Homogeneous definitions: examples. Proposals with homogeneous definitions

Incorrect punctuation is one of the typical mistakes made in written speech. The most complex punctuation rules are usually the setting of commas in sentences where there are heterogeneous or homogeneous definitions. Only a clear understanding of their features and differences helps make the record correct and well readable.

What is a definition?

This is a secondary member of the sentence, denoting the sign, property or quality of the object denoted by the noun. Most often expressed in the name of an adjective ( white scarf ), participle ( running boy ), a pronoun ( our house ), an ordinal number (the second number ) and answers the questions "what?" "whose?". However, it is possible to use the noun ( dress in a cage ) as a definition, a verb in the form of an infinitive (the dream of the possibility of flying ), an adjective at a simple comparative degree (an older girl appeared ), adverbs ( hard-boiled egg ).

What are homogeneous members?

The definition of this concept is given in the syntax and concerns the structure of a simple (or predicative part of a complex) sentence. Homogeneous terms are expressed in words of one part of speech and the same form, depend on the same word. Consequently, they will answer the general question and fulfill the same syntactic function in the sentence. Homogeneous members are linked together by a cohesive or bondless relationship. It should also be noted that it is usually possible to rearrange them as part of the syntactic structure.

Relying on the above rule, it can be said that homogeneous definitions characterize an object on the basis of common (similar) features, qualities. Consider the sentence: " In the garden above their fellow flowers, white, scarlet, burgundy buds of roses that have not yet blossomed proudly rose ." The homogeneous definitions used in it denote color, and therefore characterize the subject by the same sign. Or another example: " Soon, low, heavy clouds loomed over the heat-hanging city ." In this sentence, one feature is logically related to the other.

Uneven and homogeneous definitions: distinctive features

This question often causes difficulties. To understand the material, let us examine in more detail what are the characteristics of each group of definitions.

These are the main features, knowledge of which makes it possible to easily distinguish between sentences with homogeneous definitions and non-homogeneous ones. So, correctly place punctuation marks.

In addition, performing the syntactic and punctuation analysis of the sentence, you need to remember the following important points.

Definitions that are always homogeneous

1. The adjacent adjectives characterize the subject according to one characteristic: size, color, geographical location, evaluation, sensations, etc. " In the bookstore Zahar in advance purchased directories on German, Italian, French culture ."
2. The group of synonyms used in the sentence: they call the same attribute in different ways. " From early morning, everyone in the house was in a cheerful, festive mood, caused by yesterday's news ."
3. Definitions after the noun, with the exception of terms such as the clamshell grapple. For example, in A. Pushkin in the poem we find: " On the road of winter, the boring troika runs the greyhound ". In this case, each of the adjectives refers directly to the noun, while each definition logically stands out.
4. Homogeneous members of the sentence are a semantic gradation, i.e. Indication of the sign on the rise. " Sisters, embraced by a joyful, festive, radiant mood, could no longer hide emotions ."
5. Uncoordinated definitions. For example: " A tall man entered the room in a warm sweater, with shining eyes, a bewitching smile ."

The combination of a single adjective and participial turnover

We must also stop at the next group of definitions. These are the adjectives and participial turn applied to a single noun. Here punctuation design depends on the position of the latter.

Homogeneous almost always are definitions that correspond to the "single adjective + participial turnover" scheme. For example, " In the distance were seen the dark mountains rising above the forest ." However, if the participial turn is used before the adjective and refers not to the noun but to the entire combination, the rule "punctuation marks with homogeneous definitions" does not work. For example, " Yellow leaves, floating in the autumn air, smoothly dropped to the humid earth ."

One more thing needs to be considered. Consider this example: " In the midst of thick, darkened twilight, spreading fir-trees, it was difficult to see a narrow path laid to the lake ." This proposal with isolated homogeneous definitions, expressed participial turnovers. And the first of them is located between two single adjectives and clarifies the meaning of the word "thick". Therefore, according to the rules for the registration of homogeneous members, the letter is marked with punctuation marks.

Cases where a comma is optional, but preferable

1. Homogeneous definitions (examples of which can often be found in fiction) denote different, but usually accompanying, causal features. For example, " At night, (you can insert BECOME) deserted streets, you can clearly see long shadows from trees and lanterns ." Another example: " Suddenly, before the ear of the old man, deafening, (BEC) terrible thunderbolts were heard ".
2. Proposals with epithets that give a diverse description of the subject. For example, " And now, looking at Luzhin's big, pale face, she ... was filled ... with pity " (V. Nabokov). Or in A. Chekhov: " There was a rainy, dirty, dark autumn ."
3. When using adjectives in a figurative sense (close to epithets): "The great, fish eyes of Timothy were sad and looked straight ahead ."

Similar homogeneous definitions - examples of this show - are an excellent means of expressiveness in an artwork. With their help writers and poets emphasize certain significant details in the description of the subject (person).

Exceptional cases

Sometimes in speech one can meet sentences with homogeneous definitions, expressed by a combination of qualitative and relative adjectives. For example, " Until recently, old, low houses stood in this place, but now new, tall ones ". As this example shows, in this case there are two groups of definitions pertaining to one noun, but having the opposite meaning.

Another case relates to definitions related to each other by explanatory relations. " Very different sounds, strange to the boy, were heard from an open window ." In this sentence, after the first definition, the words "namely", "that is", will be appropriate.

Rules of punctuation

Here everything depends on how homogeneous definitions are related to each other. Commas are placed in connection with bondless communication. Example: " On the porch sat a low, wrinkled, hunchbacked old woman on the chair, silently pointing to the open door ." In the presence of creative unions ("as a rule", "and") punctuation marks are not needed. "The women in white and blue homespun shirts peered into the distance, hoping to know the rider approaching them ." Thus, these clauses are subject to punctuation rules applicable to all syntactic constructions with homogeneous terms.

If the definitions are not homogeneous (their examples are considered in the table), a comma between them is not put. Exceptions are sentences with combinations that allow a double interpretation. For example, " After much debate and reflection, it was decided to resort to other proven methods ." In this case everything depends on the meaning of the sacrament. The comma is put, if before the word "verified" can be inserted "viz."

Conclusion

An analysis of all of the above leads to the conclusion that punctuation literacy depends more on the knowledge of specific theoretical material on syntax: what is the definition, homogeneous terms of the sentence.