The word "undoubtedly": which commas are correct?

Perhaps it would be easier, but not too far-sighted. After all, there are such words as "probably", "unconditionally", "possibly" and many others that cause similar difficulties. And instead of every time you write such words to ask for help from the Internet, it's easier to get acquainted with the rules of punctuation in such cases once and for all. Therefore, let's look at the order, it stands out "undoubtedly" with commas or not.

Punctuation and syntax

Russian punctuation depends primarily on the syntax. To put it in simple terms, punctuation is the rules for placing punctuation marks, and the syntax is what members of a sentence are parts of speech in a particular case.

Accordingly, in order to understand when and how the word "undoubtedly" is allocated by commas, as well as similar words, one must learn to distinguish which function it performs in the sentence.

"Undoubtedly" as part of the proposal

Morphologically the word "undoubtedly" is an adverb (answers to questions: how, how, how much?). In the sentence, it can act as part of a compound predicate:

"He spoke the truth, which was beyond doubt."

Or be part of the definition, amplifying the value of the adjective:

- I would really like to visit this undoubtedly interesting place.

Adverbs also are similar words ending in "but": certainly, naturally, perhaps, probably, obvious, which can also be different members of the sentence.

For example, by the circumstance:

- He loved her unconditionally.

Part of the compound predicate:

"What was possible yesterday, today is not available to him.

- This behavior was for her naturally.

"Undoubtedly" as an introductory word

In Russian, an introductory word is one that is part of a sentence, but it does not consist in a syntactic connection with its members. It gives an assessment on the part of the speaker, serves to express his attitude to the spoken one. This attitude can be very different.

Strong speaker confidence:

"She certainly has great talent."

Some degree of certainty:

"He probably will come later."

A low degree of confidence with a little doubt:

-Can probably not rain today.

How to recognize the opening word

Now let's look at specific methods of how to distinguish the introductory word from the other members of the sentence. The introductory word will always have the following characteristics:

1. The opening word can not be asked from other members of the proposal

- He loved her (how?) Of course. (Circumstance, you can ask a question.)

- In it, of course, there is something strange. (Introductory word, you can not ask a question.)

2. It can easily be replaced by a synonym without changing the meaning

"I will surely help you." "Of course I will help you."

3. The sentence will not be greatly affected if it is removed at all - the emotional component will disappear, but its main meaning will not change, and the structure will not be violated.

"She was certainly right." - She was right. (The meaning is saved.)

"She's right, which was beyond doubt." - She was right, that was. (The sentence is incomplete and incorrect.)

How to select "undoubtedly" with commas

Now, summing up all the above, you can derive a rule from which, "undoubtedly" will be allocated with commas or not. As you can see from the examples, this word, like its equivalent, will always be separated by commas, if they are introductory words. To determine whether the word is introductory or not, we need to use the characteristics from the previous section. They are desirable to remember.

"My old neighbor has not gone outside for a long time. She is undoubtedly sick. (You can not ask a question, you can replace it with synonyms "of course" or "unconditionally", if "undoubtedly" remove, the sentence will remain intact.) Conclusion: this is an introductory word - undoubtedly, commas are needed.)

Introductory word in different parts of the sentence

If "undoubtedly" in the middle of the sentence, commas should be placed on both sides. If "certainly" at the beginning of the sentence - a comma is needed alone. As well as in the case if it is at the end.

"Sure, I'll come tomorrow."

"I will surely come tomorrow."

"I'll come tomorrow, no doubt."

Other cases

Is the "undoubtedly" a comma, if it is not an introductory word? As it was said before - no, if it is a question of allocation. However, this does not negate the fact that the word "undoubtedly" and commas may appear in the sentence side by side. For example, in the case when the union demands it:

"There was no doubt that she would not agree to this adventure."

Exercises for practicing the rule

Since we have thoroughly disassembled this topic, at last I would like to offer a little practice. Perhaps someone will want to consolidate knowledge and test themselves. Below is a small exercise on the rule of isolating introductory words. After the exercise, the keys to it are given.

Arrange the missing punctuation marks.

1. Probably it was his brother - they were very much alike.

2. We for a long time circled through the forest in the dark, struggling through the branches, and of course eventually lost our way.

3. Indeed the sunset was at sea was incomparable.

4. Her unwillingness to contact was obvious.

5. Maxim is certainly a good guy, but painfully snooty.

6. This combination of circumstances was possible.

8. At the end of May, it may become cold.

9. Because of the large amount of precipitation, flooding is possible.

10. The owner of the apartment was obviously of a different opinion.

11. The new work really took him.

12. Were you not truly at the last meeting?

13. We can not risk - this is unquestionable.

14. Over the past few years, she apparently grew fat.

15. He faithfully served the king all his life.

16. She certainly possessed an innate ability for foreign languages.

17. Katerina certainly speaks very correctly.

18. He apparently realized that he said something wrong.

19. The mastery of this skill will take years, which is absolutely certain.

20. That's why it probably does not work for me.

21. The doctor thought clearly not knowing what to say.

22. It is likely that we will not get anything, but it's worth trying.

Keys

1. Probably it was his brother - they were very much alike.

2. We for a long time circled through the forest in the dark, struggling through the branches, and, of course, eventually got lost.

3. Indeed, the sunset was at sea was incomparable.

4. Her unwillingness to contact was obvious.

5. Maxim, of course, the guy is not bad, but painfully snooty.

6. This coincidence was possible.

8. At the end of May, it may become colder.

9. Because of the large amount of precipitation, flooding is possible.

10. The owner of the apartment was obviously of a different opinion.

11. The new work really took him.

12. You, really, were not at the last meeting?

13. We can not risk - this is unquestionable.

14. Over the past few years, she apparently grew fat.

15. He faithfully served the king all his life.

16. Undoubtedly, she possessed an innate ability for foreign languages.

17. Katerina, of course, speaks very correctly.

18. He, apparently, understood that he said something wrong.

19. The mastery of this skill will take years, which is absolutely certain.

20. That's why, probably, and does not come out from me nothing.

21. The doctor pondered, obviously not knowing what to say.

22. It is likely that we will not do anything, but it's worth trying.