, etc.).
The method of expressing thoughts (generally speaking, more precisely, as they say, will blame, in other words, to put it roughly, in other words, to put it mildly, in other words, it is better to say, in other words, in a word, as they say, in truth, no matter how you say it, in a word, whatever you like, in short, factually, etc.).
Indications of the expressive nature of this or that expression (there is nothing to say, without flattery, to tell the truth, to tell the truth, not to be said at night, not counting jokes, to be honest, between us, frankly speaking, between us, I assure you , to tell the truth, according to conscience, etc.).
Indications of matters between certain parts of the expression (in any case, to top it all off, the main matter, in the end, firstly, comes out, mainly, at the same time, so, in general, means, for example, etc.).
Calls for attention (please believe as you wish, see, realize, listen, don’t believe, imagine, have mercy, if you wish, you can (for yourself) imagine, you realize, you won’t believe, etc.).
Expressions of limitation or clarification of some expression (at least, without exaggeration, at least, to one degree or another).

In what cases are commas not used?

Commas should always be used in introductory words. But finding them right away is quite difficult. For example, there is a deep misconception that the following words are introductory: almost, perhaps, in addition, as if, I suppose, practically, specifically, suddenly, hardly, after all, after all, ultimately, meanwhile, as if, only, even, as if, as if (as if) , moreover, by decision (whose), just, like, by decree (whose), approximately, practically, simply, approximately, decisively. But that's not true. These expressions are not introductory, and as follows, they do not need to be separated by commas.

Introductory sentences

In addition to introductory words, entire introductory sentences are often used in the text. Usually, they have a meaning that is very close to the meanings of the introductory words or similar combinations. In any case, such sentences (depending on their location in the text) should be separated by commas (rarely a dash).

Examples of tasks

To reinforce the material about introductory words and their isolations, teachers often give their students a practical task. Usually, it is aimed at identifying whether the child has mastered the topic or whether it needs to be repeated again.

So, here is an example of the first of these tasks:

The girl returned the textbook to the library (1) possibly (2) even (3) without reading it.
The sky was overcast. Soon (1) it may (2) rain.
He should be given a principled and (1) sad letter in the morning.
What (1) could be (2) more important than a cure for cancer?
Naturally (1) she wanted to reward her years of work (3) first (3) herself.

Always installed. However, you should pay attention to the fact that often students and those who have long graduated from secondary school have great difficulties with such punctuation. We will look at what exactly this is connected with in this article.

General information

Almost everyone knows that an introductory word is separated by commas. However, only a few can define this part of the sentence.

What parts of speech are they represented by?

It is not enough to know where a comma is placed to highlight introductory words and where it is not. After all, in order to apply the rules of punctuation, you need to find the same expression. And this is not always an easy task. From a grammatical point of view, such words can be represented by pronouns and nouns (without prepositions and with prepositions), various verbal forms (infinitives, finite forms, gerunds), as well as nominal phraseological units (sometimes verbal) and adverbs.

What are the difficulties?

As you know, commas are always used in introductory words. However, it should be noted that great difficulties often arise in their determination. What exactly are they?

Among introductory words and similar combinations, there are quite a few that are used in sentences only as introductory ones, and therefore are always isolated. Here's an example: if I may say so, in my opinion, first of all and so on. In most cases, exactly the same words can be used both as introductory words, and as members of a sentence (adverbials or predicates), and as function words, that is, particles or conjunctions. To distinguish between them, you need to read the entire sentence or paragraph. After all, introductory words appear only in context.
The second difficulty that most students face is that the punctuation of introductory words depends on their environment.

Why are introductory words necessary?

Commas should be placed in introductory words only when they appear as such in the sentence. But how can you tell them apart?

As a rule, introductory words are used in certain sentences to:

Indications of the degree of reliability of a fact or message (in fact, perhaps, certainly, true, indisputably, known, probably, or rather, in essence, apparently, naturally, really, etc.).
Indications of the degree of commonality of any information (as always, it happens, as usual, it happened, as usual, as usual, it happened, it happens).
Expressions of emotional evaluation of what is being talked about or communicated (amazingly, a sinful thing, unfortunately, a well-known thing, to shame, as a misfortune, oddly enough, as luck would have it, unfortunately, to chagrin, to regret, fortunately, unfortunately, to joy, to surprise, in some way, a strange thing, etc. ).

Indications of one or another source of the message (I think, I see, as I believe, as is known, as they said, they say, as I remember, it is known, I remember, as I remember, according to words, as heard, according to messages, in my opinion, etc.).
The way of expressing thoughts (generally speaking, or rather, as they say, is to blame, by the way, to put it roughly, in other words, to put it mildly, in other words, it is better to say, in other words, in a word to say, as they say, frankly speaking, no matter how you say it, in a word, whatever you like, in short, actually, etc.).
Indications of the expressive nature of this or that statement (there is nothing to say, without flattery, to tell the truth, to tell the truth, it will not be said at night, except for jokes, to tell the truth, between us, frankly speaking, between us, I assure you, speaking the truth, according to conscience, etc.).
Indications of the relationships between certain parts of the statement (in any case, to top it all off, the main thing, in the end, firstly, comes out, mainly, at the same time, so, in general, means, for example, etc.).
Calls for attention (please believe as you want, see, understand, listen, don’t believe, imagine, have mercy), if you want, you can imagine , you understand, you won’t believe it, etc.).
Expressions of limitation or clarification of any statement (at least without exaggeration, at least to one degree or another).

In what cases are commas not used?

Commas should always be used in introductory words. However, it is quite difficult to determine them immediately. For example, there is a deep misconception that the following words are introductory: hardly, perhaps, in addition, as if, I suppose, literally, precisely, suddenly, hardly, after all, after all, ultimately, meanwhile, seemingly, exclusively, even, as if, as if (as if), to to the same, by decision (whose), just, supposedly, by decree (whose), approximately, almost, simply, approximately, decisively. But that's not true. These expressions are not introductory, and therefore do not need to be separated by commas.

Introductory sentences

In addition to introductory words, entire introductory sentences are often used in the text. As a rule, they have a meaning that is very close to the meanings of the introductory words or similar combinations. In any case, such sentences (depending on their location in the text) should be separated by commas (less often, dashes).

Examples of tasks

To reinforce the material about introductory words and their isolation, teachers very often give their students a practical task. As a rule, it is aimed at identifying whether the child has mastered the topic or needs to be repeated again.

So, here is an example of one of these tasks:

You must carefully read the sentences below, which contain numbering. Next, you need to write down all the numbers indicating commas in the introductory word.

The girl returned the textbook to the library (1) probably (2) even (3) without reading it.
The sky was overcast. It will (1) probably (2) rain soon.
He should be given an important and (1) (2) sad letter in the morning.
What (1) could be (2) more important than a cure for cancer?
Of course (1) she wanted to reward her years of work (3) first of all (3) herself.

Verbs, names and adverbs in a sentence can act as introductory words, which in one way or another - grammatically, lexically, intonation - express the speaker’s attitude to what he is reporting.

Compare two sentences:

This question, it seemed made it difficult for the guest.

Face his it seemed calm.

In both examples the word is used it seemed , but only in the second case is this word included in the members of the sentence: there it is part of a compound nominal predicate.

In the first example the word it seemed serves only to express the speaker’s attitude towards what he is reporting. Such words are called introductory words; they are not part of the sentence and can easily be omitted, for example: This question... made the guest difficult. Please note that in the second sentence, skip the word it seemed impossible.

Compare some more examples in the table:

Take it with you By the way, our books.
This phrase by the way, reminded me of an old joke.

These words are spoken By the way.

This phrase was said by the way.

Words separated by commas can be removed from a sentence without destroying its meaning.

By the way, from the first sentence you can ask the question HOW?
To the phrase BETWEEN OTHERS, you can ask the question WHEN?

Many words can be used as introductions. But there is a group of words that are never introductory. Read two sentences:

There will obviously be a good harvest this year;
There will certainly be a good harvest this year.

The first sentence uses the word obviously, in the second – certainly . Although these words are very close in meaning, only the word from the first sentence is separated by commas and is introductory. The words presented below need to be remembered: they are very similar to introductory ones, but they are not commas are not separated:

PERHAPS, SUDDENLY, SUDDENLY, SO, HARDLY, STILL, EVEN, EXACTLY, AS IF, JUST, CAREFULLY, MANDATORY, ALMOST, ONLY, ALLEGEDLY.

Introductory words can convey five different types of meaning:

Most often, with the help of introductory words, the speaker conveys various degree of confidence in what he reports. For example: You will undoubtedly do well on the exam. or It seems like you need to study more. This group includes the words:

OF COURSE, OF COURSE, UNDOUBTEDLY, UNDOUBTEDLY, WITHOUT A DOUBT, UNCONDITIONALLY, ACTUALLY, SEEMED, PROBABLY, POSSIBLY, POSSIBLY.

Introductory words can also convey feelings and attitude speaker to what he is communicating. For example: Unfortunately, you did not pass the exam very well.

FORTUNELY, UNFORTUNATELY, SURPRISINGLY, UNFORTUNATELY.

Sometimes introductory words indicate on The source of information, which is reported by the speaker. Introductory phrases in this case begin with the words BY MESSAGE, BY WORDS, BY OPINION. For example: According to doctors, you need to stop training for a while.

The source of the message may also be the speaker himself (IN MY OPINION, IN MY OPINION) or the source may be uncertain (THE SAY IS HEARD). For example: They say you will have to stop training.

ACCORDING TO THE MESSAGE, ACCORDING TO WORDS, ACCORDING TO OPINION, ACCORDING TO RUMORS, SAYING, HEARD, IN MY OPINION, IN MY OPINION, IN YOUR OPINION.

Introductory words are also used For organizing thoughts and indications of their connections with each other. For example: Firstly, this participle was formed from a perfective verb; secondly, it has dependent words. Therefore, it must contain two letters N.

FIRSTLY, SECONDLY, THIRDLY, FINALLY, CONSEQUENTLY, MEAN, SO, OPPOSITE, FOR EXAMPLE, ON THE CONVERSE.

There are also sentences where introductory words indicate on way of organizing thoughts. For example: In a word, everything went well.

IN OTHERWISE, IN ONE WORD, IT IS BETTER TO SAY, TO SPEAK SOFTLY.

Introductory words also include words that serve to attract attention interlocutor:

YOU KNOW (KNOW), UNDERSTAND (UNDERSTAND), LISTEN (LISTEN), SEE (SEE) and others.

These same meanings can be expressed not only by introductory words, but also by similar predicative constructions (introductory sentences). Compare: The snowfall will probably end soon And The snowfall, I think, will end soon. In addition to commas, parentheses or dashes can be used to highlight introductory sentences. This is done when the introductory construction is very common and contains additional comments or explanations. For example:

We're passing through our village once, years ago - how can I tell you without lying - about fifteen years old. (Turgenev)
Alexei (the reader already recognized him) Meanwhile, he gazed intently at the young peasant woman. (Pushkin)

The rule for separating introductory words and sentences has several very important notes.

If the introductory word is preceded by the conjunction A or BUT, then a comma is not always placed between the introductory word and the conjunction. Compare a couple of sentences:
The doctor finished the appointment but of course, will look at a seriously ill patient.
He gave his word and consequently, must restrain him.

The introductory word can be rearranged or removed without a conjunction only in the first case, therefore a comma is required between the introductory word and the conjunction. It is impossible to do this in the second sentence, which means there is no comma.

Very often difficulties arise in sentences with the words HOWEVER and FINALLY. The word HOWEVER is highlighted only when it cannot be replaced by the conjunction BUT. Compare two sentences:
However we understand that this figure is still low(HOWEVER = BUT) . Bye, however, we don't yet have a clear picture of what's happening(HOWEVER – introductory word) .

The word FINALLY is introductory only when it does not have a spatial or temporal meaning, but indicates the order of thoughts. For example:
I hope that in the near future this project finally will be implemented. AND, finally, The last thing I would like to draw your attention to.

Introductory words can begin a separate construction, for example, a clarifying phrase. In this case, a comma is not placed after the introductory word (in other words, the comma, which was supposed to “close” the introductory word, is moved to the end of the separate phrase).

I saw, or rather felt, that she was not indifferent to me.

In addition, a comma is not placed before an introductory word located at the end of a separate phrase.

For the holidays we decided to go somewhere, to Kolomna for example.

If the introductory word is in the middle of a separate construction, then it is separated by commas on a common basis.

I decided to declare my love, feeling, it seems, in my heart that she was not indifferent to me.

If introductory words are located before a phrase beginning with the words “how” or “so that,” then they are separated by commas.

The day she lived seemed meaningless to her, in fact, like all life.
He thought for a moment, probably, to find the right words.

Exercise

The portraits hung opposite the mirror.
On the contrary, he didn’t even change his face.
On the one hand_ I completely agree with you.
On one side, the coin depicted a double-headed eagle.
The truth is always better than a lie.
I_really_ was somewhat surprised by this news.
In spring_possible_flooding.
There may be a flood in the spring.
Everyone in our city is already talking about this.
In Greece_ they say_ everything is there.
Maybe you deigned to express yourself this way for the beauty of the style? (Gogol).
According to weather forecasters, it will be colder next week.
As scientists say, global warming awaits us.
The train leaves in an hour_ therefore_ we need to leave the house.
Fortunately_ Pechorin was deep in thought (Lermontov).
We have gathered here_first_to resolve the issue of the timing of the work.
He didn’t want to shoot himself - thank God - he didn’t want to try... (Pushkin).
Of course_ you have seen the district young lady’s album (Pushkin) more than once.
In one word, you got off easy.
So_ now we can draw a conclusion.
“You don’t bother me at all,” he objected, “if you please, shoot yourself, but as you please; your shot remains behind you; I am always ready at your service (Pushkin).
She suffered for a very long time after separation, but as you know, time heals any wounds.
The wind, however, was strong.
Fedya brought flowers_ however_ Masha didn’t like it.
A strong, yet warm wind blew through the window.
A good upbringing, as we know, can be achieved in boarding schools (Gogol).
However_ there are various improvements and changes in methods... (Gogol).
You_ definitely_ should come to us.
I took the ace of hearts from the table, as I remember now, and threw it up (Lermontov).
However, General Khvalynsky himself did not like to talk about his career; He seems to have never been to war (Turgenev).
You will become wild_ you know_ if you live locked up all the time (Gogol).
He was probably a grateful person and wanted to pay for his good treatment.
You supposedly had to come to his office and report on the trip.
Yes_ I confess_ I thought so myself.
I still decided to do it my own way.
Ivan Petrovich, you know, was an extraordinary man.
Nobody, of course, went to see him (Turgenev).
Gleb, as far as I knew, studied well at the Bryansk gymnasium (Paustovsky).
But perhaps the reader is already tired of sitting with me at Ovsyannikov’s house, and therefore I eloquently fall silent (Turgenev).
My arrival—I could have noticed it—at first somewhat confused the guests.
However_ the political process began to develop in a different way.
In my last report, I hastened to inform you that we finally managed to solve this problem.
The experiences of transformations that happened around us had, without a doubt, a strong influence on the thoughts of the majority of people involved in them (M. M. Speransky).
A group of border guards led by an officer approached the violators with the intention, as had happened before, to protest and demand that they leave the territory.
Finalization of the agreement will probably take several more months.
Secondly, there are a lot of abuses in the field of international tourism.
However, if we remain committed to the spirit and letter of this document, it could not have been otherwise.
We all know well, and everyone here knows well, that on the western, or as they say, the second front, about 1.5 million Allied troops and about 560 thousand German troops were concentrated.
This modest, symbolic gesture seems to me to be full of deep meaning.
Fortunately, the examples mentioned above are the exception, not the rule.
Increased baggage value may be claimed for certain types of items.
The reason for this is obvious: when the mind begins to recognize the price of freedom, it dismisses with carelessness all the children's toys, so to speak, with which it amused itself in its infancy (M. M. Speransky).
Pravda_ spoke to me politely, did not force me to do anything, and I remember having the impression that he did not look at all these accusations seriously.
But in our case, the truth quickly came out, and we were soon released.

§ 155. Commas highlight introductory sentences and introductory words, for example:

Arkady, it seems to me, is in all respects like a piece of very pure and very soft wax.

Pisarev

It was clean, calm and, as our people said, arguing work.

Chekhov

The Cossacks, it was heard, made an excellent attack.

L. Tolstoy

You, they say, are a great master of singing.

Krylov

I admit, he confused me then.

Pushkin

With his eyes, it seems like he would like to eat everyone.

Krylov

This one, according to Arkady Pavlovich, statesman was small in stature.

Turgenev

Firstly, circumstances, secondly, the ability to fantasize and love for fantasy, rather cold blood, pride, laziness - in a word, many reasons separated me from the society of people.

Turgenev

Fortunately, the weather was calm.

Turgenev

The most commonly used introductory words are: without a doubt, it happened, probably, apparently, you see, you see, perhaps, firstly, secondly etc., however, they are doing, must be, let's say, it is thought, know, mean, otherwise (speaking), shpak, it seems, unfortunately, of course, in short (speaking), unfortunately, by the way (to say), fortunately, by the way, maybe , probably, on the contrary, for example, on the contrary, (in one) word, obviously, in all likelihood, perhaps, please, put it, I remember, in my opinion, in my opinion, in the opinion..., it’s clear, you understand, read , really, really, I admit, I admit, (it goes without saying) of course, let’s say, therefore, in a word, hear, actually (speaking), therefore, strictly speaking, thus, so to speak, tea, what good, or something.

Note 1. It is necessary to distinguish adverbial words from introductory words that answer the questions how? how? When? etc., for example:

These words are said by the way.

By the way, take our books with you.
This phrase was said incidentally.

This phrase, by the way, reminded me of an old joke.

Note 2. It is necessary to distinguish between the use of the same words and phrases either as introductory words (and, therefore, separated by commas), or as intensifying ones (and not separated by commas), for example:

You understand all this, of course? ( Certainly- introductory word).

Of course you will arrive before me ( Certainly, pronounced in a tone of confidence, is an intensifying word).

What else are you thinking, really? ( Indeed- introductory expression).

But he really has nothing to do with it ( Indeed, pronounced in a tone of conviction, is an intensifying turn).

Note 3: If for example, let's say, let's say, let's say etc. stand before a word or group of words that clarify the preceding words, then no punctuation mark is placed after them (see, § 154). About placing a colon after For example see §§ 159 and 160.

Note 4: Unions A and, less often, But , if they form one whole with the subsequent introductory word, they are not separated from the last by a comma, for example: and therefore, and however, and therefore, but therefore, but of course and so on.

Commas highlight introductory sentences and introductory words, for example:
Arkady, it seems to me, in all respects looks like a piece of very pure and very soft wax(Pisarev).
It was clean, calm work and, as our people said, arguing(Chekhov).
The Cossacks, it was heard, made an excellent attack(L. Tolstoy).
You, they say, sing a great master(Krylov).
I admit, he confused me then(Pushkin).
With his eyes, it seems like he would like to eat everyone(Krylov).
This, according to Arkady Pavlovich, statesman was of small stature(Turgenev).
Firstly, circumstances, secondly, the ability to fantasize and love for fantasy, rather cold blood, pride, laziness - in a word, many reasons separated me from the society of people (Turgenev).
Luckily the weather was calm(Turgenev).
The most commonly used introductory words are: without a doubt, it happened, probably, apparently, you see, you see, perhaps, firstly, secondly etc.; however, they say, it should be, let’s say, it seems, to know, that means, otherwise (speaking), so, it seems, unfortunately, of course, in short (speaking), unfortunately, by the way (to say), fortunately, by the way, maybe , probably, on the contrary, for example, on the contrary, (in one) word, obviously, in all likelihood, perhaps, please, put it, I remember, in my opinion, in my opinion, in the opinion..., it’s clear, you understand, read , really, really, I admit, I admit, (it goes without saying) of course, let’s say, therefore, in a word, hear, actually (speaking), therefore, strictly speaking, thus, so to speak, tea, what good, or something.
Note 1. It is necessary to distinguish adverbial words that answer questions from introductory words How? how? When? etc., for example:
These words are said by the way.
But: By the way, take our books with you.
This phrase was said incidentally.
But: This phrase, by the way, reminded me of an old joke.
Note 2. It is necessary to distinguish between the use of the same words and phrases either as introductory words (and, therefore, separated by commas), or as intensifying ones (and not separated by commas), for example:
You understand all this, of course?(of course - an introductory word).
Of course you will arrive before me(pronounced in a tone of confidence, of course, is an empowering word).
What else have you really come up with?(indeed, this is an introductory expression).
But he really has nothing to do with it(in fact, pronounced in a tone of conviction is an intensifying phrase).
Note 3: If for example, let's say, let's say, let's say and so on. stand before a word or group of words that clarify the preceding words, then no punctuation mark is placed after them.
Note 4: Unions A, And, less often but, if they form one whole with the following introductory word, they are not separated by a comma, for example: and therefore, and therefore, but therefore, but of course and so on.