Russian language lesson “Isolation of participle phrases and single participles. Isolation of gerunds: when commas are needed for gerunds Slowly isolated or not

Arriving, he saw a terrible picture - millions of soldiers incinerated alive...

First, let's look at the same proposed solutions.

1) Is a single gerund isolated if it retains the meaning of action? How do you know if it saves it?

2) A single gerund is isolated if it indicates the time of an action, its cause, condition, etc. (but not the manner of action). Well, not always, although this is a quote from Rosenthal, but the same Rosenthal below gives the following examples: She woke up her son smiling. Smiling, she woke up her son. Lost in thought, smiling. He spoke smiling('with a smile'). Here the gerund has either the meaning of the second action (it is isolated), or the meaning of the circumstance of the manner of action (it is not isolated), but in both cases it answers the question HOW.

How are such problems solved? Here it is necessary to carry out grammatical and, very important, structural and intonation analysis.

1) Participles and non-common participial phrases are not separated if the following signs are present:

a) indicate a sign of action and play the role of circumstances of the course of action in the main message;

b) can be replaced synonymous adverb;

c) are often found at the end of a sentence, being the center of the statement (the logical emphasis falls on the participle);

d) usually (but not always) imperfective participles are not isolated.

2) Participles and uncommon participial phrases are isolated if the following symptoms are present:

a) the circumstance denotes an additional action, and not a sign of the main action;

b) is an analogue of a subordinate clause and answers relevant questions;

c) a position of the gerund that is convenient for isolation, for example, between the subject and the predicate or at the beginning of a sentence.

Solution

Arriving, he saw a terrible picture...

The perfect participle is found at the beginning of the sentence, denotes the second action and is analogous to the subordinate tense ( when he arrived).

On the one hand, each of these features does not guarantee isolation, for example: The prince walked thoughtfully(owl species). Slowly(= leisurely) I went down to the ravine(start of sentence). However, in general they can help in making the right decision.

And the conclusion. Non-separate adverbial phrase must correspond to the adverb in all respects: both in semantics and in the characteristic position of the adverbial clause in the sentence, otherwise it is isolated. You can verify the correctness of the decision made using intonation.

Note. It is interesting that in this example the gerund can be replaced by a non-isolated adverb-determinant, applied to the entire sentence: Upon arrival, he saw a terrible picture.... It turns out that intonation plays the most important role here. As a matter of fact, it was possible to begin the analysis with it, thus obtaining a ready-made solution.

Punctuation

VII. Commas in adverbial phrases

§ 153. Commas highlight:

1. Participles, both with and without explanatory words, except for such single participles and participial phrases that adjoin directly to the predicate and in their meaning are close to an adverb, for example:

Holding the jug above her head, the Georgian woman walked along a narrow path to the shore.

You enter the hall dancing.

Note 1. Participles with explanatory words that are integral expressions, such as: arms folded, headlong, sleeveless, bated breath and so on.

Note 2. Between the union A and a comma is not placed with a gerundial participle or participial phrase, if the omission of a gerundial participle or participial phrase requires restructuring of the sentence, for example:

He grinned, winked again, and leading me through the people, said instructively:
- Sins teach.

2. Nouns in oblique cases with prepositions and, less often, without prepositions, having a circumstantial (mainly causal, conditional and concessional) meaning, especially if such nouns have explanatory words and stand before the predicate, for example:

In contrast to his wife, the doctor was one of those natures who, during times of mental pain, feel the need to move.

3. The indefinite form of the verb with all the words related to it, attached to the predicate through conjunctions in order to (so that), in order to (so that), in order to (so that) etc., for example:

I went out onto the porch to freshen up.

Isolation of participles

Ever since school, many people have retained the idea that, unlike participles, participles are always separated by commas, regardless of the presence of dependent words and place in the sentence. In fact, this idea is not entirely correct - the separation of gerunds and participial phrases has its own characteristics. Within the framework of this article, we will consider the isolation (and non-isolation) of single gerunds. Read about the isolation of participial phrases in the corresponding article.

The general rule is this: single gerunds are separated (set off with commas on both sides) if they express an additional action, and are not isolated if they express a shade of the main action. For example:

* “She opened the door, laughing” (two actions - “when she opened the door, she laughed”).

* “He walked along the road slowly and listened to the birds singing” (“slowly” is a connotation of the main action).

First of all, such shades become gerunds, which, in principle, have practically lost their verbal meaning and are perceived more like adverbs - “silently”, “slowly”. The situation is more complicated with those participles that are isolated or not isolated depending on the context. For example, “She opened the door laughing.” This participle can be seen as a connotation of an action (how exactly did she open the door?) or as an independent action (when she opened the door, she laughed). Accordingly, a comma will or will not be placed depending on the meaning that the author puts into the sentence.

The following can serve as a kind of hint when deciding to place a comma: as a rule, shades of action are expressed by gerunds coming immediately after the verb. However, they can be replaced with an adverb or a noun with a preposition. For example, “without stopping” - “without stopping”, “slowly” - “without haste”, “smiling” - “with a smile”. Some sources also indicate that participles ending in “-a” and “-o” are more often shades, while those with “-v” and “-vsh” are additional actions.

Participles separated from the verb are often isolated.

* “She greeted smiling.”

* “She greeted with a smile.”

* “Smiling, the girl in a beautiful dress handed him the ball.”

Now let's pay attention to some subtleties regarding the placement of commas with isolated gerunds. In particular, if two homogeneous (that is, relating to the same verb) single gerunds are connected by the conjunction “and” (as well as “either”, “or”, etc.), then commas are not placed around this conjunction - by analogy with homogeneous members of the sentence. For example, “By running and doing pull-ups, she quickly got into shape.” The same applies to the isolation of the participle phrase and the solitary participle. Separated in relation to the entire phrase, these members of the sentence are homogeneous among themselves (for this participle they must necessarily refer to the same verb).

Also, commas are not placed if the conjunction “and” connects an adverb and a gerund referring to the same verb - such members of the sentence are also considered homogeneous (plus, such gerunds often express shades of action). For example, “He answered quickly and without thinking.” In this case (by analogy with homogeneous members of a sentence), if there is no connecting conjunction or there is a conjunction “a” or “but,” then a comma should be placed between the adverb and the gerund: “He answered quickly, without thinking.”

If a gerund begins a subordinate clause and has the word “which” as a dependent word, then this gerund is not isolated. The same is true if the gerund has other dependent words. “I dream of such a dress, when I find it I will feel like a queen.”

Participle comma rules

1. The participial phrase, as a rule, is isolated (set off by commas) regardless of the place it occupies in relation to the predicate verb: A match was struck, illuminating the hanging nets for a second (Ser.); Grandfather smiled clearly, consciously, showing his gums, and said something quietly (Cat.); Then Kuzma Kuzmich, taking a fresh cinder from his pocket, lit it and sat down next to Dasha (A.T.); The windows are open, there are shops (M.); He often loses words even in a simple conversation, and sometimes, even knowing the word, he cannot understand its meaning (here “even” has the meaning); After half a minute, the nightingale started a high, small shot and, having thus tested its voice, began to sing (Ch.).

2. The participial phrase, standing after the conjunction of a coordinating or subordinating or allied word, is separated from it by a comma (such a phrase can be “torn off” from the conjunction and rearranged elsewhere in the sentence): Our father Chimsha-Himalayan was from the cantonists, but, having served the rank of officer , left us hereditary nobility and a little name (Ch.); Life is arranged so devilishly that, without knowing how to hate, it is impossible to sincerely love (Zh. G.); You could hear the water dripping from the tap, counting down the seconds with the precision of a metronome (Paust.). The same after the connecting conjunction with which the sentence begins (the conjunction comes after the period): But, having fully examined his position in the role of Varenka’s husband, he laughed (M. T.); And, coming up to me, he said...

The exception is those cases when the adverbial construction (or single adverbial participle) comes after the adversative conjunction a (the adverbial construction cannot be removed from the sentence or rearranged to another place without destroying the structure of the sentence): He began to bring books and tried to read them quietly, and after reading, where hid something (M.G.); It is necessary to make an urgent decision, and having made it, strictly implement it.

However, when contrasting homogeneous members of a sentence connected by the conjunction a, a comma is placed after it: Do not stand still, but, overcoming one difficulty after another, always strive forward; The element of the old quality does not disappear, but, transforming in other conditions, continues to exist as an element of the new qualitative state; He did not give any details, but, speaking about his theory as a whole, outlined only its essence.

3. The participle phrase, at the beginning of which there are particles only, only, is not intonationally separated from the previous part of the sentence (when reading, there is no pause before it), but a comma is usually placed before it: This work can be understood only by taking into account the conditions of its creation; You can learn a foreign language only by constantly studying it.

But (with a close merger of the phrase with the predicate): They met only when they were already adults.

4. Two participial phrases, connected by a non-repeating conjunction and, are not separated by a comma (like other homogeneous members of the sentence in similar cases): Once, walking along a noisy, cheerful avenue and feeling cheerful with the crowd, he experienced happy pleasure (Fed.) .

But if a conjunction connects not adverbial phrases, but other constructions (two predicates, two parts of a complex sentence), then a comma can appear both before and after the conjunction (in accordance with the necessary rule): Makar was sitting on the firewood, swaying slightly, and continued his song (Cor.); I climbed down into the ditch and, having driven away the shaggy bumblebee that had dug into the middle of the flower and had fallen asleep sweetly and sluggishly, I began to pick the flower (L. T.).

Wed. sentences with an adverbial construction in which a comma is placed both before and after the conjunction: Levinson stood for a while, listening into the darkness, and, smiling to himself, walked even faster (F.) - the first adverbial construction refers to the predicate stood, and the second - - walked towards the predicate; Hadji Murat stopped, dropping the reins, and, with the usual movement of his left hand, unfastened the rifle case, and with his right hand took it out (L. T.); Alexander Vladimirovich silently pushed forward, pushing his wife aside, and, going down two steps, looked down on the battlefield (Fed.).

If in similar cases two adverbial phrases standing next to each other are connected by a non-union connection, then the question of attributing each of them to its predicate is decided on the basis of the meaning, but no additional punctuation mark (for example, a dash) is placed between them: Then the tractor rumbled, drowning out all the sounds , ripping up the virgin snow, cut the road - the adverbial phrase, having muffled all sounds, refers to the predicate rattled, and the turn, ripping up the virgin snow, refers to the predicate cut off.

Note. A single gerund or participial phrase is not isolated:

1) if the participle phrase (usually with the meaning of the circumstance of the manner of action) is closely related in content to the predicate and forms the semantic center of the statement: She sat with her head thrown back (Mark) - it is indicated that she was not just sitting, but was sitting with her head thrown back; The Artamonovs lived without meeting anyone (M. G.) - it is important that they lived without any acquaintances; This exercise is done standing on outstretched toes - the meaning of the message is how the exercise is done; The old man walked with a limp on his right leg; Students acquire knowledge not only by listening to lectures, but also by doing practical work; He usually wrote with his head tilted; I do not humiliate myself, but I speak with pain in my heart (M. G.); Huge height, rare strength, hairy, he walked on the ground with his head bowed like a bull (M. G.); Yakov sat with his feet down (M. G.).

Wed. (the participle phrase is not separated by a comma from the participle or another participle to which it is closely adjacent): The coachman, who was sleeping leaning on his elbow, began to five horses (Gonch.); Even Laska, who was sleeping curled up in a ring at the edge of the hay, reluctantly got up (L.T.); But Klim saw that Lida, listening to her father’s stories with her lips pursed, did not believe them (M. G.); Another invitee, sitting next to me, bent over like an old man, remained stubbornly silent;

2) if the participial phrase is a phraseological unit: Day and night across the snowy desert I rush to you at breakneck speed (Tr.); He worked tirelessly (M. G.); But if there was no danger, he treated his duties carelessly, as if doing something extraneous and unnecessary (N.-P.); Sonya, who was listening to him barely taking a breath, suddenly grabbed her mantle and hat and ran out of the room (Ven.); scream without taking a breath; rush with tongue out; lie staring at the ceiling; sit with bated breath; work with your sleeves rolled up; rush about without remembering yourself; spend the night without closing your eyes; listen with open ears.

The exception is frozen expressions in the form of participial phrases, acting as introductory combinations: To be honest, it could have been done much better; Apparently, the crisis in the course of the disease has already passed;

3) if the adverbial phrase is preceded by an intensifying particle and: You can live without bragging about your intelligence (M.G.); You can leave without waiting for an answer; He remained humble even after defeating a strong opponent;

4) if the gerund has as a dependent word a conjunctive word which is part of the attributive clause of a complex sentence (such a gerund is not separated from the subordinate part by a comma): The old factories faced dozens of serious problems, without solving which it was impossible to move on to new methods of building ships ( Koch.); To the right there was a door, through which one could enter the corridor leading to the stage; New works of the young writer have been published, reading which it is easy to see his creative growth.

Among the classical poets there are adverbial phrases that include a subject that is not distinguished within the phrase by commas: Hearing her gait and cursing his lodging for the night and the wayward beauty, running turned to shameful (P.); Crow perched on a spruce tree and was just about ready to have breakfast (Kr.); ... Having mercifully licked the headman on the chest, Lev set off on his further journey (Kr); Having called the satyrs for help, I will persuade them, and everything will go smoothly (L.); But Shibanov, keeping his slavish loyalty, gives his horse to the governor (A.K.T.);

5) if the gerund has lost its verbal meaning: The post office is located less than a hundred meters from here; I’ll be at home starting from seven o’clock in the evening - the word starting can be omitted without damaging the meaning and structure of the sentence; together with the words related to it, it does not form an adverbial phrase and is not isolated; The school has been operating under new programs since last year; You can start working starting next week - in all examples, the combination starting with acts as a complex preposition.

But if the use of words starting with is in the nature of clarification, incidental explanation, or is not associated with the concept of time (the word starting cannot be omitted without damaging the meaning of the sentence), then it stands apart: This is confirmed by the history of many countries, starting with India and Egypt; Prizes for the best athletes of the continents have been awarded since the end of the 19th century in Los Angeles; A lot has changed, starting with the main thing; The poem “Vasily Terkin” was published as individual chapters were written throughout the war, starting in 1942; It all seemed strange, starting with his statement; It rained all week, starting from Sunday. Wed. also: With the mistress of the house was an elderly lady, all in black, from her cap to her boots (Gonch.); Anosov, starting from the Polish war, participated in all campaigns except the Japanese (Kupr.); Everything in his figure, from his tired, bored look to his quiet, measured step, represented the sharpest contrast with his little, lively wife (L. T.); (starting from - option starting from).

The circulation with words based on (‘based on’) in most cases is also not included in the adverbial construction and is not isolated: Statistical indicators are derived based on many data (the word based can be omitted); The table was compiled based on the information received; The annual requirement is calculated based on the requirements for each quarter.

But the phrase with words based on is isolated if it refers to the performer of an action, who can “start from something” (a definite or undetermined person): The calculator made a calculation based on the data presented to it; The tax is levied based on established rates. Pilots are given the right to change their order of battle based on the current situation.

The phrase with words depending on (‘depending on something’, ‘in accordance with something’), acting as a complex preposition, which does not have the meaning of an adverbial construction, is not isolated: We will act depending on the circumstances.

But this turnover is isolated if it has the meaning of clarification or accession: It was necessary to act carefully, depending on the circumstances (clarification); Vacation can be used to practice various sports, depending on the time of year (joining); Rowers, depending on the size of the boat, range from 4 to 8 and even up to 12 people (Gonch.); These imaginary pictures were different, depending on the advertisements that he came across (Ch.);

6) if an adverbial phrase or a single gerundial participle acts as a homogeneous member of a sentence with a non-isolated circumstance: Alyosha looked long and somehow narrowed his eyes at Rakitin (Dost.); ... Suddenly she screamed with a tearing scream and burst into tears (Ven.); Having stopped Vlasova, he, with one breath and without waiting for answers, bombarded her with crackling and dry words (M. G.); Klim Samgin walked along the street cheerfully and without giving way to people he met (M. G.); He explained for a long time and without any hesitation in detail why the nun could be the parent of Ivanushka (M. G.); At first, Mishka removed the tanks while lying down and squatting (Sim.); He learned to solve problems quickly and without resorting to reference books; The boy stood motionless and without taking his eyes off the dog; Calmly and without looking at anyone, she continued her story; The janitor looked at Raskolnikov with bewilderment and a frown (Dost.); Prince Andrei looked at Timokhin, who looked at his commander (L.T.) in fear and bewilderment; The spindles made noise evenly and incessantly from different sides (L. T.); Everyone usually approached the office doors whispering and on tiptoe (L. T.); He answered him without embarrassment and frankly (Pom.).

But for semantic emphasis or to express a passing explanation, the combination of an adverb with a single gerund or with a participial phrase can be isolated [see. section “Circumstances expressed by adverbs”]: Katerina Ivanovna (Ven.) spoke quietly and as if turning a little pale; In the dark sky, tired and not sparkling, yellow specks of stars appeared (M. G.); Guilty and coughing, the mother said goodbye to us (Leon.); Incredulously, but still smiling with all his being, he went to her (Leon.).

5. Two single gerunds, acting as homogeneous circumstances, are isolated: The fogs, swirling and twisting, crawled there along the wrinkles of the neighboring rocks (L.); Yermolai, sniffing and waddling, ran away fifty miles a day (T.); Grumbling and looking around, Kashtanka entered the room (Ch.).

But: At that very moment an old woman... came in singing and dancing (P.) - a close connection with the predicate [see. above, paragraph 4]; My coachman climbed down silently and slowly (T.) - the gerund turned into an adverb or has an adverbial meaning (cf. words such as lying, sitting, standing, slowly, etc.).

6. A single gerund is isolated if it retains the meaning of verbality, acting as a secondary predicate, indicating the time of the action, its cause, condition, etc. (but not the manner of action): When leaving, turn off the light: (when do you turn it off?); The Cossacks left without agreeing (Sh.) - possible questions: “when did you leave?” (after they didn’t agree), “why did you separate?” (because they didn’t agree), “Why did you leave?” (although they did not agree), that is, there is either a circumstance of time, or a circumstance of reason, or a circumstance of concession, but not the circumstance of the manner of action (the questions “how did you separate?” and “How did you separate?” are clearly not suitable); The shepherd walked, humming, behind a flock of greedy and timid sheep (T.) - ‘walked and hummed’; An owl hooted nearby, and Laska, shuddering, began to listen (L.T.) - ‘shuddered and began to listen’; Having rested, he was about to leave (Fed.) - ‘after he had rested’; “Yes, I haven’t washed for a long time,” he said, undressing (Ch.); ...Grandfather, groaning, climbed into the cart (M. G.); The mother, perplexed, smiled (M.G.); Satisfied passengers fell silent and admired the sunny day (Fed.); Beyond the line, the sun languished without rising (Sh.); The Cossacks looked at him restrainedly, parting (Sh.); At this moment, from melancholy and pain, he usually woke up and lay for a long time, walking away (Gran.); He, smiling, squinted from the light (Pinch.); Yes, you will lose time running - ‘if you run’; He corrected me, laughing; Gasping for breath, I jumped over ditches; Approaching, Sergei asked; She ran around the room, talking; By observing, you satisfy your curiosity; Competing, they tried to surpass each other; The girl, without hesitation, turned back; He answered cheerfully, clinking glasses; Wincing, he glanced sideways at his neighbor; Bored, they wandered around the streets; Then their steps died down, moving away; He said with a grin, intriguing; In the evening, falling asleep, he vaguely recalled the events of the day; A small train crawls up the mountain, puffing; Without bragging, I’ll tell you about our trip; She turned away, sobbing; As he spoke, he glanced sideways at those present; He thought, becoming wary; Burning ourselves, we drank hot tea; The children crowded around, curious; To the solemn chords of the anthem, the flag of our country flutters into the blue sky; He slipped, fell and, cursing, struggled to his feet; The student asked again without understanding; While playing, learn; The enemy blew up these bridges while retreating; Without knowing, one could really believe it; A dog ran along the road, barking; The speaker turned away and smiled; The conductor, returning, began to wave his hand; Answer after thinking; He looked at everyone in surprise, waking up; He interrupted his story, lighting a cigarette; Everything in nature, as it improves, changes; Leaving - go away (the name of the movie); The clouds are running, looking around.

Indicating a manner of action, a single gerund usually approaches in meaning an adverb or a combination of a noun with a preposition used in an adverbial meaning, and is not isolated: The train went without stopping - ‘non-stop’; She spoke about this smiling - ‘with a smile’; He sat motionless (how did he sit? In what position?); Cranes usually sleep standing up (Ax.) - adverbial meaning; At home, Gromov always read lying down (Ch.) - adverbial meaning; Those seeking manifestations of power turned inward and withered away (Gonch.); Veretyev sat bent over and patted the grass with a branch (T.); Classes had to go on without interruption until two o'clock (L.T.); He slept without undressing (L. T.); He walked stumbling behind his wife’s coffin (M. G.); She returned from there having lost weight (M. G.); Dmitry listened to him with a frown (M.G.); He... threw money without counting (M. T.); He spoke breathlessly (M.G.); There, in the darkness, someone's eyes looked without blinking (A.T.); Sergei pushed Vera aside, nodded to her and left whistling (A.T.); At first I answered with a ruffled face (Forsh); Aksinya entered the hall without knocking (Sh.); The girl ran into the room sobbing; Some simpleton would seriously think so; Sergei sat bent over and tied up his skates; The children chatted incessantly; He lived with his grief without hiding; He continued talking while yawning; Her eyes ran from one picture to another, comparing; He hid the money in his wallet without counting it; The rain continued to fall; The train passed without delay; You can’t pass by them without being happy; The partisans walked crouching; The neighbor listened to me without objecting; They walked hugging along the forest road; The girl spoke breathlessly; The driver shouted and cursed; They listened without understanding our conversations (the phrase our conversations refers to the predicate); He signed the papers without reading; We walked forward without looking back; He sat down on a chair without undressing and thought; The old man walked staggering; They left without saying goodbye; The apple falls when ripe; They passed without hiding; They discussed the question, some laughing, some seriously; The path stretched windingly; He ran into the yard screaming; The girl told the story sobbing; He left with his eyes downcast; Without ceasing, the same scream disturbed the ears; He passed by without turning around; Everyone listened without breathing; He walked slowly around the room; She rejected without hesitation; It should not be done without thinking; Do it without reasoning; People stood petrified; He spoke defensively; The mountain road stretched windingly; He sits at the table, saddened; I took the book without looking; I walked thinking; He sat with his elbows; The wave rolled off, ringing; Messages from the front could not be read without worry; For about five minutes everyone stood motionless; The young man rushed to help without hesitation; The sniper fired without aiming.

7. Isolation or non-isolation of a single gerund may depend on the place it occupies in relation to the predicate verb: the same word can be isolated at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence, but not at the end. Wed:

They walked slowly.

On the way, slowly, they picked mushrooms and berries.

She woke up her son smiling.

Smiling, she woke up her son.

We had dinner slowly. (Mark.)

A squat, short-legged, round-headed man walked slowly across the courtyard. (Mark.)

8. The isolation of a single gerund may be influenced by its type: imperfective gerunds (in -а/-я) are most often not isolated, since they are usually a circumstance of the manner of action: Listened without interrupting; She began to peer closely without recognizing; I took breaks when I was tired.

Perfect participles (in -в, -shi) have other shades of meaning (time, reason, condition, concession), which often contributes to their isolation: By refusing, he will miss this last opportunity; Stunned, she stood motionless in the doorway; Without getting through, he came to my house; Indignant, he refused to answer; Tired, they made stops along the way.

9. Isolation or non-isolation of a single gerund may be associated with the lexical meaning of the predicate verb: the same gerund is isolated with some verbs, but not with others. Wed:

He asked without stopping (the gerund denotes other actions simultaneous with the movement).

He walked without stopping (‘non-stop’).

Lost in thought, smiling (‘thought and smiled’).

He spoke smiling (‘with a smile’).

10. A single participle as an adverbial modus operandi at the end of a sentence is isolated if it has the meaning of clarification. Wed:

He walked hastily, without looking back.

He walked without looking back (‘without looking back’).

The machine gun chirped continuously, without stopping.

The machine gun chattered incessantly (‘incessantly’).

11. If a single gerund is located between two predicate verbs and in meaning can be attributed to any of them as an adverbial manner of action, it is not separated by a comma from the predicate to which the writer refers it: He squatted down, groaning and reached into the bottom drawer table; The girl ran out into the garden and ran to her mother, crying.

Participle comma rules

with agreed definitions

commas are not used

with inconsistent definitions

there is no dash

no commas are used

no commas are used

at limiting speed

when used with prepositions except, along with, besides, excluding, excluding, including, over, etc.

no commas are used

with clarifying members of the proposal

with explanatory members of the sentence

no comma

with connecting members of the proposal

no comma

in meaningful expressions

no comma

at comparative speeds

when revolutionized with a union like:

no commas are used

§ 70. Single gerunds are isolated while they retain their verbal meaning - denoting an action: Without getting off her horse, she took the package, swung it, threw it into the open door of the stable (Street); At first, even in the car, they moved at walking speed, every now and then they scraped the differential and, backing up, went around stones (Zal.); The doors creaked and closed (Sparrow).

§ 72. Single participles are separated or not separated depending on the context. For example, when acquiring the meaning of a clarification, the gerund is isolated: The children were constantly making noise, without stopping (cf. without a clarifying meaning: The children were making noise without stopping). When the emphasis is on the verb, the gerund can be isolated in order to give it the meaning of a passing remark: The children made noise without stopping.

The isolation or non-isolation of a gerund depends on whether the gerund denotes a circumstance (separation is not necessary) or a second action (separation is necessary). Wed: Walked without stopping (walked non-stop); He asked without stopping (the gerund denotes the second action - he asked, but did not stop to do so).

Note. Participles ending in -a, -ya more often express the meaning of the circumstances of the course of action and therefore are not isolated: She came in smiling. In the presence of other accompanying signs: detachment from the verb, prevalence - the gerund (if widespread - the participial phrase) is isolated; Wed: Smiling, she entered the room; She entered, smiling at her secret thoughts. Participles in -в, -shi more often convey other shades of adverbial meanings (reason, time, concession), which contribute to isolation: She screamed, frightened; Frightened, she screamed (because she was scared).

When are gerunds and participial phrases not separated by commas?

Usually the gerund and the participial phrase are isolated circumstances in a sentence, that is, they are distinguished by punctuation marks. In what cases are gerunds and participial phrases not separated by commas?

In Russian punctuation there are situations when commas are not used. Let's look at them in more detail.

The participle can gain meaning adverbs, having lost its verbal sign of additional action. In this case, the single participle is not separated by commas.

The old man and his grandson walked along the road slowly.

Participle "slowly" became an adverb because it has an adverbial meaning "slowly" and no longer denotes an additional action in relation to the predicate verb.

The friends sat in silence.

"Silently" equivalent to adverb "quiet".

The train goes on without stopping.

“Without stopping” = “continuously.”

The boys stood dumbfounded.

Phraseological expressions that contain gerunds are not separated by commas.

The guys reluctantly agreed with me.

Phraseologism is equal in meaning to the word, in this example "reluctantly" Means "with difficulties".

He ran quickly without making out the road.

I cannot take the assigned task carelessly.

Also, an adverbial phrase that comes after another circumstance expressed by an adverb and connected to it by a coordinating conjunction is not subject to punctuation marks. "And".

Klim Samgin walked down the street cheerfully and without giving way to people he met. (M. Gorky)

How was Klim Samghin walking? cheerfully(first circumstance), without giving way to oncoming people(the second circumstance, expressed by the participial phrase). These homogeneous circumstances are connected by the union "And", no comma is used. A similar punctuation situation can be seen in the sentences:

She spoke to me mockingly and in a slightly drawn out manner.

The captain peered at the outlines of the shore tensely and slightly squinting his eyes.

The next case is when commas are not placed between two circumstances expressed by participial phrases and connected by a conjunction "And", if they relate to the same predicate in a sentence, that is, they are homogeneous circumstances. In this case, the punctuation is:

The tourists continued their journey without increasing their pace or changing the direction of movement.

He ran quite quickly, leaning on a stick _and_ only swaying slightly.

Wrapping my coat around myself and closing my eyes, I try to rest a little.

A weak wind swept from the west, gently bending the heads of wildflowers and rustling in the dense crowns of the trees.

Video: “Commas in adverbial phrases”

Isolation (highlighting with commas) of circumstances depends, first of all, on the way they are expressed.

A) Circumstances expressed by gerunds

1. Circumstances expressed by gerunds (you can ask morphological questions to the gerunds doing what? what did you do?) and participial phrases (that is, participles with dependent words), as a rule, are isolated regardless of the place they occupy in relation to the predicate verb:

Example: Arms spread wide, a grimy bulldozer driver is sleeping(Peskov). Ksenia had dinner spreading a scarf on the rod (Peskov).

If a circumstance expressed by a gerund and a participial phrase is in the middle of a sentence, then it is separated by commas on both sides:

And then to the cliff, leaving my bulldozer, Nikolai ran up(Peskov). The bird, shuddering, picked up its wings(Permitov).

Isolated circumstances, expressed by gerunds and participial phrases, are close in meaning to the secondary predicate (but are never independent predicates!). Therefore, they can be replaced by subordinate clauses or independent predicates.

Wed: And then to the cliff, leaving my bulldozer, Nikolai ran up. - Nikolai left his bulldozer and ran to the cliff. The bird, shuddering, picked up its wings. - The bird shuddered and picked up its wings.

Note!

1) Restrictive particles are only included inside a separate structure and are released along with it.

A match was struck only for a second illuminating the man's face.

2) The participle and the participial phrase standing after the coordinating or subordinating conjunction / allied word are separated from it by a comma (such a phrase can be torn off from the conjunction, rearranged to another place in the sentence, or removed from the sentence).

Wed: He threw down the pen and leaning back in the chair, began to look at the moonlit clearing(Permitov). - He dropped the pen and began to look at the moonlit clearing; Life is arranged in such a way that without knowing how to hate, it is impossible to sincerely love(M. Gorky). - Life is arranged in such a way that it is impossible to truly love, not knowing how to hate.

3) A conjunction or a conjunctive word is not separated by a comma from a gerund and a participial phrase in the event that the participial construction cannot be torn away from the conjunction or conjunctive word or removed from the sentence without destroying the structure of the sentence itself. This is most often observed in relation to the coordinating conjunction a.

Wed: He tried to read books unnoticed, and after reading them, he hid them somewhere(impossible: He tried to read books unnoticed, but hid them somewhere); But: He did not name the author of the note, but, having read it, put it in his pocket. - He did not name the author of the note, but put it in his pocket.

Two homogeneous gerunds or participial phrases connected by single coordinating or disjunctive conjunctions and, or, or, are not separated by a comma.

The telephone operator sat, hugging his knees and leaning your forehead on them(Baklanov).

If a conjunction connects not two gerunds, but other constructions (predicates, parts of a complex sentence, etc.), then commas are placed in accordance with the rules for placing punctuation marks for homogeneous members, in a complex sentence, etc.

Wed: 1. I took the note and, after reading it, put it in my pocket. Single conjunction and connects predicates ( took it and stuck it) and a comma is placed after the conjunction;

2. He stopped, thinking about something, And , turning around sharply, called the sentry. A single conjunction connects two predicates ( stopped and called). Circumstances - participial phrases refer to different predicates ( has stopped , thinking about something; called, turning around sharply ). Therefore, they are separated on both sides by commas from other members of the sentence.

2. Not isolated circumstances expressed by gerunds and participial phrases, in the following cases:

The participial phrase is a phraseological unit:

He worked carelessly; He ran headlong.

Note. Most often the following phraseological units are not distinguished in texts: run headlong, run headlong, work carelessly, work with sleeves rolled up, work tirelessly, sit back, rush with your tongue out, listen with bated breath, scream without taking a breath, lie staring at the ceiling, rush about without remembering yourself, spend the night without closing your eyes, listen with your ears hanging open. But if such a phraseological unit is an introductory word ( in all honesty, to be honest, frankly speaking, in short, apparently), then it is separated by commas, for example: Apparently, he had no intention of helping me; In short, we will have to do everything ourselves.

before the gerund there is an intensifying particle and (not a conjunction!):

You can live and without bragging about your intelligence;

Note!

The participle in modern Russian is never predicate, therefore verb and gerund cannot be homogeneous members!

The gerund is part of a subordinate clause and has the conjunctive word which as its dependent. In this case, a comma only separates the main clause from the subordinate clause, and there is no comma between the gerund and the conjunctive word:

We face the most difficult tasks, without deciding which we will not be able to get out of the crisis;

The participial phrase includes the subject.

In this case, the comma only separates the entire phrase from the predicate, and the subject and the gerund are not separated by a comma. Such constructions are found in poetic texts of the 19th century:

Crow perched on a spruce tree, had breakfast I'm just about ready...(Krylov); compare: Crow, perched on a spruce, got ready to have breakfast;

The participle acts as a homogeneous member with a non-isolated circumstance and is connected with it by the conjunction and:

He walked quickly and without looking around.

3. Not isolated participle constructions and single participles that have lost their verbal meaning. These are the most difficult cases for punctuation analysis. They require special attention to the meaning of the gerund, to the context in which the gerund is used, etc.

Participles and adverbial phrases that have finally lost their verbal meaning, have become adverbs, or have acquired adverbial meaning in a given context are not distinguished:

She looked at me without blinking(it is forbidden: looked and didn't blink); We drove slowly(it is forbidden: we drove and were in no hurry); The train was coming do not stop (it is forbidden: walked and didn't stop); He answered while sitting(it is forbidden: he answered and sat); He walked with his back bent(it is forbidden: he walked and bent).

Such single participles, less often - participle phrases, are usually circumstances of the manner of action (answer questions How? how?), merge with the predicate into one whole, are not separated from the predicate by a pause and most often stand immediately after the predicate:

looked silently, looked smiling, listened with a frown, spoke while yawning, chatted incessantly, sat ruffled, walked bent over, walked stumbling, walked with a limp, walked with his head bowed, wrote with his head bowed, entered without knocking, lived without hiding, spent money without counting and etc.

Often such gerunds can be replaced by adverbs, nouns with and without prepositions.

Wed: He spoke about this smiling. - He spoke about this with a smile; The train was coming do not stop. - The train went without stops.

In all such uses, the gerund indicates not an independent action, but an image of the action expressed by the predicate.

For example, in the sentence: He walked bent over- one action ( walked), and the former gerund ( bent over) indicates a mode of action - a characteristic posture when walking.

If in this context the verbal meaning is preserved, then a single participle or participial phrase is isolated. Usually in this case there are other circumstances with the predicate verb; The participle takes on the meaning of clarification, explanation and is intonationally highlighted.

Wed: He walked without looking back. - He walked hastily, without looking back.

The increase in verbosity in gerunds can be facilitated by the degree of prevalence of gerunds.

Wed: She sat waiting. - She sat waiting for an answer.

Not isolated former gerunds that have lost connection with the verb and have become function words: starting from (meaning “from such and such a time”), proceeding from (meaning “based on”), depending on (meaning “in accordance”) :

Everything has changed since last Monday; The estimate is based on your calculations; Act depending on the circumstances.

However, in other contexts the turns may become isolated:

turns with words starting with are isolated if they are in the nature of clarification, explanation and are not associated with the concept of time:

The word beginning in such contexts cannot be eliminated without damaging the meaning of the sentence;

a phrase with the words proceeding from is isolated if in meaning it correlates with the producer of the action, which can “come from something”:

We have drawn up an estimate based on your calculations (we based on your calculations);

turns with words, depending on the type, are isolated if they have the meaning of clarification or accession:

I had to act carefully, depending on the circumstances (clarification, you can insert “namely”); Vacation can be used to practice various sports, depending on the time of year (joining).

B) Circumstances expressed by nouns

1. Always separate circumstances of the assignment expressed by nouns with prepositions despite, despite. Such phrases can be replaced by subordinate clauses of concession with the conjunction although.

Wed: Despite the rainy summer, the harvest turned out to be excellent(Pochivalin). - Although the summer was rainy, the harvest was excellent; Despite heavy shelling, Fedyuninsky rose to his observation post. - Although the shelling was strong, Fedyuninsky rose to his observation post.

2. Can become isolated circumstances:

reasons with prepositions and prepositional combinations thanks to, as a result of, in view of, for lack of, for the absence of, according to, by virtue of, in connection with, for the reason of, on occasion etc. (can be replaced by a subordinate clause with the conjunction since).

Wed: Savelich, agrees with the coachman's opinion, advised to return. - Since Savelich agreed with the coachman’s opinion, he advised to turn back; Children, due to being young, no positions have been identified(Turgenev). - Since the children were small, they were not assigned any positions;

concessions with prepositions in spite of, with (can be replaced with a subordinate clause with the conjunction although).

Wed: His life despite the gravity of his situation, went easier, more slender than Anatole’s life(Herzen). - Although the situation was difficult, his life was easier, more harmonious than Anatole’s life; Contrary to his instructions, the ships were put out to sea early in the morning(Fedoseev). - Although he gave instructions, the ships were taken out to sea early in the morning.

conditions with prepositions and prepositional combinations if present, if absent, in case etc. (can be replaced by a subordinate clause with the conjunction if).

Wed: workers, in case of refusal, decided to go on strike. - If the workers are refused, they decide to go on strike;

goals with prepositions and prepositional combinations in order to avoid (can be replaced by a subordinate clause with the conjunction so that).

Wed: Money, to avoid delay, translate by telegraph. - To avoid delays, transfer money by telegraph;

comparisons with the conjunction like.

Wed: Nikolai Petrovich was born in the south of Russia, like his older brother Paul (Turgenev).

However, phrases with such prepositions and prepositional combinations may not be isolated.

More often, phrases that are located between the subject and the predicate are isolated:

Savelich, agrees with the coachman's opinion, advised to return.

In addition, isolated phrases are usually common, that is, they contain a noun with dependent words:

Thanks to great weather and especially holiday, the street of the village of Maryinsky came alive again(Grigorovich).

As a rule, the indicated phrases at the end of the sentence are not isolated.

Wed: workers, as directed by the master, headed to the next workshop. - The workers went to the neighboring workshop as directed by the master.

In general, the isolation of phrases with the indicated prepositions and prepositional combinations is optional.

3. Circumstances expressed by nouns, without prepositions or with other prepositions, are isolated only if they acquire additional semantic load, have an explanatory meaning or combine several adverbial meanings (temporary and causal, temporary and concessional, etc.).

For example: Peter, after he received a decisive refusal, went to his room(L. Tolstoy).

In this case, the circumstance combines the meanings of time and reason ( when did you leave? And why did he leave?). Please note that the phrase is expressed by a noun with dependent words and is located between the subject and the predicate.

Note!

Isolated circumstances expressed by nouns are always highlighted intonationally. However, the presence of a pause does not always indicate the presence of a comma. Thus, the circumstances that appear at the beginning of the sentence are always emphasized intonationally.

Wed: I was in St. Petersburg last year; Last year / I was in St. Petersburg.

However, a comma is not placed after such a circumstance!

C) Circumstances expressed by adverbs

Circumstances expressed by adverbs (with dependent words or without dependent words) are isolated only if the author wants to draw attention to them, if they have the meaning of a passing comment, etc.:

A moment later into the yard, unknown where from, a man ran out in a nankeen caftan, with a head as white as snow(Turgenev).

As many people know, the participial phrase has the meaning of an additional predicate, therefore it is isolated and separated by commas. This usually does not cause difficulties for students. However, there are cases when the participial phrase does not need to be isolated. We will now consider these cases in more detail.

1. Participial phrase(most often this is a turn with the meaning of an adverbial manner of action) does not denote an additional action, but on the contrary, being closely connected with the predicate, it itself becomes the semantic center of the statement. In this case, it cannot be removed or moved without distorting or losing the meaning of the sentence.

He stood with his neck slightly craned, sad and thoughtful(the main thing is that he didn’t just stand, but stood with his neck slightly stretched).

She usually read with her head bowed and the tip of her tongue sticking out.(the point is how she read, not what she read at all).

This exercise must be done while sitting on the floor.(the point is exactly how this exercise is performed).

2. The participial phrase is a phraseological unit.

The boy hurried headlong to call the rescuers for help.

The printer worked tirelessly.

After receiving the news, the girl spent the night without closing her eyes.

Here are some of these phraseological units: carelessly, barely taking a breath, scream without taking a breath, rush with your tongue hanging out, lie staring at the ceiling, sit with bated breath, work with your sleeves rolled up, rush around without remembering yourself, listen with your ears hanging open, etc.

Some adverbial phraseological combinations act as introductory ones, then they are isolated.

To be honest, the exercise could have been done much better.

Apparently, you can already hit the road.

3. When there is an intensifying particle I before the participial phrase.

It was possible to report this without starting to quarrel.

A humble person remains humble even after defeating a strong enemy.

You can go home without waiting for the exam result.

4. If the participial phrase is broken by the word included in a subordinate clause or in a simple sentence. This usually applies to subordinate clauses with a conjunctive word which. Also, similar cases can be found in some poetic texts.

There was a door to the left, through which it was possible to get into the dressing room.

Jim Jarmusch's new film was released yesterday, and after watching it it is not difficult to understand his creative growth.

Raven, perched on the spruce tree, was just about ready to have breakfast, but became thoughtful... (I. A. Krylov).

But Shibanov, keeping his slavish loyalty, gives his horse to the governor (A.K. Tolstoy).

5. A gerund may lose its verbal meaning, then it is not separated by commas. Usually in such cases it can be omitted without affecting the meaning of the sentence.

The post office is located not far from Vosstaniya Square.

Universities have been accepting applicants under new rules since the end of last year

You can start the task starting tomorrow(the word starting can be omitted, the structure and meaning of the sentence will not change).

However, if the turn with the word beginning is not associated with the concept of time or serves to clarify, clarify, then it is isolated.

Everything seemed suspicious to us, starting with his intonation

The captain, starting from the Crimean War, participated in all military operations except Japanese(the word starting cannot be omitted, the structure and meaning of the sentence will change).

Revolutions based And depending on in most cases they are not included in the participial construction and are not isolated.

The task is compiled based on your wishes.

We will act according to the circumstances.

6. The participial phrase appears together with the usual non-isolated circumstance and they are homogeneous. In this case, the participial phrase is not separated by commas.

We will teach you how to solve examples and problems with ease and without resorting to reference books.

The boy ran quickly and without looking back.

The second lieutenant answered inwithout embarrassment.

However, in this case, isolation is possible if the author wants to put a semantic emphasis or give a related explanation.

A little guilty and sobbing, mother psaid goodbye to Alyosha.

In the dark sky, tired and not sparkling, yellow droplets of stars appeared (M. Gorky).

As you can see, not everything is simple with punctuation marks in adverbial phrases, but we hope our explanations helped you. If something remains not entirely clear, you will always find help from our tutors!

Good luck to you and a beautiful, competent, understandable Russian language!

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Participial turnover is a participle with dependent words. Like a single gerund, it denotes an additional action and is performed by the same person, object or phenomenon that performs the main action. Always isolated. Answers the question “doing what?” or “having done what?” The action usually refers to the subject, for example: summing up the meeting, the minister congratulated all teachers on the start of the school year.

The participle is an independent part of speech in the Russian language, which denotes an additional action with the main one. This part of speech combines the characteristics of a verb (aspect, voice and reflexivity) and adverbs (immutability, syntactic role of adverbial adverb). Answers questions about what to do? what did you do?

Rule.

When using an adverbial phrase in a sentence, remember that:

1. the main action expressed by a predicate verb and the additional action expressed by a gerund refer to the same person or thing
2. often the participial phrase is used in a one-part definite-personal sentence, including with a verb in the imperative mood (where the subject is easily restored)
3. it is possible to use an adverbial phrase in an impersonal sentence with an infinitive

Sentences with adverbial verbs (examples)

Trap!

The participial phrase cannot be used in the following cases:

if the action expressed by the predicate verb and the action expressed by the gerund refer to different persons (objects):

Jumping off the footboard of the tram, my hat flew off (IMPOSSIBLE, since “a hat cannot jump from a tram”!)

if in an impersonal sentence there is no infinitive to which the adverbial phrase could relate, but there is a combination of a predicate verb with a pronoun or noun as an object.

Looking out the window, I felt sad (IMPOSSIBLE, since there is an addition to me)

if the participial phrase refers to passive participles, because in this case, the subject of the action expressed by the predicate and the subject of the action indicated by the gerund) do not coincide:

Having run away from home, the boy was found (IMPOSSIBLE, since the boy runs away from the house, and other people find him!)

Syntactic norms. Algorithm of actions.

1) In the phrase in bold, find the participle (answers the questions: what by doing? what by doing?)

2) Highlight the basics in each option.

3) If the sentence does not have a subject, try to reconstruct it using the predicate.

4) If it is impossible to restore the subject in a sentence, see if the producer of the action is indicated in the indirect case.

5) Match the subject with the gerund in each option.

6) The option where the subject performs the action of both the gerund and the predicate is correct.

Analysis of the task.

Provide a grammatically correct continuation of the sentence.

Without counting on help,

1) my strength began to leave me.

2) the students completed the task independently.

3) independence is very important.

4) the textbook helps you better cope with difficult material.

Finding the participle: n not counting on help - doing what? without counting.

In each option we will find the grammatical basis:

1) my strength began to leave me.

2) the students completed the task independently.

3) independence very important .

4) the textbook helps you better cope with difficult material.

We correlate the gerund and the subjects by answering the question: who can't count on help? Is not strength, not independence and not a textbook. Only students can cope with the task and not count on help.

Correct answer - option number 2.

Also watch the video if anything is unclear.

Practice.

1. Indicate the grammatically correct continuation of the sentence.

Analyzing Pushkin’s poem “Poltava”,

1) critics noted the abundance of colloquial expressions.

2) its “obvious” disadvantage was considered to be the abundance of colloquial expressions.