The section of the science of our language devoted to the structure of sentences is fraught with a lot of interesting things, and syntactic analysis can be a fascinating activity for those who are well versed in the rules of the Russian language. Today we will touch on the syntax and punctuation of a complex sentence, in particular the case when there is not one subordinate clause, but several. What types of subordination are there and why is a sentence with parallel subordination of subordinate clauses interesting? First things first.
Complex sentence and its parts
A complex sentence (S/P) is a complex sentence in which one can distinguish the main part (it carries the main semantic load) and the subordinate part (it is dependent on the main part, you can ask a question about it). There can be two or more subordinate parts, and they can be attached to the main, main part in different ways. There are consistent, homogeneous, heterogeneous, parallel subordination subordinate clauses. To find out the type of subordination, you need to pay attention to whether the dependent parts answer the same question or to different ones, whether they refer to the same word in the main part or to different ones. We will consider the material in more detail in the next section.
Types of subordination of subordinate clauses
So, there are four types of subordination.
- Sequential subordination - subordinate parts depend sequentially on each other, and one of them depends on the main one. I know (about what?), what to do (for what?) to get to (where?) where I need to go.
- Homogeneous - subordinate parts respond to same question and refer to the same word. I asked (about what?) what time it was, where we were and how to get to the airport. This sentence has three subordinate (dependent) parts, all of them relate to the word “asked” and answer the question “about what?”
- Heterogeneous subordination - subordinate clauses also refer to the same word, but different questions are asked to them. I have to go to this city (why should I?) to accomplish everything I have planned, (why should I?) because there are a lot of things to do.
- Parallel subordination of subordinate clauses - dependent parts refer to different words of the main sentence and answer completely different questions. (For what?) To catch the train, I have to leave home early for the train station (which one?), which is located in another part of the city.
Parallel subordination of subordinate clauses
What's the difference between various types subordination, we found out. By the way, in some sources, heterogeneous parallel subordination of subordinate clauses is distinguished as one type. This occurs because in both cases the questions to the dependent parts are posed differently.
If the sentence is complex with parallel subordination of subordinate clauses, then most often one dependent part is located before the main one, and the second - after.
You need to highlight the main, main part of the sentence, determine the number of subordinate clauses and ask questions about them. Only in this way will we be convinced that what we have before us is truly a parallel subordination of subordinate clauses. If the questions are different, and we ask them from different words, then the subordination is truly parallel. When I went outside, I suddenly remembered that a long time ago I was going to visit my friend. In this sentence from the predicate of the main part "remembered" we ask a question "When?" to the first subordinate clause, and from the complement "About" ask a question "about what?"to the second. So, in in this case a parallel method of subordination is used.
It is necessary to be able to determine the boundaries of the parts of a sentence and correctly ask questions from the main part in order not to make mistakes when placing punctuation marks. We remember that subordinate clauses are separated from the main clause by commas, which are placed before the conjunction or allied word connecting the parts of a complex sentence.
Let's sum it up
Parallel subordination of subordinate clauses is one of four types of subordination in the Russian language. To determine the type of subordination, you need to select simple sentences as part of a complex subordination, determine the main part and ask questions from it to the dependent ones. If the question is the same, then this is homogeneous subordination, if different from the same word - heterogeneous, if unequal questions from different words - parallel, and if the question can be asked only to one subordinate clause, and from it to another, and so on, then What we have before us is consistent subordination.
Be literate!
In a complex sentence, hereinafter referred to as SPP, all subordinate parts can relate directly to the entire main sentence or to one of its members. In this case, they indicate the homogeneous subordination of dependent clauses. With homogeneous subordination, we indicate its main features:
- all subordinate clauses refer to the main clause or to the same word in the main clause;
- the clauses have the same meaning and answer the same question, that is, they are clauses of the same type;
- connected by coordinating conjunctions or non-unionally;
- pronounced with enumerative intonation,
for example:
It is unknown where she lived (1), who she was (2), why her portrait was made by a Roman artist (3) and what she thought so sadly about (4).
Unknown (what?). To all subordinate clauses, regardless of the fact that they are attached by different allied words ( where, who, why, what about), let's ask the same question: What? In this SPP there is a cascade of explanatory clauses, which depend on one word in the main part - a predicate impersonal sentence expressed by a predicative adverb. Consequently, this is an SPP with homogeneous subordination of subordinate clauses.
, (where...), (who...), (why...) and (about what...).
Between subordinate sentences with listing, as in the example given, commas are placed, except for the last two subordinate sentences. If a non-repeating connecting or disjunctive conjunction is used between homogeneous subordinate clauses ( and, or, either), then the comma is not placed, for example:
We understood that it was already late and that we had to hurry home.
Linear proposal diagram:
, (what...) and (what...).
Examples of sentences with homogeneous subordination of subordinate clauses
I understood that I was lying in bed, that I was sick, that I had just been delirious (A. Kuprin).
In the spring, the oriole appears late, when the groves are already covered with leaves and all the songbirds have arrived long ago (I. Sokolov-Mikitov).
The aunt interestingly told that her first husband was the Persian consul and that she lived with him for some time in Tehran (F. Iskander).
Since the birch trees were dressed up and various grasses with spikelets and cones and necks of different colors grew under them, a lot, a lot of water has flowed from the stream (M. Prishvin).
In the morning, the grandmother complained that all the apples in the garden had been knocked down at night and one old plum had broken (A. Chekhov).
Subordinate clauses that relate to the entire main sentence (time, assignment, reason, conditions, etc.) or to one of its members (definitive, explanatory, measures and degrees, place, manner of action) can be heterogeneous, that is, different in value and belong to different types, for example:
When the fishermen gathered (1), Ivan Ivanovich, in his own way, somehow deduced that by the evening the wind would drive the ice away at noon (2) (M. Prishvin).
Two subordinate clauses depend on the main clause:
- one - subordinate tense ( when the fishermen gathered);
- the second is an explanatory clause ( that by the evening the wind will drive the ice at noon).
Linear proposal diagram:
(When that…).
Examples of sentences with parallel subordinate clauses
But although they were neighbors all their lives, Ulya never saw Anatoly outside of school and Komsomol meetings, where he often gave presentations (A. Fadeev).
As soon as the heat subsided, the forest began to get cold and dark so quickly that I didn’t want to stay in it (I. Turgenev).
When I have a new book in my hands, I feel that something new, speaking, wonderful has entered my life (M. Gorky).
The river along which we walked kept turning sharply, so that its glittering mirror rested in the distance either on thickets of willow trees or on a sandy cliff (V. Soloukhin).
When I look closely, it even seems to me that I am beginning to see hundreds, thousands of kilometers around (M. Bubennov).
In early spring, as soon as the snow melts, the field where winter rye was sown is covered with lush greenery (L. Leonov).
Sentences with sequential subordination
About complex sentences with sequential subordination in detail with examples we're talking about in this article.
Let us give more examples of sentences with sequential subordination of subordinate clauses.
The time for our journey has expired, although we managed to cover only half of what we had planned (V. Soloukhin).
Everything is available to a person in this life, if only he desires it passionately, so passionately that he doesn’t feel sorry for life itself (L. Leonov).
There is a known knot on the trunk on which you place your foot when you want to climb an apple tree (V. Soloukhin).
If every person on a piece of his land did everything he could, how beautiful our land would be (A. Chekhov).
And everything connected with it is studied in the school Russian language course, and is also included in the examination paper.
Options for subordinating dependent parts (including sequential subordination of subordinate clauses) will be discussed below.
Complex sentence: types of subordinate clauses
A complex sentence is a sentence where there are two or more grammar basics, one of which is the main one, the rest are dependent. For example, the fire went out(main part), when morning came(dependent part). Subordinate, or dependent, clauses can be different types, it all depends on the question that is asked from the main clause to the dependent one. Yes, when asked Which the dependent part is considered definitive: the forest (which one?) in which we walked has thinned out. If a question of circumstance is attached to the dependent part, then the subordinate part is defined as adverbial. Finally, if the question is to the dependent part - one of the questions indirect cases, then the subordinate clause is called explanatory.
Complex sentence: several subordinate clauses
Often in texts and exercises there are several subordinate clauses. At the same time, not only the subordinate clauses themselves can be different, but also the way they are subordinated to the main sentence or to each other.
| Name | Description | Example |
| Parallel subordination | The main clause includes dependent parts of different types. | When the ice broke, fishing began, which the men had been waiting for all winter.(Main sentence: fishing began. First adverbial clause: started (when?); second clause attribute: fishing (what kind?). |
| Homogeneous Subordination | The main clause includes dependent parts of the same type. | Everyone knows how BAM was built and how dearly the people paid for it.(Main sentence: everybody knows. It includes both subordinate explanatory clauses: how BAM was built And how dearly the people paid for it. Subordinate clauses are homogeneous, since they refer to a single word - it is known one question is asked to them: it is known that?) |
| Consistent submission | The main clause includes one subordinate clause, on which other subordinate clauses depend. | He guessed that they didn't like the movie they saw.(From main sentence he guessed one clause depends: that they didn't like the film. Another thing depends on the subordinate clause related to the main clause: which they watched. |
Determining parallel, homogeneous, sequential subordination of subordinate clauses is a task that causes difficulties for students. When solving this question, you must first find the main sentence, and then, by asking questions from it, determine the nature of the subordination.
Subordination and sequential subordination
In complex sentences, in which there are several predicative stems, there may be subordination of subordinate clauses. Subordinate clauses are subordinate clauses that depend on a single main clause. Consecutive subordination is different from subordination. The fact is that in complex sentences with sequential subordination, not all subordinate clauses depend on the main clause, that is, there is no subordination in them.
It is not an easy task to determine the types of subordinate clauses, especially in sentences with sequential subordination. The question is how to find consistent subordination of subordinate clauses.
- Read the proposal carefully.
- Highlight grammatical basics.
- Determine whether the sentence is complex. In other words, find out whether there is a main and dependent parts, or parts complex sentence equal rights.
- Identify subordinate clauses that relate directly to the main clause.
- The subordinate part, which is not related in meaning to the main sentence, will refer to another part, dependent on the main sentence. This is the sequential subordination of subordinate clauses.
By following this algorithm, you can quickly find the sentence specified in the task.
The main thing is to know the answer to the question, sequential subordination of subordinate clauses - what is it? This is a complex sentence, where a subordinate clause depends on the main clause, which is the main one for another subordinate clause.
Sentence structure with sequential subordination of subordinate clauses
The most interesting structurally is a complex sentence with sequential subordination of subordinate clauses. A chain of interdependent clauses can be located both outside the main clause and inside it.
The day they spent in the sunny city, where there are many historical monuments, will be remembered forever.
Here is the main offer they will remember the day forever encircles subordinate clauses connected to each other. The subordinate clause depends on the main clause which they spent in the sunny city. This subordinate clause is the main one for the subordinate clause where there are many historical monuments. Therefore, this is a sequential subordination of clauses. In another sentence He saw the owner scolding his cat for catching a chicken the main clause is located outside the subordinate clauses.
Examples of sequential subordination of subordinate clauses
Consistent subordination of subordinate parts is used as in colloquial speech, and in writing. Such sentences are found in works fiction. For example, A.S. Pushkin: Natalya Gavrilovna was famous at the assemblies for being the best dancer, which was... the reason for the misconduct of Korsakov, who came the next day to apologize to Gavrilo Afanasyevich; at L.N. Tolstoy: I remembered how once he thought that his husband had found out and was preparing for a duel... in which he intended to shoot into the air; from I.A Bunin: And when I looked up, it seemed to me again... that this silence was a mystery, part of what is beyond the knowable.
The section of the science of our language devoted to the structure of sentences is fraught with a lot of interesting things, and syntactic analysis can be a fascinating activity for those who are well versed in the rules of the Russian language. Today we will touch on the syntax and punctuation of a complex sentence, in particular the case when there is not one subordinate clause, but several. What types of subordination are there and why is a sentence with parallel subordination of subordinate clauses interesting? First things first.
Complex sentence and its parts
A complex sentence (S/P) is a complex sentence in which one can distinguish the main part (it carries the main semantic load) and the subordinate part (it is dependent on the main part, you can ask a question about it). There can be two or more subordinate parts, and they can be attached to the main, main part in different ways. There are sequential, homogeneous, heterogeneous, parallel subordination of subordinate clauses. To find out the type of subordination, you need to pay attention to whether the dependent parts answer the same question or to different ones, whether they refer to the same word in the main part or to different ones. We will consider the material in more detail in the next section.
Types of subordination of subordinate clauses
So, there are four types of subordination.
- Sequential subordination - subordinate parts depend sequentially on each other, and one of them depends on the main one. I know (about what?), what to do (for what?) to get to (where?) where I need to go.
- Homogeneous - subordinate clauses answer the same question and refer to the same word. I asked (about what?) what time it was, where we were and how to get to the airport. This sentence has three subordinate (dependent) parts, all of them relate to the word “asked” and answer the question “about what?”
- Heterogeneous subordination - subordinate clauses also refer to the same word, but different questions are asked to them. I have to go to this city (why should I?) to accomplish everything I have planned, (why should I?) because there are a lot of things to do.
- Parallel subordination of subordinate clauses - dependent parts refer to different words of the main sentence and answer completely different questions. (For what?) To catch the train, I have to leave home early for the train station (which one?), which is located in another part of the city.
Parallel subordination of subordinate clauses
We found out what is the difference between different types of submission. By the way, in some sources, heterogeneous parallel subordination of subordinate clauses is distinguished as one type. This occurs because in both cases the questions to the dependent parts are posed differently.
If the sentence is complex with parallel subordination of subordinate clauses, then most often one dependent part is located before the main one, and the second - after.
You need to highlight the main, main part of the sentence, determine the number of subordinate clauses and ask questions about them. Only in this way will we be convinced that what we have before us is truly a parallel subordination of subordinate clauses. If the questions are different, and we ask them from different words, then the subordination is truly parallel. When I went outside, I suddenly remembered that a long time ago I was going to visit my friend. In this sentence from the predicate of the main part "remembered" we ask a question "When?" to the first subordinate clause, and from the complement "About" ask a question "about what?"to the second. This means that in this case a parallel method of subordination is used.
It is necessary to be able to determine the boundaries of the parts of a sentence and correctly ask questions from the main part in order not to make mistakes when placing punctuation marks. We remember that subordinate clauses are separated from the main clause by commas, which are placed before the conjunction or allied word connecting the parts of a complex sentence.
Let's sum it up
Parallel subordination of subordinate clauses is one of four types of subordination in the Russian language. To determine the type of subordination, you need to select simple sentences as part of a complex subordination, determine the main part and ask questions from it to the dependent ones. If the question is the same, then this is homogeneous subordination, if different from the same word - heterogeneous, if unequal questions from different words - parallel, and if the question can be asked only to one subordinate clause, and from it to another, and so on, then What we have before us is consistent subordination.
Be literate!
There does not have to be one subordinate clause in an IPP. There may be several of them. Then it is worth considering all the options for what kind of relationship develops between subordinate clauses and the main one.
It is also worth clarifying that the scheme of a complex sentence can be not only linear ( horizontal), as in the examples above. Flowcharts ( vertical).
So, for several subordinate clauses the following cases are possible:
Homogeneous submission. All subordinate clauses refer to the main thing (or to some word in its composition). In addition, they answer one question. And subordinate clauses are connected to each other according to the same principle as homogeneous members of a sentence.
The children stamped their feet with impatience and couldn’t wait until it was time to set off, when they would finally see the sea, when everyone could run around along the shore to their heart’s content.
Parallel subordination. All subordinate clauses refer to the main clause. But they answer different questions.
When it was her turn to choose, Olya took the box that came to her hand first.
Consistent submission. One subordinate clause is attached to the main clause (it is called a subordinate clause of the first degree). Another subordinate clause, of the second degree, is added to the subordinate clause of the first degree. By the way, with this type of subordination one subordinate clause can be included in another.
The guys decided that they would all cope with it themselves. challenging task, which Misha courageously decided to put on his shoulders.
Scheme for parsing a complex sentence
A reasonable question may arise as to why all these NGN schemes are needed. They have at least one practical purpose - an obligatory part of the syntactic parsing of a complex sentence is the compilation of its diagram.
In addition, the diagram of a complex sentence will help to correctly analyze it for parsing.
SPP parsing diagram includes the following task items:
Determine whether the sentence is based on the purpose of the statement: narrative, interrogative or motivating.
What - according to emotional coloring: exclamatory or non-exclamatory.
To prove that a sentence is complex, you need to define and indicate the grammatical basics.
Indicate what type of connection between parts of a complex sentence is present: conjunction, intonation.
Indicate the type of complex sentence: complex sentence.
Indicate how much simple sentences is part of the complex, by what means are subordinate clauses attached to the main one.
Label the main and subordinate parts. In the case of a complex sentence with several subordinate clauses, they should be designated by numbers (degrees of subordination).
Indicate which word in the main sentence (or the entire sentence) is associated with the subordinate clause.
Note the way of connecting the predicative parts of a complex sentence: a conjunction or a conjunctive word.
If there are any, indicate indicative words in the main part.
Indicate the type of subordinate clause: explanatory, attributive, connecting, adverbial.
And finally, draw up a diagram of a complex sentence.
Complex sentences may have not one, but several subordinate clauses.
Complex sentences with two or more subordinate clauses are of two main types:
1) all subordinate clauses are attached directly to the main clause;
2) the first subordinate clause is attached to the main clause, the second - to the first subordinate clause, etc.
I. Subordinate clauses that are attached directly to the main clause can be homogeneous and heterogeneous.
1. Complex sentences with homogeneous subordination subordinate clauses.
With this subordination, all subordinate clauses refer to one word in the main clause or to the entire main clause, answer the same question and belong to the same type of subordinate clause. Homogeneous subordinate clauses can be connected with each other by coordinating conjunctions or without conjunctions (only with the help of intonation). Connections of homogeneous subordinate clauses with the main clause and among themselves resemble connections homogeneous members offers.
For example:
[I came to you with greetings, to tell you], (that the sun has risen), (that it fluttered with hot light across the sheets). (A. Fet.)
[That, (who lives real life), (who has been accustomed to poetry since childhood),forever believes in the life-giving, full of reason Russian language]. (N. Zabolotsky.)
[At the end of May, the young bear was drawn to her native place], (where she was born) And ( where the months of childhood were so memorable).
In a complex sentence with homogeneous subordination the second subordinate clause may lack a subordinating conjunction.
For example: ( If there is water) And ( there won't be a single fish in it), [I won't trust the water]. (M. Prishvin.) [ Let's shudder], (if suddenly a bird flies up) or ( an elk will trumpet in the distance). (Yu. Drunina.)
2. Complex sentences with heterogeneous subordination subordinate clauses (or with parallel subordination). With this subordination, subordinate clauses include:
a) to different words of the main sentence or one part to the entire main sentence, and the other to one of its words;
b) to one word or to the entire main sentence, but answer different questions and are different types subordinate clauses.
For example: ( When in my hands A new book ), [I feel], (that something living, speaking, wonderful came into my life). (M. Gorky.)
(If we turn to the best examples prose), [then we'll make sure], (that they are full of true poetry). (K. Paustovsky.)
[From the world (which is called children's), the door leads into space], (where they have lunch and tea) (Chekhov).
II. Complex sentences with sequential subordination of subordinate clauses.
This type of complex sentences with two or more subordinate clauses includes those in which the subordinate clauses form a chain: the first subordinate clause refers to the main clause (clause of the 1st degree), the second subordinate clause refers to the subordinate clause of the 1st degree (clause of the 2nd degree) etc.
For example: [ The young Cossacks rode vaguely and held back their tears.], (because they were afraid of their father), (who was also somewhat embarrassed), (although I tried not to show it). (N. Gogol)
The specificity of subordinate parts is that each of them is subordinate in relation to the previous one and main in relation to the following one.
For example: Often in the fall I closely watched the falling leaves to catch that imperceptible split second when the leaf separates from the branch and begins to fall to the ground(Paustovsky).
With sequential subordination, one clause can be inside another; in this case, there may be two subordinating conjunctions nearby: what and if, what and when, what and since, etc.
For example: [ The water came down so scary], (What, (when the soldiers ran below), raging streams were already flying after them) (M. Bulgakov).
There are also complex sentences with a combined type of subordination of subordinate clauses.
For example: ( When the chaise left the yard), [he (Chichikov) looked back and saw], (that Sobakevich was still standing on the porch and, it seemed, was looking closely, wanting to find out), (where will the guest go). (Gogol)
This is a complex sentence with parallel and sequential subordination of subordinate clauses.
Punctuation marks in a complex sentence with several subordinate clauses
A comma is placed between homogeneous subordinate clauses not connected by coordinating conjunctions.
For example: I realized that I was lying in bed , that I'm sick , that I was only delirious.(Cupr.)
I envy those who spent their lives in battle , who defended a great idea.(EU)
We remember the great hour when the guns fell silent for the first time , when all the people met victory both in the cities and in every village.(Isak.)
Comma not placed between homogeneous subordinate clauses connected by a single connecting conjunction (regardless of whether there is a subordinating conjunction or a conjunctive word with both subordinate clauses or only with the first).
For example: I believe that nothing passes without a trace and that every smallest step we take matters for our present and future life.(Ch.)
The militia brought Prince Andrei to the forest where the trucks were parked and where there was a dressing station.(L.T.)
When the rain began to fall and everything around sparkled, we followed the path... came out of the forest.(M.P.).
When repeated coordinating conjunctions A comma is placed between subordinate clauses.
For example: Everyone found out that the lady had arrived, and that Kapitonich let her in , and that she is now in the nursery...(L.T.).
Unions either... or when connecting predicative parts of a complex sentence, they are considered repeating, and homogeneous subordinate clauses are separated by a comma, which is placed before or.
For example: Whether there were weddings in the city, or someone cheerfully celebrating name days, Pyotr Mikhailovich always talked about it with pleasure.(Writing).
In case of heterogeneous subordination, subordinate clauses are separated or separated by commas.
For example: As soon as the heat passed, the forest began to get cold and dark so quickly that I didn’t want to stay in it.(T.)
Anyone who has not experienced the excitement of the barely audible breathing of a sleeping young woman will not understand what tenderness is. (Paust.).
With sequential and mixed subordination, a comma is placed between subordinate clauses according to the same rules as between the main and subordinate clause.
For example: If only our wanderers could be under their own roof , if only they could know , what happened to Grisha.(Necr.)
Helen smiled with such a look , who spoke , that she did not allow the possibility , so that anyone can see her and not be admired.(L.T.)
Any , who in life fought for the happiness of being yourself , knows , that the strength and success of this struggle depend on confidence , with which the seeker goes to the goal(M.P.)
A comma is placed between two adjacent subordinating conjunctions or between a conjunctive word and a subordinating conjunction, as well as when a coordinating and subordinating conjunctions, if the internal clause is not followed by the second part of the double conjunction this or that.
For example: The bear fell in love with Nikita so much that , When he went somewhere, the animal anxiously sniffed the air.(M.G.)
We were warned that , If If the weather is bad, the excursion will not take place.
The night is over and , When the sun rose, all nature came to life.
The removal of the second (internal) part here does not require the restructuring of the first subordinate part.
If the subordinate clause is followed by the second part of a complex conjunction then, so, then a comma is not placed between the preceding two conjunctions.
For example: The blind man knew that the sun was looking into the room and that if he stretched his hand out the window, dew would fall from the bushes.(Cor.)
I thought that if at this decisive moment I did not out-argue the old man, then later it would be difficult for me to free myself from his tutelage.(P.).
Removing or rearranging the subordinate clause (if he reaches out his hand through the window and if at this decisive moment I don’t argue with the old man) is impossible, since parts of the double conjunction something will be nearby.
Dash in a complex sentence
Between the subordinate part (group of subordinate clauses) and the subsequent main part of the sentence Maybeput a dash , if a subordinate clause or a group of subordinate clauses preceding the main clause is pronounced with logical emphasis on an informatively important word and with a deep pause before the main part (usually this is how subordinate explanatory clauses are distinguished, less often - conditional, concessive, etc.).
For example: Where did Nelidova go?- Natasha didn’t know(Paust.); And if you look at them for a long time– the rocks began to move and crumble(Ast.); Did he call them, did they come on their own?– Nejdanov never found out...(T.).
A dash is placed also between the subordinate and main parts in similarly constructed parallel complex sentences.
For example: He who is cheerful laughs, he who wants will achieve it, he who seeks will always find!(OK.).
A dash is placed after the subordinate clause standing before the main clause, if it contains the words this, here, and also if the subordinate clause is an incomplete sentence.
For example: That she is an honest person is clear to me.(T.)
What he found in her is his business.
Where is he now, what is he doing - these are the questions that I could not answer.
I answered something that - I don’t know myself(compare full - what did I answer).
A dash is placed between subordinate clauses in the absence of an adversative conjunction or the second part of a comparative conjunction between them.
For example: Artistry is so that every word is not only in place - so that it is necessary, inevitable and so that there are as few words as possible(Black).
A dash is placed to clarify the nature of the subordinate clause.
For example: Only once did she perk up - when Mika told her that ditties were sung at yesterday's wedding.(R. Zernova)
A dash is placed to enhance the interrogative nature of the sentence while emphasizing the unusual location of the subordinate part before the main one or the intonation separation of the main part from the subsequent subordinate clause.
For example: What is influence?- You know?; Are you sure – is this necessary?
A dash is also placed when there are an abundance of commas, against which the dash acts as a more expressive sign.
For example: But we gained experience , and for the experience , as the saying goes , no matter how much you pay, you won’t overpay.
Comma and dash in a complex sentence
Comma And dash as a single punctuation mark, they are placed in a complex sentence before the main part, which is preceded by a number of homogeneous subordinate parts, if the breakdown of the complex sentence into two parts with a long pause before the main part is emphasized.
For example: Wherever I am, whatever I try to have fun with , – all my thoughts were occupied with the image of Olesya.(Cupr.)
Who is to blame and who is right? , - It’s not for us to judge.(Kr.)
The same sign is also placed before a word repeated in the same part of a sentence in order to connect with it a new sentence or the next part of the same sentence.
For example: I knew very well that it was my husband, not some new person unknown to me, but a good man , - my husband, whom I knew as myself.(L.T.)
And the idea that he can be guided by this interest, that in order to sell this forest he will seek reconciliation with his wife , – this thought offended him.(L.T.)
A dash is placed after the closing comma subordinate clause, including before the word this.
For example: The best he could do , - leave on time; The only thing I like here , - This is an old shady park.
Syntactic analysis of a complex sentence with several subordinate clauses
Parsing scheme complex sentence with several subordinate clauses
1. Determine the type of sentence according to the purpose of the statement (narrative, interrogative, incentive).
2. Indicate the type of sentence based on emotional coloring (exclamatory or non-exclamatory).
3. Determine the main and subordinate clauses, find their boundaries.
4. Draw up a sentence diagram: ask (if possible) questions from the main to the subordinate clauses, indicate in the main word on which the subordinate clause depends (if it is a verb), characterize the means of communication (conjunctions or allied words), determine the types of subordinate clauses (definitive, explanatory and etc.).
5. Determine the type of subordination of subordinate clauses (homogeneous, parallel, sequential).
Sample analysis of a complex sentence with several subordinate clauses
1) [Look at the pale green sky strewn with stars,(on which there is neither a cloud nor a spot),and you will understand], (why summer warm air immovable), (Why nature on guard) (A. Chekhov).
[...noun, ( on which…), And verb], ( Why…), (Why…).
(Declarative, non-exclamative, complex, complex with three subordinate clauses, with parallel and homogeneous subordination: 1st subordinate clause - attributive clause (clause depends on the noun sky, answers the question which on which); 2nd and 3rd subordinate clauses - explanatory clauses (depending on the verb you'll understand, answer the question What?, are joined by the conjunction word why)).
2) [Any Human knows], (what should he do?, (what separates him from people), otherwise), (what connects him to them) (L. Tolstoy).
[...verb], ( What…., (What…), otherwise), (What…).
(Declarative, non-exclamative, complex, complex with three subordinate clauses, with sequential and parallel subordination: 1st subordinate clause - explanatory clause (depending on the verb knows, answers the question What?, joins by union What), 2nd and 3rd clauses - pronominal clauses (each of them depends on the pronoun That, answers the question which (That)?, is added by a conjunctive word What).
