System and functions of punctuation marks in English language basically coincide with the system and functions of punctuation marks in the Russian language. For example, dot(the full stop), question mark (the note of interrogation), Exclamation point(the note of exclamation) are placed at the end of sentences in the same cases as in Russian. Quotes(the inverted commas) are used to highlight direct speech and quotes. When speaking directly, the punctuation mark is placed inside quotation marks. (In Russian, a period and a comma are placed after quotation marks.)

Brackets(the brackets) are placed to highlight the text or word contained in them, which is an insertion that explains and clarifies the text or word of the sentence. Semicolon(the semicolon) is placed in a complex sentence between composed sentences in the absence of a conjunction.

Main functions colons(the colon) in English also coincide with the functions of the colon in Russian, namely: the colon is used before an explanation, listing or quotation. A colon is used before direct speech only if direct speech is significantly common; a comma is usually placed before the short text of direct speech.

The difference between English and Russian with regard to punctuation marks is manifested mainly in the use of the comma (the comma). Main cases of divergence in functions comma in English and Russian languages ​​come down to several rules:

Rule one

In a complex sentence in Russian, the subordinate clause is always separated from the main clause by a comma. In English, subordinate clauses, additional clauses, subjects, predicative clauses and restrictive attributive clauses are not separated from the main clause by a comma.

* The subject clause is separated from the main clause by a comma only when the subject clause is very common.

• Clyde thought that his uncle did not guess that he was his nephew. – Clyde was surprised that his uncle did not realize that he (Clyde) was his nephew.
• Who saved his life remained unknown. – Who saved his life remains unknown.
• All I know is what I have seen in the press. “All I know is what I read in the newspaper.”
• Aren't you the young man who married Fleur Forsite? - Are you the young man who married Forsyte?

A restrictive attributive clause is not separated by a comma from the main clause even when it is attached to the main clause without the help of allied words

• She began to talk quickly and easily upon the subject he had suggested. “She began to speak quickly and easily on the topic he raised.

Rule two

The descriptive attributive clause is separated from the main clause by a comma.

• The West Surgery, which lay not more than four hundred yards from his house, was a high building. “The Western Surgical Clinic, which was no more than three hundred yards away, was a tall building.

Rule three

Adverbial clauses are usually separated from the main clause by a comma if they precede the main clause:

• When a parallelogram has all four sides equal, it is called a rhombus. – When a parallelogram has all four sides equal, it is called a rhombus.
• If the mixture is well stirred, the temperature will be 20°C. – If the mixture is well mixed, the temperature will be 20° Celsius.

If an adverbial subordinate clause comes after the main clause, it is not separated from the main clause by a comma:

• Ratterer asked Clyde, “Would you know your uncle if you saw him?” – Ratterer asked Clyde, “Would you know your uncle if you saw him?”

Rule four

In a compound sentence, a comma is usually placed between the compound clauses before the coordinating conjunction. A comma is not placed before the conjunctions and and or if they introduce short sentences:

• Mr Pickwick ran to his assistance, but the faster Mr Pickwick ran forward, the faster the horse ran backward. - Mr. Pickwick ran to his aid, but the faster Mr. Pickwick ran, the faster the horse ran away from him.
• Lomonosov worked in many fields of science, and everywhere he brought something new and original leaving his century far behind. – Lomonosov worked in many fields of science, and everywhere he introduced something new and original, far ahead of his time.
• The weight of his pack kept him bent, but he did not fall and he did not ease his pace. “The weight of the backpack forced him to bend, but he did not fall and did not slow down.

Rule five

In a compound sentence, a comma is placed between the composed sentences if they are connected without connecting words:

• The sky was covered with clouds, a cold wind was blowing, a snow-storm began. – The sky was covered with clouds, a cold wind was blowing, a blizzard was beginning.

Rule six

In a simple sentence, a comma is placed between homogeneous members of the sentence. Unlike Russian, a comma is usually also placed before the last of these words, which is preceded by the conjunction and:

• Mechanical motion can be transformed into heat, electricity, and magnetism. – Mechanical motion can be converted into heat, electricity and magnetism.

Rule seven

A comma is placed before direct speech after introductory words, in contrast to the Russian language, where a colon is placed:

• Didn't say, "I shall come soon." “He said, 'I'll be back soon.'

Note. If direct speech is a long text, then in English a colon is placed after introductory words, just like in Russian.

Rule eight

A comma is used to separate an independent participial phrase from the rest of the sentence

• The construction of your house being now completed, my duties as architect have come to an end. – Since the construction of the house is completed, my duties as an architect are over.

In English, a dash is usually used to indicate unfinished speech, in contrast to the Russian language, where in such cases an ellipsis is used:

• If you take my advice – it is dangerous farther up the river – come down stream with me. “If you listen to his advice... it’s dangerous further up the river... come with me downstream.”

The Apostrophe in English is used to form the possessive case of nouns:

• the student's book - student's book
• the students" books – student books

An apostrophe is also used to indicate the omission of letters:

• don"t = don't
• it"s = it is.

Have you ever wondered what the various symbols that we use every day, sitting right in front of our computers, are called in English? What do you call a "dog", "dash" or "underscore" in English? If you are interested and want to know the names of all the symbols that you can easily find right on your keyboard, then you should read this post!

We see these symbols every day, and despite the fact that we use them freely in everyday life, many of us do not know what they are called in English. But sometimes we have to use them when communicating on the phone, for example, dictating our email or website address. So, let's learn the names of these symbols. You never know why they might be useful to you?

Symbol names in English

• ~ (tilde) - tilde
• ! (exclamation mark) – exclamatory sign
• @ (a t) – dog
• # (n umber or h ash) – hash, sharp
• $ (dollar) – dollar
• % (p ercent) – percentage
• ^ (c aret) – caret
• & (a mpersand) – and
• * (a sterisk) – asterisk
• ( (o pen or l eft p arenthesis ) – open or left parenthesis
• ) (close or right parenthesis ) – closing or right parenthesis
• _ (underscore or horizontal bar) – lower underscore or underscore
• + (plus) – plus
• ` (acute) – gravis
• - (dash or hyphen ) – dash or hyphen
• = (equals) – equal sign
• { (open or left curly brace ) – opening or left curly brace
• } (close or right curly brace ) – closing or right curly brace
• | (pipe or vertical bar ) – vertical bar
• [ (open or left square bracket ) – opening or left square bracket
• ] (close or right square bracket ) – closing or right square bracket
• \ (reverse solidus or backslash) - reverse slash / slash
• / (solidus or forward slash) - slash / slash
• : (colon) – colon
• " (quote) – quotation marks
• ; (semi colon) – semicolon
• ´ (apostrophe or single quote) – apostrophe
• < (less than) – less sign
• > (greater than) – greater sign
• ? (question mark ) - question mark
• , (comma) – comma
• . (dot, period or full stop ) – dot (word “ dot "usually used in titles email addresses or web addresses; full stop (British English) or period (American English) is a period that is placed at the end of a sentence)

Now naming the characters in English will not be a problem for you.On the website of my English language school you will find many free materials for learning English:

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 in this case A comma before and can be used, but is not required.

• 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

A comma in English when addressing is used in the English dialect (in American a colon is used) when formatting 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 goes as a union (joined by this union minor offers 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 tell 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. everyday life. And this has 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 don't pay as much attention to this grammatical issue. close attention, as, for example, in Russian grammar.

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

Conclusion

In standard English, the comma is a multifunctional punctuation mark, and its modern usage is an example not only of transformations in the use of punctuation, but also of how the entire target concept of what counts as a normative sentence in English is 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.

We all went to school and remember that one of the most difficult wisdom was the rules of punctuation in the Russian language. These rules are quite strict, and we all wrote kilometers of dictations in which it was necessary to correctly place all these commas, dashes, colons, etc. In English, the rules of punctuation are not so strict, but they still exist and it is advisable to follow them in writing. In this post, we will tell you about the 10 most used punctuation marks and when we should use them.

English punctuation marks

1. Comma - comma

1. Commas are used for separation simple sentences, united by unions:

• The lesson was over, but the students remained in the classroom. – The lesson ended, but the students remained in the classroom.
• Yesterday was my day-off, so I took the children to the zoo. – Yesterday I had a day off, so I took the children to the zoo.

Google shortcode

However, if the sentence is short, a comma before conjunctions and or or may be omitted, for example:

• The rain stopped and it got much warmer. – The rain stopped and it became much warmer.

2. Commas are used after introductory words, phrases or subordinate clauses that precede the main one:

• While I was talking on the phone, the cat stole my steak. – while I was talking on the phone, the cat stole my steak.
• If you are not well, you should stay at home. – if you don’t feel well, you should stay at home.

Note: If, on the contrary, the main clause comes first, and then the subordinate clause, the rule does not apply, for example, the following two examples are incorrect, they do not need a comma:

• The cat stole my steak, while I was talking on the phone.
• You should stay at home, if you are not well.

3. Affirmative word yes, negative word no, as well as introductory words well, you know, I mean etc. separated by commas, for example:

• Yes, you can come in - yes, you can enter
• You know, it’s a hard question. - you see, this is a difficult question.

4. An explanatory introductory phrase is separated by commas on both sides, for example:

• Pete and Ellen, my former classmates, got married a week ago. – Pete and Ellen, my former classmates, got married a week ago.

You can test yourself by cutting a similar introductory phrase from a sentence. If the meaning of the sentence has not changed, then you put commas where necessary. Let's check our example: Pete and Ellen got married a week ago.

5. Unlike the Russian language, a comma is not placed before the conjunction in a complex sentence that, For example:

• He said that he was going to quit. - He said he was going to quit
• The problem is that they cannot bear each other - The problem is that they cannot bear each other.

6. When transferring homogeneous members sentences, a comma is also placed before the conjunction and, For example:

• At the supermarket I bought sugar, tea, coffee, and matches - At the supermarket I bought sugar, tea, coffee and matches.

This comma is called "Oxford comma" in some sources because it is the standard method taught at Oxford University.

7. Commas are used to highlight direct speech:

• He said indifferently, “I don’t mind.” – He said indifferently: “I don’t mind.”
• “I was going,” she answered, “to do everything myself.” “I’m going,” she said, “to do everything myself.”

8. Use commas if needed to avoid confusion:

• To Mary, Clair has always been the main authority. – Claire has always been the main authority for Mary.

9. Commas are used to set everything off geographical names, dates (except month and day), addresses (except street number and name), and titles in titles.

• Birmingham, Alabama, gets its name from Birmingham, England. — Birmingham, Alabama takes its name from Birmingham in England
• December 15, 2009, was an important day in his life. — December 15, 2009 was an important day in his life.

You may see a comma somewhere between the house and street numbers. This is not a bug, just an outdated style.

2. Period or Full Stop - period

The main purpose of this punctuation mark is to complete the sentence.

The period is also used in most abbreviations. Some sources say that a period should be added at the end of an abbreviation only when the last letter of the abbreviation is not the last letter of a word, for example: Gen. (Secretary) – General Secretary. If the last letter of the abbreviation is the last letter of the word (Mr - Mister, St - Saint), then the period is not put.

If an abbreviated phrase is pronounced, we do not put periods, for example, NASA is correct, but N.A.S.A is incorrect.

3. Question Mark - question mark

The question mark is a relatively easy punctuation mark to use. It is used only in one case - at the end of a sentence containing a question, for example:

• How many people will go on an excursion? — How many people will go on the excursion?

However, there is no question mark:

• He asked how many people would go on an excursion – I wonder how many people will go on an excursion.

There is also no question mark if the sentence begins with a phrase such as I wonder / He doesn’t know / I don’t remember. (This is the most common mistake when using a question mark.)

• I wonder how long this film lasts - I wonder how long this film lasts
• He doesn't know where they live. - He doesn't know where they live.

4. Exclamation Mark - exclamation mark

Use it only to express a command or order or to express an emotion, for example:

• Stop talking! - Stop talking!
• What a picturesque place! – What a picturesque place!

5. Quote Marks - quotes

1. Quotation marks are used when you need to accurately convey the words of another person (direct speech), for example,

• John said, “We are not going to help him.” - John said: “We won’t help him.”

If you are quoting a person who is quoting another person, use single quotes:

• John said, “My neighbor yelled at me today!” ‘Get off my lawn!’ he said” – John said, “My neighbor yelled at me today! he said ‘get off my lawn! ’”

2. Quotation marks can also be used to express irony or sarcasm, or to indicate something unusual:

• Your so called “friend” should have given you a lift home. “Your so-called “friend” should have given you a ride home.

3. Quotation marks are also used to highlight a quote.

6. Colon - colon

A colon is used after a statement to then introduce one (or more) directly related idea, such as a listing, quotation, or other commentary that illustrates or explains the statement, for example:

• The following European countries were represented at the meeting: Great Britain, France, and Italy. – Next European countries were represented at the meeting: Great Britain, France and Italy.
• Music is more than something mechanical: it is an expression of deep feeling and ethical values. — Music is not just mechanical sounds: it is an expression of deep feelings and moral values.

7. Semicolon - semicolon

Use a semicolon to connect independent clauses not joined by a conjunction, for example:

• Some people think that students must be given homework; others do not agree with it. — Some believe that students must be given homework, others do not agree with this.
• The sky is covered with heavy clouds; it is going to rain soon. — The sky is covered with heavy clouds, it will rain soon.

The semicolon is also used to join parts of a sentence or complex sentences that already have commas, for example:

• My grandfather lived in a small cottage, rather far from the nearest town; there was no running water or electricity in his cottage. “My grandfather lived in a small house, quite far from the nearest city; his house had neither running water nor electricity.

8. Parentheses - parentheses

Parentheses are used when you want to highlight additional, non-essential material included in a sentence as background information, such as dates, sources, or ideas:

• He was appointed a Head of the department (some people say, this is because he was a brother of the Minister) and worked for two years in this company. – He was appointed head of the department (some say it was because he was the brother of the minister) and worked in this company for 2 years.

9. Dash or Hyphen - dash or hyphen

1. Use a dash to emphasize the point of a sentence or an explanatory comment, but don't use a dash too often or it will lose its meaning.

• To some of you, my proposals may seem radical – even revolutionary. – For some of you, my proposals may seem radical - even revolutionary.

2. As for the hyphen, it is used in difficult words, for example chocolate-covered, seventy-nine, re-sign.
The hyphen is always used with the prefixes ex- (meaning former), self-, all-, non-; between a prefix and a word with a capital letter, numbers or letters:
ex-wife
self-esteemed
mid-August
all-inclusive
non-commercial
T-shirt

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 replied: “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 you said? 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 The period, as well as question 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