Punctuation marks - Punctuation marks

Comma (comma [?k?m?])

In a simple sentence:
1. When listing homogeneous members of a sentence. A comma can also be used before the conjunction and (and) and before the last of three or more similar members of a sentence (optional rule). But if the last homogeneous term is longer than the previous ones, then a comma before and is used Always.
Madison bought a pen, a pencil, a notebook and an eraser for the school. Madison bought a pen, pencil, notebook and eraser for school.
Eric visited Spain, India, German, France, and a small village in the west of Scotland. Eric visited Spain, India, Germany, France and a small village in the west of Scotland.
2. To highlight introductory words, phrases and sentences, as well as cases where it is necessary to avoid ambiguity in understanding.
Actually, I believe him. Honestly, I believe him.
Moscow, the capital of Russia, is one of the biggest cities in the world. Moscow, the capital of Russia, is one of the largest cities in the world.
3. To highlight the appeal.
Mister, would you like a cup of coffee? Mister, would you like a cup of coffee?
4. To highlight an independent participle phrase.
The teacher of mathematics being absent, the lesson didn't take place. Since the teacher was not there, the lesson did not take place.
5. After introductory words before a short text, direct speech.
He said, "I broke your vase". He said, "I broke your vase."
6. In writing dates, to separate the number from the year.
Yeltsin fallen on the 31 st December, 1999 . Yeltsin resigned on December thirty-first, nineteen ninety-nine.
7. To separate parts of the address (address (1), street (2), city (3), postal code (5), country (5)).
L. Cooper, (1)
17 Eagles way, (2)
London, E.C., (3), 46711 (4)
England.

In a complex sentence:
9. In complex sentences without conjunctions.
Several workers came to the site, the instrument was dragged out of the car, the work got boiling. Several workers arrived at the construction site, the tool was removed from the car, and work began to boil.
10. In complex sentences with conjunctions (except and (and) and or (or)), if they introduce short sentences.
She asked me to bring some water, but it was up. She asked me to bring water, but the water ran out.
I phoned him and he came over. I called him and he came.
11. In complex sentences, the subordinate clause, predicate and object are not separated by commas.
Who built Egypt pyramids is known to nobody. No one knows who built the Egyptian pyramids.
12. Definitive subordinate clauses are not separated by a comma, but descriptive clauses that provide additional information about the object are separated.
He didn't notice Jenna who was sitting on the armchair. He didn't notice Jenna, who was sitting in a chair.
I know the instructor, who has got twenty years of experience in car driving. I know an instructor with twenty years of experience driving a car.
13. If the adverbial clause comes before the main clause, then it is separated by a comma, if after - not.
If you are ever in Moscow, visit the Red Square. If you're ever in Moscow, go to Red Square.
Visit the Red Square if you are ever in Moscow.

Semicolon (semicolon [?semi?k??l?n])

1. Used when listing if the item being listed is grammatically complex.
All belongings were packed; we immediately left the hotel. All things were packed; we immediately left the hotel.
2. In complex sentences without a conjunction, where one could put a period.
My car demands repairing; I need to buy two new tires. My car needs repairs, I need to buy two new tires.
Note: The word after the semicolon is written Not with a capital letter (I is always written with a capital letter).

Colon (colon [?k??l?n])

1. At the end of a sentence, when using an explanation or clarification.
Kevin was good in one thing: keeping his flat in cleanliness and order. Kevin was good at one thing: keeping his apartment clean and tidy.
2. After a generalizing word before listing homogeneous members of the sentence.
Juliet bought some kinds of seafood to cook a seafood mix:the pimples, the shrimps, the octopi, the lobsters, the crabs. Juliet bought several types of seafood to prepare a seafood cocktail: eels, shrimp, octopus, lobster, crab.
3. Before a quote or long text of direct speech.
Thomas Edison said: "Genius is one percent of inspiration and ninety-nine percent of perspiration". Thomas Edison said: "Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration."

Dot (dot)

1. At the end of declarative and imperative sentences.
The book is a source of knowledge. A book is a source of knowledge.
2. In abbreviations.
e.g. (lat. example gratia) = for example
Ms. - Mrs. Mrs.

Ellipsis (suspension points)

Ellipsis in English is indicated in the same way as in Russian - by three dots.

1. To indicate the incompleteness of a statement (but it is also possible to use a dash instead of an ellipsis).
Jack has never... Jack never...
2. When quoting fragmentarily, instead of omitting a passage of the quotation.
"His appearance was untidy... his shoes were dirty, the coat was torn." He looked unkempt...his shoes were dirty and his coat was torn.

Exclamation mark [?ekskl??me??(?)n m??(r)k])

At the end of exclamatory sentences.
Do it yourself! Do it yourself!

Question mark (interrogation mark [?n?ter???e??(?)n m??(r)k])

At the end of interrogative sentences, except for indirect questions.
When did the rain start? When did it start to rain?
He asked when the rain started. He asked when it started to rain.
Note: If in an indirect question the main clause is interrogative, then a question mark is used.
Do you know when did the rain start? Do you know when it started to rain?

Dash

1. An unexpected explanation in the middle of a sentence is highlighted on both sides with a dash or parentheses.
But he - the main organizer of the arrangement- didn’t even tell us when to come. But he, the main organizer of the event, didn’t even tell us when to come.
or
But he (the main organizer of the arrangement) didn't even tell us when to come.
2. Instead of an ellipsis to indicate unfinished speech.
Jack has never - Jack never...
3. If the sentence has an additional judgment.
They will have built the shop by the next month - at least they said so. They will have the store built by next month, or so they said.

The comma in the English language is the most common and, therefore, the most difficult to write. It is in cases with the use of a comma that there are the greatest number of different difficulties and questions, which is often determined by the opinion of the author, personal emotional perception and interpretation of a particular case and situation described in the text. A comma in English, unlike Russian, is not always placed to separate it from the main clause, while in Russian subordinate clauses are always separated by a comma.

When a comma is not used

Commas are not separated in English:

• subordinate subject / predicate / object:

It is important that she should be there on Wednesday.It's important that she be there on Wednesday.

My rule is that you should not drink.My condition is that you don't drink.

I insist that you call him soon.We insist that you call him quickly.

• subordinate clauses, where there is a circumstance when they come after the main clause:

She told her all when she went downstairs.She told her everything as she walked down the stairs.

I had to end my work earlier to aid mother.I had to finish work early to help my mother.

The police may take your car if you park it there.The police may confiscate your car if you park there.

The most typical situations of using a comma

The most typical situations of using a comma.

• The comma in English is always used when addressing.

Waiteress, I would like a menu, please.Waitress, bring menu, Please.

Father, there is no one here.Father, there is no one here.

• The comma in English is used to separate individual items of enumeration:

Purple, lily, red flowers filled several vases.The vases were filled with purple, lilac, and red flowers.

Notrose, went around the table, leaned down and took the little armchair.He stood up, walked around the table, bent down and took a small chair.

She laughs, drinks and speaks too much. He laughs, drinks and talks too much.

It should be remembered that in this case a comma before and can be used, but not necessarily.

• Used (but not necessarily) between 2 main clauses connected by conjunctions and / as / but / and others. The comma is used especially often in English when the first sentence is long:

He will affirm it, and I will help him with his problems. him with his problems.

They stopped to look at each other, and she asked about this hard day.They stopped to look at each other and she asked about this difficult day.

The crowd was stupefied, as the clown tried to entertain with his jokes.The crowd was mesmerized as the clown tried to entertain with his jokes.

• Used after circumstances in subordinate clauses coming before the main clause:

When she went downstairs, she told him that Selena had already come.When she went downstairs, she told him that Selena had already arrived.

To support my sister, he had to leave Moscow.To help my sister, he had to leave Moscow.

Having called Sara, she quickly went to the station.After calling Sarah, she quickly drove to the station.

When in doubt, you should come to see me.When in doubt, come to me.

If you park the car there, the police will seize it.If you park your car there, the police will confiscate it.

• Used after any part of a sentence where there is additional information about the subject:

The waiter, who was old, told that he knew me. .

Subtleties of use

The strict principle of the English language is that the use of a comma between the subject (several subjects) and the predicate is prohibited. This case represents one of the few situations where a comma can be used, but keep in mind that only additional information is underlined by a comma, and on both sides:

The girl who was so pretty, assured that he saw me. / The girl, who was so pretty assisted that he saw me. — Both sentences are incorrect. No second comma .

The girl, who was so pretty, assured that he saw me - Right.

The man, who aided me that night, told that he recognized me.The man who helped me that night said he recognized me. — Incorrect, there is no additional information about the subject here, but only an explanation, no commas are required.

Right : The man who aided me that night told that he recognized me.

The strike at the nuclear plant, which lasted theree days, is already over. — D Additional data is separated by commas, as there is additional information. Strike on nuclear factory, lasted three day, finished.

The woman with whom Tom was in love left him after five years. — P clarification, no commas required . Woman, V which Volume was in love, left his later five years.

The manson, which was empty for three years, has been sold out.The mansion, which had been empty for three years, was sold.

The girl whom I desired to meet was away on vacations.The girl I wanted to meet went on vacation.

Apostrophe

An apostrophe, or in common parlance a comma (in English it is placed at the top) goes together with the letter s in all cases of use of the possessive case, except for the plural of objects and things, it is formed according to the standard rule (then the apostrophe goes without s):

father's look;

the princess's ring;

men's gloves (man-men);

students" tasks.

Note:

The comma in English is on top when forming the possessive case of proper names ending with a letter -s, you can use both options:

King Charles's wife/ King Charles' wife.

Used in abbreviated forms to indicate missing letters or numbers:

I"m - I am;

he "s - he is / has;

"86 - 1986.

The apostrophe is placed together with the letter -s when forming the plural of letters, numbers or abbreviations (with numbers and capital letters the apostrophe can be omitted):

In the 1970's /the 1970s;

VIP's / VIPs;

He could not distinguish his L's. He did not clearly pronounce the letter L.

Separation upon handling

The comma in English when addressed is used in the English dialect (in the American dialect a colon is used) when preparing business correspondence, as well as in simple everyday speech.

Dear Mr. Frendick, We have received your letter...

Used in official or business correspondence after the last phrases of the greeting, separating it from the surname and position (between which there is no punctuation):

Yours faithfully, / Yours sincerely, Ranason-.Ltd.A. Simpson Manager.

A comma is used in addresses on an envelope or in the upper zone of a letter (above the text), emphasizing the addressee's last name / organization name / address / (a ​​comma is not required between house numbers and street names):

Stephen P. Denny, 5678 Starling Avenue, Harlem, L.A. 10857.

Also used to separate explanatory words from direct speech if there is no other punctuation:

"How were you?" Nick asked. "He was ok," she replied. "Do you still hurt?" he asked. "No", she said, "not much." He said, "I am not aware."

Comma for introductory phrases and other words

There is no comma before because in English.

He can't get into the house because she had lost the keys.

Because he was strange, I broke up with him.Because he was strange, I broke up with him.

Comma in English after so, well, however, probably, certainly, naturally)

In fact, I had a little chance to do it.

Probably, Tom would come to Paris at 8 pm.

In the presence of those having a participle or gerund:

Heartbroken, he has gone to his cottage.Heartbroken, she went to the cottage.

Used before the word for , if it comes as a conjunction (secondary clauses joined by this conjunction extremely rarely go ahead of the main one):

I begged her to be there, for I had some information to tell her.I asked her to be there because I needed to give her some information.

I Could tell about this woman, for I had seen him before.I could talk about this woman because I have seen her before.

Features of use

This is just a fraction of the rules that need to be used in everyday life. And this always helped to be on top when communicating with educated people and, without hesitation, to make contact and discuss topics on forums.

In the English language, or more precisely, in the American dialect used in the United States, everything is much simpler. Americans do not pay as much attention to this grammatical issue as, for example, in Russian grammar.

The fact is that two different teachers can tell you different rules about the correct use of a comma in an English sentence, and both may be right. And all because in America there is no strict, organized system for using commas. But still, there are general rules by adhering to which a person can gain basic knowledge about English punctuation.

Conclusion

In standard English, the comma is a multifunctional punctuation mark, and its modern use is an example of not only transformations in the use of punctuation, but also how the entire target concept of what counts as a normative sentence in English is being modified. Until the very end of the 19th century, authors and writers used a semicolon where a single comma is now usually used, and a comma in cases where no punctuation is now required at all. Throughout the 20th century, dramatic changes have occurred in the punctuation rules of modern English.

Direct speech - This is a statement that belongs to a person and is conveyed in writing without any changes using quotation marks. The English term is direct speech.

In a quotation that “frames” direct speech, the first word must begin with a capital letter.

• 1 person

I asked, “What do you think about our flat?”I asked: “What do you think about our apartment?”

We replied, “That’s amazing! We are very glad for you!”We responded: “This is amazing! We are very happy for you!”

• 2nd person

You might say, “I appreciate your choice.”You can say, “I respect your choice.”

• 3rd person

Suddenly he cried, “I can’t stand mathematics!” I don’ t understand anything!” Suddenly he shouted: “I can’t stand mathematics! I Nothing Not Understand!»

She said kindly, “What’s the matter? Don’ t worry. I’ m always here to help you“She kindly said, “What’s the matter, don’t worry. I will always help you."

My parents asked, “Are you and Jim going to have a baby?”My parents asked, “Are you and Jim going to have a baby?”

Like a regular sentence, direct speech is divided into the following types according to the purpose of the statement: narrative, incentive or interrogative.

• narrative

My boss said, “I'm very proud of you. Good job.” My boss said, “I’m very proud of you. Great job."

• interrogative

Suddenly Brad said, “What? What have you said? Do you think that I’m loafer?”Suddenly Brad said, “What? What did you say? Do you think I'm a slacker?

• exclamation marks

Jane was smiling, “Good gracious! That's unbelievable! I’m going to Oxford!”Jane smiled: « God my! This is incredible! I'm going to Oxford!

Pay attention to some rules of punctuation of direct speech in English

1. There should be a comma after the author’s words (unlike the Russian language, where we put a colon)

The students mumbled, “Please, no more home assignment... We have so much work to do!”Students muttered, “Please, no more homework... We already have so much to do!”

1. The author's words can also be used after direct speech. In this case they are also separated by a comma

“That's not enough. Moreover, you should write an essay on one of the topics from the Student’s book,” the teacher said.“This is not enough. Moreover, you must write an essay on the topic that is suggested to you in the textbook,” said the teacher.

1. In English writing, periods, as well as question marks and exclamation marks, must be included in quotation marks.

“I wish I were in Finland. I miss its nature and climate.”How I would like to be in Finland. I I miss By local nature And climate.

“Did you buy the new illustrated edition of ‘Harry Potter and Philosopher’s Stone?’”You bought new illustrated edition books « Harry Potter And Philosophical stone?

“If only I could! When I came to the bookstore, the shop-assistant said that there is none left!”If only I could! When I got to the bookstore, the clerk told me that they had nothing left!

1. If direct speech is a long statement, then a colon can be used after the author’s words.
2. Petrov said: “It would be better to start learning a language with verbs. Every sentence consists of different parts of speech: nouns, adjectives, numerals, pronouns, verbs, prepositions and so on. But verb is used surely.” D. Petrov said: “It is best to start learning a language

Punctuation marks are extremely important in any language and English is no exception. After all, when conveying our thoughts and ideas, we convey a mixture of feelings and emotions, which simply must be accompanied by an emphasis on a certain word or a pause for a more serious perception of the information by the interlocutor. In the written format, gestures and facial expressions, feelings and emotions might be completely absent if punctuation did not exist. The modern use of punctuation marks in English will allow you to clearly and correctly express thoughts in writing.

First, let's look at what punctuation marks accompany sentences in English:

1. The point that the British call full stop.
2. A question mark, which is called a question mark.
3. Exclamation mark, which is called exclamation mark.
4. The traditional comma in English is called comma.
5. The classic semicolon is called a semicolon.
6. The colon in English (the same as in Russian) has the name colon.
7. Hyphen - hyphen.
8. The British have a dash.
9. The ellipses are called dots.
10. The apostrophe in the word is apostrophe.
11. Brackets come in both square and round types () - they are called brackets.

Main application features

The period should end sentences, although in rarer cases it can be seen at the end of abbreviations like Dr. House.

Example:

I like salad. I love salad.

MR. & MRS. SMITH - Mr. and Mrs. Smith

A question mark denotes an interrogative sentence, and in rarer cases can provide a sentence with a charm of bewilderment or a hint of great surprise.

Example:

Where is your dog? Where is your dog?

Was she there, wasn’t she? Oh My God – She was there, wasn't she? My God.

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Common in writing, the exclamation mark often conveys emotions such as surprise, admiration, or even outrage. In English, it is not customary to use this sign after a greeting in letters - it is not very correct.

Example:

Oh my God! Oh my God!

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The comma is the most difficult punctuation mark to use, since its use is categorically different from the rules in the Russian language. There are too many nuances to consider each in as much detail as possible, but it is worth noting the most basic and really important ones, those that are most common. The use of a comma in a sentence is most common in cases where it is necessary to list a certain number of objects, when there is an appeal to a specific person or thing, in rare cases, together with and, when there are phrases at the beginning of the statement that should be separated. Also, a comma often separates so-called infinitive constructions from the general structure of the immediate sentence. Do not forget that a comma is also needed to write dates in the form of a separately written day and month.

Example:

I speak Russian, Spanish and Ukrainian. I speak Russian, Spanish and Ukrainian.

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As for the semicolon, its existence is associated with the separation of various complex sentences consisting of several thoughts that are not separated by conjunctions.

Example:

We should thank these children; they recently behaved perfectly. We have to thank these children; They've been doing great lately.

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A colon is always used in cases where the second part of a sentence complements or explains the previous one. You can often see a colon when the second part of a sentence contains a list of what is summarized in one or more words in the first sentence. When using quotes, also use the traditional colon

Example:

The deputy said: "We should unite our efforts to fight high prices." The MP said: “We need to join forces in the fight against high prices.”

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A dash allows you to emphasize the importance of certain information and separate it from the sentence structure. Thus, it is the dash that helps separate lists from the general word that summarizes them. In addition, the dash can mean a pause before the future completion of the pause. A hyphen, in turn, can combine two or even several words in order to combine them into one meaning - several words can have completely different meanings when used separately, and after using the hyphen they immediately acquire a completely different meaning and connotation (for example, the word merry -go-round).

Example:

But they - his friends - were not ready to pass this exam. But they, his friends, were not ready to take the exam.

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Quotation marks in direct speech always play the role of a quotation.

Example:

Gordon said, "He is coming tonight." Gordon said, "He's coming tonight."

An ellipsis in most cases expresses hesitation about something or excitement associated with a certain situation. Information that has additional status and explains incomprehensible things is usually placed in brackets.

As we see, punctuation marks in English most often they are used extremely subtly and without certain knowledge it is difficult to do it correctly. Moreover, often it is incorrect punctuation marks when creating a resume for a foreign company that immediately creates an obstacle to your goal.

After all, punctuation marks are small nuances, but often too much depends on them to neglect teaching the rules. This is the moment when a small detail plays a decisive role.

For those who already understand English. Lesson on the correct placement of commas