Punctuation marks. What punctuation marks are there? Review of all existing ones! Correct use of punctuation units

Often causes difficulty combining sentence endings with quotation marks. We will not undertake to consider all cases, we will leave them to textbooks, but we will give a few guidelines.

When a sentence ends with quotation marks, the question arises where to put the final punctuation mark - before or after the closing quote? The algorithm is like this:

1. We determine what exactly the quotation marks highlight - direct speech or just some name.
2. If direct speech, then we apply the rules governing its design, which are (un) conscientiously memorized by every schoolchild. We remind you of the main ones of these rules in a separate article: .
3. If you are sure that the content of the quotation marks (whatever it is - a quotation, a couple of other people’s words, the name of a book, an organization, a figurative expression, a motto, a cry of “hurray!”...) NOT direct speech(its formal features are absent - the words of the author and the preceding colon), then after the quotation marks put the end of sentence sign that is needed to complete this sentence: dot, if the sentence is declarative, “!” or "?" if the sentence is exclamatory or interrogative.

The last rule is easy to apply when the quoted words DO NOT HAVE their own punctuation marks. For example:

I'm reading the book "The Break".

Did you hear that we were asked not to offend “this cute little doll”?

I assure you, she is on friendly terms with the computer!

If the sign is inside quotation marks

Difficulties begin when there is a question or exclamation mark inside quotation marks (but, remember, this is not direct speech!). There are two options here:

1. The whole sentence is declarative - put a period at the end Despite everything. I read the novel “Who’s to Blame?” The yard was rocked by a loud “They’re beating our people!” We must complete the sentence.
2. All sentences are interrogative or exclamatory. Phew, this is the hardest part. Generally speaking, different signs are placed, the same ones are not repeated.

   Like this? Like this (examples taken from an academic reference book):

   Have you read the novels “What to do?” and “Who is to blame?”

   Who doesn’t know the magnificent words of A. Blok: “Erase random features. And you will see - the world is beautiful...”?

   Haven’t you read the novel “What is to be done?”!

   Which poem by M. Yu. Lermontov contains the words: “I love the Fatherland, but with a strange love!”?

Today we will talk about existing punctuation marks.
Let's find out which ones exist punctuation marks, what they serve and where they came from.
Let's start by forming a certain understanding of the purpose of punctuation marks. Why do we need these very signs?
Our speech is extremely diverse, not only in the content of words, but also in intonation features. We can ask something meaningfully, pause, exclaim, and bring the speech to its logical conclusion. Divide your story into parts. Quote someone, use many other techniques in speech.
To reflect these very intonation and semantic features in writing, punctuation marks come to our aid.
Let's list all existing punctuation marks and give a brief description of each.
« » - Space serves to separate words from each other.

« . » - Dot allows us to divide text into sentences. A sentence is a kind of complete thought within a narrative. The dot is also used to shorten long words (example “kv. 97” - short for apartment 97).

« , » Comma allows us to place accents and separate words from each other within a sentence. A famous example: “Execute cannot be pardoned.” and “You can’t execute, you can have mercy.” shows how important commas are in creating the meaning of a sentence.

« ? » Question mark allows us to make an offer to the “asker.”

« ! » Exclamation mark comes to our aid when we need to give a more pronounced emotional color to a proposal.

« … » Ellipsis(three dots) we use when we want to indicate a pause or understatement in the story. Ellipsis is also used for technical purposes to shorten text, usually in quotes.
Example.
In the lines of Gorky’s poem: “Over the gray plain of the sea... A petrel soars proudly.”, we can find a call for revolution.

« ”” » Quotes. As you may have noticed, they are used quite often in this article. With them we highlight quotes, direct speech, names, words in a figurative meaning. They are a kind of word highlighters in a general context.

« - » Dash or hyphen. The scope of application of this punctuation mark is quite wide. It is used both as an en dash without spaces in words like “ever, someone, somehow”, and as an em dash in sentences. For example: “Teaching is light! " A dash serves as a kind of bridge between words or sentences, indicating their relationship. Let us give a few more examples so that you can grasp the essence and variety of uses of this sign.
The book is with me - my faithful assistant.

In forests, fields, seas and oceans - harmony is everywhere.

– How did you sleep today?
- Sleep is a miracle!

"To me!" – the owner said the command.

I will buy two buckets - one for home, the other for the dacha.

I'm very sorry for the East too.
I will fly from Moscow to Vladivostok.

« : » Colon we indicate that the subsequent part of the sentence belongs to the previous one. For example, when in a sentence we have a generalizing word, and after it comes a list of words related to it. Different animals live in the forest: wolf, fox, bear and others. A colon can separate two parts of a sentence if the second follows in meaning from the first. I am pleased: today the day was not in vain. The colon is also actively used in sentences with direct speech and quotations in cases where the words of the author come first. Eg. Einstein said: “Everything is relative!”

« ; » Semicolon. We usually use this sign for the same purpose as a comma. It is worth saying that if a comma is a kind of intonation pause for the purpose of separation, then a semicolon is an intonation pause, but a little longer and more significant.
It is used in complex sentences, as well as lists.
Let's give a couple of examples.
Need to buy:
1) red apples;
2) pickled cucumbers;
3) tomatoes.
Vitya didn’t catch the fish; but, despite this, he spent the whole evening talking about how interesting the fishing was.

« () » In parentheses we separate out implied text that is inconsistent with other parts in the sentence. Usually the following are written in brackets: clarifications, some details and details. In speech, we usually denote such moments with the words: more precisely, in the sense, I mean, etc.
Examples:
In winter (end of December) I am going to go to Austria.
Punctuation marks are convenient tools for creating clearer and richer text.

« ’ » Apostrophe. This sign, as a rule, separates one part of a word from another in complex surnames (Joan of Arc, D’Artagnan) as well as in words with part of the word in Latin (I sometimes use E-mail and Skype). This is a kind of top comma, letting us know that when pronouncing we need to make a micro-pause at the place of the apostrophe.

« Paragraph" - the punctuation mark indicated by a paragraph is, in fact, a transition to a new line. It is used for the purpose of semantic or intonation division of the text into parts. A new thought usually begins with a new line. Transitions are actively used when writing poems and dialogues.

We have listed and revealed all punctuation marks existing in the Russian language today. In conclusion, I would like to draw attention to several facts from history.
Did you know that until the end of the 15th century in Rus', words were written together without spaces?
The period appeared only in the 1480s, the comma in the 1520s. And the first paired sign (brackets) was in 1619.
Today we successfully use all of the listed signs, both for their intended purpose and by creating fancy emoticons from them.
That's all for now.
Good luck;)

Expressions that are integral in meaning are not separated or set off by commas.

§ 41.1

A comma is not placed before a subordinating conjunction or allied word in indecomposable combinations: do it properly (as it should be, as it should be); perform as it should (as needed, as needed); grab whatever comes your way; appear as if nothing had happened; to achieve at all costs; come whenever you want; they hid somewhere; don't go where you shouldn't; spend the night where you have to; take what you like; save yourself who can; live as you know; here you can always get what you need; everything was as it should be; say whatever you want; take what they give; tell it like it really is; swears at all costs; I’ll find something to do; I’ll find something to do; I will invite anyone I wish; get what you need(But: get everything you need);profit from what you can; paid God knows how much; you don’t mind giving anything; the picture is wonderfully good; passion is so interesting; work that is needed(But: Re-read what you need and answer); get what you need; God knows what.

Wed: in the language of fiction: And now, out of mercy, a corner has been set aside - and they live whatever God sends(T.); Come what may, and I’ll see Boris!(Acute); Be happy with whomever you want(Adv.); We God knows where are we going(L.T.); Finally, someone rushed from the crowd towards the guy and, grabbing him by the shoulders, shouted what strength was there(Grig.); “I’ll treat you!” I’ll treat everyone!” - shouted Ilya Ignatievich what to eat(Dec.); I live wherever you have to(Ch.); They remembered their youth and chatted God knows what(Ch.); “Cool old man,” Panteley muttered. - Trouble is so cool!”(Ch.); You'll see and hear enough here what not to do(M.G.); ...He never touched a finger, but lived where God will send(Boon.); Kuzma even shrugged his shoulders: God knows what in these steppe heads!(Boon.); He'll get there god knows until what with your games(Paust.); We have a grandfather terribly so brave(Paust.); Remained in the buff(Sh.); The headquarters remained as if nothing had happened where he stood(Sim.).

This rule is based on the fact that phraseological units do not form a subordinate part of a complex sentence and are usually equivalent to a member of a sentence. Yes, in combination talks about it wherever he can the last words mean "everywhere". If any of the above and similar phrases is not used as a phraseological unit, then it can form a subordinate clause (usually an incomplete sentence) and be separated by commas.

Wed: Colloquial words began to be used where it is needed and not needed("everywhere"). - Put, where needed missing punctuation marks(“where it is needed”).

§ 41.2

Verb expressions are not separated by a comma want, forming integral expressions: write as you want(“write in any way”); He is commanded by whoever wants; The only people who don’t drive him are those who don’t want to; come whenever you want; take as much as you want; hang out with whoever you want; Do whatever you want; dispose of it as you wish; write whatever article you want; drink whatever wine you want; marry whoever you want(But: married whomever he wanted; marry whoever he wants - p in the dismembered meaning of the verbs forming the predicate of an incomplete sentence).

You think whatever you want(L.T.); Doesn't matter, call whoever you want(A.T.); "Do what you want", - Dubrovsky answered them dryly(P.); Let him get the money where he wants and how he wants(Cupr.).

§ 41.3

Inside combinations not that, not that, not so, not otherwise than no comma is used: Here now not really earlier, everything became more interesting; Not really I’m very pleased, but I can’t complain; We spent time not so much it's a lot of fun; The note can be typed nothing less than petite.

Wed. in the language of fiction: I him… not that to love not that so as not to love, somehow...(T.); Today not really soldier, but I saw peasants(L.T.); At that moment I'm not really chickened out and was a little timid(Cupr.); Chichikov called the police officer nothing less than dad(G.).

§ 41.4

(not) more than, (not) less than, (not) earlier than, (not) later than etc., if they do not contain comparison: The parcel weighs not more than eight kilograms(cf.: ...no more than eight kilograms); He will return no sooner than In the evening(cf.: ...not until evening); The job can be done less than in an hour; You were there for me more than friend; Submit your documents no later than tomorrow; Overhead costs turned out to be higher than expected; With your musical ability you have to think not less than about the conservatory; Incubator temperature no lower than need to; To the tests he more than ready; All this no more than idle dreams; He was more than artist - he was a poet; The calculations turned out to be more than approximate; Mission completed less than by one third; This nothing more than slander; Product output increased more than doubled; Maslenitsa passed me worse than sad(Ch.).

But (if there is a comparison or comparison): Works no less than others; Suffered from the cold more than from hunger; Came back earlier than expected; This room higher than the neighboring one; He will return no later than circumstances require; There were guests less than expected; More than physical pain he suffered from the thought that he was now disabled(gas.); More than anything else the patient needs rest; Sipyagin was much worried more than his guest(T.).

§ 41.5

Commas are not placed inside combinations it is unknown who (what), it is unknown which (where, how, where, from, her), it is not clear who (what), it is not clear which (where, how, to where, from where, whose), it doesn’t matter who (what), it doesn’t matter which (where , how, where, where, whose), no matter who (what), no matter which (where, how, where, from, whose); came no one knows why; asked me it’s unclear what; pass it on it doesn't matter to whom; accommodate visitors no matter where.

Wed: The old man saw a short gelding in the morning and began to tan: without a tail no matter what without a head - disgusting to look at(A.T.).

§ 41.6

A comma is not placed before a combination of interrogative-relative pronouns who, what, which etc. or adverbs where, where, where etc. with words whatever And horrible, since in these cases whole expressions with the meaning of a word or phrase are formed: anyone("any"), anything("All"), any("any"), anywhere("everywhere"), anywhere("everywhere"), whenever("Always"), from anywhere(“from everywhere”), as much as you like(“a lot”), etc.; just anyone(“it doesn’t matter who”), anyhow(“it doesn’t matter how”), just any(“it doesn’t matter which one”), etc. For example: It can do anyone; He left home when, where and for as long as you want(But: I could sing as much as I wanted then - in case of loss of phraseological integrity); I came and took it whatever; Ryla anywhere.

Wed. in the language of fiction: Give me an answer whatever and whenever(T.); I ready to wait as much as you like(T.); ...Everyone lends me money as much as you like(G.); This is what you will find anywhere(Trif.); Grandfather was so angry that he stopped ten times and spat with rage. anywhere(Cat.); Scolding the careless carters who dumped the firewood anyhow... Grandma started stacking the woodpile(Guide.).

The same with combinations as much as you like And as much as you like: You can be indignant at people like Bazarov as much as your heart desires, but recognizing their sincerity is absolutely necessary(D.P.); Well guys, get warm now how much will fit(Ver.).

§ 41.7

The comma is not placed inside expressions like there is something to do, there is something to work on, there was something to think about, I’ll find somewhere to turn, I can’t find anything to say, I have nothing left to live on, consisting of a verb be or find (be found), stay and interrogative-relative place of noun or adverb (who, what, where, where, when etc.) and the indefinite form of another verb: Do you have anything in the world to forget?(L.); There is someone to scold, no one to feed(Dahl); There's a lot to like(Writing); And our intelligentsia has something to love, something to respect(M.G.); There is something to think about; We found something to surprise you with; I couldn't find anything to say; We will have something to trump; I found a place to be fashionable; There is time to chat with you!; There was reason to be depressed; Friends have a lot to talk about; The guys had a place to spend their free time; We had something to reproach him for.

§ 41.8

Combinations are not separated by commas whoever is, whatever is, whatever is and so on.: You will willingly allow someonenot at all...I personally corrected the symmetry in your face(S.-Sch.); It was the mostno matter whatordinary woman(Er.); ...I’d rather see how you work - that’s allno matter whatI'll take over the experience(EAT.).

§ 41.9

The comma is not placed before the conjunction What in expression only...that, followed by a noun or pronoun: The only money is a nickel in your pocket; The only thing is that the shirt is on the body; The only entertainment is a movie once a week; There is only light in the window; There's only talk about the two of them.

But if a construction containing a complex particle in the first part only and verb do (do, know) and union What, has a verb in the second part, then before What comma put: They are with grandfather that's all they did played chess(Usp.); From nine in the morning to six in the evening all you know is that you're stuck here(Cupr.); All he does is chatting; All I did was refused; He only knows that walks from corner to corner. The use of a comma in such sentences is explained by the fact that they are complex: the second part with the conjunction What shows that someone's activity is limited, and a complex particle that's all in the first part indicates this limitation.

The same if the second part is a subordinate part of a complex sentence: That's all that's new the hares are conferring on how to drive away the eagles(L.T.).

§ 42. Comparative turnover

§ 42.1

Commas comparative phrases beginning with conjunctions are highlighted or separated as if, as if, as if, rather than, than, precisely, that: The wind was blowing towards as if trying to stop the young criminal(P.); From above I saw Moscow as an anthill(P.); And the old cat Vaska seemed to be more affectionate towards him, rather than to someone in the house(Gonch.); ...And her hair[mermaids] green, what is your hemp(T.); However, these were more like caricatures, than portraits(T.); Towards the end of the duck hunt, like goodbye began to rise in flocks(T.); But precisely because Alexandra Gavrilovna gets excited, she loses more often, than husband(S.-Sch.); There was a smell of musty dampness coming from somewhere, straight from the cellar(M.-S.); Panteleimon... sits on the box, stretching straight forward, exactly wooden, hands(Ch.); Sometimes you shoot a hare, wound him in the leg, and he screams, like a child(Ch.); The moon rose very purple and gloomy, definitely sick(Ch.); On the Red Square, as if through the fog of centuries, the outlines of walls and towers appear unclear(A.T.); Better late than never(last).

Commas are not used in these cases if the phrases are of a phraseological nature: What stuck like a bath leaf?(T.); What are you? Are you sure you swallowed a fly?(M.-S); As I remember my old concepts, I suddenly as if someone is dousing it with varnish(Acute); Traitors as if they sank into the water (N.N.); Right out of the ground the stroller on tires has grown(Alt.); There was only Smolnikov as if on pins and needles(Copt.). In some sentences, phraseological units act as a predicate rather than a comparative phrase.

§ 42.2

Comparative phrases with the indicated conjunctions are not separated by commas if they are part of the predicate or are closely related to it in meaning: The stars in the dark sky are like sparkles scattered on velvet; He looks for life as if through rose-colored glasses; Bay water like black mascara; Mighty Oak like a warrior in armor; Happy song that a winged bird: carried away far, far away; To the past we we look as if through a crystal prism; He and I are like brothers; Stands rooted to the spot; Lantern lights like beacons(for the absence of a dash in these cases, see § 5).

§ 42.3

Commas comparative phrases with a conjunction are highlighted or separated How in the following cases:

1) if they denote similarity (How means "like"): With light fingers, like a dream, touched my eyes he (P.); Her lips like a rose are blushing(P.); Broken to dust, fleeing, he is careless, like a stupid child(P.); ...And the whole steppe was covered with the fallen, like a swarm of black locusts(P.); Like an unfortunate separation, Tatiana grumbles about the stream(P.); The air is clean and fresh, like a child's kiss(L.); And the sadness at the bottom of the ancient wound began to stir, like a snake(L.); And, like the silent victims of the tomb, they were both careless(L.); Like a desert leopard, angry and wild, I was on fire(L.); Under him, like the ocean the steppe all around is turning blue(Kr.); And he saw himself rich, like in a dream(Kr.); At the bottom, like a steel mirror, lake streams turn blue(Tyutch.); And embittered by the battle, like a fatal attack, the waves are howling again(Tyutch.); ... These luminaries like living eyes, looking at the sleepy earthly world(Tyutch.); And sweet thrill like a stream nature ran through my veins(Tyutch.); Here the stars will look from the sky, and, like a river The Milky Way will light up(Fet); Like a seagull the sail there is white in height(Fet); He behaves surprisingly well, is careful, like a cat(T.); At the very bottom, dry and yellow, like copper huge slabs of clay stone lay(T.); Like a woman you loved your homeland(N.); The words stretched endlessly one after another, like thick saliva(S.-Sch.); The officer gasped and, curled up, sat down on the ground, like a shot bird in flight(L.T.); She's like a bee knew which place was more painful to sting him(L.T.); The old bridge was broken and in its place they made a basement, straight, like a stick embankment(L.T.); I suffered for dear, kind Ivan Andreich, like a son(L.T.); His existence is enclosed in this tight program, like an egg in a shell(L.T.); She looked at him like an icon with fear and remorse(L.T.); Tall, black chimneys loomed gloomily and sternly, rising above the settlement, like thick sticks(M.G.); ...Drinking grandma's liqueurs - yellow, like gold dark, like tar and green(M.G.); The minute I do something, he’ll come eat me, like rusty iron(M.G.); Only the corners of the hall remained motionless, tightly like a pillow with a feather, packed with guests(M.G.); ...Nikita has girlish eyes, big and blue, like his shirt(M.G.); Our words, even the most important ones, become a habit, decay, like a dress(M.); I've been through all my life like in a thousand years, carried this memory(Priv.); The mystery is alluring, like an eternal spring, gushing from the deepest depths(Fed.); There were a lot of people on the street like on holiday(Quiet); Lightning, like ties they fly with the wind(Bagr.); And the wife is already at the door and the frying pan, like a gun holds at the ready(Sh.); And they hugged like brothers father and boy-son(TV).

Wed. Also: Year, What's up(the name of the movie), - “a year is like life”, and not “a year is life” (cf.: The sky is like the sea where is the union How predicate is added); A stately figure loomed, like a statue(“loomed like a statue”, not “loomed like a statue”; see below); The farmers are looking at us, I don’t know who; Friends, like in a dream, went outside; Low-hanging light bulbs glowed, like in fog; On that day, Mary like a storm flew into the hut; Let's talk like man to man; Have me at your disposal as a friend; His every word like fire burns; Slander spread like an infection; He said the last word how he chopped it off; She couldn't sit idle, she worked, how the bird sings - the comparison is expressed not by a phrase, but by a whole sentence; He wanted like a child pat her on the head - p repositive comparative turnover.

A comparative phrase may contain a connotation of causal meaning: Wasenda, as a positive and practical person, found the assigned place unprofitable(Pom.) (“being a positive person”); She was, like the smaller one, father's favorite(L.T.) (“because she was smaller”); As the eldest I order you, gentlemen, to disperse immediately(Cupr.); He cast aside this fleeting suspicion, as inspired by his suspiciousness; Release, like someone who couldn't do the job...(compare with the placement of a comma when applying with a conjunction How with a causal connotation of meaning; see § 19, paragraph 7);

2) if there is an indicative word in the main part of the sentence (so, so, that, so): The coachman was in the same amazement at his generosity, like the Frenchman himself from Dubrovsky’s proposal(P.); Nowhere else at a mutual meeting do they bow so nobly and naturally, like on Nevsky Prospekt(G.); His facial features were the same like my sister(L.T.); Laevsky is certainly harmful and just as dangerous to society, like a cholera germ(Ch.); Everything around is somehow churchy, and the smell of oil is just as strong, like in church(M.G.); ...I will do everything to become like this how is she(Pan.); It's rare to meet such an interesting person How is he.

But: Our group passed all tests ahead of schedule, same as parallel - without dismembering a complex union (see § 34, paragraph 1);

3) if the revolution begins with the combination as well as: To Moscow, like the whole country, I feel my filiality, like an old nanny(Paust.); In her eyes as well as throughout the face, there was something unusual; Children, like adults, must be accustomed to comply with the rules of the hostel; Just like at last year's competitions, the athletes of the Russian Federation were ahead;

4) if the turnover is expressed in combinations as a rule, as an exception, as usual, as always, as before, as now, as now, as if on purpose and so on.: I see as it is now, the owner himself(P.); What a shame! How on purpose not a soul! (T.) - in the meaning of an introductory word; She has now become slender and thin again, like before(M.G.); The day has begun As always, in thick fog(Rev.); I remember like now, this meeting during the expedition; Commas, usually, participial phrases are highlighted; As an exception, you will be allowed to retake the exam; A dispute arose about rituals in general - are rituals permissible? as such, Do they harbor superstitions and prejudices?(Ver.); To complete the work you will need, least, whole month; Athletes were preparing for the Olympics, more than ever, tense;

5) in revolutions none other than And none other than: Rhine Falls in front nothing more than a low water ledge(Bug.); For a moment it even seemed to him that it was none other than Valko, could give Volodya Osmukhin such a task(F.).

Wed. Also: Who, how not he can fulfill your request; He, like no one else knows how to come to the rescue in time.

§ 42.4

Turnovers with the union How are not separated by commas:

1) if the meaning of the circumstances of the course of action comes to the fore (turns with How can be replaced in these cases by the instrumental case of a noun or an adverb): Like hail buckshot rained down(L.) (cf.: rained down with hail); Like a demon treacherous and evil(L.) (cf.: demonically insidious); He's angry like thunder thundered like steel sparkled; Horse like a snowstorm flies like a blizzard in a hurry; Like lightning they flared in the sky, like rain of fire fell from the sky; I looked at her like a fool(T.);

Note. When analyzing such examples, we proceed from the author's punctuation and try to explain it, which, as we know, is a very difficult matter. So, comparing the above two sentences from the poems of M. Yu. Lermontov with his own phrase She'll slip away like a snake will flutter and fly away, like a bird we can assume that in the latter case it was important for the author to create artistic images through, so to speak, pure comparison ( like a snake, like a bird, although the comparison remains true in combinations will slip away like a snake, fly away like a bird, but with an additional connotation of the manner of action). Exactly the same in verse I see like crazy on a black shawl(P.) The meaning “like a madman” prevails over the meaning “I look like a madman.” Therefore, some sentences admit of double interpretation and, therefore, double punctuation; compare: He died, like a real hero(“like a hero”). - He died like a real hero(“died a hero”).

2) if the main meaning of the turnover is equating or identifying: …You loved meas property, as a source of joys, anxieties and sorrows(L.) (cf.: ...loved me, considering me his property- i.e. identifying me with my property); Try to look at melike a patientpossessed by a disease still unknown to you(L.) (cf.: ...equating me to my patients); [Judas] handed over his stoneas the only thingwhat could he give(S.-Sch.) ;

3) if union How has the meaning “as” or in conjunction with the conjunction How characterizes an object from one side (see § 19, paragraph 7): Rich, good-looking, Lensky was accepted everywhere like a groom(P.); So I advise you like a friend be careful(L.); I speak as a writer(M.G.); We know India as country of ancient culture; I will save this letter like memory; They are talking like strangers; We met like old acquaintances; Bought and sold as a product not labor, but labor power; Space explorers settled on dogs as fairly highly organized animals; Negotiations with him should have been conducted as with an equal side; Peter I did not consider it shameful to work like a simple carpenter; Yuri Gagarin made history as the world's first astronaut;

4) if the phrase forms a nominal part of a compound predicate or is closely related in meaning to the predicate (usually in these cases the predicate does not have a complete meaning without a comparative phrase): Marya Ilyinichna sat on pins and needles(P.); Some are like emerald, others are like coral(Kr.) (see § 5, note); She herself walked like wild(Gonch.); Like a child I became a soul(T.); “The city is like a city,” Bazarov remarked coolly(T.); Gamzat left the tent and approached the stirrup of Umma Khan and accepted his like khan(L.T.); Her father and mother like strangers(Voluntary); Our garden like a passage yard (Ch.); I looked fascinated(Ars.); My stories were assessed as funny or nasty jokes(M.G.); All belonged to Vanya how to treat your person(Priv.); Poem was spoken as a confession(Fed.); Splashes and waves were like in life(Fed.); I speak of the poet Nikolai Tikhonov as the happiest writer's fate(Fed.); Like the sun she(Safe.); He talked about familiar things like about something unusually interesting(Paust.); Prishvin thought About Me like a poet, "crucified on the cross prose"(Paust.); At the local market like at any bazaar; He was sitting thunderstruck; Everything is as in the pictures: and mountains, and forest, and water; Feel yourself like at home; He said these words as a well-mannered person; Everything is as usual, only the clock became; Forehead was like white marble; Our view was like the latter robbers; Everything is like with people; They have livestock like ants in an anthill; Girl's hair like straw; This sound was like an alarm clock; His whole life is so bright holiday; You have a darling like a hare; At war like in war; She told him like a dear mother; In his best works the writer appears as creator deeply realistic pictures of reality; Clouds like lead; A few years later our village it will be like a city; You boil this fish, and it it will become like butter; dry it, and he will become like a stone; Dress became like a rag; Everyone understood this is a remark as an objection; They were worried neighbor's death How personal grief; They spoke of him as an honest man; She behaved like a hostess; He lives as if blindfolded; People always go to underground fires treated like to the terrible to the enemy; Play written as a comedy;

Him right away accepted as one of our own; Readers perceive his books like a textbook life; He looked like a sick person; Actor remained in the history of theater like a great artist; Animals in fables behave like people; This melody was created by Glinka, but it perceived as truly folk; I accept your feedback as a sign of approval; Opinion it is treated as a hypothesis; About “Hero of Our Time” by Lermontov Belinsky spoke as if it were a novel; He was treated like an intruder; I'm behind them how I look after the children; Many performances look like self-reports; Lifetime plausibility enters as an obligatory element in artistic truth; This is a memory lies on me like a stone; Leave All as it is; The best thing keep as it was; We will accept data as such.

Other examples: feel like you are in your own element; behaves as if he were insane; understand as a hint; perceive as praise; recognize as a danger; greet as a friend; look like a child; evaluate as an achievement; be treated as an exception; take for granted; present as a fait accompli; qualify as a violation of the law; mark as a great success; interest as a novelty; put forward as a project; justify as a theory; develop as a tradition; express as an assumption; interpret as a refusal; define as a special case; characterize as a type; stand out as a talent; issue as an official document; sound like a call; be included as an integral part; appear as a representative; feel like a foreign body; exist as an independent organization; arise as something unexpected; develop as a progressive principle; perform as an urgent task; comprehend as something new; develop as an artist and so on.;

5) if the comparative phrase is preceded by a negation Not or words completely, completely, almost, like, exactly, exactly, simply, directly and so on.: I did not cultivate this feeling of celebration in myself as a rest and just a means for further struggle, but as a desired goal(Priv.); [Andrey Bely] devoted himself to the language precisely like a shaman self-stimulating(Fed.); It was light, almost like during the day; Children sometimes reason completely like adults; The girl's hair is curly like a mother;

6) if the turnover has the character of a stable combination: The deer ran away a little and stoppedrooted to the spot(Ars.); Leolike a mountain was lifted off my shoulders(Kr.); Robber of a manhow I stole the sticky stuff(Kr.); And after a few weekslike a bolt from the bluethe news spread...(Versh.); With a husband, with a dead man,like behind a stone walllived, did not enter into anything(Acute); The rain was pouring downout of a bucket(S.-Sch.); I ask you to stop these ridiculous lessons in English, which he has become accustomed tolike a cow's saddle(Laurel); The young couple were happy, and their life flowedlike clockwork(Ch.); [Organ grinder] works for human pleasurelike a running car(Adv.); I need your confessionlike a dog's fifth leg(Sh.); After all, she lived with a paramediclike a cat and a dog(Ch.); You'll get caught by a foollike chickens in cabbage soup,mark my words(Virta); You are writinglike a chicken paw(M.-S.); Loosening will help himlike a poultice for a dead man(Nick.); He will go. Those weren't the ones who got screwed.How cutewill go(Arb.); And if he had some kind of past - after all, everyone knows himlike peeling(F.); It's a pity, time is short, ten days will fly bylike one minute(Sayan.); Like an aspen leafAlena Dmitrievna shook(White); Why are you standing?How's the stump?(Laurel); There was nothing to do, I had to spend two nights on the ship; when he went back to Khabarovka, I found myselflike a broke cancer(Ch.); A guy will come into the compartment, stretch the bellows of an accordion or a three-row car, and all the worrieshow to remove it with your hand(Sol.); ...Old bookslike the back of my handknew(M.-P.); Our brother therelike herring in a barrel(G.-M.); Shut up your fountain of eloquence and don’t lielike a gray gelding(Mill.); My dad would fuck me with all his heartlike Sidorov's goat...(Ch.); You're running away from melike hell from incense(Bab.).

Notes: 1. The comma in these cases is usually absent if the comparative phrase acts as a predicate. When we are talking about comparative turnover, then under the same conditions comma it may or may not be. Wed: It was evening The same looks like any other evening(L.T.). - Curtained windows of houses similar to each other looked at Matvey from both sides of the street, The same(Cor.); Tallow candles... cherished like the apple of my eye(S.-Sch.). - Necessary, like the apple of my eye, preserve the memory of the best people of your country; The third battalion had a direct hit in a trench. Eleven people at once like a cow licked it with her tongue(Sim.). -... Everything is clean in the courtyards, under the barn, like a cow licked it with her tongue(Ser.); From here the entire vast territory of the port was usually visible in full view(Cat.). - From the top all the surroundings were visible, in full view(Closed); ...Then together with you we would play out life like clockwork(M.G.). - The plan developed by the commander... was played out that day, like clockwork(Floor.); ...He assumed that it was enough to return home, change his overcoat to a zipun, and everything would go as written(Sh.). - The hostess will tell you in detail and without any omissions, as written, the history of all the prosperity around you(Usp.); There were no troubles with him! They pulled him out of the hole twice, but that was all for him. like water off a duck's back(Sharp). - This, brother, is such a person: to another, like water off a duck's back, and he takes everything to heart(Ert.) (it would be better without a comma); Behind such a sergeant major is the company commander like Christ in his bosom(Break.). - B thank the Almighty that you are sitting by the swamp, like Christ bosom(Sh.). 2. The issue of punctuation in comparative phrases, in particular in comparisons of an idiomatic nature, cannot be resolved in isolation from the nature of the phrases themselves (comparisons of a general linguistic type or artistic comparisons, sometimes individual author’s), the composition of stable combinations, as it is presented in explanatory and phraseological dictionaries, etc.

Here is a list of the most common stable combinations with the conjunction How(according to dictionaries and observations of texts of different genres): white as a harrier (like paper, like chalk, like canvas, like snow); cherish as the apple of your eye; pale as death; shines like a mirror; the illness vanished as if by hand; fear like fire; wanders around like a restless person; rushed like crazy; mumbles like a sexton; ran in like crazy; spins like a squirrel in a wheel; clearly visible; I see as if during the day; squeals like a pig; hangs like a whip; hangs around the neck like a millstone; everything is as if chosen; jumped up as if scalded (as if spurred on, as if stung); stupid as a plug; goal like a falcon; hungry as wolf; dirty as a pig; as far as heaven from earth; trembled as if in a fever; trembles like an aspen leaf; wait like manna from heaven; tenacious as a cat; fell asleep like the dead; froze as if lifeless; healthy as a bull; angry as a dog; have at one's fingertips; rolled around like cheese in butter; sways like a drunk; beautiful as God(but before your own name: handsome as Apollo; compare: fast like Ajax; wise as Solomon; strong like Hercules and so on.); red like cancer (like blood); strong as an oak; screams like a catechumen; light as a feather; flies like an arrow; sticky like tar; burst like a soap bubble; to thrash like Sidorov's goat; bald as a knee; it's raining cats and dogs; waves his arms like a mill; slow as a turtle; rushes about like crazy (like a wild animal); wet as a mouse; silent as a fish; gloomy as a cloud; people like sardines in a barrel; you can’t see your ears; silent as a grave; slow as an elephant; clumsy as a bear; running around like crazy; needed like air; one like a finger; remained broke like a crayfish; stopped dead in his tracks; razor sharp (like a knife); different as heaven from earth; turned white as a sheet; he wandered off like a beaten dog; repeated as if delirious; you'll go like a darling; remember your name; hit like a blow to the head; fluttered like a moth; sank like a stone; loyal like a dog; stuck like a bath leaf; swept by like a hurricane; disappeared as if into water; timid as a chamois; burned as if on fire; worked like hell; melted like snow; grow like mushrooms after rain; fell out of the blue; fresh as a cucumber; sat as if on pins and needles (as if chained, as if on coals); sweet like honey; blind as a mole; listened as if spellbound; looked as if enchanted; slept like the dead; stands like a stump; slender as a Lebanese cedar; hard like granite (like stone); dark as night; thick as a barrel; skinny as a skeleton; cowardly as a hare; stubborn like a sheep; stubborn as a donkey; tired as a dog; cunning like a fox; it gushes like a bucket; walks as if submerged; cold as ice; black as soot (like a chimney sweep, like the devil); feel at home; staggered like a drunk; walked as if to execution; hisses like a snake; clear as day and others. See: Phraseological Dictionary of the Russian Language, Ed. A. I. Molotkova. M., 1967 (corresponding dictionary entries). See also: Makarov M. M. Phraseological phraseology and punctuation, Rus. language at school. 1976. No. 1.

See: Nekrasova E. L. Punctuation in comparisons with a conjunction as in modern poetic texts, Modern Russian punctuation. M., 1979.

Helps to structure written text. Their use is regulated by punctuation rules specific to each language. They are not always easy to learn, so a lot of errors occur in this section. Thus, when studying foreign languages, very few programs include punctuation. However, this section is no less important than grammar or spelling, although it is only needed in So what are the punctuation marks?

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The main punctuation units in any language are the period, comma, as well as question and exclamation marks. With their help, you can correctly express your thoughts, although not always with sufficient accuracy. In total, ten icons are used in modern Russian: in addition to those already mentioned, these are the dash and colon, which will be discussed separately. In addition, these are brackets and quotation marks that have a separating function. Also the ellipsis, which ends a thought, and the semicolon, which play the same role, but within the same sentence.

As you can see, the list is small, but each of the listed punctuation units has its own purpose. Sometimes they are interchangeable, but more often they are not.

Classification

There are several options for dividing punctuation units. Firstly, on the basis of pairing. That is, in the case of placing one punctuation mark, it is necessary to supplement it with a second one. The paired categories include brackets, quotation marks, as well as double commas and dashes.

According to the second classification, all punctuation marks can be divided into 3 categories. For example, these:

1. Selection marks. They are intended to indicate the boundaries of various syntactic constructions and isolation. It is this category that paired signs belong to. They allow you to clearly structure a sentence and see its significant parts.
2. Branch signs. They mark the boundary between independent sentences, including those within complex structures. In addition, they indicate the type. This includes everything that is not included in the first paragraph.
3. Sometimes the red line is highlighted separately. It denotes a change in topic or a new turn in a story or argument.

Functions

It may seem that in the modern world punctuation is already an atavism. As a rule, even without periods it is possible to delimit sentences, and even without commas it is most often clear what is being said. What can we say about other signs that are much less common? And yet, it is extremely difficult to do without them.

Firstly, they allow you to make mental pauses and differentiate phrases without turning the text into a meaningless set of letters and words. Secondly, they convey a huge number of different shades - uncertainty, half-assertion, etc. Without such a powerful tool as punctuation, this would be very difficult to achieve. In addition, it would be extremely difficult to understand official documents, agreements and contracts without punctuation marks. A misplaced comma can completely change the meaning of the entire sentence - and this is no joke.

So the role of punctuation marks is important, no matter how their opponents claim the opposite. After all, many linguists are of the opinion that any unnecessary introductions into the language simply do not take root, while the significant parts are retained in any case. And then, the famous “execution cannot be pardoned” is just one example, but in fact there are thousands of them. Any punctuation mark is an important part of the sentence that cannot be neglected.

History of origin and development

It is difficult to imagine how one can do without punctuation, but the current situation has developed relatively recently, and perhaps the process of development of this language section is still ongoing. Nevertheless, it is very interesting to observe how the origin and development of punctuation occurred.

The oldest punctuation mark is the dot, which is found in ancient Russian writings. But its use was not regulated in any way, and the location on the line was different - not at the bottom, but in the middle. The rules for staging it became more similar to modern ones around the 16th century.

The comma became widespread around the 15th century. Its name comes from an obsolete verb meaning stop, delay. The root word in this case is “stammer.” And the most observant ones will notice one more thing. For example, the fact that “punctuation”, by etymology, goes back to the same root.

Most of the other signs were introduced into widespread use before the 18th century. Lomonosov, Karamzin and many other prominent scientists contributed to their popularization. Modern punctuation rules for the Russian language were adopted in 1956 and are still in effect.

Correct use of punctuation units

Punctuation isn't always easy. At the end of a sentence there are four options to choose from, and inside a phrase... It is not surprising that so much time is devoted to the study of punctuation. It may be a little difficult to remember all the rules, but the basic ones are simply necessary.

Commas: correct use

Since this sign is the most common, it is not surprising that it accounts for the most problems. A comma is a sign that separates simple sentences within a complex sentence. It is also used in enumeration, for highlighting introductory constructions, applications, isolating participial, participial and comparative phrases and many other purposes. It is perhaps quite difficult to list them all, since this is a huge part of the school curriculum. However, it should be remembered that a comma also always distinguishes the address. Punctuation marks require careful attention, and neglecting the rules for their placement for a native speaker is, first of all, disrespect for one’s own person.

Direct speech and dialogue

It is this topic that causes the greatest difficulty for both schoolchildren and adults. And if there are fewer problems with the dialogue, because dashes are simply placed before each line, then punctuation marks in direct speech simply become a stumbling block, especially if introducing words are also used.

In order to correctly format this part of the text, you need to know that the replica itself, along with its own punctuation marks, is highlighted in quotation marks. If introducing words are used, then a comma is used instead of a period, which in this case is taken out of the statement. Interrogative and always saved. As for the formatting of the author’s words, it depends on the division of the replicas. If they are a single sentence, interrupted by an explanation, then it is written with a small letter and highlighted with a dash and colon. Only one pair of quotation marks is placed - at the beginning and at the end of direct speech. This probably sounds a little confusing in theory, but in practice it’s not difficult to figure out.

Using dash and colon

Grammar in the Russian language presupposes the existence and this means the demand for the above-mentioned punctuation marks. Their purpose is approximately the same, and they both can be replaced by a comma, which, however, will not convey the desired shades.

A colon is necessary if the subsequent part or even a whole simple sentence more fully reveals the meaning of the previous one, adds details, etc. A dash is in the opposite situation. Of course, they have other functions, but they are also a large enough part of the school curriculum that it deserves detailed consideration.

Differences in punctuation between Russian and European languages

When studying our native language, we do not always think about what punctuation marks exist in foreign dialects and whether they serve the same function. Of course, the rules of punctuation are also different, but we are not talking about them now.

A striking example is the Spanish language. Question and exclamation sentences are highlighted more prominently in it, because the corresponding marks are placed not only at the end, but also at the beginning of phrases, so that they are paired along with quotation marks or parentheses.

By the way, in English, instead of an ellipsis, you can often find a dash at the end of direct speech. And the Greeks can put [;] instead of a question mark. It’s difficult to guess without knowing. So it’s not always worth thinking about the rules that the Russian language sets. Punctuation marks and ways of using them are different everywhere.

Eastern languages

Japanese and Chinese remain true to tradition, despite the influence of Europe. So, the dot looks like a circle and is sometimes placed in the center of the line, and sometimes just like a regular one. This was done to avoid confusion, since the European sign could be mistaken for part of the last hieroglyph.

There are also two types of commas: regular and teardrop. The first, for example, separates simple sentences as part of a complex one, and the second - homogeneous members.

Little-known punctuation marks

It may seem that the previously mentioned list is more than exhaustive. But, strangely enough, this is not so. So, what punctuation marks exist that few people know about and are practically never used? There are a little more than a dozen of the most famous:

• Interrobang. This combination of a question mark and an exclamation mark in one unit looks exotic, but interesting. Of course, it is easier and more common to write “?!”, especially since the meaning will be the same, but supporters of the introduction of interrobang believe that it looks more representative in writing.
• Rhetorical It was in use for about 20 years at the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries. In fact, it is a mirror image of a regular question mark.
• Asterism. Previously, chapters or their parts were separated from each other precisely by this sign, which was three stars arranged in the form of a triangle. But quite a long time ago they were replaced by the same asterism, but located in the form of a straight segment.
• Ironic sign. It may seem too similar to the rhetorical one, although it is smaller, located above the line and has a completely different function, as the name suggests. It was invented in the 19th century.
• Love sign. Its function is also obvious from the name, and it itself is a combination of two interrogatives, mirrored to each other, with one dot.
• Agreement sign. It is a combination of two exclamation marks with one period. Expresses a show of goodwill or greeting.
• A sign of confidence. Serves the function of emphasizing a strong opinion regarding the statement made. It is an exclamation mark crossed out by a short horizontal line.
• Question comma. Used to emphasize interrogative intonation within one sentence. By analogy, there is an exclamation comma.
• Sarcastic sign. It is a kind of snail with a dot inside and is protected by copyright. It is used to specifically emphasize that the sentence behind which it is located contains sarcasm.
• Snark sign. It can also be typed on a regular keyboard, since it is just a period followed by a tilde - [.~]. It is used to show that the sentence it follows is not to be taken literally and has a hidden meaning.

Quite an interesting set, but to many it seems redundant. And although the role of some of these signs seems necessary, language ultimately displaces inappropriate and unused things. This is probably what happened in this case.

However, natural languages ​​are far from the only discipline in which there is the concept of punctuation. However, this topic requires separate consideration. It would be much more appropriate to consider the influence of modern trends on the placement of punctuation marks.

Punctuation and Netiquette

Since communication on the Internet initially most often implies informality, some simplification and disregard for the rules of the Russian (and not only) language is quite natural. There has even been a concept of netiquette, which includes the question of how to place punctuation marks.

For example, a period at the end of a long dialogue is a sign that the interlocutor wants to close the topic. In other cases it looks rude and cold. A large number of exclamation marks means, depending on the context, strong negative or positive emotions. An ellipsis can show despair, thoughtfulness, melancholy and some other shades of mood that can hardly be called positive. The placement of commas in online communication is rarely the subject of serious thought, because the goal is to convey the essence to the interlocutor, and the presentation of thoughts in this case is secondary. However, you cannot neglect the placement of question marks - this is bad manners.

Although these rules are different from the general rules, they are not difficult to remember. And, of course, you need to take into account that they do not relate to business and official correspondence, which must be formatted correctly and competently. Punctuation is a powerful tool that must be used carefully.

Punctuation- This:

1. Punctuation system
2. A branch of linguistics that studies punctuation marks and the rules for their use in writing

The general education program studies 10 punctuation marks: period ( . ), question mark ( ? ), Exclamation point ( ! ), ellipsis ( ... ), comma ( , ), semicolon ( ; ), colon ( : ), dash ( - ), brackets (round) () , quotes ( " " ). Punctuation marks serve to indicate in a sentence and in the text the boundaries of semantic segments, the meaning of which is especially emphasized by the writer. Punctuation marks provide the writer and reader with an unambiguous understanding of the sentence and text.

Punctuation rule

Punctuation rule- this is an instruction that indicates the conditions for choosing a punctuation mark (i.e., its use or non-use). The conditions for choosing a punctuation mark are the grammatical, semantic and intonation features of sentences and their parts.

Note.

The place in the sentence where punctuation is necessary can be found by identifying features (signs). Identification signs of the use of punctuation rules:

1. morphological: the presence of participles, gerunds, interjections, conjunctions, individual particles;
2. syntactic: the presence of two or more grammatical stems, addresses, new words, isolated members of a sentence, homogeneous members, foreign speech;
3. sound: pronunciation with vocative and other types of intonations;
4. semantic: expression of reason, etc.

Functions of punctuation marks

Punctuation marks serve to separate sentences from each other in the text, to separate and highlight semantic segments in a sentence. They are divided into three groups: separating(in the text), dividing And excretory(in a sentence).

Separating punctuation marks

These include period, question mark, exclamation mark, ellipsis. They are used:

1. to separate each word of a sentence from the next one in the text;
2. to design a separate sentence as complete.

The choice of one of the four separating marks is determined by the meaning and intonation of the sentence.

Punctuation at the end of a sentence

Rules:

• A period is put at the end of narrative and incentive sentences if they do not additionally express emotions (feelings).
• At the end of interrogative sentences there is a question mark.
• An exclamation mark is placed at the end of any sentence based on the purpose of the statement if they additionally express a feeling.
• An ellipsis is placed at the end of a sentence if the writer takes a long pause.

Punctuation marks

These include comma, semicolon, dash, colon. Separating punctuation marks serve in a simple sentence to indicate boundaries between homogeneous members (commas and semicolons), in a complex sentence - to separate simple sentences included in its composition.

The choice of dividing punctuation marks is determined by morphological, syntactic, semantic and intonation conditions.

Distinctive punctuation marks

Distinctive punctuation marks serve to indicate the boundaries of semantic segments that complicate a simple sentence (addresses, introductory words, phrases, sentences, isolated secondary members), as well as direct speech.
Distinctive punctuation marks are a comma (two commas); dash (two dashes); Exclamation point; double brackets; colon and dash used together; double quotes.

The choice of punctuation marks is determined by syntactic, semantic and intonation conditions.

Cases when punctuation is not used

• Between the subject and the predicate, which is joined by a conjunction How.
• Between homogeneous members connected by single unions and, or.
• Before application, if union How used in the meaning " as».
• After the participial phrase, if it comes before the defined noun and does not have a causal meaning.
• Before adverbs formed from gerunds.
• Between simple sentences in a complex sentence with a conjunction And in the presence of a common member.
• Between homogeneous subordinate clauses connected by a conjunction And.
• Between agreed upon definitions, if they characterize the subject from different angles.