CLASS 10 · LEARNING KNOWLEDGE
Final preparation: Sentence linking and punctuation in Russian
How it works
In the Russian language, sentence linkers (conjunctions, particles, adverbs) and correct punctuation are crucial for textual cohesion. Conjunctions such as ‹и›, ‹но›, ‹потому что› and ‹если› connect parts of sentences and clauses. Commas are used, for example, before ‹но› as well as before subordinate clauses with ‹что›. In direct speech, there are various basic patterns, for example ‹«Я приду позже», — сказал он.› and ‹Он сказал: «Я приду позже».›.
Note
In Russian, a comma stands between the main clause and the subordinate clause, often before conjunctions such as ‹что›, ‹когда› and ‹если›. Before ‹и› there is no comma when only two equivalent sentence parts or two predicates with the same subject are connected, but a comma usually stands when ‹и› connects two independent clauses, each with its own grammatical basis. In lists, a comma stands between the elements, except before the final ‹и›. In direct speech, after introductory accompanying words there is usually a colon: ‹Мама сказала: «Пора обедать».› If the accompanying words follow, a dash stands before them: ‹«Пора обедать», — сказала мама.›
In Russian, a comma stands between the main clause and the subordinate clause, often before conjunctions such as ‹что›, ‹когда› and ‹если›. Before ‹и› there is no comma when only two equivalent sentence parts or two predicates with the same subject are connected, but a comma usually stands when ‹и› connects two independent clauses, each with its own grammatical basis. In lists, a comma stands between the elements, except before the final ‹и›. In direct speech, after introductory accompanying words there is usually a colon: ‹Мама сказала: «Пора обедать».› If the accompanying words follow, a dash stands before them: ‹«Пора обедать», — сказала мама.›
An example
Choose the correct punctuation: ‹Я пошёл в магазин и купил хлеб.›
No comma, because ‹и› connects two predicates with the same subject here: ‹Я пошёл в магазин и купил хлеб.›
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50 Exercises
To the learning unit →Own explanation and own practice exercises by AmyMath. Subject reference framework: Russian. The topic assignment may vary by federal state.