Clauses Joined Without Conjunctions

Level 6Sounds Like bâzzlučníkavyâ skazy

Clauses can join without a conjunction: Я не прыйшоў: быў хворы. (I did not come: I was ill.)

How It Works

A conjunctionless sentence (бяззлучнікавы складаны сказ) links clauses without бо, таму што, калі or і. The 2008 rules choose the punctuation mark by meaning:

  • Comma. Events listed side by side: Цвітуць сады, спяваюць птушкі, свеціць сонца.
  • Colon. The second part explains the first or gives its reason: Я не прыйшоў: быў хворы. A colon also follows verbs like бачыць, чуць, ведаць, зразумець when the next part says what was seen or known: Я ведаю: ты заўсёды дапаможаш.
  • Dash. The first part gives a condition or time: Прыйдзеш позна — дзверы будуць зачыненыя. Or the second part gives a result: Надышла восень — птушкі паляцелі на поўдзень. Or a contrast or sudden turn: Я клікаў — ніхто не адказаў.

Reading tip. Try adding a conjunction in your head. If бо fits, use a colon. If калі, так што or але fits, use a dash. If і fits, use a comma.

These sentences are common in speech, stories and proverbs. They sound lively and direct, while the same ideas with conjunctions sound more explicit.

Examples (6)

  1. Я не прыйшоў: быў хворы.

    I did not come: I was ill.

    Word by Word: I not came: was ill.

  2. Надышла восень — птушкі паляцелі на поўдзень.

    Autumn came, and the birds flew south.

    Word by Word: Came autumn — birds flew to south.

  3. Цвітуць сады, спяваюць птушкі, свеціць сонца.

    The orchards are in bloom, birds are singing, the sun is shining.

    Word by Word: Bloom orchards, sing birds, shines sun.

  4. Я ведаю: ты заўсёды дапаможаш.

    I know that you will always help.

    Word by Word: I know: you always will-help.

  5. Прыйдзеш позна — дзверы будуць зачыненыя.

    If you come late, the door will be locked.

    Word by Word: You-will-come late — door will-be locked.

  6. Я клікаў — ніхто не адказаў.

    I called out, but nobody answered.

    Word by Word: I called — nobody not answered.

Common Mistakes

  • Using a colon for a condition.

    Прыйдзеш позна: дзверы будуць зачыненыя.
    Прыйдзеш позна — дзверы будуць зачыненыя.

    The first part is a condition (if you come late). The 2008 rules put a dash after a condition or time clause; a colon would mean the second part explains the first.

  • Using a colon for a result.

    Пайшоў дождж: мы засталіся дома.
    Пайшоў дождж — мы засталіся дома.

    Staying home is the result of the rain, not an explanation of it, so the rules call for a dash.

  • Using a comma when the second part gives the reason.

    Я не прыйшоў, быў хворы.
    Я не прыйшоў: быў хворы.

    When the second part explains why, the rules put a colon. A comma makes it read like a list of two separate facts.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

Clauses Joined Without ConjunctionsLevel 6

Learn This First

Clauses without conjunctions follow commas.