Hence the comma. Is the word “means” separated by commas or not? “So”: is a comma necessary? NOT separated by comma

Recently, a cheat sheet on the Russian language spread across LJ. I took it from here: http://natalyushko.livejournal.com/533497.html

However, there were errors and inaccuracies.
I corrected what I noticed, plus added information from my notebook and other sources.

Use it. =)

If you notice any errors or have any additions, please write about it.

Editor's note. Part 1

Commas, punctuation

“In addition” is ALWAYS highlighted with commas (both at the beginning and in the middle of a sentence).

“Most likely” in the meaning of “very likely, most likely” is separated by commas (Of course, it’s all because of the cognac and the steam room, otherwise he would most likely have remained silent.).
In the meaning of “quickest” - NO (This is the most likely way to get to the house.).

"Quicker". If it means “better, more willingly”, then WITHOUT commas. For example: “She would rather die than betray him.” Also WITHOUT commas, if it means “better to say.” For example: “making some remark or rather an exclamation.”
BUT! A comma is needed if this is an introductory word expressing the author’s assessment of the degree of reliability of this statement in relation to the previous one (in the meaning of “most likely” or “most likely”). For example: “It cannot be called smart person“Rather, he’s on his own mind.”

“Of course”, “of course” - the word of course is NOT separated by commas at the beginning of the response, pronounced in a tone of confidence, conviction: Of course it is!
In other cases, a comma is REQUIRED.

The expressions “in general”, “in general” are SEPARATED in the meaning “in short, in a word”, then they are introductory.

“First of all” are isolated as introductory in the meaning of “first of all” (First of all, he is quite capable person).
These words do NOT stand out in the meaning of “first, first” (First of all, you need to contact a specialist).
A comma after “a”, “but”, etc. is NOT needed: “But first of all, I want to say.”
When clarifying, the entire phrase is highlighted: “There is hope that these proposals, primarily from the Ministry of Finance, will not be accepted or will be changed.”

“at least”, “at least” - are isolated only when inverted: “This issue was discussed twice, at least.”

“in turn” - is not separated by a comma in the meaning “for its part”, “in response, when it was the turn.” And the quality of introductory ones is isolated.

“literally” - not introductory, not separated by commas

"Hence". If the meaning is “therefore, therefore, it means,” then commas are needed. For example: “So you, therefore, are our neighbors.”
BUT! If it means “therefore, as a result of this, based on the fact that,” then the comma is needed only on the left. For example: “I found a job, therefore we will have more money”; “You are angry, therefore you are wrong”; “You can’t bake a cake, so I’ll bake it.”

"Least". If it means “the least”, then without commas. For example: “At least I’ll wash the dishes”; “He made at least a dozen mistakes.”
BUT! If in the meaning of comparison with something, emotional assessment, then with a comma. For example: “At a minimum, this approach involves control,” “To do this, you need, at a minimum, to understand politics.”

“that is, if”, “especially if” - a comma is usually not needed

“That is” is not an introductory word and is not separated by commas on either side. This is a conjunction, a comma is placed before it (and if in some contexts a comma is placed after it, then for other reasons: for example, to highlight a certain isolated construction or subordinate clause, which come after it).
For example: “There are still five kilometers to the station, that is, an hour’s walk” (a comma is needed), “There are still five kilometers to the station, that is, if you walk slowly, an hour’s walk (a comma after “that is” is placed to highlight the subordinate clause "if you go slowly")

“In any case” are separated by commas as introductory ones if they are used in the meaning “at least”.

“Besides that”, “besides this”, “besides everything (other)”, “besides everything (other)” are isolated as introductory ones.
BUT! “Besides that” is a conjunction, a comma is NOT needed. For example: “In addition to not doing anything himself, he also makes claims against me.”

“Thanks to this”, “thanks to that”, “thanks to that” and “along with that” - a comma is usually not required. Segregation is optional. The presence of a comma is not an error.

“Moreover” - WITHOUT a comma.
“Especially when”, “especially since”, “especially if”, etc. — a comma is needed before “even more so.” For example: “Such arguments are hardly needed, especially since this is a false statement”, “especially if it is meant”, “rest, especially since a lot of work awaits you”, “you shouldn’t sit at home, especially if your partner invites you to the dance."

“Moreover” is highlighted with a comma only in the middle of the sentence (on the left).

“Nevertheless” - a comma is placed in the middle of the sentence (on the left). For example: “He has decided everything, however, I will try to convince him.”
BUT! If “but nevertheless”, “if nevertheless”, etc., then commas are NOT needed.

If "however" means "but", then a comma with right side NOT installed. (An exception is if this is an interjection. For example: “However, what a wind!”)

“In the end” - if it means “in the end”, then a comma is NOT placed.

“Really” is NOT separated by commas in the meaning of “in fact” (that is, if this is a circumstance expressed by an adverb), if it is synonymous with the adjective “valid” - “real, genuine”. For example: “The bark itself is thin, not like oak or pine, which are really not afraid of the hot rays of the sun”; “You are really very tired.”

“Indeed” can act as an introductory and SEPARATE. The introductory word is characterized by intonation isolation - it expresses the speaker’s confidence in the truth of the reported fact. In controversial cases, the author of the text decides on the placement of punctuation marks.

“Because” - a comma is NOT needed if it is a conjunction, that is, if it can be replaced with “because”. For example: “As a child, he underwent a medical examination because he fought in Vietnam,” “maybe it’s all because I love when a person sings” (a comma is needed, because replace with “because” it is forbidden).

"Anyway". A comma is needed if the meaning is “be that as it may.” Then this is introductory. For example: “She knew that, one way or another, she would tell Anna everything.”
BUT! The adverbial expression “one way or another” (the same as “in one way or another” or “in any case”) does NOT require punctuation. For example: “War is necessary one way or another.”

Always WITHOUT commas:
Firstly
at first sight
like
it seems
for sure
similarly
More or less
literally
in addition
in the (eventual) end
in the end
as a last resort
best case scenario
Anyway
at the same time
overall
mostly
especially
in some cases
through thick and thin
subsequently
otherwise
as a result
due to this
after all
in this case
in the same time
generally
in this regard
mainly
often
exclusively
at most
meanwhile
just in case
in case of emergency
if possible
as far as possible
still
practically
approximately
with all that
with (all) desire
on occasion
wherein
equally
the biggest
at the very least
actually
generally
maybe
as if
in addition
to top it off
I guess
by the proposal
by decree
by decision
as if
traditionally
supposedly

The comma is NOT included
at the beginning of a sentence:
“Before... I found myself...”
"Since…"
"Before as…"
"Although…"
"As…"
"In order to…"
"Instead of…"
“Actually...”
"While…"
“Especially since...”
"Nevertheless…"
“Despite the fact that...” (at the same time - separately); There is NO comma before “what”.
"If…"
"After…"
“And...”

“Finally” in the meaning of “finally” is NOT separated by commas.

“And this despite the fact that...” - a comma is ALWAYS placed in the middle of a sentence!

“Based on this, ...” - a comma is placed at the beginning of the sentence. BUT: “He did this based on...” - a comma is NOT used.

“After all, if..., then...” - a comma is NOT placed before “if”, since then comes the second part of the double conjunction - “then”. If there is no “then”, then a comma is placed before “if”!

“For less than two years...” - a comma is NOT placed before “what”, because This is NOT a comparison.

A comma is placed before “HOW” only in case of comparison.

“Politicians such as Ivanov, Petrov, Sidorov...” - a comma is added because there is a noun "policy".
BUT: “...politicians such as Ivanov, Petrov, Sidorov...” - a comma is NOT placed before “how”.

Commas are NOT used:
“God forbid”, “God forbid”, “for God’s sake” - are not separated by commas, + the word “God” is written with a small letter.

BUT: commas are placed in both directions:
“Thank God” in the middle of a sentence is highlighted with commas on both sides (the word “God” in this case is written with capital letters) + at the beginning of a sentence - highlighted by a comma (on the right side).
“By God” - in these cases, commas are placed on both sides (the word “God” in this case is written with a small letter).
“Oh my God” - separated by commas on both sides; in the middle of the sentence, “God” - with a small letter.

If introductory word Can omit or rearrange to another place in the sentence without violating its structure (usually this happens with the conjunctions “and” and “but”), then the conjunction is not included in the introductory construction - a comma is NEEDED. For example: “Firstly, it became dark, and, secondly, everyone was tired.”

If introductory word remove or rearrange it is forbidden , then a comma after the conjunction (usually with the conjunction “a”) is NOT placed. For example: “She simply forgot about this fact, or maybe she never remembered it,” “..., and therefore, …”, “..., and maybe …”, “..., and therefore, …”.

If introductory word Can remove or rearrange, then a comma is NEEDED after the conjunction “a”, since it is not associated with the introductory word, i.e., welded combinations such as “and therefore”, “and however”, “and therefore”, “and maybe”, etc. p.. For example: “She not only didn’t love him, but maybe even despised him.”

If at first sentences worth coordinating union(in the connecting meaning) (“and”, “yes” in the meaning of “and”, “too”, “also”, “and that”, “and that”, “yes and”, “and also”, etc.) , and then an introductory word, then there is NO need for a comma in front of it. For example: “And really, you shouldn’t have done that”; “And perhaps it was necessary to do something differently”; “And finally, the action of the play is ordered and divided into acts”; “Besides, other circumstances have come to light”; “But of course, everything ended well.”

It happens rarely: if at first offers worth joining union, A the introductory construction stands out intonationally, then commas are NEEDED. For example: “But, to my great chagrin, Shvabrin decisively announced...”; “And, as usual, they remembered only one good thing.”

Basic groups of introductory words
and phrases
(set off by commas + on both sides in the middle of the sentence)

1. Expressing the speaker’s feelings (joy, regret, surprise, etc.) in connection with the message:
to annoyance
to amazement
Unfortunately
unfortunately
unfortunately
to joy
Unfortunately
to shame
fortunately
to the surprise
to horror
bad luck
for joy
for luck
the hour is not exactly
there's no point in hiding
by misfortune
fortunately
strange affair
amazing thing
what good, etc.

2. Expressing the speaker’s assessment of the degree of reality of what is being communicated (confidence, uncertainty, assumption, possibility, etc.):
without any doubts
undoubtedly
undoubtedly
may be
right
probably
apparently
Maybe
Indeed
in fact
there must be
Think
Seems
it would seem
Certainly
Maybe
May be
Maybe
Hope
presumably
is not it
undoubtedly
obviously
apparently
in all probability
truly
perhaps
I guess
in fact
essentially
Truth
right
of course
goes without saying
tea, etc.

3. Indicating the source of what is being reported:
They say
they say
they say
transmit
In your
according to...
I remember
In my
in our opinion
according to legend
according to information...
according to…
according to rumors
according to message...
in your opinion
audible
report, etc.

4. Indicating the connection of thoughts, the sequence of presentation:
All in all
Firstly,
secondly, etc.
however
Means
in particular
The main thing
Further
Means
So
For example
Besides
by the way
By the way
by the way
by the way
finally
vice versa
For example
against
I repeat
I emphasize
more than that
on the other side
On the one side
that is
thus, etc.
as it were
whatever it was

5. Indicating techniques and ways of formatting expressed thoughts:
or rather
generally speaking
in other words
if I may say so
if I may say so
in other words
in other words
in short
better to say
to put it mildly
in a word
simply put
in a word
as a matter of fact
if I may say so
so to speak
to be precise
what is it called, etc.

6. Representing appeals to the interlocutor (reader) in order to attract his attention to what is being reported, to instill a certain attitude towards the facts presented:
do you believe
do you believe
do you see
you see)
imagine
let's say
do you know)
Do you know)
Sorry)
believe me
Please
understand
do you understand
do you understand
listen
suppose
Imagine
Sorry)
let's say
agree
agree, etc.

7. Measures indicating an assessment of what is being said:
at least, at least - are isolated only when inverted: “This issue was discussed twice, at least.”
the biggest
at the very least

8. Showing the degree of normality of what is being reported:
It happens
it happened
as usual
according to custom
happens

9. Expressive statements:
All jokes aside
between us it will be said
just between you and me
need to say
it won't be said as a reproach
frankly
according to conscience
in fairness
admit say
to speak honestly
funny to say
Honestly.

Set expressions with comparison
(without commas):
poor as a church mouse
white as a harrier
white as a sheet
white as snow
fight like a fish on ice
pale as death
shines like a mirror
the disease vanished as if by hand
fear like fire
wanders around like a restless person
rushed like crazy
mumbles like a sexton
ran in like crazy
lucky, as a drowned man
spins like a squirrel in a wheel
visible as day
squeals like a pig
lies like a gray gelding
everything is going like clockwork
everything is as chosen
jumped up as if scalded
jumped up as if stung
stupid as a plug
looked like a wolf
goal like a falcon
hungry as wolf
as far as heaven from earth
shaking as if with a fever
trembled like an aspen leaf
he's like water off a duck's back
wait like manna from heaven
wait like a holiday
lead a cat and dog life
live like a bird of heaven
fell asleep like the dead
frozen like a statue
lost like a needle in a haystack
sounds like music
healthy as a bull
know like crazy
have at one's fingertips
fits like a cow's saddle
goes next to me like it's sewn on
like he sank into the water
roll around like cheese in butter
sways like a drunk
swayed (swayed) like jelly
handsome as god
red like a tomato
red as a lobster
strong (strong) like an oak
screams like a catechumen
light as a feather
flies like an arrow
bald as a knee
it's raining cats and dogs
waves his arms like a windmill
rushing around like crazy
wet as a mouse
gloomy as a cloud
dropping like flies
hope like a stone wall
people like sardines in a barrel
dress up like a doll
you can't see your ears
silent as the grave
dumb as a fish
rush (rush) like crazy
rush (rush) like crazy
rushing around like a fool with a written bag
runs around like a chicken and an egg
needed like air
needed like last year's snow
needed like the fifth spoke in a chariot
Like a dog needs a fifth leg
peel off like sticky
one like a finger
remained broke like a lobster
stopped dead in his tracks
razor sharp
different as day from night
different as heaven from earth
bake like pancakes
turned white as a sheet
turned pale as death
repeated as if in delirium
you'll go like a darling
remember your name
remember like in a dream
get caught like chickens in cabbage soup
hit like a gun on the head
sprinkle like a cornucopia
similar as two peas in a pod
sank like a stone
appear as if by command of a pike
loyal like a dog
stuck like a bath leaf
fall through the ground
good (useful) like milk from a goat
disappeared as if into the water
just like a knife to the heart
burned like fire
works like an ox
understands oranges like a pig
disappeared like smoke
play it like clockwork
grow like mushrooms after the rain
grow by leaps and bounds
drop from the clouds
fresh like blood and milk
fresh as a cucumber
sat as if chained
sit on pins and needles
sit on coals
listened as if spellbound
looked enchanted
slept like a log
rush like hell
stands like a statue
slender as a Lebanese cedar
melts like a candle
hard as a rock
dark as night
accurate as a clock
skinny as a skeleton
cowardly as a hare
died like a hero
fell as if knocked down
stubborn as a sheep
stuck like a bull
mulish
tired as a dog
cunning like a fox
cunning like a fox
gushes like a bucket
walked around like a daze
walked like a birthday boy
walk on a thread
cold as ice
skinny as a sliver
black as coal
black as hell
feel at home
feel like you're behind a stone wall
feel like a fish in water
staggered like a drunk
It's like being executed
as clear as two and two is four
clear as day, etc.

Do not confuse with homogeneous members

1. The following stable expressions are not homogeneous and therefore are NOT separated by a comma:
neither this nor that;
neither fish nor fowl;
neither stand nor sit;
no end or edge;
neither light nor dawn;
not a sound, not a breath;
neither for yourself nor for people;
neither sleep nor spirit;
neither here nor there;
for no reason about anything;
neither give nor take;
no answer, no hello;
neither yours nor ours;
neither subtract nor add;
and this way and that;
both day and night;
both laughter and grief;
and cold and hunger;
both old and young;
about this and that;
both;
in both.

(General rule: a comma is not placed inside complete phraseological expressions formed by two words with opposite meanings, connected by a repeated conjunction “and” or “nor”)

2. NOT separated by comma:

1) Verbs in the same form, indicating movement and its purpose.
I'll go for a walk.
Sit down and rest.
Go take a look.
2) Forming a semantic unity.
Can't wait.
Let's sit and talk.

3) Paired combinations of a synonymous, antonymous or associative nature.
Seek the truth.
There is no end.
Honor and praise to all.
Let's go.
Everything is covered.
It's nice to see.
Questions of purchase and sale.
Greet with bread and salt.
Tie hand and foot.

4) Compound words (interrogative-relative pronouns, adverbs that contrast something).
For some people, but you can’t.
It’s somewhere, somewhere, and everything is there.

Compiled by -

Verbs, names and adverbs in a sentence can act as introductory words, which in one way or another - grammatically, lexically, intonation - express the speaker’s attitude to what he is reporting.

Compare two sentences:

This question, it seemed made it difficult for the guest.

Face his it seemed calm.

In both examples the word is used it seemed , but only in the second case is this word included in the members of the sentence: there it is part of a compound nominal predicate.

In the first example the word it seemed serves only to express the speaker’s attitude towards what he is reporting. Such words are called introductory words; they are not part of the sentence and can easily be omitted, for example: This question... made the guest difficult. Please note that in the second sentence, skip the word it seemed impossible.

Compare some more examples in the table:

Take it with you By the way, our books.
This phrase by the way, reminded me of an old joke.

These words are spoken By the way.

This phrase was said by the way.

Words separated by commas can be removed from a sentence without destroying its meaning.

By the way, from the first sentence you can ask the question HOW?
To the phrase BETWEEN OTHERS, you can ask the question WHEN?

Many words can be used as introductions. But there is a group of words that are never introductory. Read two sentences:

There will obviously be a good harvest this year;
There will certainly be a good harvest this year.

The first sentence uses the word obviously, in the second – certainly . Although these words are very close in meaning, only the word from the first sentence is separated by commas and is introductory. The words presented below need to be remembered: they are very similar to introductory ones, but they are not commas are not separated:

PERHAPS, SUDDENLY, SUDDENLY, SO, HARDLY, STILL, EVEN, EXACTLY, AS IF, JUST, CAREFULLY, MANDATORY, ALMOST, ONLY, ALLEGEDLY.

Introductory words can convey five various types values:

Most often, with the help of introductory words, the speaker conveys various degree of confidence in what he reports. For example: You will undoubtedly do well on the exam. or It seems like you need to study more. This group includes the words:

OF COURSE, OF COURSE, UNDOUBTEDLY, UNDOUBTEDLY, WITHOUT A DOUBT, UNCONDITIONALLY, ACTUALLY, SEEMED, PROBABLY, POSSIBLY, POSSIBLY.

Introductory words can also convey feelings and attitude speaker to what he is communicating. For example: Unfortunately, you did not pass the exam very well.

FORTUNELY, UNFORTUNATELY, SURPRISINGLY, UNFORTUNATELY.

Sometimes introductory words indicate on The source of information, which is reported by the speaker. Introductory phrases in this case begin with the words BY MESSAGE, BY WORDS, BY OPINION. For example: According to doctors, you need to stop training for a while.

The source of the message may also be the speaker himself (IN MY OPINION, IN MY OPINION) or the source may be uncertain (THE SAY IS HEARD). For example: They say you will have to stop training.

ACCORDING TO THE MESSAGE, ACCORDING TO WORDS, ACCORDING TO OPINION, ACCORDING TO RUMORS, SAYING, HEARD, IN MY OPINION, IN MY OPINION, IN YOUR OPINION.

Introductory words are also used For organizing thoughts and indications of their connections with each other. For example: Firstly, this participle was formed from a perfective verb; secondly, it has dependent words. Therefore, it must contain two letters N.

FIRSTLY, SECONDLY, THIRDLY, FINALLY, CONSEQUENTLY, MEAN, SO, OPPOSITE, FOR EXAMPLE, ON THE CONVERSE.

There are also sentences where introductory words indicate on way of organizing thoughts. For example: In a word, everything went well.

IN OTHERWISE, IN ONE WORD, IT IS BETTER TO SAY, TO SPEAK SOFTLY.

Introductory words also include words that serve to attract attention interlocutor:

YOU KNOW (KNOW), UNDERSTAND (UNDERSTAND), LISTEN (LISTEN), SEE (SEE) and others.

These same meanings can be expressed not only by introductory words, but also by similar predicative constructions (introductory sentences). Compare: The snowfall will probably end soon And The snowfall, I think, will end soon. Except for commas, for emphasis introductory sentences parentheses or dashes may be used. This is done when the introductory construction is very common and contains additional comments or explanations. For example:

We're passing through our village once, years ago - how can I tell you without lying - about fifteen years old. (Turgenev)
Alexei (the reader already recognized him) Meanwhile, he gazed intently at the young peasant woman. (Pushkin)

The rule for separating introductory words and sentences has several very important notes.

If the introductory word is preceded by the conjunction A or BUT, then a comma is not always placed between the introductory word and the conjunction. Compare a couple of sentences:
The doctor finished the appointment but of course, will look at a seriously ill patient.
He gave his word and consequently, must restrain him.

The introductory word can be rearranged or removed without a conjunction only in the first case, therefore a comma is required between the introductory word and the conjunction. It is impossible to do this in the second sentence, which means there is no comma.

Very often difficulties arise in sentences with the words HOWEVER and FINALLY. The word HOWEVER is highlighted only when it cannot be replaced by the conjunction BUT. Compare two sentences:
However we understand that this figure is still low(HOWEVER = BUT) . Bye, however, we don't yet have a clear picture of what's happening(HOWEVER – introductory word) .

The word FINALLY is introductory only when it does not have a spatial or temporal meaning, but indicates the order of thoughts. For example:
I hope that in the near future this project finally will be implemented. AND, finally, The last thing I would like to draw your attention to.

Introductory words can begin a separate construction, for example, a clarifying phrase. In this case, a comma is not placed after the introductory word (in other words, the comma, which was supposed to “close” the introductory word, is moved to the end of the separate phrase).

I saw, or rather felt, that she was not indifferent to me.

In addition, a comma is not placed before an introductory word located at the end of a separate phrase.

For the holidays we decided to go somewhere, to Kolomna for example.

If the introductory word is in the middle of a separate construction, then it is separated by commas on a common basis.

I decided to declare my love, feeling, it seems, in my heart that she was not indifferent to me.

If introductory words are located before a phrase beginning with the words “how” or “so that,” then they are separated by commas.

The day she lived seemed meaningless to her, in fact, like all life.
He thought for a moment, probably, to find the right words.

Exercise

The portraits hung opposite the mirror.
On the contrary, he didn’t even change his face.
On the one hand_ I completely agree with you.
On one side, the coin depicted a double-headed eagle.
The truth is always better than a lie.
I_really_ was somewhat surprised by this news.
In spring_possible_flooding.
There may be a flood in the spring.
Everyone in our city is already talking about this.
In Greece_ they say_ everything is there.
Maybe you deigned to express yourself this way for the beauty of the style? (Gogol).
According to weather forecasters, it will be colder next week.
As scientists say, global warming awaits us.
The train leaves in an hour_ therefore_ we need to leave the house.
Fortunately_ Pechorin was deep in thought (Lermontov).
We have gathered here_first_to resolve the issue of the timing of the work.
He didn’t want to shoot himself - thank God - he didn’t want to try... (Pushkin).
Of course_ you have seen the district young lady’s album (Pushkin) more than once.
In one word, you got off easy.
So_ now we can draw a conclusion.
“You don’t bother me at all,” he objected, “if you please, shoot yourself, but as you please; your shot remains behind you; I am always ready at your service (Pushkin).
She suffered for a very long time after separation, but as you know, time heals any wounds.
The wind, however, was strong.
Fedya brought flowers_ however_ Masha didn’t like it.
A strong, yet warm wind blew through the window.
A good upbringing, as we know, can be achieved in boarding schools (Gogol).
However_ there are various improvements and changes in methods... (Gogol).
You_ definitely_ should come to us.
I took the ace of hearts from the table, as I remember now, and threw it up (Lermontov).
However, General Khvalynsky himself did not like to talk about his career; He seems to have never been to war (Turgenev).
You will become wild_ you know_ if you live locked up all the time (Gogol).
He was probably a grateful person and wanted to pay for his good treatment.
You supposedly had to come to his office and report on the trip.
Yes_ I admit_ I thought so myself.
I still decided to do it my own way.
Ivan Petrovich, you know, was an extraordinary man.
Nobody, of course, went to see him (Turgenev).
Gleb, as far as I knew, studied well at the Bryansk gymnasium (Paustovsky).
But perhaps the reader is already tired of sitting with me at Ovsyannikov’s house, and therefore I eloquently fall silent (Turgenev).
My arrival—I could have noticed it—at first somewhat confused the guests.
However_ the political process began to develop in a different way.
In my last report, I hastened to inform you that we finally managed to solve this problem.
The experiences of transformations that happened around us had, without a doubt, a strong influence on the thoughts of the majority of people involved in them (M. M. Speransky).
A group of border guards led by an officer approached the violators with the intention, as had happened before, to protest and demand that they leave the territory.
Finalization of the agreement will probably take several more months.
Secondly_ in the field international tourism a lot of abuse.
However, if we remain committed to the spirit and letter of this document, it could not have been otherwise.
We all know well, and everyone here knows well, that on the western, or as they say, the second front, about 1.5 million Allied troops and about 560 thousand German troops were concentrated.
This modest, symbolic gesture seems to me to be full of deep meaning.
Fortunately, the examples mentioned above are the exception, not the rule.
Increased baggage value may be claimed for certain types of items.
The reason for this is obvious: when the mind begins to recognize the price of freedom, it dismisses with carelessness all the children's toys, so to speak, with which it amused itself in its infancy (M. M. Speransky).
Pravda_ spoke to me politely, did not force me to do anything, and I remember having the impression that he did not look at all these accusations seriously.
But in our case, the truth quickly came out, and we were soon released.

To understand whether and where to put a comma when using the word “therefore”, you should pay attention to the meaning of the lexeme. Whether "therefore" is separated by commas or not depends entirely on the context.

The word “therefore” is separated by commas

On both sides

If “therefore” is used as an introductory word (in the meaning of “thus”, “therefore”) and is located inside a sentence, it is separated by commas on both sides.

We are therefore leaving immediately.
The video cameras worked, and it turned out, therefore, that he was innocent of forgery.

Before the word

A comma is placed only before “therefore” when the word acts as a conjunction (meaning “and therefore”, “and therefore”).

The students were well prepared for test work, hence they will not get bad grades.
He often writes at night, so the light stays on for a long time in the room.

After the word

1. After the introductory word “therefore,” a comma is placed when it is at the beginning of the sentence.

Therefore, only one conclusion suggests itself.
Consequently, the celebration will take place at the appointed time.

2. If before “therefore” at the beginning of a sentence there is a connecting conjunction (“but”, “yes”, “a”, “and”), a comma is placed after the lexeme.

And therefore, he recognized her only thanks to a conventional sign.
Therefore, we will reschedule the meeting until tomorrow.

3. If “therefore” after coordinating conjunction(usually “a”) cannot be excluded from a sentence (without losing meaning or structure), then a comma is placed only after the word. It is not separated from the union.

The Russian language is great and powerful. In what other language can the same word express different meanings, depending on the placement of the comma? But in the Russian language such phenomena are all too common. Take, for example, the word “means” - the comma highlighting it lets us know that it is introductory.

“So” is an introductory word

Words that express the speaker's attitude to what he is saying are separated by commas. They are called introductory because they are not directly related to what is being discussed in the sentence. Such words express the author’s confidence and uncertainty in the reliability of the information presented, its source, the order of the author’s thoughts, and his address to the interlocutor.

The word “means” helps the speaker logically organize his thoughts. It can also be replaced with synonyms “therefore”, “thus”, “therefore”. Checking commas in this case is very simple: if a word can be omitted without changing the meaning of the sentence, then commas are added.

Examples of using the introductory word “mean” at the beginning of a sentence

Here are sentences in which a comma is placed after “means”; in them this word or its synonyms should appear at the very beginning:

So you won't go to school today?
Therefore, classes were canceled today?
So, homework weren't you asked?
Thus, today I am absolutely free.
So, take your jacket and go home.
Therefore, you will still have time to get to the stadium.
This means you will be free soon.
So, we'll wait.
Therefore, it needs to be redone.
So, pull yourself together, think.

As can be seen from these examples, the meaning of the sentences is not entirely clear. This introductory word “means” expresses the relations of consequence. That is, it needs context before it. Let's consider these examples.

The introductory word “means” in the middle of a sentence

In these cases, please note that a comma is also placed before “means” and its synonyms, that is, this word is highlighted on both sides:

Classes were canceled today, so you won't go to school today?
The school is in quarantine starting today, so lessons are cancelled.
There were no classes today, therefore, you were not assigned homework.
We weren't given any homework, which means I'm completely free today.
If you have already finished work, then take your jacket and go home.
You were released earlier, so you will still have time to get to the stadium.
Today is a shortened day, so you will be free soon.
Mom won’t be back soon, so we’ll have to wait.
There are a lot of mistakes in your work, therefore, you need to redo it.
You completed the task with errors, so pull yourself together and think.

Comma checking

Let us remember that the placement of commas in introductory words is checked by omitting them:

Classes were canceled today, won't you go to school today?
There is a test for the Unified State Exam at school, are classes canceled today?
There were no classes today, you were not assigned homework.
We weren't given any homework, I'm completely free today.
If you've already finished work, take your jacket and go home.
You were released earlier, you will still have time to get to the stadium.
Today is a shortened day, you will be free soon.
Mom won’t be back soon, we’ll wait.
There are a lot of mistakes in your work that need to be redone.
You completed the task with errors, pull yourself together, think.

As you can see, it is quite possible to remove this introductory word from a sentence without compromising the meaning. is still present, in these cases it divides simple sentences as part of complex ones. The comma has nothing to do with the word “means”.

Not introductory

The word “means” is separated by commas or not. Let's consider the conditions under which no punctuation is required. Firstly, it must be a predicate, and then it will be impossible to remove it without damaging the meaning of the statement, and secondly, a question can be posed to it from the subject, from which a question is posed to the dependent words.

For example:

Family (what does it do?) means (to whom?) everything to me.
It doesn't (what doesn't?) mean anything.
Yes (what does it do?) it means something.
His word means a lot (what does it do?).

In all these sentences, the word “means” does not use a comma.

Work with text

Let’s say we need to write down the numbers of sentences in which the introductory word “means” is separated by a comma:

1) Grandma loves music very much, but her career as a pianist somehow didn’t work out. 2) And she strives with all her might to make Alyosha a musician. 3) And the dream of seeing her grandson become a famous artist means a lot to her. 4) She finds that Alexey even looks like the young Paganini.

5) None of the family personally knows this famous violinist, but dad dares to claim that he had black eyes and a thin pale face framed by tar-colored hair. 6) Alyosha has a chubby face, rosy cheeks, blue eyes and fair hair. 7) This means that there is no complete coincidence of external signs. 8) But the grandmother stubbornly insists that the similarity lies in the depths of her eyes, and her grandson’s eyes glow with the same inspiration as those of the famous Italian. 9) Only she sees this. 10) Everyone else finds that in the boy’s eyes there is complete calm, which is sometimes only slightly mixed with slyness.

11) The grandson’s musical career is still not going well, and in order to somehow get things moving, the grandmother decides to use a trick. 12) One day she answers questions from a riddle concert and sends a letter to the editor on behalf of her grandson. 13) And a few days later, the announcer, in a surprised voice, reports on the radio that a second-grade student correctly answered eleven out of thirteen questions, which means that he takes second place in the music quiz. 14) In addition, she notices that the child’s answers are not childishly thorough and intelligent, which indicates that music at his school is taught at the highest level.

15) But in fact, music was not taught at Alyosha’s school at all: they could not find an intelligent teacher. 16) But after Alyosha’s victory in the music competition, I had to find him right away. 17) After all, others began to beg to exchange experiences. 18) “If you have such successful students, it means you have excellent music teachers,” the directors of Alyosha’s school told the director educational institutions cities - don’t be greedy, share.”

19) Alyosha’s grandmother was jubilant: it means that her idea was beneficial after all, even if not her grandson, but at least someone would become a great musician with her direct participation.

The correct answer will be this: with the introductory word “means,” a comma is placed in sentences 7, 18, 19.

Hence And ( obsolete) CONSEQUENTLY
1. introductory word So, it turns out. Mistakes are made and the score is therefore reduced.
2. union. So, as a result of this, therefore. You are angry, therefore you are wrong.
A (s) therefore, the union is the same as therefore (in 2 meaning).

Examples of using the word hence in the context

hence

Hence

hence