Hello, please tell me if the following sentence needs a comma after but before if. And why it is needed/not needed. A person can be a genius or have all the necessary skills, but if he doesn't believe in himself, he won't give it his all. Thank you.
A comma is placed at the junction of a conjunction if the first conjunction is followed by a single conjunction in the subordinate clause. If after the first conjunction there is a double conjunction, then a comma is not placed at the junction of the conjunction. This happens when the subordinating conjunction has the word in the main part of the sentence That.
Because in this case the words That no, comma between conjunctions But And If needed.
| Question No. 294072 | ||
Tell me, please, if a sentence contains such a construction as “since, if..then,” then if there is a conjunction “then,” then a comma is not placed after the conjunction “since”?
Answer help desk Russian language
Yes, a comma is not placed at the junction of conjunctions if the subordinating conjunction has the word in the main part of the sentence That.
| Question No. 290514 | ||
How to explain the absence of a comma at the junction of conjunctions in the following sentence: “The geologist was intensely peering at the map of the area, and when he finally realized where he was, he hit himself on the knee with a flourish.”
Russian help desk response
There is no comma because it is impossible to remove the subordinate clause from the sentence when I finally realized where I was.
| Question No. 290472 | ||
Good afternoon, please help me put the punctuation marks correctly in the sentence - For significantly less money than you would pay to unknown lawyers without a guarantee of obtaining results or at least a conscientious attitude and timely measures, which (?) even if they do not help to avoid negative consequences , then(?) at least(?) they will significantly reduce them, but these are your nerves, health, time,(?) in the end. Thank you!
Russian help desk response
The sentence is overloaded and therefore difficult to perceive. It needs to be split into two sentences.
On the isolation of revolutions at least And in the end see in "Handbook of Punctuation". At the junction of a union word and a union (which if) a comma is not placed if the main part of the conjunction contains the second part of the conjunction if... then.
| Question No. 290423 | ||
Good evening. I have a question about the junction of unions. Does this rule not work when there is no comma before the first conjunction? What if we are given, for example, the following sentence: She laughed, screamed, AND (,) IF he was in the room at that moment, THEN she would also cry.
Russian help desk response
A comma is not placed at the junction of conjunctions according to the basic rule: She laughed, screamed, and if he had been in the room at that moment, she would have cried.
| Question No. 289830 | ||
Is a comma necessary before “if” in “why(,) if” and “what(,) if” combinations?
Russian help desk response
A comma at the junction of conjunctions may or may not be present. Punctuation depends on the structure of the entire sentence.
| Question No. 289220 | ||
Is a comma necessary before the word “so that” in the sentence: The state allocates a certain amount for each resident, and in order to treat the querulant, another patient will have to be disadvantaged. Not needed, right?
Russian help desk response
A comma is placed at the junction of a conjunction if after the first conjunction ( And) is followed by a single conjunction in the subordinate clause ( to). Right: The state allocates a certain amount for each resident, and in order to treat a querulant, another patient will have to be disadvantaged.
| Question No. 288110 | ||
Please help me resolve the questions: 1) Is a comma necessary: “We must remember that (,) if we want to become better, but do not work on ourselves, then there is something wrong with us.” 2) Separate or continuous writing: “I want to be happy by giving and helping others.” Thank you for your responses. 3) Why is there no need for a comma (,): “I wonder what (,) than more errors we make, the more angry we get." After all, you can remove "the more mistakes we make" without restructuring the sentence. Thanks for your help!
Russian help desk response
1. A comma is not needed, because the word Means- this is the second part of the double conjunction if... that means. If after the first conjunction there is a double conjunction, then a comma is not placed at the junction of the conjunction.
2. Correctly combined spelling.
3. A comma is not needed, because after the first conjunction there is a double conjunction than... the.
| Question No. 286948 | ||
What rule determines the placement and absence of a comma before the word “if” in the following cases: 1) He felt that if he sat down now, he would never get up again. 2) He felt that if he sat down now, he would never get up again.
Russian help desk response
A comma is placed at the junction of conjunctions in a complex sentence if the first conjunction is followed by a single conjunction in the subordinate clause: He felt that if he sat down now, he would never get up again.
If after the first conjunction there is a double conjunction, then a comma is not placed at the junction of the conjunction. This happens when the subordinating conjunction has the word in the main part of the sentence That: He felt that if he sat down now, he would never get up again.
| Question No. 286812 | ||
Is a comma necessary at the junction of the conjunctions "but" and "either..., or..." and why? For example: I wanted to object, but either from resentment or from fatigue I burst into tears. How to place punctuation marks correctly?
Russian help desk response
Punctuation marks are placed correctly. To place a comma after But no reason.
| Question No. 282775 | ||
Hello.
Help me to understand.In Lopatin's reference book we read:
“At the beginning of the sentence, the coordinating and subordinating conjunctions, as well as the subordinating conjunction and the conjunctive word, are not separated by a comma: Denis died. And when I was leaving, his old woman brought me a goose... (Prishv.); And forgive me, and forever, forever. .. Because where can they meet now? (Boon.)".I'm interested in the last example. And if at the beginning of the sentence there is not a conjunction word (such as “where”), but, for example, a conjunction “if,” is a comma needed?
"Because (?) if you had called ahead, I would have waited for you."
Russian help desk response
In the example you gave it works general rule about placing a comma at the junction of conjunctions: a comma is placed if the subordinating conjunction does not have a word in the main part of the sentence That. Wed: Because if you had called ahead, I would have waited for you. Because if you had called in advance, I would have waited for you.
| Question No. 281504 | ||
Good afternoon
In one of the Unified State Examination tasks, it was proposed to insert missing commas into the sentence: “At first, the dog ran ahead of the hunter all the time, but (1) as soon as she sensed the game, her steps slowed down and became creeping.”
According to the rules, there should not be a comma in place of the number 1 (since the subordinate clause cannot be omitted without restructuring the main clause). However, the answers indicate that a comma still needs to be inserted.
Tell me, is a comma necessary? If necessary, then according to what rule?
Russian help desk response
A comma is needed. It is more correct to be guided by this criterion: a comma is placed at the junction of the conjunction if the subordinate clause can be removed from the text or rearrange to another place in the complex sentence. Here a rearrangement is quite possible: At first the dog ran ahead of the hunter all the time, but as soon as she sensed the game, her steps slowed down and became creeping. At first the dog ran ahead of the hunter all the time, but her steps slowed down and became creeping as soon as she sensed the game.
| Question No. 280606 | ||
Hello!
I'm not sure about the correct placement of commas in the sentence.
The blind man knew that the sun was looking into the room, and that if he stretched out his hand through the window, dew would fall from the bushes.
Please explain the placement of a comma before the conjunction And, why don’t we put a comma before the word if?
Russian help desk response
Right: The blind man knew that the sun was looking into the room and that if he stretched his hand out the window, dew would fall from the bushes. A comma is not placed between homogeneous subordinate clauses connected by a non-repeating conjunction And. There is no comma at the junction of conjunctions what if, because followed by a correlative word That. Wed: The blind man knew that the sun was looking into the room and that if he stretched out his hand through the window, dew would fall from the bushes.
| Question No. 269783 | ||
Good morning. Is a comma necessary at the junction of the conjunctions “because” and “when”?
You don't have to stop when someone says it's crazy, because when people say it's good, it means someone is already doing it. Is a comma necessary at the junction of the conjunctions “because” and “when”?
Russian help desk response
The comma is needed: ...because when people say it's good, it means...
| Question No. 262688 | ||
Hello!
To the answer to question No. 262622.These sentences do not have a comma before "when":
1. Taken separately, such combinations do not cause objections, but when a newspaper article is saturated with such phrases or when even in a single form, but almost daily they are repeated in newspaper materials, then...
2. The very end of autumn is when the rowan shrivels from frost and becomes, as they say, “sweet.”
3. The partisans showed great resourcefulness and exceptional composure, especially when they were surrounded.
Why is there “after all, when” in your answer?
Thank you!
Russian help desk response
You present sentences with different syntactic structures. In the example under consideration - a complex sentence with several subordinate clauses - a comma is placed at the junction of the conjunctions: As it turned out, it makes sense, because when the devices are installed by force, it will cost residents much more. The comma is placed because after the first conjunction (after all) follows a single conjunction (When) in the subordinate part. Of the sentences you provided, only in example 1 ( complex sentence with composition and subordination) we see a junction of conjunctions, but a comma is not placed in it, because further in the sentence there is the word That(if it were not there, a comma between But And When would be placed).
TASK 19.
PUNCTUATION MARKS IN COMPLEX SENTENCES WITH DIFFERENT TYPES OF CONNECTION
Task formulation: place punctuation marks: indicate all the numbers that should be replaced by commas in the sentence.
At first, no one could understand (1) how the boat went against the current without a sail and a motor (2) but (3) when the people went down to the river (4) everyone saw a team of dogs pulling the boat.
The correct answer is 1, 2, 3, 4.
This task usually presents either a syntactic construction with a subordinating and coordinating connection, or a complex sentence with sequential subordination of subordinate clauses.
The above complex syntactic structure consists of four simple proposals. The first of these is the most important. An explanatory clause is attached to it using the conjunctive word how. The third sentence is connected to the second using a coordinating conjunction But. The fourth is a subordinate clause with the meaning of time and is attached to the third using a temporary subordinating conjunction When.
What students should know to complete the task correctly: the topic “Punctuation marks in a complex sentence with different types of connections.”
A complex sentence requires the presence of a main and subordinate clause. A subordinating conjunction or allied word, which can only be placed in a subordinate clause, allows you to discover which sentence is the main one and which is the subordinate one. From the main clause a question is asked to the subordinate clause. It is by the nature of the question that we determine the type of subordinate clause.
It is quite easy to establish the boundary between the subordinate clause and the main clause: the subordinate clause begins with a subordinating conjunction or a conjunctive word: A good deed is never stupid, for it is selfless and does not pursue a goal, benefit or " smart result» (D.S. Likhachev).
As we can see, this declarative, non-exclamatory, complex sentence consists of a main clause and a subordinate reason, which is attached to the main one using the subordinating conjunction IBO. We determined the type of subordinate clause by the question: why? for what reason?
The hardest time for students to see a subordinate clause is when it comes before the main clause: “If you conduct an argument from the very beginning politely and calmly, without arrogance, then you ensure yourself a calm retreat with dignity» (D.S. Likhachev). The subordinate clause begins the sentence, followed by the main clause.
Knowledge of the topic “Types of subordinate clauses” will help you to correctly place punctuation marks in this task. The table below contains this information. Remember that when determining the type of subordinate clauses, we rely on the question that we ask from the main part to the subordinate clause.
| J№ p/p | Type of subordinate clause | Question | Means of communication | The meaning of the subordinate clause | Example |
| 1. | Definitive | WHICH? WHICH? WHICH? WHICH? | Conjunctive words: which, which, whose, who, what, where, where, where, whence | Is a definition in relation to a noun or pronoun in the main part | “You don’t need to bore your neighbors with continuous jokes, witticisms and anecdotes that have already been told by someone to your listeners.” (According to D.S. Likhachev.) “A well-mannered person is one who wants and knows how to reckon with others...” (D.S. Likhachev.) |
| 2. | Explanatory | QUESTIONS OF INDIRECT CASES | Conjunctions: what, how, whether, as if, so that, as if not Conjunctive words: what, how, who, where, which, from where, why, how much... | Refers to the verb in the main clause and expresses additional clarification | “I am convinced that true good manners manifests itself primarily at home, in relationships with your family.” (According to D.S. Likhachev.) |
| 3. | Mode of action, degree | HOW? HOW? IN WHAT DEGREE? | Conjunctions: so that, as, as if, exactly, as if, as if... Conjunctive words: how, how much... | Refers to a verb, adverb, adjective, noun in the main and expresses the meaning of the manner of action, degree | “Behave in such a way that modesty and the ability to remain silent come first.” (According to D.S. Likhachev.) |
| 4. | Places | WHERE? WHERE? WHERE? | Conjunctive words: where, where, where... | Specifying the location | “Intelligence is present where respect for others, the world, and nature is demonstrated.” (According to D.S. Likhachev.) |
| 55. | Time | WHEN? HOW LONG? SINCE WHEN? | Conjunctions: when, while, barely, only, since, as long as, while, before, as. | Clarification of validity period | As human culture moves forward, new values join the old ones, increasing their value for today. (According to D.S. Likhachev.) |
| 6. | Conditions | UNDER WHAT CONDITIONS? | Conjunctions: if, if, if, if, if, once, as if, if soon. | Indication of the condition under which an action occurs, called a predicate verb | “If he is polite with his acquaintances, but gets irritated with his family on every occasion, he is an ill-mannered person.” (D.S. Likhachev.) |
| 7. | Causes | WHY? WHY? | Conjunctions: because, because, due to the fact that, due to the fact that, for, since. | Explanation of the reason | “...I address myself mainly to the man, to the head of the family, because a woman really needs to give way... not just at the door.” (According to D.S. Likhachev.) |
| .8. | Goals | FOR WHAT? FOR WHAT? FOR WHAT PURPOSE? | Conjunctions: in order to, in order to, so that, if only, if only. | Purpose of an action named by a predicate verb | “...there’s no need to noisily put your fork down on your plate, noisily sip your soup, speak loudly at dinner, or talk with your mouth full so that your neighbors won’t be afraid.” (D.S. Likhachev.) |
| 9. | Comparative | HOW? | Conjunctions: as, as if, exactly, as if, as if, similarly, similarly as, that, than, rather than... | Comparison of two actions, states | “Being able to apologize and admit a mistake to others is better than playing around, lying, thereby deceiving yourself first of all.” (According to D.S. Likhachev.) |
| 110. | Consequences | Union: SO WHAT | Consequence, conclusion, conclusion | “It is in youth that a person’s mind is most receptive to the acquisition of knowledge, so do not waste time on trifles, on “rest”.” (According to D.S. Likhachev.) | |
| 111. | Connection | Conjunctive words: what (in the nominative and indirect cases: what, what, what), why, why, why | Additional Information, notes on all the main things | “A person brings good to people, alleviating their suffering from illness, which gives him the opportunity to receive real joy.” (According to D.S. Likhachev.) We were already walking on tiptoe in the corridor, which my sister was very surprised by. |
In order to correctly place punctuation marks, you need to know the types of subordination of subordinate clauses.
There are three types of subordination of subordinate clauses to the main one: sequential, homogeneous, parallel.
With CONSISTENT subordination, the first subordinate clause refers to the main clause (clause of the first degree), the second - to this subordinate clause (clause of the second degree), etc.:
“People, unfortunately, learn little from books “about good manners” because books about good manners rarely explain why good manners are needed” (According to D.S. Likhachev). The first subordinate clause of reason is added to the main sentence (it is the first one), and to it, in turn, is an explanatory subordinate clause.
“When a person is so wounded that he cannot show generosity, at these moments he especially needs sympathy and support” (George Bernard Shaw). In the second sentence, a degree clause is added to the attributive clause.
With sequential subordination, sometimes conjunctions are nearby, and you need to be aware of punctuation at the junction of conjunctions.
Punctuation at the junction of conjunctions
The junction of conjunctions is the space in a sentence between two conjunctions: between two subordinating conjunctions; between the coordinating and subordinating conjunction.
A comma is placed at the junction of two conjunctions, If the second union has no continuation in
in the form of words TO, BUT, etc.
A comma is not placed at the junction of two conjunctions if the second conjunction has a continuation
in the form of words TO, BUT, etc.
Compare two sentences:
1. Dmitry Sergeevich Likhachev wrote, what if you will have a respectful attitude towards others and a little resourcefulness, you will remember the rules good behavior, desire and ability to apply them.
2. Dmitry Sergeevich Likhachev wrote, what if If you have a respectful attitude towards others and a little resourcefulness, then you will remember the rules of good behavior, the desire and ability to apply them.
In these syntactic constructions there is a junction of conjunctions (two subordinating conjunctions WHAT + IF are located nearby).
In the first sentence, the second conjunction IF does not have a continuation in the form of the word THEN, so at the junction of the conjunctions we put a comma (WHAT, IF).
In the second sentence of the union IF there is a sequel as a word THEN (IF...THEN), therefore at the junction of alliances (WHAT IF) We don't put a comma.
With HOMOGENEOUS subordination, subordinate clauses refer to one common main clause and are identical in meaning - homogeneous, answer the same question and belong to the same type:
1. “If a person does not know how to understand another, attributing only evil intentions to him, and if he is always offended by others, this is a person who impoverishes his life and prevents others from living.”(According to D.S. Likhachev.)
As you can see, two subordinate clauses refer to one main clause, both subordinate clauses
answer one question: UNDER WHAT CONDITIONS? By the way, if not for the isolated circumstance expressed participial phrase, then there would be no comma before the conjunction I, connecting two similar subordinate clauses. Homogeneous subordinate clauses can have coordinating conjunctions, preceded by commas in the same way as with homogeneous members.
2.“In my book “Letters about the Good and the Beautiful,” intended for children, I try to explain that following the path of goodness is natural for a person and that it is useful for both the person and the whole society as a whole.”(According to D.S. Likhachev).
In the second sentence, two subordinate clauses are homogeneous, answering the same question that we ask from one word in the main sentence
(explain WHAT?), they are connected by a single conjunction AND, so we do not put a comma in front of it.
You can also comment on proposal No. 3 below.
3. " Most of all, we are superior to animals in only one way: What we talk to each other So what we can express our feelings in words"(Cicero).
4. “In my letters I do not try to explain What so good and why a kind person is internally beautiful..."(D.S. Likhachev).
In the fourth sentence we see that with homogeneous subordination (two subordinate clauses) different connecting words can be used: WHAT and WHY.
5. “Once upon a time it was considered indecent to show everyone that an accident had happened to you and you were in grief"(D.S. Likhachev).
In the fifth sentence we see a more complex case when the second conjunction with homogeneous subordination is omitted.
Complex sentences with PARALLEL subordination refer to the same main thing, but are different in meaning: “If you strive for a high goal with low means, you will inevitably fail, so the saying “the end justifies the means” is destructive and immoral"(According to D.S. Likhachev).
The main clause is the second, the first subordinate clause is added to it with the help of
cabbage soup of the subordinating conjunction IF, being a subordinate clause (the sentence begins with it), the second subordinate clause (in order - the third) is attached to the main one with the help of the subordinating conjunction SO THAT is a subordinate clause of the consequence. Both subordinate clauses refer to the same main clause, but are different in meaning, i.e. we see parallel subordination.
“He who waits for luck never knows whether he will have dinner today"(Franklin).
Both subordinate clauses refer to the same main clause, answer different questions, and are subordinate clauses different types, therefore, we have before us a complex sentence with parallel subordination of subordinate clauses.
THEORETICAL PART.
1. Simple sentences in a complex sentence are separated or separated by commas:
[The sun (when I arrived) was setting].
[The sun was setting] and [the day was ending].
2. With homogeneous subordinate clauses, commas are placed in the same way as with homogeneous members of the sentence:
[He did not hear], (HOW the key turned in the lock) or (HOW the bolt clanged).
[He gets angry] And (when they forget about him), And (when they remember him too well).
3. If the conjunction is complex (BECAUSE, SO THAT, SINCE, etc.), the comma is placed depending on the meaning and intonation once: either before the entire conjunction, or before its part WHAT, SO, HOW:
He wasn't in class BECAUSE he was sick.
He wasn't in class BECAUSE he was sick.
4. Conjunctions are not broken by commas AS, THEN AS, ONLY WHEN, EVEN IF:
He didn't show up because he was sick.
5. Commas when combining conjunctions AND IF, AND ALTHOUGH, AND WHEN, WHAT BYE, WHAT IF, etc.
When two conjunctions coincide, a comma is placed if there is no second part of the double conjunction THEN, SO, BUT, HOWEVER.
January turned out to be freezing, and (ALTHOUGH the stove was heated hot), the windows were frozen. (There is no second part of the union.)
January turned out to be chilly, AND (ALTHOUGH the stove was heated hot), BUT the windows were frozen. (Have but.)
The student was told, (WHAT, (IF he plays truant again), they will call his parents. (There is no second part of the union.)
The student was told (IF (IF he plays truant again) THEN they will call his parents). (There is THAT.)
SOLVING TASKS A26.
1. There are always people next to you (1) and (2) even if you are very lonely (3) you do not doubt that (4) that someone will be able to listen and understand you.
(1) – conjunction AND connects parts of a complex sentence - a comma is placed.
(2) a comma is placed between AND and EVEN IF, because there is no second part of the conjunction.
(3,4) – boundaries of subordinate clauses in complex sentence- commas are placed.
ANSWER: 1,2,3,4
2. A few hours later (1) Ivan became exhausted (2) and (3) when he realized (4) that he could not cope with the papers (5) he cried quietly and bitterly.
(1) – no comma, since the circumstance is not highlighted here.
(2) - there is no comma, because the conjunction AND connects the homogeneous predicates EXHAUSTED AND CRIED.
(3) – there is a comma because there is no second part of the conjunction.
(4,5) - these commas highlight the subordinate clause.
ANSWER: 3,4,5
3. A couple of hours later, (1) when it became quite hot (2) and the crowd in the port froze, (3) the boys got out of the city limits (4) and climbed the hill (5) from which the harbor is visible.
(2) - is not put, because the conjunction AND connects homogeneous subordinate clauses.
(4) - is not put, because the conjunction AND connects homogeneous predicates.
A comma at the junction of conjunctions can be used in two cases:
When a subordinate clause is wedged between two stems connected by coordinating conjunctions,
depending on the second basis.
With sequential subordination of subordinate clauses, when the second subordinate clause depends on the first, but
at the same time requires a position in front of him.
A comma is placed at the junction between them when there is no second part of the double conjunction after the subordinate clause then, so or union but:
At night, timber was brought to the river (1) and (2) when a white fog shrouded the banks (3) all eight companies
laid planks (4) on the wreckage of the bridges. (Answer: 1234)
At night, timber was brought to the river (1) and (2) when a white fog covered the banks (3) THEN all eight companies
laid planks (4) on the wreckage of the bridges. (Answer: 134)
empty, and no matter how much the philosopher rummaged in all the corners and even felt all the holes and traps in
roof, but nowhere did I find a piece of lard or at least an old knish, which, according to
As usual, it was hidden by the students.- There is no comma, because after the subordinate clause
sentences are a conjunction but.
Compare: The large ramshackle hut in which the bursa was located was decidedly
empty, and no matter how much the philosopher rummaged in all the corners and even felt all the holes and traps in the roof, nowhere
I didn’t find a piece of lard or, at least, an old knish, which, as usual, is hidden
were students. This sentence contains a comma because there is no conjunction BUT.
Another technique that allows you to determine whether you need to put a comma at the junction of conjunctions.
Try removing part of the sentence at the junction of conjunctions:
Thick clouds (1) and (2 although it was only the third hour of the day (3) it was already dark
Thick clouds were layered across the sky (1) and (3) it was already dark. Deletion is possible, so there is a comma after
the coordinating conjunction is placed, the answer is 123.
Deletion is impossible, which means a comma is NOT placed after the coordinating conjunction: At night, the tops of old linden trees were lost in the sky (l) and (2) if a strong north wind began (Z), then the stars seemed to fly from branch to branch (4) as if small fireflies were sitting on the trees instead. - At night, the tops of old linden trees were lost in the sky (l) and (2) ... (3) then the stars seemed to fly from branch to branch (4) as if small fireflies were sitting on the trees instead of them. Answer: 134
Could be so:
A comma is placed at the junction of two conjunctions if the sentence can be rearranged without distorting the meaning by rearranging the subordinate clause:
Ø Thick clouds were layered across the sky, and although it was only the third hour of the day, it was already dark;
Ø Thick clouds were layered across the sky, and it was already dark, although it was only the third hour of the day.
Ø Thick clouds were layered across the sky, and although it was only the third hour of the day, it was already dark. IN
In this sentence, such a rearrangement is impossible, since there will be nearby and but.
Algorithm of actions
1. Select grammar basics.
2. Identify conjunctions and determine whether they are coordinating or subordinating.
3. Determine the main and subordinate clauses (the main ones are those from which the question is asked;
subordinate clauses – to which the question is asked).
4. Determine the boundaries of simple sentences that are part of a complex one (conjunctions are often
indicate the beginning of new grammatical foundations!).
5. Special attention pay attention to the place in the sentence where the coordinating and
subordinating conjunctions.
6. After the subordinate clause there is no second part of the double conjunction then, so or the conjunction but, a comma is placed,
There is. - not set
7. Add all punctuation marks.
Analysis of the task
Place punctuation marks: indicate all the numbers that should be replaced by commas in the sentence.
Lucy was gently persistent (1) and (2) although it was difficult to remember everything (3) gradually the old lady
told (4) how it was.
First, let's define the grammatical basics and highlight which of them are the main ones and which are the subordinate ones.
[Lyusya was soft persistent] and [(although recall All it was difficult) gradually old lady
told] (How it was a matter).
This sentence contains a junction of conjunctions AND ALTHOUGH. We read the proposal. It's not in the second part
continuation of the conjunction THAT, SO, BUT, it can be removed from the text (Lucy was gently persistent and gradually the old woman told how it was), therefore a comma is placed between the conjunctions: AND, ALTHOUGH.
[Lucy was gently insistent], (1) and, (2) [(although it was difficult to remember everything), (3) gradually
the old lady told], (4) (how it happened).