Complex sentences with several subordinate clauses can be divided into three main groups: with homogeneous, heterogeneous (parallel) and sequential subordination.
1. Complex sentences with homogeneous subordination:
all subordinate clauses refer to the same main sentence or to the same word in the main sentence (if the subordinate clauses do not extend the entire main sentence, but one of its words);
subordinate clauses answer the same question, that is, they are subordinate clauses of the same type;
subordinate clauses are connected with each other using coordinating conjunctions or without conjunctions (with the meaning of enumeration), just as homogeneous members are connected with each other.
The boys, quiet, looked after the truck, / 1 until he drove past the intersection, / 2 until the dust he raised cleared away, / 3 until he himself became a cloud of dust/ 4 (Zhukhovitsky).
1 , (Bye- conjunction) 2, ( Bye- conjunction) 3 , ( Bye- union 4.
Complex sentence; consists of four simple sentences; the first is the main thing, the rest are subordinate clauses. Subordinate clauses refer to the same main clause and answer the same question - until when?
Each subordinate clause is associated with the main conjunction while. These are homogeneous subordinate clauses.
1
↓
(Bye- conjunction) 2, ( Bye- conjunction) 3 , ( Bye The vertical diagram (a diagram that reflects not the arrangement of simple sentences within a complex one, but their dependence) will be as follows:
- union) 4 / 1 My father told me / 2 that he had never seen such bread / And that this year's harvest is excellent
/ 3 (Aksakov). [ch.] 1, ( What [ch.] 1, (- conjunction) 2 and (
- conjunction) 3 . Complex sentence; consists of three simple sentences; the first is the main thing, the rest are additional clauses. Subordinate clauses refer to one word (predicate said
, expressed by a verb) in the main sentence, answer the same question - what?
1
↓
([ch.] 1, ( Each subordinate clause is connected with the main conjunction that. Subordinate clauses are connected to each other by the connecting conjunction and. These are homogeneous subordinate clauses. that he had never seen such bread ([ch.] 1, ( The vertical diagram of a complex sentence will be as follows:
- union) 2
1) If homogeneous subordinate clauses are attached to the main clause by the same conjunction, then this conjunction may be omitted in one or more subordinate clauses (but the conjunction is easy to restore).
Wed: Shatsky saw/ 1 /2 and / the sailors spent a long time, interfering with each other, pulling it up on hoists/ 3 (Paustovsky). - Shatsky saw/ 1 how the last boat returned to the ship/2 and / how the sailors for a long time, interfering with each other, pulled it up on hoists / 3 .
2) If homogeneous subordinate clauses are connected by a single connecting or disjunctive conjunction (and, yes in the meaning of “and”, or, or), then a comma is not placed between the subordinate clauses.
my father said me that he has never seen such bread and that this year’s harvest is excellent(Aksakov); He emphatically stated that we must get out of his house immediately or he will call the police(Grigoriev) - the conjunction that before the second subordinate clause is omitted, but can be restored ( He emphatically stated that we must get out of his house immediately or that he would call the police).
3) For repeated coordinating conjunctions, a comma is placed between homogeneous subordinate clauses.
While in the hospital, he recalled how the Nazis suddenly attacked them, and how they found themselves surrounded, and as a squad managed to get through to their own.
4) The conjunctions whether... or are considered to be repeated (in this case or can be replaced by whether), and homogeneous clauses connected by these conjunctions are separated by a comma.
Wed: It was hard to understand whether there was a fire somewhere, or was about to rise moon(Chekhov). - It was hard to understand whether there was a fire somewhere, whether the moon was about to rise.
2. Complex sentences with heterogeneous (parallel) subordination:
all subordinate clauses refer to the same main clause;
subordinate clauses answer different questions, that is, they are different types of subordinate clauses.
Subordinate clauses that have the same meaning but refer to different words in the common main clause will also be heterogeneous (parallel).
/ 1 Yegorushka strained his vision, / 2 / 3 (Chekhov).
(When- conjunction) 1 , 2 , ( to- conjunction) 2 and (
A complex sentence consists of three simple ones; The second sentence is main, the first and third are subordinate clauses. Subordinate clauses relate to the same main clause, but answer different questions (cf.: [When?] As he pulled into the backyard, / 1 / 2 ; Yegorushka strained his vision[why?], / 2 to get a better look at it/ 3). These are different types of clauses: when he pulled up to the backyard- subordinate tense; to get a better look at it- subordinate clause of purpose.
2
↓ ↓
(When- union) 1 ( to The vertical diagram of a complex sentence will be as follows:
It is necessary to take into account Wednesday, / 1 wherein a poetic work develops, / 2 / 3 (Mayakovsky).
[noun] 1, ( wherein- union. next) 2 , ( to- conjunction) 2 and (
A complex sentence consists of three simple ones; The first sentence is the main one, the second and third are subordinate clauses. Subordinate clauses refer to one main clause, but the first subordinate clause (second simple clause) refers to one word - environment, expressed by a noun; the second subordinate clause (third simple clause) refers to the entire main clause. Subordinate clauses answer different questions (cf.: It is necessary to take into account Wednesday [which one?], / 1 wherein a poetic work develops, / 2; The environment must be taken into account[why?], / 1 so that a word alien to this environment does not appear by chance / 3). These are different types of clauses: wherein a poetic work develops- subordinate clause; so that a word alien to this environment does not appear accidentally- subordinate clause of purpose.
The vertical diagram of the proposal will be as follows:
[noun ] 1
↓ ↓
(wherein- union. next) 2 ( to The vertical diagram of a complex sentence will be as follows:
I asked his, / 1 Why he has gone so far from fanzia, / 2 And said, / 1 that you were worried about him/ 3 (Arsenyev).
[ ch., ( Why- union. next) 2, ch.] 1, ( [ch.] 1, (- conjunction) 2 and (
A complex sentence consists of three simple ones; The first sentence is the main one, the second and third are subordinate clauses. Subordinate clauses relate to one main clause and answer questions of indirect cases (cf.: I asked his[about what?], / 1 Why he's gone so far from fanzia / 2 ; I asked him and said [what?], / 1 that you were worried about him/ 3). These are the same types of clauses - additional clauses. But these subordinate clauses refer to different words within the main sentence: the first subordinate clause (second simple sentence) refers to the predicate asked expressed by a verb; the second subordinate clause (third simple sentence) refers to the predicate said, also expressed by a verb. Therefore, these subordinate clauses are heterogeneous (parallel).
The vertical diagram of the proposal will be as follows:
[Ch. ch.] 1
↓ ↓
(Why- union. next) 2 ( [ch.] 1, ( The vertical diagram of a complex sentence will be as follows:
3. In complex sentences with sequential subordination the main clause is subordinated to one subordinate clause (subordinate clause of the 1st degree), and this subordinate clause is subordinated to another subordinate clause (subordinate clause of the 2nd degree), etc. Thus, the subordinate clause of the 1st degree is the main clause for the subordinate clause of the 2nd degree, etc.
I heard, / 1 how Gaidar cleaned the pot with sand and scolded his for that, / 2 that his pen fell off/ 3 (Paustovsky).
/ 3 (Aksakov). How- union ch. + uk. next) 2 , ( [ch.] 1, (- conjunction) 2 and (
A complex sentence consists of three simple ones; The first sentence is the main one, the second and third are subordinate clauses. The subordinate clause of the first degree (second simple sentence) refers to the first (main) sentence, namely to the predicate heard expressed by a verb; a subordinate clause of the second degree (third simple sentence) refers to a subordinate clause of the first degree (second simple sentence), namely, to the predicate scolded expressed by a verb.
The vertical diagram of the proposal will be as follows:
[ch.] 1
↓
(How- union ch. + uk. next) 2
↓
([ch.] 1, ( The vertical diagram of a complex sentence will be as follows:
- union) 2
With sequential subordination, one subordinate clause may appear inside another subordinate clause. At the same time, at the junction of these subordinate clauses, two subordinating conjunctions or a subordinating conjunction and a conjunctive word may appear next to each other.
The maid was an orphan,/ 1 which , / 2 to feed, / 3 should have entered the service / 2 (L. Tolstoy).
[noun ] 1, (which is a conjunction, 2 (so that is a conjunction...), 3...) 2.
[noun ] 1
↓
(which- union. next) 2
↓
(to The vertical diagram of a complex sentence will be as follows:
Nearby are the conjunction word which and the conjunction so. They refer to different subordinate clauses: subordinate clause of the 1st degree - who was supposed to enter service; subordinate clause of the 2nd degree - to feed. A subordinate clause of the 2nd degree is located inside a subordinate clause of the 1st degree, and a subordinate clause of the 2nd degree can be removed from a complex sentence without prejudice or placed after a subordinate clause of the 1st degree, cf.: The maid was an orphan who had to enter service; The maid was an orphan who had to enter service in order to feed. There is a comma between the conjunction word which and the conjunction so, which belong to different subordinate clauses.
Thus, when two subordinating conjunctions (or a subordinating conjunction and a conjunctive word) meet, comma between them is put, if the removal of the second subordinate clause does not require the restructuring of the entire complex sentence (in this case, the second part of the double conjunction does not follow - then, so, but).
Comma at the junction of two subordinating conjunctions (or a conjunction and a conjunctive word) not placed in the event that the second subordinate clause cannot be removed without changing the entire complex sentence (in this case, what follows is the second part of the double conjunction - then, so, but).
I'm holding bet, / 1 what / 2 / 3 That/ 2 (Leskov).
[noun ] 1 , ( [ch.] 1, (- union 2 ( If- union...), 3 then...) 2 .
[noun ] 1
↓
([ch.] 1, ( Each subordinate clause is connected with the main conjunction that. Subordinate clauses are connected to each other by the connecting conjunction and. These are homogeneous subordinate clauses.
↓
(if... then The vertical diagram of a complex sentence will be as follows:
The main clause in this sentence is: I bet/ 1, as well as two successively connected subordinate clauses: subordinate clause of the 1st degree: something... he'll stay here for three more days/ 2, inside which there is a subordinate clause of the second degree: if you give this to the Duke/ 3 (cf.: I bet that... then he will stay here for three more days; he will stay here for three more days if you give this to the Duke). At the junction of subordinate clauses of the 1st degree and the 2nd degree there are two subordinating conjunctions what and if. However, a comma is not placed between them, since it is impossible to remove a subordinate clause of the second degree without changing the subordinate clause of the first degree, cf.: I bet, / 1 that he will stay here for three more days/ 2 . This is prevented by the second part of the double conditional conjunction if...then, which is in the main clause for the conditional clause - the subordinate clause of the first degree: he will stay here for three more days. If this second part (then) is removed, then at the junction of the conjunctions what and if it will be necessary to put a comma, cf.: I bet/ 1 what , / 2 if you give this to the Duke, / 3 he will stay here for three more days / 2 .
In complex sentences with several subordinate clauses it is possible combinations of connections: there can be both homogeneous and consistent subordination; parallel and serial, etc. Therefore, when analyzing and arranging punctuation marks, one should not strive to immediately draw up a general diagram or immediately place punctuation marks.
The following analysis algorithm seems to be the most optimal:
- Establish the total number of simple sentences in a complex sentence, highlighting all grammatical bases.
- Highlight all subordinating means of communication (subordinating conjunctions and allied words); Based on this, establish the main clause and subordinate clauses.
- For each subordinate clause, establish the main clause, that is, break the complex sentence into pairs: main - subordinate clause.
- Construct a vertical diagram of a complex sentence, and on this basis determine the nature of the subordination of subordinate clauses (homogeneous, parallel, sequential subordination).
- Build a horizontal diagram, and use punctuation marks on this basis.
The bet is that if your master stays here for three days, then without any excuses you must carry out what I tell you, and if he does not stay, then I will carry out any order you give me.(Leskov).
This complex sentence contains 7 simple sentences:
Bet is that / 1 what / 2 if your lord stays here for three days / 3 then you have no excuses must fulfill That / 2 What I will tell you/ 4 a / if he doesn't stay / 5 then I will fulfill any order / 6 which will you give it to me/ 7 (Leskov).
1) bet is that;
2) something... you without any excuses must fulfill That ;
3) if your master stays here for three days;
4) What I will tell you ;
5) if he doesn't stay;
6) then I will fulfill any order;
7) which you will give it to me.
First sentence ( the bet is) is the main thing, the rest are subordinate clauses. The question is raised only by the sixth simple sentence ( then I will fulfill any order ).
This complex sentence can be divided into the following pairs of complex sentences:
1→2: bet is that, something... you without any excuses must fulfill That
;
2→3: you without any excuses must fulfill That if your lord stays here for three days;
2→4: you without any excuses must fulfill That what will I tell you;
6→5: I will fulfill any order if he doesn't stay;
6→7: I will fulfill any order, which you will give it to me.
It is still difficult to determine what type of sentence the sixth sentence belongs to. In this case, you should pay attention to the coordinating conjunction a. A coordinating conjunction, unlike a subordinating conjunction, in a complex sentence consisting of three or more simple sentences may not appear before the sentence to which it refers. Therefore, it is necessary to find out which simple sentences are connected by this adversative conjunction. To do this, you need to remove all simple sentences, leaving only those that contain opposition. These are sentences 2 and 6, cf.: you without any excuses must fulfill then, and I will carry out any order. But sentence 2 is a subordinate clause. Therefore, sentence 6, connected to sentence 2 by a coordinating conjunction, must also be a subordinate clause. This can be checked by inserting the same conjunction that sentence 2 has, and connecting sentence 6 with the same main one on which sentence 2 depends, cf.: bet thing is I will carry out any order. This means that sentences 2 and 6 are homogeneous subordinate clauses, only the conjunction that in sentence 6 is omitted (1→6).
Based on the data obtained, we can construct a vertical diagram of this complex sentence:
[Ch. + uk. next] 1
↓
([ch.] 1, (- union ch. + uk. next) 2, and (- noun + adjective) 6
↓ ↓ ↓ ↓
(if... then- conjunction) 3 ( [ch.] 1, (- union. next) 4 ( if... then- union) 5 ( which- union. next) 7
Thus, this sentence is complex, in which the subordinate clauses are connected homogeneously (sentences 2 and 6), in parallel (sentences 3 and 4, sentences 5 and 7), and also sequentially (sentences 2 and 3; 2 and 4, 6 and 5, 6 and 7).
To place punctuation marks, it is necessary to mark the boundaries of simple sentences, paying special attention to the possible combination of several conjunctions at the border of sentences, and also to construct a horizontal sentence diagram.
[Ch. + uk. next] 1 , ( [ch.] 1, (- union ( If- conjunction) 3, That Ch. + uk. next) 2 , ( [ch.] 1, (- conjunction next) 4, A (If- conjunction) 5, ( That noun + uk. next) 6 , ( which- union. next) 7 .
In this sentence there is a combination of subordinating conjunctions at the junction of sentences 2 and 3 (what if). In addition, the coordinating conjunction a, which refers to sentence 6, comes before sentence 5, forming a combination of conjunctions with the subordinating conjunction if (and if). According to the general rules, they should be separated by commas, but then follows the second part of the double conjunction if... then. It is this second part of the conjunction that does not make it possible to remove conditional clauses without changing the structure of the sentences as a whole, cf.: The bet is that... you must do this without any excuses; otherwise... then I will carry out any order. That is why a comma is not placed at the junction of these conjunctions.
So, the punctuation marks in the sentence should be arranged as follows:
The bet is that if your master stays here for three days, then without any excuses you must do what I tell you, and if he does not stay, then I will carry out any order you give me (Leskov).
Plan for parsing a complex sentence with several subordinate clauses
- Indicate the type of complex sentence (complex sentence).
- Name the main clause and subordinate clauses (highlight grammatical bases).
- Indicate how subordinate clauses are related to the main clause (sequential, parallel, homogeneous subordination).
- Parse each subordinate clause according to plan.
- Construct vertical and horizontal sentence diagrams.
Sample parsing
Participates in the adventures of Baron Munchausen runner, / 1 which, / 2 so as not to run too fast, / 3 ties pound weights to his feet/ 2 (Soloukhin).
The sentence is complex; consists of three parts; sentence 1 - main; sentences 2 and 3 are subordinate clauses. Subordinate clauses are connected to the main clause sequentially.
The subordinate clause of the first degree (sentence 2) refers to the main one (sentence 1). This is a subordinate clause; it refers to the subject runner expressed by a noun, a means of communication is a conjunctive word which; the subordinate clause comes after the main clause.
The second degree clause (sentence 3) refers to the first degree clause (sentence 2). This is a clause of purpose; it relates to everything important, the means of communication is the union to; the subordinate clause stands in the middle of the main clause.
[noun] 1
def.
(which- union. next) 2
↓
(to The vertical diagram of a complex sentence will be as follows:
goals ↓ which[noun] 1 , ( to- union. words, (
- conjunction) 3 ,) 2 .
def.
goals - this is a complex sentence in which simple sentences are combined into one whole in meaning and intonation, without the help of conjunctions or allied words: [ Habit from above to usgiven ]: [ replacement happinessshe] (A. Pushkin).
The semantic relations between simple sentences in conjunctions and are expressed in different ways. In allied sentences, conjunctions take part in their expression, so the semantic relationships here are more definite and clear. For example, union So expresses the consequence because- the reason, If- condition, however- opposition, etc.
The semantic relationships between simple sentences are expressed less clearly than in a conjunction. In terms of semantic relationships, and often in intonation, some are closer to complex ones, others - to complex ones. However, it is often the same non-union complex sentence in meaning it can be similar to both a compound and a complex sentence. Wed, for example: The spotlights came on- it became light all around; The spotlights came on and it became light all around; When the spotlights came on, it became light all around.
Meaningful relations in non-union complex sentences depend on the content of the simple sentences included in them and are expressed in oral speech by intonation, and in writing by various punctuation marks (see section “Punctuation marks in non-union complex sentence»).
IN non-union complex sentences The following types of semantic relations between simple sentences (parts) are possible:
I. Enumerative(some facts, events, phenomena are listed):
[I_did not see you for a whole week], [Ihaven't heard you for a long time] (A. Chekhov) -, .
Such non-union complex sentences approach complex sentences with a connecting conjunction And.
Like the compound sentences synonymous with them, non-union complex sentences can express the value 1) simultaneity listed events and 2) their sequences.
1) \ Bemep howled plaintively and quietly], [in the darknessthe horses neighed ], [from the campswam tender and passionatesong- thought] (M. Gorky) -,,.
stirred ], [ fluttered up half asleepbird ] (V. Garshin)- ,.
Non-union complex sentences with enumerative relations may consist of two sentences, or may include three or more simple sentences.
II. Causal(the second sentence reveals the reason for what is said in the first):
[I unhappy ]: [every dayguests ] (A. Chekhov). Such non-union complex sentences are synonymous with complex subordinates with subordinate clauses.
III. Explanatory(the second sentence explains the first):
1) [ Items were lost your form]: [everything merged first into a gray, then into a dark mass] (I. Goncharov)-
2) [Like all Moscow residents, yoursFather is like that ]: [ I would like he is a son-in-law with stars and ranks] (A. Griboyedov)-
Such non-union sentences are synonymous with sentences with an explanatory conjunction namely.
IV. Explanatory(the second sentence explains the word in the first part that has the meaning of speech, thought, feeling or perception, or a word that indicates these processes: listened, looked, looked back and so on.; in the second case we can talk about skipping words like see, hear and so on.):
1) [ Nastya during the storyI remembered ]: [from yesterdayremained whole untouchedcast iron boiled potatoes] (M. Prishvin)- :.
2) [ I came to my senses, Tatyana looks ]: [bearNo ]... (A. Pushkin)- :.
Such non-conjunctive sentences are synonymous with complex sentences with explanatory clauses (I remembered that...; looks (and sees that)...).
V. Comparative and adversative relations (the content of the second sentence is compared with the content of the first or contrasted with it):
1) [Allhappy family looks like and each other], [eachunhappy family but in my own way] (L. Tolstoy)- ,.
2) [Rankfollowed to him]- [he suddenlyleft ] (A. Griboyedov)- - .
Such non-union complex sentences synonymous with complex sentences with adversative conjunctions a, but.
VI. Conditional-temporary(the first sentence indicates the time or condition for the implementation of what is said in the second):
1) [ Do you like to ride ] - [ love and sleighcarry ] (proverb)- - .
2) [ See you with Gorky]- [ talk with him] (A. Chekhov)--.
Such sentences are synonymous with complex sentences with subordinate clauses of condition or time.
VII. Consequences(the second sentence states the consequence of what is said in the first):
[Smallthe rain is falling since morning]- [ it's impossible to get out ] (I. Turgenev)- ^TT
44. Contaminated types of complex syntactic structures
The identification of two levels of division of complex syntactic constructions leads to the conclusion about the structural contamination of such constructions. Contaminated are complex constructions in which entire complex sentences act as constituent components.
A complex sentence can be a component of a complex sentence, a non-union sentence, and, finally, even a complex sentence.
1. A complex sentence as a component of a complex structure with a coordinating connection: Each child must experience his own, deeply individual life in the world of words, and the richer and fuller it is, the happier the days and years that we passed in a field of joys and sorrows, happiness and grief (Sukhoml.).
The peculiarity of the structure of this sentence is that the coordinating conjunction and (at the junction of two components of a complex structure) stands immediately before the first part of the comparative conjunction than, but attaches the entire comparative sentence as a whole, which, in turn, is complicated by a attributive clause.
In addition to the conjunction and, other coordinating conjunctions are often found in similar syntactic conditions: Our matchmaking with the countess’s house has been destroyed and cannot be restored; but even if it could, it would never exist again (Ven.); What happened is past, no one cares about it, and if Laevsky finds out, he won’t believe it (Ch.).
The following complex constructions with a coordinating connection at the first level of division are similar in structure, although they have different degrees of internal complexity:
1) Occasionally a small snowflake stuck to the outside of the glass, and if you looked closely, you could see its finest crystalline structure (Paust.);
2) We left Blok’s reading, but went on foot, and Blok was taken to the second performance in the car, and by the time we got to Nikitsky Boulevard, where the House of Press was located, the evening ended and Blok went to the Society of Lovers of Italian Literature (Past.).
3. A complex sentence as a component of another complex sentence [The absence of different types of syntactic connections in such constructions could serve as a basis for considering them in polynomial complex sentences (see § 124). However, the special structural organization of such proposals and its similarity with the constructions described in this section allow us to place them here in order to preserve the system in presentation.].
1) Let the father not think that if a person is nicknamed Quick Momun, it means he is bad (Aitm.).
2) Everyone knows that if a fisherman is unlucky, sooner or later such good luck will happen to him that they will talk about it throughout the village for at least ten years (Paust.).
This structural type of complex sentence is distinguished by its unity of construction: the first subordinating conjunction does not refer to the part immediately following it, but to the entire subsequent construction as a whole. Most often, a complex sentence placed after a subordinating conjunction has a double conjunction holding its parts together (if...then, with what...that, although...but, etc.) or subordinating conjunctions with bonding particles (if... then, if...so, once...then, since...then, once...then, etc.). For example: Who doesn’t know that when a patient wanted to smoke, it means the same thing that he wanted to live (Prishv.); It seemed that in order to believe that the plan for the slow movement of deforestation and food consumption was his plan, it was necessary to hide the fact that he insisted on a completely opposite military enterprise in 1945 (L.T.); Baburov, during this outburst of anger, suddenly gathered the remnants of his pride and in response said loudly, with some even pompousness, that since there is an order not to let the enemy into the Crimean land, then no matter what it costs him, he will carry out the order (Sim.).
In the above examples, there are different degrees of internal complexity, but they are united by one common structural indicator: they are built according to the “main part + subordinate clause” scheme (usually explanatory, but causal, concessive and consequential are also possible), which is a whole complex sentence (with relations conditions, reasons, time, comparison, less often - concessions and goals). This feature of contaminated complex sentences does not allow us to see here the usual sequential subordination in a complex sentence with several subordinate clauses.
Such a description does not reflect the actual structure of the syntactic construction.
As can be seen from the examples given, the most common type of contaminated complex sentence is a sentence with the conjunction that (at the first level of division). However, other conjunctions are also possible, although they are much less common, for example: because, since, so, although.
A complex sentence can be a component of a complex polynomial sentence with several main ones: When they were driving to the logging site, it suddenly became very warm and the sun shone so brightly that it hurt their eyes (gas).
4. A complex sentence as a component of a complex sentence: I didn’t want to think that not only the guys were not interested in this magnificent picture, but many adults were at least indifferent.
A compound sentence with the conjunction not only...but also is used here as an explanatory clause.
Such sentences are possible only with gradational conjunctions, for example: not only...but also; not really...but; not so much...as much.
5. A non-union complex sentence as a component of a complex sentence: The density of the grasses in other places on Prorva is such that it is impossible to land on the shore from a boat - the grasses stand like an impenetrable elastic wall (Paust.).
48.Basics of Russian punctuation. Functional features of Russian punctuation
Russian punctuation, currently a very complex and developed system, has a fairly solid foundation - formal and grammatical.
Punctuation marks are primarily indicators of the syntactic, structural division of written speech. It is this principle that gives modern punctuation stability.
For example: But I decided to re-read several of Shchedrin’s works.
It was three or four years ago, when I was working on a book where real material was intertwined with lines of satire and fairy-tale fiction. I took Shchedrin then in order to avoid accidental similarities, but, having started reading, having read deeply, immersing myself in the amazing and newly discovered world of Shchedrin’s reading, I realized that the similarities would not be accidental, but obligatory and inevitable (Cass.). All signs here are structurally significant; they are placed without regard to the specific meaning of parts of sentences: highlighting subordinate clauses, fixing syntactic homogeneity, marking the boundaries of parts of a complex sentence, highlighting homogeneous adverbial phrases.
The structural principle contributes to the development of solid, commonly used rules for the placement of punctuation marks. Signs placed on this basis cannot be optional or copyrighted. This is the foundation on which modern Russian punctuation is built. This is, finally, the necessary minimum, without which unhindered communication between the writer and the reader is unthinkable.
Such signs are currently quite regulated, their use is stable. Dividing the text into grammatically significant parts helps to establish the relationship of some parts of the text to others, indicates the end of the presentation of one thought and the beginning of another.
In cases where different combinations of words are possible, only a comma helps to establish their semantic and grammatical dependence. For example: Inner lightness has appeared. Walks freely on the streets, to work (Levi). A sentence without a comma has a completely different meaning: walks the streets to work (denoting one action). In the original version, there is a designation for two different actions: walking along the streets, i.e.
walks and goes to work.
Such punctuation marks help establish semantic and grammatical relationships between words in a sentence and clarify the structure of the sentence.
The ellipsis also serves a semantic function, helping to put logically and emotionally incompatible concepts at a distance. For example: Engineer... in reserve, or the misadventures of a young specialist on the way to recognition;
Goalkeeper and goal... in the air; History of peoples... in dolls; Skiing... picking berries.
Often, with the help of punctuation marks, specific meanings of words are clarified, i.e. the meaning contained in them in this particular context. Thus, a comma between two adjective definitions (or participles) brings these words closer together semantically, i.e. makes it possible to highlight general shades of meaning that emerge as a result of various associations, both objective and sometimes subjective.
Syntactically, such definitions become homogeneous, since, being similar in meaning, they alternately refer directly to the word being defined. For example: The darkness of spruce needles is written in thick, heavy oil (Sol.);
The intonation principle does not operate in most cases in its “ideal”, pure form, i.e. Some intonation stroke (for example, a pause), although fixed by a punctuation mark, ultimately this intonation itself is a consequence of the given semantic and grammatical division of the sentence. Wed: Brother is my teacher. - My brother is a teacher.
The dash here fixes a pause, but the place of the pause is predetermined by the structure of the sentence and its meaning.
So, the current punctuation does not reflect any single, consistently followed principle. However, the formal grammatical principle is now the leading one, while the principles of semantic and intonation act as additional ones, although in certain specific manifestations they can be brought to the fore. As for the history of punctuation, it is known that the initial basis for dividing written speech was precisely pauses (intonation).
Modern punctuation represents a new stage in its historical development, and a stage that characterizes a higher level. Modern punctuation reflects structure, meaning, and intonation.
Written speech is organized quite clearly, definitely and at the same time expressively. The greatest achievement of modern punctuation is the fact that all three principles operate in it not separately, but in unity. As a rule, the intonation principle is reduced to the semantic, the semantic to the structural, or, conversely, the structure of a sentence is determined by its meaning. It is possible to single out individual principles only conditionally.
In most cases, they act inseparably, although in compliance with a certain hierarchy. For example, a period also marks the end of a sentence, the boundary between two sentences (structure);
and lowering of voice, long pause (intonation); and completeness of the message (meaning).Main types of complex sentences with several subordinate clauses
Complex sentences with several subordinate clauses are of two types: the first case - all subordinate clauses are attached directly to the main one; the second - when the first subordinate clause is attached to the main one, and the second subordinate clause - to the first, etc.
Subordinate clauses that are added to the main clause are homogeneous and heterogeneous. Homogeneous clauses, like homogeneous clauses, have the same meaning, answer the same question, and depend on the same word in the main clause. Homogeneous subordinate clauses can be connected to each other by a coordinating or non-conjunctive connection (only with the help of intonation).
[But it’s sad to think] that (youth was given to us in vain), that (they cheated on her all the time), that (she deceived us).
Let's draw up a proposal outline. We ask a question from the main part: sad to think about what? that youth was given to us in vain. The 1st subordinate clause is explanatory. We ask a question about the second subordinate clause: sad to think about what? that they cheated on her all the time. The 2nd subordinate clause is explanatory. We ask a question to the third subordinate clause: sad to think about what? that she deceived us. We see three subordinate clauses of the same type, to which a question is asked from the same word in the main sentence - we have before us a sentence with homogeneous subordination ( or subordination - see the textbook by M. Razumovskaya).
Dersu said that these were not clouds, but fog, and that tomorrow the day would be sunny and even hot. Two subordinate clauses refer to one word in the main word and are connected to each other using a coordinating connection (conjunction that he had never seen such bread). Please note that the same question is asked again from the same word in the main.
With homogeneous subordination of subordinate clauses, it is possible to omit a conjunction and a conjunctive word: Where the cheerful sickle walked and the ear fell, now everything is empty. Let's ask a question from the main one: empty Where? where the cheerful sickle walked, empty Where? (Where) the ear fell. In the second subordinate clause Where omitted, and the subordinate clauses are connected to each other by a coordinating conjunction And.
Subordination can be homogeneous and parallel (heterogeneous). Dissimilar clauses have different meanings, answer different questions, and/or depend on different words in the main clause, but refer to the same main clause.
If I had a hundred lives, they would not satisfy all the thirst for knowledge that burns me (V. Bryusov). Main offer: they would not satisfy all the thirst for knowledge. We ask the question: under what conditions? If I had a hundred lives - subordinate clause. Another question from the main one: thirst Which? which burns me - attributive clause . We asked different questions to different subordinate clauses from the main clause and from the word in the main clause. This connection is called parallel(heterogeneous) subordination.
The second type of complex sentences with two or more subordinate clauses includes sentences in which the subordinate clauses form a kind of chain. The question is asked from the main clause to the first subordinate clause, then from the first subordinate clause to the second, etc.
She was horrified when she learned that the letter was carried by her father (F. Dostoevsky). The main proposal is She was horrified We ask a question from him: I was horrified When ? when I found out - clause of time. The first clause is called a clause of the first degree . We ask a question to the second subordinate clause. I found out about what ? that the letter was carried by the father - subordinate explanatory clause. Such a subordinate clause (to which a question is asked from the first) is called a subordinate clause of the second degree. And the connection is called consistent submission.
Depending on how many subordinate clauses there are, there will be so many degrees. Sometimes, in sequential subordination, one clause is inside another clause. In this case, two subordinating conjunctions may appear next to each other: what/if, what/when, what/since etc. These subordinate clauses must be seen and distinguished. We will talk about signs in the next lesson.
The water fell so terribly that when the soldiers fled below, raging streams were already flying after them. Main offer : The water came down so terribly. We ask a question: so scary in what degree? that raging streams were already flying after them - subordinate clauses of measure and degree. We flew When? when the soldiers ran below - clause of tense . But we are already asking the question from the subordinate measure and degree. This is a case of consistent submission. It is important to understand what follows from what.
In complex sentences with three or more subordinate clauses there may be more complex combinations: Whoever in his youth did not connect himself with strong ties to external and beautiful work, or at least to honest and useful work, can consider his youth lost without a trace, no matter how fun it was, no matter how many pleasant memories it left. Main offer: he may consider his youth lost without a trace. Asking questions : which one? who in his youth did not bind himself with strong ties to external and beautiful work, or at least to honest and useful work - subordinate pronominal attributive. Next question: may consider his youth lost without a trace no matter what? no matter how fun it was - clause of concession. The question is again asked from the main clause - the connection between the subordinate clauses is parallel (different questions from one main clause to different subordinate clauses). He may consider his youth lost without a trace no matter what? - no matter how many pleasant memories she left - subordinate clause of concession, the question is asked from the same main point and the same as to the previous sentence (homogeneous subordination). Thus, in this sentence we have both parallel and homogeneous subordination.
Pisarev wrote that human nature is so rich, strong and elastic that it can retain its freshness and beauty in the midst of the most oppressive ugliness of the environment. Pisarev wrote about what? that human nature is so rich, strong and elastic - subordinate explanatory clause. Nature is so rich, strong and elastic in what degree? that can retain its freshness and beauty in the midst of the most oppressive ugliness of the environment - subordinate clauses of measure and degree. This sentence has sequential subordination.
A good person is not one who knows how to do good, but one who does not know how to do evil (V. Klyuchevsky). A kind person is not the same which one? who knows how to do good. A good person is not this one, but that one which one? who does not know how to do evil. We got one main thing, it contains a subordinate clause who knows how to do good, and after the main one there is one more subordinate clause. This is parallel submission.
A complex sentence with several subordinate clauses is used mainly in a scientific style; such sentences help convey complex connections between facts, which is the purpose of scientific literature.
Homework
Questions
1. What types are complex sentences with several subordinate clauses divided into?
2. How are subordinate clauses added to main clauses?
3. How can we explain that a complex sentence with several subordinate clauses is used mainly in a scientific style?
Exercise 1. Determine the type of connection of subordinate clauses in a complex sentence.
(1) But it’s sad to think that youth was given to us in vain, that they cheated on it all the time, that it deceived us (A. Pushkin). (2) Dersu said that these were not clouds, but fog, and that tomorrow the day would be sunny and even hot (V. Arsenyev). (3) If I had a hundred lives, they would not satisfy all the thirst for knowledge that burns me (V. Bryusov). (4) She was horrified when she found out that the letter was carried by her father (F. Dostoevsky). (5) The water fell so terribly that when the soldiers fled below, raging streams were already flying after them. (6) Whoever in his youth did not connect himself with strong ties to an external and beautiful cause, or at least to honest and useful work, he may consider his youth lost without a trace, no matter how fun it was, no matter how many pleasant memories it left.
Exercise 2. Ask a question from the main clause to the subordinate clause, determine the type of subordinate clause.
(1) Where the cheerful sickle walked and the ear fell, now everything is empty (F. Tyutchev). (2) Whoever in his youth did not connect himself with strong ties to external and beautiful work, or at least to honest and useful work, can consider his youth lost without a trace, no matter how fun it was, no matter how many pleasant memories it left .(3) Pisarev wrote that human nature is so rich, strong and elastic that it can retain its freshness and beauty in the midst of the most oppressive ugliness of the environment. (4) A good person is not one who knows how to do good, but one who does not know how to do evil (V. Klyuchevsky).
1. Efremova T.F. New dictionary of the Russian language. Explanatory and word-formative. - M.: Russian language, 2000 ().
2. Reference and information Internet portal “Russian language”. gramota.ru
Internet resources used
1. English tutor in St. Petersburg ().
2. Preparation for the Russian Language Olympiad ().
Literature
Russian language: Textbook for 9th grade. general educational institutions / S.G. Barkhudarov, S.E. Kryuchkov, L.Yu. Maksimov, L.A. Czech. - M.: Education, 2011.
Russian language. 9th grade: textbook. for educational institutions /M.M. Razumovskaya, S.I. Lvova, V.I. Kapinos, V.V. Lviv; edited by MM. Razumovskaya, P.A. Lekanta, - M.: Bustard, 2011.
Rosenthal D.E. Handbook of spelling and literary editing. - M., 2012.
Unified State Examination in the RUSSIAN LANGUAGE A demonstration version of the control measurement materials of the 2013 Unified State Examination in the Russian language, prepared by the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution "FEDERAL INSTITUTE OF PEDAGOGICAL MEASUREMENTS".
A demonstration version of control measurement materials for carrying out in 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013 state (final) certification (in a new form) in the RUSSIAN LANGUAGE of students who have mastered the basic general education programs of basic general education, was prepared by the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution "FEDERAL INSTITUTE OF PEDAGOGICAL MEASUREMENTS "
In this chapter:
§1. Types of subordination in NGN with several subordinate clauses
An IPP can have more than one subordinate clause. In this case, it is important to understand how all the parts of a complex sentence are related to each other, what obeys what. Three types are possible:
1) consistent submission,
2) parallel subordination,
3) homogeneous subordination.
Consistent submission
With sequential subordination, a chain of sentences is formed: the first subordinate clause is subordinate to the main clause, the second subordinate clause is subordinate to the first subordinate clause, etc. With this type of subordination, each subordinate clause is the main one for the subsequent subordinate clause.
I'm afraid that Anna will be late for the exam, which is scheduled to start early in the morning.
Scheme: [...], (union [ch.] 1, (...), (conjunctive word which…).
With sequential subordination, the subordinate clause related to the main one is called a subordinate clause of the first degree, and the next subordinate clause is called a subordinate clause of the second degree, etc.
Parallel subordination
If subordinate clauses of different types belong to one main sentence, then parallel subordination is formed. With this type of subordination, both subordinate clauses belong to the same main clause. It is important that these clauses are of different types and they answer different questions.
When the teacher came in, the kids stood up to greet her.
Scheme: (conjunctive word When…), [ … ], (union to …).
Homogeneous Subordination
If subordinate clauses are sentences of the same type and refer to the same member of the main sentence or the entire main sentence as a whole, then a homogeneous subordination is formed. With homogeneous subordination, subordinate clauses answer the same question.
I suddenly felt how the tension subsided and how light my soul became.
Scheme: [...], (union How...) and (union How …).
Subordinate explanatory clauses are similar to homogeneous members of the sentence; they are connected to each other by the conjunction that he had never seen such bread. Both subordinate clauses refer to the main clause of the sentence. There is no comma between them.
It is important that with homogeneous subordination, conjunctions or allied words can be omitted, which is typical for sentences with several subordinate clauses.
Test of strength
Find out your understanding of this chapter.
Final test
Is it true that an IPP can have more than one subordinate clause?
What is subordination called when the first subordinate clause is subordinated to the main clause, the second to the first, etc.?
- consistent submission
- homogeneous subordination
- parallel subordination
What is subordination called when subordinate clauses of different types are attached to one main clause?
- consistent submission
- homogeneous subordination
- parallel subordination
What is subordination called when subordinate clauses are sentences of the same type and refer to the same member of the main sentence or the entire main sentence as a whole?
- consistent submission
- homogeneous subordination
- parallel subordination
When the performance ended, the children clapped so that the artists felt their gratitude.?
- consistent submission
- parallel subordination
- homogeneous subordination
What is subordination in a sentence: I think that in the next episode the hero will save the girl he is in love with.?
- consistent submission
- parallel subordination
- homogeneous subordination
What is subordination in a sentence: I heard the door slam and people talking in the hallway.?
- consistent submission
- parallel subordination
- homogeneous subordination
What is subordination in a sentence: I think that my brother will be happy with my gift and that I made a very good choice.?
- consistent submission
- parallel subordination
- homogeneous subordination
Only in the third quarter do ninth-graders become familiar with the topic “Types of subordination of subordinate clauses in complex sentences,” but they prepare for the exam from the beginning of the school year.
Let's try to figure out task 13 in the test part of the OGE. To observe, let us turn to the story of A.P. Chekhov's "Dear Lessons".
Let us recall the wording of this task: “Among the sentences___, find a complex sentence chomogeneous subordination. Write the number of this offer." Instead of words highlighted in bold style, there may be the following words: “ with heterogeneous (parallel) subordination" or " with sequential subordination».
Let’s define the conventions that will help us in analyzing the structure of a complex sentence (abbreviated SPP). To highlight the main part we use square brackets, for the subordinate part - round brackets (). We will begin to draw up both linear and vertical proposal diagrams.
First, let's practice drawing up IPS diagrams with one subordinate clause. Please note that the position of the subordinate clause can be different: preposition, interposition and postposition. The prefixes in the word "position" already contain an indication of the place of the subordinate clause in the sentence.
Let's look at examples.
1. Preposition of the adverbial clause of the goal: (To make it easier to breathe) 1, [he always works in a nightgown] 2.
2. Interposition of the adverbial subordinate tense: [The next day in the evening, (when the clock showed five minutes to seven) 2, Alisa Osipovna came] 1.
3. Postposition of the adverbial subordinate tense: [Vorotov felt this strongly] 1, (when, having left the university with a candidate’s degree, he took up small scientific work) 2.
In the first example, we found the subordinate clause at the beginning of the sentence, in the second - in the middle, in the third - at the end of the sentence.
Let us explain that complex sentences in the text can have various cases of complications, and if you do not recognize them, you may get confused, so we will explain these complications in each example. Thus, in the third sentence, the subordinate clause is complicated by a separate circumstance, expressed by the participial phrase (abbreviated DO).
Determine whether there are any types of complications in the following three examples. What position does the subordinate clause occupy in them?
2) Her facial expression was cold, businesslike, like that of a person who came to talk about money.
3) If this strange proposal had been made to a minor, she would probably have gotten angry and shouted.
You should have noticed that in the first two sentences the subordinate clause is in postposition, and in the last example it is in preposition.
So, let's test our powers of observation.
2. [The expression on her face was cold, businesslike, like a person] 1, (who came to talk about money) 2.
3. (If this strange proposal had been made to a minor) 1, [then, probably, she I'd be angry And shouted] 2 .
Linear diagrams are very convenient.
Now let's find out what types of complications we encountered here. The first sentence has a separate application, expressed by a proper noun, and homogeneous predicates. In the second - a separate circumstance, expressed by a comparative phrase, and homogeneous definitions are in the main part. And finally, the third sentence has an introductory word and homogeneous predicates in the main part.
We will not introduce all of these complications into the diagrams, since only homogeneous predicates play the main role in the structure of the IPP, but we will still keep them in mind.
Now let's get acquainted with the types of subordination in NGN, which have several subordinate parts.
It is difficult to say exactly which type is more common; most likely, various combinations and mixed cases are possible, when several types of subordination can be in one SPP. But you won’t see such examples on the exam.
Let's analyze the proposal:
And he also asked her if she wanted tea or coffee, if the weather was good outside.
In this sentence, from the main part to two explanatory subordinate clauses we ask the same question “about what?”, these subordinate clauses can easily be swapped with each other, they are very similar to homogeneous members of the sentence and are connected to the main part using the conjunction LI.
[And he also asked her] 1, (would she like tea or coffee) 2 , (is the weather good outside) 3 .
To compare the two types of schemes, we offer both: linear and vertical.
SPP SCHEME with homogeneous subordination:
This method of subordination is usually called homogeneous. If there were more than two subordinate clauses with a similar structure, then one of the LI conjunctions would be omitted to avoid repetition. But it is very easy to restore it.
Let's consider another proposal:
Now we find the main and subordinate parts and draw up diagrams.
[One winter afternoon, (when Vorotov sat in my office and have worked) 2, the footman reported] 1, (that some young lady was asking him) 3.
SPP SCHEME with heterogeneous (parallel) subordination:
Here, from the main part, we ask two different questions: the footman reported “when?” and “about what?” The subordinate parts are no longer homogeneous, they have different meanings: one of them is adverbial, the other explanatory. This method is called parallel.
Now let's look at the last example.
Only once did bewilderment flash across her face when she learned that she had been invited to teach not children, but an adult, fat man.
We come to the conclusion that subordinate clauses also answer different questions: there was a flash of bewilderment “when?”, she found out “about what?”. We ask these questions not from the main part, but sequentially: from the first subordinate clause to the second subordinate clause.
[Only once did bewilderment flash across her face] 1, (when she found out) 2, (that she was invited to teach not children, A adult, fat man) 3 .
NGN SCHEME with sequential subordination:
This method of submission is called sequential.
For self-examination, we offer five suggestions. Please note that you may encounter a mixed type of subordination if there are more than two subordinate parts.
Self-test
1) Alisa Osipovna, with a cold, business-like expression, answered him that she had completed a course at a private boarding school and had the rights of a home teacher, that her father had recently died of scarlet fever, her mother was alive and making flowers...
2) She apologized and said that she could only study for half an hour, since she would go straight from class to the ball.
3) And Vorotov, looking at her embarrassment, realized how dear the ruble was to her and how hard it would be for her to lose this income.
4) She, apparently, did not want her gentlemen to know that she had students and that she gave lessons out of necessity.
Clue!
Here the conjunctions are highlighted in color, and all complications are in italics:
1. [Alice Osipovna with cold, businesslike she answered him with an expression] 1, (that she completed a course in a private boarding school) 2 and (has the rights of a home teacher) 3, (that her father recently died of scarlet fever) 4, (her mother is alive ) 5 and (makes flowers) 6...
2. [She apologized And said] 1, (that he can only study for half an hour) 2, (since he will go straight from class to the ball) 3.
3. [And Vorotov, looking at her embarrassment, understood] 1, (how dear the ruble was to her) 2 and (how hard it would be for her to lose this income) 3.
4. [Hey, apparently, didn’t want] 1, (for her gentlemen to know) 2, (that she has students) 3 and (that she gives lessons out of necessity) 4.
Now let's re-read the entire story.
A.P. Chekhov
Dear Lessons
For an educated person, ignorance of languages is a great inconvenience. Vorotov felt this strongly when, having left the university with a candidate’s degree, he began doing small scientific work.
It's horrible! - he said breathlessly (despite his twenty-six years, he is plump, heavy and suffers from shortness of breath). - It's horrible! Without tongues I am like a bird without wings. Just quit your job.
And he decided at all costs to overcome his innate laziness and study French and German and began to look for teachers.
One winter afternoon, when Vorotov was sitting in his office and working, the footman reported that some young lady was asking him.
Ask,” said Vorotov.
And a young lady, exquisitely dressed in the latest fashion, entered the office. She introduced herself as a French teacher, Alisa Osipovna Anket, and said that she was sent to Vorotov by one of his friends.
Very nice! Sit down! - said Vorotov, gasping and covering the collar of his nightgown with his palm. (To make it easier to breathe, he always works in a nightgown.) - Pyotr Sergeich sent you to me? Yes, yes... I asked him... I'm very glad!
While negotiating with mlle Anket, he looked at her shyly and curiously. She was a real, very graceful Frenchwoman, still very young. Judging by her pale and languid face, short curly hair and unnaturally thin waist, she could be given no more than 18 years old; looking at her broad, well-developed shoulders, beautiful back and stern eyes, Vorotov thought that she was probably at least 23 years old, perhaps even 25; but then again it began to seem that she was only 18. The expression on her face was cold, businesslike, like that of a person who had come to talk about money. She never smiled, did not frown, and only once did bewilderment flash across her face, when she learned that she had been invited to teach not children, but an adult, fat man.
So, Alisa Osipovna,” Vorotov told her, “we will study every day from seven to eight in the evening. As for your desire to receive a ruble per lesson, I have nothing to object to. For a ruble - so for a ruble...
And he also asked her if she wanted tea or coffee, whether the weather was good outside, and, smiling good-naturedly, stroking the cloth on the table with his palm, he friendly inquired who she was, where she graduated from her course and how she lived.
Alisa Osipovna, with a cold, businesslike expression, answered him that she had completed a course in a private boarding school and had the rights of a home teacher, that her father had recently died of scarlet fever, her mother was alive and making flowers, that she, Mlle Anket, was studying in a private school until lunchtime. boarding house, and after dinner, until the evening, he goes to good houses and gives lessons.
She left, leaving behind a light, very delicate smell of a woman's dress. Vorotov did not work for a long time afterwards, but sat at the table, stroking the green cloth with his palms and thinking.
“It’s very nice to see girls earning a piece of bread for themselves,” he thought. - On the other hand, it is very unpleasant to see that poverty does not spare even such graceful and pretty girls as this Alisa Osipovna, and she also has to fight for existence. Trouble!..”
He, who had never seen virtuous French women, also thought that this elegantly dressed Alisa Osipovna, with well-developed shoulders and an exaggeratedly thin waist, in all likelihood, was doing something else besides her lessons.
The next day in the evening, when the clock showed five minutes to seven, Alisa Osipovna came, pink from the cold; She opened the Margot, which she had brought with her, and began without any preamble:
French grammar has twenty-six letters. The first letter is called A, the second B...
“I’m sorry,” Vorotov interrupted her, smiling. - I must warn you, mademoiselle, that for me personally you will have to slightly change your method. The fact is that I know Russian, Latin and Greek well... I studied comparative linguistics, and it seems to me that we can, bypassing Margot, directly start reading some author.
And he explained to the French woman how adults learn languages.
“One of my acquaintances,” he said, “wanting to learn new languages, put the French, German and Latin gospels in front of him, read them in parallel, and painstakingly parsed every word, and so what? He achieved his goal in less than one year. We will do the same. Let's take some author and read.
The Frenchwoman looked at him in bewilderment. Apparently, Vorotov’s proposal seemed very naive and absurd to her. If this strange proposal had been made to a minor, she would probably have gotten angry and shouted, but since there was an adult and very fat man here, who could not be shouted at, she just shrugged her shoulders barely noticeably and said:
As you wish.
Vorotov rummaged in his bookcase and pulled out a tattered French book.
Is this any good? - he asked.
Doesn't matter.
In that case, let's get started. God bless. Let's start with the title... Memoires.
Memories,” mlle Anket translated.
Memories... - Vorotov repeated. Smiling good-naturedly and breathing heavily, he fiddled with the word memoires for a quarter of an hour and the same amount with the word de, and this tired Alisa Osipovna. She answered questions sluggishly, was confused and, apparently, did not understand her student well and did not try to understand. Vorotov asked her questions, and meanwhile he looked at her blond head and thought: “Her hair is not naturally curly, it curls. Marvelous! He works from morning to night and still manages to curl his hair.”
Exactly at eight o'clock she got up and, saying the dry, cold “au revoir, monsieur” (goodbye, sir - French), left the office, and that gentle, subtle, exciting smell was left behind. The student again did nothing for a long time, sat at the table and thought.
In the days that followed, he became convinced that his teacher was a sweet, serious and neat young lady, but that she was very uneducated and did not know how to teach adults; and he decided not to waste time, part with her and invite another teacher. When she came for the seventh time, he took an envelope with seven rubles from his pocket and, holding it in his hands, became very embarrassed and began like this:
Sorry, Alisa Osipovna, but I have to tell you... I’ve been put in a difficult situation...
Looking at the envelope, the Frenchwoman guessed what was the matter, and for the first time during all the lessons, her face trembled, and the cold, businesslike expression disappeared. She blushed slightly and, lowering her eyes, began nervously fingering her thin gold chain. And Vorotov, looking at her embarrassment, realized how dear the ruble was to her and how hard it would be for her to lose this income.
“I have to tell you...” he muttered, becoming even more embarrassed, and something sank in his chest; he hastily put the envelope in his pocket and continued:
Sorry, I... I'll leave you for ten minutes...
And pretending that he did not want to refuse her at all, but only asked permission to leave her for a while, he went into another room and sat there for ten minutes. And then he returned even more embarrassed; he realized that she could explain this departure of his for a short time somehow in her own way, and he felt awkward.
Lessons started again.
Vorotov worked without any desire. Knowing that no good would come of the lessons, he gave the Frenchwoman complete freedom, without asking her anything or interrupting her. She translated, as she wanted, ten pages into one lesson, but he did not listen, breathed heavily, and with nothing to do, looked at her curly head, then at her neck, then at her delicate white hands, inhaling the smell of her dress...
He caught himself thinking bad thoughts, and he felt ashamed, or he was touched and then felt sadness and annoyance because she behaved with him so coldly, matter-of-factly, as with a student, without smiling and as if afraid that he might touch to her by accident. He kept thinking: how could he instill confidence in her, get to know her briefly, then help her, let her understand how badly she teaches, poor thing.
Alisa Osipovna once came to class in an elegant pink dress with a small neckline, and such a scent came from her that it seemed as if she was shrouded in a cloud, as if you only had to blow on her and she would fly or dissipate like smoke. She apologized and said that she could only study for half an hour, since she would go straight from class to the ball.
He looked at her neck and at her back, bare near the neck, and it seemed to him that he understood why French women have a reputation for being frivolous and easily falling creatures; he was drowning in this cloud of aromas, beauty, nudity, and she, not knowing his thoughts and probably not at all interested in them, quickly turned over the pages and translated at full speed:
“He was walking on the street and met a gentleman of his acquaintance and said: “Where are you rushing, seeing your face so pale, it hurts me.”
Memoires had long been finished, and now Alice was translating some other book. Once she came to class an hour earlier, excusing herself by saying that she had to go to the Maly Theater at seven o’clock. After seeing her off after class, Vorotov got dressed and also went to the theater. He went, as it seemed to him, only to relax and have fun, and he had no thoughts about Alice. He could not allow a serious person, preparing for an academic career, difficult to climb, to give up his job and go to the theater only to meet there with an unfamiliar, not smart, little intelligent girl...
But for some reason, during intermissions, his heart began to beat; without noticing it, the boy ran around the foyer and along the corridors, impatiently looking for someone; and he became bored when the intermission ended; and when he saw the familiar pink dress and beautiful shoulders under the tulle, his heart sank, as if from a premonition of happiness, he smiled joyfully and for the first time in his life experienced a jealous feeling.
Alice was walking with some two ugly students and an officer. She laughed, spoke loudly, apparently flirted; Vorotov had never seen her like this. Obviously, she was happy, content, sincere, warm. From what? Why? Because, perhaps, these people were close to her, from the same circle as her... And Vorotov felt a terrible gap between himself and this circle. He bowed to his teacher, but she nodded coldly to him and quickly walked past; she, apparently, did not want her gentlemen to know that she had students and that she gave lessons out of necessity.
After meeting at the theater, Vorotov realized that he was in love... During the next lessons, devouring his graceful teacher with his eyes, he no longer fought with himself, but gave full speed to his pure and impure thoughts. Alisa Osipovna’s face never ceased to be cold, at exactly eight o’clock every evening she calmly said “au revoir, monsieur,” and he felt that she was indifferent to him and would remain indifferent and his situation was hopeless.
Sometimes in the middle of a lesson he began to dream, hope, make plans, mentally composed a love declaration, remembered that French women are frivolous and pliable, but it was enough for him to look at the teacher’s face for his thoughts to instantly go out, like a candle goes out when there is a wind in the countryside. you take it out to the terrace. Once he, drunk, lost in delirium, could not stand it and, blocking her path when she was leaving the office after class in the hallway, choking and stuttering, began to declare his love:
You are dear to me! I... I love you! Let me speak!
And Alice turned pale - probably from fear, realizing that after this explanation she would no longer be able to come here and receive a ruble for a lesson; she made frightened eyes and whispered loudly:
Oh, this is impossible! Don't talk, please! It is forbidden!
And then Vorotov did not sleep all night, tormented by shame, scolding himself, thinking intensely. It seemed to him that with his explanation he had insulted the girl, that she would no longer come to him.
He decided to find out her address in the address table in the morning and write her a letter of apology. But Alice came without a letter. At first she felt awkward, but then she opened the book and began to translate quickly and smartly, as always:
- “Oh, young master, don’t tear up these flowers in my garden that I want to give to my sick daughter...”
She still walks today. Four books have already been translated, but Vorotov knows nothing except the word “memoires,” and when he is asked about his scientific work, he waves his hand and, without answering the question, starts talking about the weather.
