Placing commas in complex sentences. Punctuation marks in SPP

7. PUNCTION MARKS IN COMPLEX SENTENCES

7.1. Comma in a complex sentence

The dependent part can be located after the main part, before it, or inside it. In any of these cases, the dependent clause must be separated from the main comma or, if it is inside the main one, separated by commas on both sides.

[Main part] , (conjunction Subordinate clause).

(Union Subordinate clause), [Main part].

[Main part , (conjunction Subordinate clause), Main part].

Yes, in a sentence For some reason the Svans laughed , When Valiko translated my question for them(F. Iskander. Holy Lake) the dependent part comes after the main part and is separated from it by a comma. In the same way, a comma is placed in the following sentence, where the dependent part comes before the main part: When I entered the kitchen , my aunt took the teapot from me, looked deeply into my eyes and suddenly smiled(F. Iskander. The path from the Varangians to the Greeks). In a sentence But why the year before last , When I went to Chegem , you didn't tell me about this?!(F. Iskander. Chik honors customs) dependent part when I went to Chegem need to be selected on both sides, since it is inside the main one Why didn't you tell me about this last year?.

So, as a general rule, for all complex sentences a comma is placed between parts of a complex sentence.

No comma between the main and subordinate clauses

However, in some cases the comma may be missing.

This happens when a subordinating conjunction or allied word is preceded by any particle - intensifying or negative.

[Main part] _ (PARTICLE conjunction Subordinate clause).

It could be an enhancing particle And, For example:

Didn't come back He and when All guests separated .

Formally, this sentence has two parts with their own subjects and predicates: He didn't come back , guests separated . But the intensifying particle And prevents the use of a comma.

He and whenwalked All thought, And even when had lunch (A.F. Chlenov. How Alyoshka lived in the North) > He kept thinking when he was walking and even when he was having lunch.

A comma is not placed if there is a particle before the subordinating conjunction or allied word Not. As a rule, it is part of an adversarial union no... but.

[Main part] _ NOT(conjunction Subordinate), A(conjunction Subordinate).

For example: Such will rejoice not whenmyself horse will buy, and when at your place horse will die (V. Bykov. Sign of trouble).

This sentence consists of three parts: in the first part there is a subject such and predicate will rejoice, in the second - will buy it himself, in the third – the horse will die. The second and third parts are connected with the first by temporary relations, which are expressed by the union When, and they are connected to each other by an adversarial union no... but, which prevents a comma from being placed between the first and second parts of this sentence.

[Main part] _ (CONJUNCTIVE WORD Subordinate clause).

For example: Someone was walking from the direction of the avenue - it was unclear from a distance Who (V. Pelevin. Crystal World).

If the dependent part were complete, then a comma would be placed, let’s compare: From afar it was unclear Who walked ahead.

A comma may be absent according to the rule of homogeneity if the dependent part is included in a series of homogeneous members, one of which is expressed by a word or word form, and the second by a part with a subordinating conjunction. For example: Known this room AND How in it What costs (A. Bitov. Book of travels around the empire).

Word form _ And subordinating conjunction Subordinate clause.

Move comma

A comma can change its place in a sentence. If the conjunction is preceded by intensifying-restrictive words especially,even,in particular,including,especially,namely,and, (A/ But)only,just,only,exclusively etc., then a comma is placed before them, and not before the conjunction.

[Main part] , (ESPECIALLY union Subordinate clause).

For example: How to find the base you need in the forest wilds , Especially if it's classified(V. Bykov. Swamp).

A comma is placed before a word especially, and not before the union When.

Complex sentence- this is the view complex sentence, in which the main clause and the subordinate clause(s) are interconnected by a subordinate relationship, that is, the subordinate clause or subordinate clauses answer the main questions:

I went outside as soon as (when?) I heard the sirens wailing.

Punctuation marks in complex sentences.

Subordinate clauses in complex subordinate clauses are separated by commas, if it is inside the main clause or one comma, if it is before or after the main clause:

As soon as it was light, we set off. We set off as soon as it was light. As soon as it was dawn, we immediately set off.


Sometimes A colon is placed between the main clause and the subordinate clause. This is acceptable in cases where there is a special warning in the main clause that there will be an explanation in the subordinate clause. In such cases, in place of the colon you can put the words "namely":

The light turned on in the room and she saw what she wanted: in the corner, curled up in a ball, a little boy was sleeping.


Dash in a complex sentence also placed in rare cases. this happens when there is a need to emphasize with intonation the explanatory type of subordinate clause (or the conditional type - if there is a particle whether):

It’s good that I was able to come and visit, but who knows whether it’s good that I’m leaving?


If complex subordinating conjunctions are used to connect the subordinate clause with the main clause “instead of”, “in order to”, “due to the fact that”, “since” etc., then a comma separates the main and subordinate clause just one time:

Before the union, if:

He stopped sleeping normally after thieves broke in on him one day.

After a subordinate clause, if the subordinate clause comes after the main clause:

Instead of preparing for exams, he went to the river and walked in the yard.

note. Sometimes some of the complex conjunctions may fall apart, and then one part is included in the main clause, as a relative pronoun or adverb, and the second will take on the function of a conjunction in a subordinate clause:

Outside, the moon was shining so brightly that you could read a book without a flashlight.

Conjunctions are not broken in Russian “as if”, “while”, “only when” and “even if”.


Type designs “as if nothing had happened”, “at any cost”, “as best you can”, “whoever does anything” and others are not subordinate clauses, therefore are not separated by commas(commas):

In the village everyone dressed in whatever they wanted.


If subordinate clause expressed in one word, then it is not separated by a comma(s):

She burst into tears, but didn't want to say why.

1. COMMA in a complex sentence

Subordinate clause the sentence is separated from main comma or stands out commas on both sides if it is inside the main one. Who has experienced the pleasures of creativity, for this purpose all other pleasures no longer exist. I told the boys that I got lost, and sat down next to them.

Comma between main and subordinate clauses not placed, If:

In sentences with compound conjunctions because, because, due to the fact that, due to the fact that, in connection with the fact that, especially since, in order to, since, before, after, as how, before, like how, as well as, despite the fact that, etc. the comma is placed once : before a conjunction or before its second part, depending on the meaning and intonation; Usually these conjunctions are not divided if the subordinate clause comes before the main one.
The apple trees are gone because of the mice ate all the bark around. And the dogs became silent because of no stranger disturbed their peace. It seemed that his energy was enough in order to awaken the tundra and melt the permafrost of the Arctic. In order to To learn to tell the truth to people, you need to learn to tell it to yourself. Before I stopped at this birch line, I walked through the grove with my dog.

Unions are not divided into two parts meanwhile, while, as if, since(in subordinate clauses of reason), So(in sentences with the meaning of consequence).
Monet's fog was colored crimson, whereas It was known from the textbook that the color of the fog is gray. Poetry lies in the grass, underfoot, So you just have to bend down to see it and pick it up from the ground.

In combination with a verb want(in personal forms), forming meaningful expressions , comma before What not placed . "Do what do you want“Dubrovsky answered them dryly. Let him get some money wherever he wants And as he wants.

Between two or more subordinate clauses a comma is placed , if they:

2. SEMOLON in a complex sentence

A semicolon is placed , if subordinate clauses are significantly common, have commas inside them and there are no coordinating conjunctions between them.
What was he thinking about? About the fact that he was poor; that through labor he had to gain both independence and honor for himself; that God could give him more intelligence and money...

3. DASH in a complex sentence

A dash is placed for semantic highlighting of subordinate clauses coming before the main one, if:

4. COLONS in a complex sentence

The colon is placed , if the main sentence requires clarification (a pause is made before the conjunction and you can insert namely).
Hadji Murat sat next to him in the room and... understood what he needed to understand: that they were arguing about him...

1. Simple sentences that are part of a complex sentence (CCS), separated by commas.

Examples: The windows in all the buildings were brightly lit, and therefore it seemed very dark in the huge courtyard(Chekhov); It's hot outside, but the chickens are cold(Peskov).

2. Comma before single connecting and disjunctive conjunctions - and, yes (meaning “and”), or, or - not placed in the following cases:

A) common minor member:

Soon after sunrise a cloud rolled in and a short rain began to fall(Pushkin) (general minor member - circumstance of time shortly after sunrise, cf.: Soon after sunrise a cloud rolled in; Shortly after sunrise a short rain fell);

b) simple sentences within a complex sentence have general subordinate clause:

It was already quite dawn and people began to rise when I returned to my room.(L. Tolstoy) (subordinate tense when I returned to my room is common to both parts of a compound sentence, cf.: It was already quite dawn when I returned to my room; People began to rise when I returned to my room);

V) simple sentences of a complex sentence together explain the third sentence common to them, preceding them and connected with them by a non-union connection:

He felt unwell: his body was weak and there was a dull pain in his eyes(Kuprin) (parts of a compound sentence: The body was weak; There was a dull pain in the eyes- explain the meaning of the first simple sentence common to them, connected with them without a union: He felt unwell);

G) simple sentences within a complex sentence have general introductory word, introductory phrase or sentence:

According to hunters, the animal hatched in these forests and the bird disappeared(post source - according to hunters- the same for the entire statement, cf.: According to the hunters, the animal has hatched in these forests; According to hunters, the bird has disappeared);

d) interrogative sentences:

Will you come to me or should I come to you?

e) a compound sentence includes incentive offers:

Let the enemy approach and fire on command!(Furmanov);

and) a compound sentence includes exclamation sentences:

How funny he is and how stupid his antics are!

h) a compound sentence includes one-part indefinite-personal sentences if the same producer of action is thought of:

The defendants were also taken out somewhere and were just brought back(L. Tolstoy);

And) A compound sentence includes impersonal sentences that have synonymous words in the predicates:

But in the absence of synonymous words, a comma between two impersonal sentences is placed before the conjunction:

Meanwhile, it was completely dawn, and it was necessary to go out to sea again(Kataev);

To) A complex sentence includes nominative sentences:

Frost and sun...(Pushkin).

3. Instead of a comma, simple sentences in a complex sentence can be separated by a semicolon. A semicolon is placed if the parts of a complex sentence are significantly common (often these are complex sentences of a mixed type - with composition, subordination and non-union connection) and have commas inside them. Semicolons are often used before conjunctions. but, however, on the other hand, yes and, less often before the conjunction a:

For six years the commission tinkered around the building; but the climate somehow interfered, or the material was already like that, but the government building just didn’t fit above the foundation (Gogol).

Before conjunctions and, yes (in the meaning of “and”), a semicolon is placed only when they connect two sentences that would otherwise be separated by a period:

Soon the whole garden, warmed by the sun, caressed, came to life, and drops of dew, like diamonds, sparkled on the leaves; and the old, long-neglected garden that morning seemed so young and elegant(Chekhov).

4. Instead of a comma, simple sentences in a complex sentence can be separated by a dash:

A dash is placed if the second part of a complex sentence contains an unexpected addition or sharp contrast:

Often in these cases, either only the first sentence, or both sentences are nominative:

Another pressure and the enemy flees (Pushkin); Another year, two - and old age... (Ehrenburg).

Plan for parsing a complex sentence

1. Indicate the type of complex sentence (complex sentence).
2. Indicate how many parts a compound sentence consists of (highlight grammatical basics).
3. Indicate what conjunctions connect the parts of the complex sentence.
4. Construct a diagram of a complex sentence.

Sample parsing

Here in the room it was warm, and Annushka’s eyes were cheerful, and I suddenly liked this humble recluse and this room extraordinarily.(Tynyanov).

The sentence is complex; consists of three simple parts: Here in the room it was warm 1/, and Annushka’s eyes were cheerful 2/, and I suddenly liked this humble recluse and this room 3/. Grammar basics: 1) It was warm; 2) the eyes were cheerful; 3) I liked the recluse and the room. Means of communication - connecting unions and.

And, and.
conn. conn.

In the subordinate parts of a complex sentence, conjunctions and allied words are used as if, where, for nothing what if (if... then), for, why, as if, as soon as, how, which, when, which, who, where, only, only, rather than, from where, why, while, since, why, as if, since, so, just, exactly, although, whose, than, what, in order etc. The subordinate part in a complex sentence is highlighted commas on both sides, if standing inside the main part; if the subordinate part comes before or after the main part, then it is separated from it comma : Double skywhen the clouds were moving in different directions , ended with rain for two days(Priv.); When it got dark , I lit the lamp(Priv.); It is common knowledgethat everyone who left Russia took with them the last day (Ahm.); Green askedso that his bed is placed in front of the window (Paust.); There was a white veil ahead,as if the river had overflowed its banks (A.T.); I'll comealthough very busy ; If I'm in the way, then I'll leave(Paust.); Below lay the third layer,where there were many remains from Roman times (Paust.); It was hard to believethat there is a war at sea (Paust.); It became audiblehow the fire roars inside the building (Shuksh.).

In complex sentences complex conjunctions can be used: due to the fact that, in view of the fact that, instead of, due to the fact that, due to the fact that, in case of, while, due to the fact that, based on the fact that, meanwhile, despite the fact that, because, before, likewise, in proportion as, because, before, for the sake of, before, in order to, since, for the purpose of, just as, so that, especially since and etc.

"due to the fact that", are highlighted (or separated) by commas. In this case, the first comma is usually placed not before the conjunction, but between its parts (before the word “what”).Due to the fact that Every event is like a ball covered with a complex pattern; eyewitnesses contradicted each other, not matching in the description of the incident, since each saw only the part of the ball facing him...A. Green, The Shining World.In a similar way, such conjunctive constructions as “due to the fact that”, “due to the belief that”, etc. are drawn up in writing.

Subordinate clauses joined by conjunction "due to the fact that", are highlighted (or separated) by commas. In this case, the conjunction can be entirely included in the subordinate clause (and not separated by a comma), but more often it is divided (in this case, a comma is placed between the parts of the conjunction, before the word “what”). Before his death, Darwin, not without reason, expressed to Wallace a very hopeless view of the future of humanity, due to the fact that in modern civilization there is no place for natural selection and survival of the most capable. V. Veresaev, Notes of a doctor. The guest was waiting and sitting like a hanger-on who had just come downstairs from the room allotted to him to join the owner for tea, but was meekly silent due to the fact that the owner is busy and frowningly thinking about something... F. Dostoevsky, The Brothers Karamazov. It is also possible to place a comma both before the conjunction (before the word “in view of”) and between its parts (before the word “that”).I have orders from above: avoid staffing with monarchical elements, due to the fact that population... you see, restraint is necessary.M. Bulgakov, White Guard.

"for nothing", are highlighted (or separated) by commas (less commonly, dashes). There is no comma between parts of the conjunction. ...Tom Thumb, for nothing that he was small, very clever and cunning. L. Tolstoy, Little Thumb Boy. The nurse says: " For nothing the patient, and also... notices all sorts of subtleties.” M. Zoshchenko, Case history.

"because", "despite the fact that" are distinguished by punctuation marks (commas). In this case, the first punctuation mark can be placed either before a compound conjunction or between its parts (before the word “what”). He did not marry one very rich and beautiful bride, whom he really liked, only because her great-grandfather was not a nobleman. S. Aksakov, Family chronicle. He heard that women often love ugly, simple people, but he did not believe it, because judged by himself, since he himself could only love beautiful, mysterious and special women. L. Tolstoy, Anna Karenina. It immediately became clear that Kurenkov got off easier - the blow landed on the shoulder, despite the fact that he moved his hand more or less freely. V. Makanin, Anti-Leader. This is still despite the fact that We pay everyone “excuses” – the kitchen chef, the storekeepers, the senior bartender, and the restaurant director.. V. Kunin, Kysya.

"especially since", are highlighted with punctuation marks. In this case, the first punctuation mark is usually placed before the compound conjunction (before the word “that”), and not between its parts. This news made all the schoolchildren terribly excited. especially since our road to school passed by the river... D. Mamin-Sibiryak, Bad Comrade. Madam, the doctors told me to keep my feet warm, especially since I now need to go and tune the piano to General Shevelitsyna. A. Chekhov, Boots.

Combination "So"can act both as a union and as apronouns + conjunction.

• Union. Same as “and therefore, therefore.” Syntactic constructions beginning with the conjunction “so” are distinguished by punctuation marks (commas). In this case, the first punctuation mark is placed before the conjunction (before the word “so”), and not between parts. The next day after their arrival, it started pouring rain, and at night it began to flow in the corridor and in the nursery, So the cribs were moved into the living room. L. Tolstoy, Anna Karenina.
• Pronoun + conjunction. Syntactic constructions with the conjunction “what” are distinguished by punctuation marks (commas). Berlioz's life developed So he was not used to unusual phenomena. M. Bulgakov, The Master and Margarita.

Syntactic constructions attached by a conjunction "as soon as", are distinguished by punctuation marks (usually commas). As soon as as soon as K. Paustovsky, Golden Rose. As soon as

Syntactic constructions attached by a conjunction "good", are highlighted (or separated) by commas. There is no comma after the conjunction “good”. The old coachman looked, looked, got off the box, and into the tavern, good got stuck near the tavern. A. Fet, Song.

Union "in connection with which" attaches a subordinate part of a complex sentence, which contains a direct consequence arising from the action of the main part. Subordinate clauses joined by this conjunction are highlighted (or separated) by commas. She arrived at the front a few days ago, Vconnection with what There is no data on the officer composition in the personnel department of the headquarters yet. V. Bogomolov, The moment of truth.

"otherwise", are highlighted (or separated) by commas.Tell them not to dare follow us, V otherwise case they will be severely punished.V. Obruchev, Plutonia.

Subordinate clauses joined by conjunction "until", are highlighted (or separated) by commas. In this case, the first comma is usually placed not before the conjunction, but between its parts (before the word “yet”). They'll put a collar on you and won't let you sleep until You won't lie to yourself. A. Chekhov, Sinner from Toledo.

Union “if (and) not... then” connects homogeneous members of a sentence, the first of which contains an unreal condition, and the second - an assumption, an assumption. A comma is placed before the second part of the conjunction (before the word “then”). The offensive was about to end if not defeat of the attackers, That, in any case, a failure. M. Sholokhov, Quiet Don.

Particle + conjunction word "only when" separates the subordinate clause with commas, attached by the conjunctive word “when”. In this case, a comma is placed before the particle “only”, and no punctuation mark is required before “when”. They can mean something again only When what they completely coincided with will disappear. A. Bitov, Notes of a goy . However, a comma is placed before the conjunctive word “when” if the words “only when” are preceded by the demonstrative pronoun “then” (the construction “then only when” is formed). But the trouble was that these whitish tongues crawled towards the lakes, but he, on the contrary, tried to lead the Krauts to the forest and therefore dived into the fog Then only, When It was becoming completely unbearable. B. Vasiliev, And the dawns here are quiet.

Between parts of the union"insofar as"a comma is added....I am old, sick and therefore find it timely to regulate my property relations insofar as they concern my family.A. Chekhov, Uncle Vanya.He could only judge her insofar as it fit into one or another paragraph of the state code. G. Chulkov, Emperors.“The undead are not life,” said Edik. – Undead exist only insofar as there is intelligent life". A. and B. Strugatsky, Monday begins on Saturday.

Collocation "not so that/that"can be either an integral expression or a combination with a conjunction:

• An expression that is complete in meaning. The same as “not very, not quite, not quite.” There is no punctuation between parts of the expression (before the word “to”). Sang Not So to It was very slim, but both of them looked amazingly well. V. Shukshin, Alone.
• Combination with union. Syntactic constructions with the conjunction “to” are distinguished by punctuation marks, usually commas. Rot it like that , so that it bends and Not So, to burst. S. Cherny, Soldiers' Tales.

Syntactic constructions starting with conjunctions "as", "before""similar to", "since", "before" or "so as to", are highlighted with punctuation marks. In this case, the first punctuation mark can be placed either before a compound conjunction or between its parts (before the last word).

Subordinate clauses joined by conjunction "while", are highlighted (or separated) by commas. In this case, the conjunction can be entirely included in the subordinate clause (and not separated by a comma), but it can also be divided (in this case, a comma is placed between the parts of the conjunction, before the word “how”). He was married to a poor noblewoman who died in childbirth, V That time How he was in the departing field. A. Pushkin, Young Peasant Lady. It makes me laugh to remember how much the three of us smelled like lipstick. V That time, How we started going down the stairs. L. Tolstoy, Childhood. To herit even became annoying at her for the fact that she recovered just while a letter was sent. L. Tolstoy, Anna Karenina. If the subordinate part of a complex sentence comes before the main clause, a comma is usually not placed between the parts of the conjunction “while” (a comma is acceptable, but such punctuation is considered obsolete).IN That time How we sat for hours on the fence, peering into the greenish water; from the depths of the tub, these strange creatures rose in flocks every now and then...V. Korolenko, Paradox.

Syntactic constructions starting with a conjunction "in case", are highlighted with punctuation marks. Moreover, if the word “that” is absent, the first punctuation mark can be placed before the entire compound conjunction and between its parts.“A propos,” I said, “so as not to forget, how much would you take for your crocodile, on happeningIf would you consider buying it from you?F. Dostoevsky, Crocodile.He took out a notebook from his red briefcase, on which he had jotted down a summary of a small compilation of work he had invented on happening, If in Crimea it will seem boring with nothing to do. A. Chekhov, Black Monk.All recess they hid in the restroom on happening, If suddenly Liza Tsypkina has recovered and wants to lead them from today.L. Ulitskaya, Gift not made by hands.When the word “that” is present, the first punctuation mark is placed between the parts of the conjunction (before the word “if”).I need to increase the firing range on That happening, If the dirty yellow stream will turn towards us at once. A. and B. Strugatsky, Beetle in an anthill.

Combination "whereas"

• Union. Same as “but, although, while.” Syntactic constructions beginning with the conjunction “whereas” are distinguished by punctuation marks (commas). In this case, the first punctuation mark is placed before the word “then”, and not before the word “how”.It is remarkable that the ancestor descendants passed on their beautiful type to their later offspring to only one men, whereas blond women have retained their local - and the truth must be told - very ugly type.A. Fet, Poor people.In all other countries the sovereign came from the people, Then How in Japan, on the contrary, the people have the honor of descending from a sovereign who is directly descended from the gods. A. Bitov, Japan.
• Adverb + conjunction. A comma is placed before “how”.Going to the army is not shouting a song: boast Then, How you can; and God willing, you yourself will lay down your violent head.O. Somov, They come to the field, they are not considered family.

Combination "exactly the same as (and)" can act as a union.Union. Syntactic constructions beginning with the conjunction “just like (and)” are distinguished by punctuation marks. In this case, the first sign is placed before the compound conjunction (before the word “exactly”), and not between its parts. Nowadays there is no rumor of robbers, exactly So same How about witches, sorcerers, dead people, brownies and all this hellish scum, from which in the old days our ancestors could not live. M. Zagoskin, Evening on Khopra. ...And in grace itself there can be calculation, exactly So same How And there may be grace in the calculation. M. Saltykov-Shchedrin, Our friendly trash.

Combination "because" can act as a conjunction or as an adverb + conjunction:

• Union. Same as “because”. Syntactic constructions with the conjunction “since” are distinguished by punctuation marks, usually commas. They didn't talk much because it was prohibited. Yu. Tynyanov, Second Lieutenant Kizhe.
• Adverb + conjunction. Same as “in the same way as”, “to the same extent as”. A comma is placed before “how”. He smiled because as if he was talking about women's pranks. Y. Tynyanov, Death of Vazir-Mukhtar. It all started around because the she-wolf dreamed about it when the cubs were still small. Ch. Aitmatov, Scaffold.

Syntactic constructions attached by a conjunction"as soon as", are distinguished by punctuation marks (usually commas).As soon as in the started thing people appear and as soon as these people, by the will of the author, come to life, they immediately begin to resist the plan and enter into a fight with it.K. Paustovsky, Golden Rose.As soon as a thunderstorm passed, I went to a locksmith’s shop and, while they were grinding my key there, I calculated that I would be able to move to Murmansk no earlier than in a week...K. Vorobyov, Here comes a giant.

In the union “even though/though (and) a/yes/but”a comma is placed before the second part of the conjunction (before “a / yes / but”).Life but heavy, But not an example. A. and B. Strugatsky, Doomed City. In the hut though smells bad Yes warm at least... I. Goncharov, Oblomov. Yes, he knows everything, understands everything, and with these words he tells me that but ashamed, A You have to get over your shame. L. Tolstoy, Anna Karenina.

A close connection between the parts of a sentence is established when there is an intensifying particle in the subordinate clauseneither . This particle closely merges with a relative word or subordinating conjunction:who neither anything nor, which nor where nor, where nor, no matter how much, no matter how, whenever etc. Subordinate clauses with these combinations have the additional meaning of generalization and strengthening and are highlighted (separated) by commas:What neither ask, she will explain, she will teach, you will never get bored talking to her.(N.) No matter how hard we tried, that day we only managed to reach the mouth of the river.(Ars.)

A comma may be used in a complex sentence if the subordinate clause is an indirect question: Fortunately, he didn’t think to ask me a simple question: is there an official investigation underway?.