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 assuared 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 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. 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 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.

Hello friends! I discovered one interesting fact - punctuation in the English language is a topic that does not receive due attention. Often, students of English are so caught up in the goal of “speaking” this very language that they forget about such supposedly “not the most important” nuance as English punctuation. Naturally, there is some truth in this. This is really not an initially necessary topic to study. However, the need to know it arises with the first letter to your, for example, foreign-language friend. This letter, no matter how grammatically correct it is composed, in the absence of proper “formatization”, will completely distort the overall “composition”. And in general, any written work needs the correct placement of punctuation marks. Punctuation marks create very important strokes, without which the “picture of the text” would lose its clear outlines.

The rules of punctuation in the English language are simple, but necessary. So, today we will study the rules of punctuation in the English language.

Punctuation marks in English:

Rules for placing commas in simple sentences

How to place commas correctly in English

1. If a sentence contains an enumeration, that is, a number of homogeneous members, they are separated by commas. Usually there is a conjunction “and” before the final homogeneous member, which is also preceded by a comma if there are three or more members in total in the sentence.
   • I want to buy milk, chocolate cake, and brad. - I want to buy milk, chocolate cake and bread

   However, if the so-called final homogeneous term consists of several words, then the comma is omitted

   • I want to pass my exams, to travel and to find common language with my relatives. — I want to pass exams, travel and find a “common” language with my loved ones
2. In English, as in Russian, introductory words need to be highlighted.
   • Unfortunatly, the doctor was late. - Unfortunately the doctor was late
   • His brother, I’ve forgotten to mention, works in the Ministry of Education. — His brother, I forgot to mention, works at the Ministry of Education
3. Again, as in Russian, explanatory words are highlighted.
   • Ion Creanga, the great Moldavian writer, died on December 31. — Ion Creangă, the great Moldovan writer, died on December 31
4. The independent participial phrase is also separated by commas.
   • The director being absent, the resolution of the problem was postponed. — Since the director was not there, the solution to the problem was postponed
5. After words that introduce direct speech.
   • She said, "I will write an essay." — She said, "I'll write an essay."
6. Address is emphasized in English, as in many other languages.
   • — Kate, I’m waiting for you. — Kate, I'm waiting for you
7. After contacting by letter.
   • Dear Tom, I want to tell… — Dear Tom, I want to tell you...

   Please note: in Russian, an exclamation mark often follows an address in a letter:

   • Dear Andrey! I want to tell you...

   In English, the address is always separated by a comma.

8. At the end of the letter, after words like “with respect”, “with love”.
   • Yours faithfully, Rotari Olga — Best regards, Rotar Olga
9. When designating dates, the date and year are separated by a comma.
   • This decision was taken on the 13th October, 1993. — This decision was made on October 13, 1993
10. Parts of the address such as the name of the street, city, postal area are separated by commas

Rules for using commas in compound sentences

1. Several simple sentences combined into one compound sentence without any conjunctions are separated by commas.
   • A light breeze was blowing, the sun was shining brightly, a wonderful day began. — A light breeze was blowing, the sun was shining, a wonderful day had begun
2. Simple sentences joined using coordinating conjunctions other than and (and), or (or), require the use of a punctuation mark.
   • I asked her for help, but she didn’t want doing any tries to help. — I asked her for help, but she didn't want to make any attempt to help.

Complex sentence and missing comma

The rules of the Russian language regarding the punctuation of complex sentences differ in many ways from those in English. If in Russian the “law” states that the main clause is separated from the subordinate comma, then the rules of English often reject the need to use it.

1. Subject, additional and predicate clauses are not separated by punctuation.
   • How this happened is clear to me. — It's clear to me how it happened
2. Individualizing and classifying attributive clauses are not separated by a comma.
   • I saw the documents which were lying on that table. — I saw the documents that were lying on that table

   However, descriptive ones, which provide some new details about an already known object or subject, stand out.

   • They went to the river, which was stormy last week. - They went to the river, which had been very wild for the past week.
   • We spoke with the director, who was very tired because of the problems existing in the company. — We spoke with the director, who was very tired due to problems in the company
3. If the adverbial clause comes before the main clause, only then does it stand out.
   • If you decide to leave the house, close the windows and door. — If you decide to leave the house, close the windows and door

   Close the windows and door if you decide to leave the house

Use of other punctuation marks in English

Where should the colon be placed?

Apostrophe in English

A punctuation mark such as an apostrophe indicates an abbreviation of one or more letters in the following cases

1. When shortening several words
   • So as = so's
   • Don't = don't
2. When abbreviating one word
   • Them = ‘em
   • Today = t'day
3. In date abbreviations
   • Summer of 1998 = summer of "98
4. When forming the possessive case
   • Mother's pen - mother's pen
   • Parents" car - parents' car

The need to use a dash

The dash is more often used in informal texts. The rules of formal writing are not so favorable to this punctuation mark.

1. An unexpected clarification in the middle of a sentence
   • Nick - he is Kate’s brother - was very glad to see his old friend. - Nick (Kat's brother) was very happy to see her old friends
2. Additional thought in a sentence
   • He will be here by Friday - at least, he promised to be. — He'll be here by Friday, or so he promised.
3. An unfinished thought in English is also indicated in writing by a dash, which is completely alien to Russian speakers, since the ellipsis plays this role.
   • If you want to understand me - If you want to understand me...

When we need a question mark

We need a question mark in interrogative sentences accordingly.

• Why did she cry? — Why was she crying?

But do not forget that questions translated into indirect ones do not need a question mark.

• He asked where his portfolio was. — He asked where his briefcase was

Rare need for a semicolon

1. Place a semicolon between sentences that are grammatically separated
   • The house needs renovation; the shed needs painting. — The house needs renovation; the barn needs painting
2. Complex sentences which, due to their grammatical complexity, cannot be separated by a comma

Using an exclamation point

The rules for using an exclamation mark in English are no different from the rules for using this punctuation mark in Russian.

1. Orders
   • Don't answer! - Do not answer!
2. Greetings
   • Hi! — Hello!
   • Glad to see you! — I'm glad to see you!
3. Sentences accompanied by strong emotions (joy, admiration, annoyance)
   • What a beautiful dress! — What a beautiful dress!

Hyphen - connector

A hyphen (dash) is a punctuation mark used to connect parts of compound words.

• To check-out - check, enter
• Reading-room - reading room

The final punctuation mark is a period

1. Declarative sentences have a period at the end.
   • I can make you happy. — I can make you happy
2. Abbreviations are followed by a period.
   For example, this Latinism: e.g. (exempli gratia) - “for example,” which you can often find in English.

Rules for hyphenation of English words

The rules for word hyphenation also apply to the topic we are studying today - punctuation in English. Among the most basic rules you need to follow are the following.

In order not to miss new useful materials,

Punctuation marks in Russian and English are the same, with the exception of the apostrophe, which is extremely uncharacteristic of native Russian words and is inherent only in borrowings. However, the rules for using punctuation marks in English are somewhat different from the rules in Russian. Fortunately, with English punctuation things are somewhat simpler.

So, let's look at the basic punctuation marks in English and the rules for their use.

Period (period / full stop)

A period is placed at the end of narrative sentences and sentences with:

Water is important for everyone . – Water is important for everyone.

Jane asked Paul if he was hungry . – Jane asked Paul if he was hungry.

In addition, a full stop is placed in a number of abbreviations and acronyms:

• etc. = and so on- etc.;
• e.g. = for example- For example;
• a.m. – time before noon;
• p.m. - afternoon;
• p. = page- page;
• fig. = figure– drawing or drawing;
• vol. = volume- volume;
• Dec. = December- December;
• Aug. = August– August;
• Joanne K. Rowling– JK Rowling.

and also in decimal fractions:

• 44.6.

However, it is worth noting that in different varieties of English (British, American), abbreviations may be spelled differently. So, in American English there is a period after the words Dr., Mr., Mrs., Ms., Ph.D., B.Sc. put:

Dr. Johnson – Doctor Johnson
Mr. and Mrs. Smith - Mr. and Mrs. Smith
Ph.D. candidate – graduate student / doctoral student
B.Sc. graduate - graduate with a bachelor's degree in natural sciences

a is not in British:

Dr Jekyll – Doctor Jekyll
Mr Hyde - Mr. Hyde
Ms Marple – Miss Marple
PhD student - graduate student

Question mark

A question mark in English, as well as in Russian, is placed at the end of interrogative sentences, including in direct speech:

When is your birthday ? - When's your birthday?

Did you like the movie ? - Did you like the film?

“May I come in ? "she asked. - "May I come in?" – she asked.

Exclamation point

Everything is also simple with the exclamation mark: it conveys the emotional state of the speaker and is placed at the end of sentences and statements expressing positive or negative feelings and emotions:

Wow ! You look fantastic ! - Wow! You look amazing!

Oh no ! The shop's already closed ! What a pity ! - Oh no! The store is already closed! It's a pity!

Oh my God ! There is a huge spider over there ! - Oh my God! There's a huge spider there!

Often an exclamation mark can be seen in orders and rather emotional requests (as a rule, they are expressed in the imperative mood):

Stop talking ! - Stop talking!

Don't listen to him ! - Do not listen to him!

At the same time, do not forget that in English in addresses (for example: “Dear friend”, “Dear colleagues”, etc.) at the beginning of letters, announcements, messages a comma is used instead of an exclamation point:

Dear friends,
I was so glad to see you at my birthday party...

Dear friends!
I was very glad to see you at my birthday party...

Dear James,
Thank you for your letter, I really enjoyed reading it...

Dear James!
Thank you for your letter, I read it with pleasure...

Comma (comma)

The comma is perhaps the most common and most widely used punctuation mark in the English language. Its main purpose is to prevent misunderstanding, ambiguity or ambiguity in the statement. Thus, the placement of the comma is often determined by logic.

You can evaluate the importance of comma placement using the following sentences as an example:

Eats , shoots and leaves. - He eats, shoots and leaves.
Eats shoots and leaves. – Eats shoots and leaves.

These examples are taken from the title of Lynn Truss's book. In the first case we are talking about a criminal, and in the second we are talking about a panda.

Here are examples of the most common uses of the comma:

• Listing actions, objects, homogeneous members of a sentence (contrary to the rules of the Russian language, a comma is often placed before the conjunction “and” if there are more than three items listed):
  

  The sky was clear , the sun was shining brightly. – The sky was clear, the sun was shining brightly.

  There were apples , bananas , oranges , and lemons in the lug. – There were apples, bananas, oranges and lemons in the box.

• Isolation of introductory words and constructions, as a rule, at the beginning of common sentences (does not always coincide with the placement of commas in the Russian language), as well as addresses:
  

  Unfortunately, he didn't know how to solve that problem. “Unfortunately, he didn’t know how to solve that problem.”

  If necessary, I'll write a more detailed report. – If necessary, I will draw up a more detailed report.

  James thank you for your help! – Thanks for your help, James!

• Separation of parts common complex sentences containing conjunctions and, but, or(and, but, or) :
  

  Good teamwork can be exciting , and team leaders should inspire their subordinates. – Teamwork can be fun, and leaders should inspire their subordinates.

  Ben and Sandra have been to Paris twice , but they haven’t visited any museums. – Ben and Sandra were in Paris twice, but never visited the museums.

• Isolation of participial and participial phrases, subordinate clauses at the beginning of complex sentences:
  

  Having done the exercises, she decided to write a composition. – After completing the exercises, she decided to write an essay.

  Being tired after a long day at work, he wanted to sleep. – Tired (being tired) from a long day of work, he wanted to sleep.

  When I come home, I'll call you back. – When I get home, I will call you back.

  If the subordinate part of a complex sentence is preceded by the main one, no comma:

  I'll call you back when I come home. - I'll call you back when I get home.

  We'll go for a walk if the weather is good. – We will go for a walk if the weather is good.

  Besides, no comma before the conjunction “what” ( that) in complex sentences and indirect speech:

  The good news is that the bad news was wrong. “The good news is that the bad news turned out to be untrue.”

  She said that she had lost her keys. “She said she had lost her keys.”

• Highlighting applications, explanations:
  

  Simon , my former colleague, is a talented musician. – Simon, my former colleague, is a talented musician.

In addition to the cases presented above, a comma will be needed when writing full dates when separating the year from the day and month, when separating the name of a city / locality from the country, state, region, when writing an address ( with the exception of house number with street name - in this case a comma is not required):

Beijing , China , is one of the world’s largest cities. – Beijing, China, is one of the largest cities in the world.

20 Oxford Street , Burnaby , Vancouver , Canada. – 20 Oxford Street, Burnaby, Vancouver, Canada.

Do not forget about the comma at the end of the letter after the wording “With respect” ( kind regards, sincerely yours, etc.) before the signature, as well as when listing titles and titles:

Yours faithfully ,
Ella Bell

Best regards, Ella Bell

Special thanks to Robert Evans , M.D., and John Reid , B.Sc. – I express special thanks to Robert Evans, MD, and John Reed, BS.

Watch the following video from native speaker Alex.

Semicolon (semicolon)

This punctuation mark is usually used to connect parts of non-conjunct compound sentences and common sentences with several commas (in the second case, a semicolon will make the statement clearer):

Call me on Monday ; I will be able to give you an answer then. – Call me on Monday, then I can give you an answer.

Speakers from Cleveland, Ohio ; Sacramento, California ; Phoenix, Arizona ; Seattle, Washington ; and other places participated in the conference. – The conference featured speakers from Cleveland, Ohio, Sacramento, California, Phoenix, Arizona, Seattle, Washington, and other locations.

Colon

The colon will definitely come in handy in sentences listing items, objects, events, in phrases with quotes, and will also clarify or supplement the statement:

To make pancakes, you need the following ingredients : eggs, flour and milk. – In order to prepare pancakes, you will need the following products: eggs, flour and milk.

The fabric of this shirt serves its purpose : to be easy to iron. – The material of this shirt is suitable for its purpose: it is easy to iron.

Dash

Along with the colon, the dash helps explain information and highlight lists of items or lists. In addition to these functions, the dash delineates explanations and plug-ins:

All languages ​​have the same aim – they communicate thoughts. – All languages ​​have one goal - the expression of thoughts.

This highly efficient method – developed in Germany in the nineteenth century – was being successfully applied in many other countries. “This highly effective method, which originated in Germany in the nineteenth century, has been successfully used in many other countries.

Hyphen

In English, a hyphen is necessary to connect words into one compound concept:

a T - shirt - T-shirt
an ex - girlfriend - ex-girlfriend
mid - July – mid-July
father - in - law – father-in-law
fifty - five – fifty five
twenty - three – twenty three
forget - me - not – forget-me-not
up - to - date – modern, relevant

Apostrophe

An apostrophe helps us understand that one or more letters have been omitted from a word for abbreviation purposes. With the help of an apostrophe, the possessive case of nouns and abbreviated forms of verbs are formed. We also use an apostrophe in some cases when we talk about location:

my mother " s room – my mother’s room
he isn't " t Italian - he is not Italian
she can " t swim – she can’t swim
dentist " s – dentistry

Watch the video with the teacher Valen.

Ellipses

The ellipsis shows the semantic incompleteness of the statement or the emotional state of the speaker (excitement, uncertainty, etc.):

I think he is ... honest, but a bit inconsiderate. “I think he’s... honest, but a little unkind.”

Parentheses (parenthesis)

Parentheses include additional information and explanations. Their functions are in many ways similar to the purpose of the dash:

Samantha (a 10-year-old girl) lives next door to us. – Samantha (a ten-year-old girl) lives next door to us.

Square brackets

This sign is used in newspapers, books, scientific works to add author's explanations and comments to quotes:

The victim said that he hit her. – The victim reported that he [the robber] hit her.

And also when writing a transcription:

receipt - receipt, check

Quotation marks

In English, quotation marks are placed at the beginning and end of direct speech and quotations. They look slightly different than in Russian:

“ I spoke with him yesterday, ” she said, “ he wanted to see you. ” “I spoke to him yesterday,” she said, “he wanted to see you.”

As you can see, English punctuation plays an essential role in the art of spelling. To consolidate your knowledge, we offer you the following test.

​

Test

Punctuation in English – punctuation in 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 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, 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

I really love the expression “author’s punctuation.” After all, this means that you can stick on punctuation marks in any type and quantity, and no one will make a comment. It’s just a pity that teachers don’t want to understand this and mercilessly draw a swan when you miss a couple of commas, a colon, a dash and other squiggles in a small story.

Fortunately, the British are less pretentious people. They have a looser attitude towards punctuation, so English teachers usually don't focus much on punctuation. You can write a life-long sentence without adding a single character. True, it will still have to be completed. Either a period, or an exclamation/question mark, or an ellipsis. There was a story going around among our teachers that if, while taking the exam for the Faculty of Philology, an applicant writes an interrogative English sentence and forgets to put this humpbacked “?” at the end, then the teacher will immediately put “fail” and ask him to leave in English.

So that no one sends us anywhere without saying goodbye, let’s get a little familiar with the capricious squiggles.

. - full stop/period (dot)
, - comma (comma)
? - note of interrogation/question mark (question mark)
! - note of exclamation/exclamation mark (exclamation mark)
- hyphen (hyphen)
- dash
; semicolon (semicolon)
: - colon (colon)
… - dots (ellipsis)
‘ - apostrophe (apostrophe)
, () - brackets/parenthesis (square, round brackets)
“ “ - inverted commas/quotation marks ( quotes)
. - dot (dot, which is used in Internet addresses, email addresses and for abbreviations)

POINT WHICH IS “FULL STOP”

It is logical that, as in Russian, it completes a declarative sentence:
My name is Ivan .

e . g . (For example), Mr .

POINT WHICHDOT

I will never forget my “shame” when a Western partner called and dictated his email address to me over the phone. Instead of a dot before the uk extension, I courageously inserted the word “dot” and sent the address in this form to my boss. Lucky that he had a sense of humor. And I have since remembered: mike @tralala .uk reads as “m, i, k, e, at, t, r, a, l, a, l, a, dot, u, k.”

In addition, in English, a period is used to shorten words:
e . g . (For example), Mr . U.S.A. (although it is possible and simple Mr or USA ) .

SEALED, who is “in a coma”

Here, again, everything is the same as ours. Only even if you don’t put a comma, no one will be offended.

. when transferring:
I have a PC, TV, i-phone and 2 books .

. after introductory words and constructions:
Anyway , you are wrong ! To be better, you must study better. (Be that as it may, you are wrong! To be better, you need to study better)

. after participial phrases:
The clock having showed 5, she ran out from his flat. (As the clock struck 5, she ran away from his apartment)

. after also, if this word is used for emphasis:
Also, you mustn’t tell me such things! ( Oh, and also: you shouldn’t say things like that to me!)

. in complex sentences, as well as in those sentences where you need to make a semantic pause:
I decided to be honest with you , but today I don ’ t think so (Yesterday I decided to be honest with you, but today I don’t think so anymore).

UNLIKE RUSSIAN English comma is NOT PUT:

. in the address(the regular one, not the one with the dog):
221 B Baker Street London

. in a complex sentence between the subject and the predicate, if this information is not basic, but additional:
The dog which was following me all day long turned to be our aunt ’ s pet (It turned out that the dog that had been following me all day was our aunt’s favorite).

QUESTION AND EXCLAMATION MARKS

Well, here, I think, there’s not even anything to chew on: interrogative - for questions, exclamation - for exclamations.
Don ’ t you know that ? Didn't you know?
That's striking! Amazing!

COLON, or COLUMN
Those who are okay with Russian will not be surprised: in English, the colon is used in the same cases. That is, when you need to explain something in more detail or list it. But there is also some difference: if a full sentence comes after a colon, then it must be written with a capital letter.
I’ve got 3 friends: Ann, Mary, Inna. (I have three girlfriends: Anya, Masha, Inna).
I’m furious: Your cat has broken my favorite vase ! (I'm furious: your cat broke my favorite vase!)

Semicolon or semicolon
You will find such a complex sign only in official letters, literary texts and articles in serious newspapers/magazines. Semicolons are needed in long, complex sentences that are already full of all sorts of other characters.

A dash that you can't give so easily
Most often it is used in the same way as in Russian: for example, you suddenly need to explain something right in the middle of a sentence, or list it with a generalizing word.
Last summer I was absolutely alone - you know, my boyfriend was in Paris - and that annoyed me so much! (Last summer I was completely alone - you know, my boyfriend was in Paris - and it irritated me so much!)

There is also a very original use of the English dash... instead of an ellipsis!
My mother has never-(My mother never...)

Hyphen that starts with the letter "x"
Many people in Russian confuse a hyphen with a dash. In fact, they even look different. The hyphen is short, it is needed only to connect complex words ( rock -n -roll). A dash is long and is used as a punctuation mark in a sentence.

An apostrophe, which is an apostrophe and nothing else, because it appeared recently in the Russian language
This is the same little mark that we go through in grammar. Helps:
. form the possessive case ( Mary ’ s book- Masha's book)
. successfully replace missing letters (I 'm fine = I am fine)
. form the plural for years (1960's - sixties), abbreviations (VIP's - VIPs).

Quotation marks and ellipses
Both are traditional. Those. quotation marks - to indicate direct speech, and ellipsis...

It seems like nothing was missed. Although, of course, there are many nuances in the use of punctuation marks, which are more important for philologists than for those who study English for communication and career growth. However, no one

It seems like nothing was missed. Although, of course, there are many nuances in the use of punctuation marks, which are more important for philologists than for those who study English for communication and career growth. However, no one forbids sharing these nuances with those who suffer: that’s why there are comments on the article.

Anastasia Petrova, especially for