What punctuation mark is used? Why do we need end-of-sentence punctuation? (Why are different punctuation marks used at the end of a sentence?)

General information

In russian language 10 punctuation marks. They are playing important role, allow you to correctly understand written speech, provide the writer and reader with an unambiguous understanding of the meaning of the statement and the emotional shades of the sentence. In general, without punctuation, the text would be a collection of words. They have a varied range of uses. At first glance, it is difficult to understand their production, but you can learn this, you just need to know the punctuation rules.

Functions of punctuation marks

1.Meaning-distinctive(help to correctly convey the meaning of a statement; without a punctuation mark, the phrase would remain incomprehensible; it gives an unambiguous meaning to the phrase; without them, the text would be equivalent to an unclear set of symbols; they help us make sure that we are understood unambiguously)

2.Intonation-expressive(punctuation at the end of a sentence indicates the purpose of the statement (message, question or encouragement to action) and the intonation of speech, since Z.P. also place emotional accents: admiration, dissatisfaction, joy, surprise, etc.).

Types of punctuation marks

1.Signs of completion(period, question mark and exclamation point, ellipsis, combination of characters: question mark with exclamation point; question mark with ellipsis; exclamation mark with ellipsis). The meaning of use: a) help to indicate completeness, completeness of a phrase or expression; b) clearly convey the meaning of the statement (a narration about something, a question addressed to someone, an incentive to action), i.e. indicate intonation, place emotional accents: admiration, dissatisfaction, joy, surprise, etc..

2.Division signs(comma, colon, semicolon, dash). Meaning of use: help to place semantic emphasis on a word or phrase in a sentence.

3.Selection marks(comma, quotation marks, parentheses, dash). Meaning of use: help to place semantic emphasis on a word or phrase in a sentence.

Punctuation marks	Use	Examples of wording in an essay
	Sign of completion. A period unambiguously indicates the end of a sentence that talks about something. It indicates the independence of the completed utterance.	Let me give you an example of sentence No. 3: “The forest became quiet.” This is a complete statement that talks about the onset of evening peace and quiet. The period marked the end of the sentence.
Ellipsis	Sign of completion. Firstly, it clearly indicates the end of a statement that could have been continued. Secondly, it denotes a certain thought, reflection of the author of the speech, and may indicate incomplete information, understatement, a desire to keep something silent, or the writer’s uncertainty. Thirdly, an ellipsis is also used when it is necessary to indicate an unexpected transition from one statement to another. Fourthly, an ellipsis indicates an omission in speech (for example, when quoting). In addition, an ellipsis is placed to indicate breaks in speech, hesitations caused by for various reasons(excitement, for example).	The ellipsis appears at the end of sentence No. 17: “How could I explain it more clearly to you...” This punctuation mark indicates the end of a completed statement. The ellipsis indicates that the author is thinking, trying to find the right words to continue his speech.
		For example, sentences No. 23 and 24: “Dubrovsky was silent... Suddenly he raised his head, his eyes sparkled, he stamped his foot, pushed the secretary away...” At the end of both statements there is an ellipsis. On the one hand, this sign marks the end of a completed utterance and separates one thought from another. On the other hand, an ellipsis indicates an unexpected transition from one statement to another, a rapid change of events.
		Take, for example, sentence No. 14: “In the department... but it’s better not to say in which department.” Gogol did not put the ellipsis by chance. This punctuation mark indicates a break in speech, a hesitation by the author, apparently pondering whether to indicate the location of the action.
Exclamation- body sign	Sign of completion. Firstly, it unambiguously denotes autonomy, independence, the end of a statement in which something is narrated or someone is called (encouraged) to action. Secondly, they place an emotional emphasis, because With the help of an exclamation mark, we convey the feeling with which we would like to pronounce the phrase (delight, surprise, dissatisfaction, doubt, etc.). The sign indicates emotional tension, emotional coloring of speech.	“What a pity that the birds flew away!” This sentence (#4) is a complete thought. The author, being in the forest, notes with regret that it has become very quiet. His emotional condition emphasizes the exclamation mark at the end of a sentence.
Question mark	Sign of completion. First, it clearly indicates the end of a statement containing a direct question. Secondly, it indicates the intonation with which the sentence should be pronounced (it is interrogative). May be placed in parentheses to express doubt or bewilderment of the writer.	Let's look at sentence number 16: "What time is it?" This is a direct question. The completed statement belongs to Pavel, the hero of the story, who is awaiting an answer.
Question mark		“The latest (?) models of domestic cars were presented at the exhibition.” Reading this sentence, we understand that the author of the statement doubts, is somewhat unsure of the fact cited.
	First, it is a sign of separation. Separates: a) homogeneous members of a sentence, while indicating their boundaries; this sign is placed when listing actions, objects, signs, etc.; b) simple sentences as part of a complex enumeration with meaning, delimit its parts. Secondly, it is a sign of selection. Commas highlight isolated definitions and circumstances (including participial and adverbial phrases), introductory words and sentences, addresses, interjections, clarifying and explanatory parts of the sentence. Thus, a comma serves to indicate the boundaries of semantic segments that complicate a simple sentence.	The separator comma is used several times in the sentence: “Chamomiles, dandelions, buttercups, clover - wildflowers.” (No. 13) Here are listed homogeneous members (subjects) connected non-union connection. The boundaries between them are indicated by commas.
		Two simple sentences as part of a complex non-union sentence (No. 18) are separated by a comma: “Thunder rumbled, lightning flashed.” Punctuation marks the boundaries of parts complex sentence, denotes their autonomy, independence.
		Here, for example, is sentence No. 2: “It was raining, slanting and shallow.” The comma was used here for a reason. It identifies homogeneous single definitions that figuratively depict autumn rain in the city.
Colon	Division sign. Firstly, it separates simple sentences as part of a complex one, with the second sentence indicating the reason for what is said in the first, explaining or explaining something. Secondly, it is used after a generalizing word before homogeneous members. In this case, the general word includes everything lexical meaning a number of homogeneous members that specify it. Thirdly, the colon separates the words of the author and the actual direct speech.	Consider the sentence: “I am sad: I have no friend with me.” (No. 20) This is a complete statement. It is a non-union complex sentence. It has two parts, the second explaining the reason for what is said in the first. The boundary between two simple sentences is indicated by a colon.
		“Birds were chattering on the rocks: frigates, guillemots, skuas.” This simple sentence lists homogeneous members. These are the subjects that denote the names of birds. The generic word “birds” is used before them. To separate it from homogeneous members, a colon is inserted.
		The text contains sentence No. 15. It consists of the words of the author of the text (“He asked”) and direct speech (“What time is it?”), belonging to the hero of the story, Vladimir. A colon is placed between these statements to indicate their separation.
Semicolon	Division sign. A semicolon is placed between simple sentences as part of a complex non-union sentence with the meaning of enumeration, if one of the simple sentences already has a comma (i.e. parts of the sentence are already distributed by homogeneous or separate members, introductory words, appeals, clarifying members, etc. ).	The author uses a semicolon in the sentence: “Emerald frogs jump underfoot; between the roots, having raised its golden head, it lies and guards them.” (No. 16) The statement is a non-union complex sentence. It consists of two independent, independent parts. The second simple sentence is complicated by an adverbial phrase, which is isolated. Therefore, a semicolon is placed between the parts of a complex sentence.
	Division sign. Firstly, it is placed in a non-union complex sentence in the following cases: a) the first part has the meaning of time or condition, b) the second part indicates a consequence, result, b) the content of the parts is opposed. Secondly, a dash separates direct speech from the words of the author (along with a comma, exclamation point or question mark), indicating the end of someone else's words and the beginning of a statement indicating who is their author. Thirdly, it can separate the explanatory members of a sentence. Fourthly, a dash is used at the place where the connective between the subject and the predicate is missing (incomplete information). Fifthly, this sign stands before the replica when transmitting dialogue. Sixth, after homogeneous members of the sentence, a dash is also placed before the generalizing word.	Before us is a non-union complex sentence: “When morning comes, we’ll hit the road.” It has two parts (simple sentences), the first of which indicates the time when the supposed events will occur. Therefore, inside a complex sentence, a dash is placed between relatively independent statements.
		The dash is used in sentence No. 17: “The smoky sun rises - it will be a hot day.” This is a non-union complex sentence consisting of two simple ones representing complete statements. The second part indicates the consequence (result). Therefore, a dash is placed between simple sentences.

	Firstly, quotation marks are used when quoting to indicate that a given statement (complete or part of it) belongs to a person or is an excerpt from some source. Secondly, quotation marks contain direct speech conveyed on behalf of its author. In these cases, quotation marks indicate a change in the author of the statement. Thirdly, words used in an unusual, conventional or ironic meaning are highlighted in quotation marks.	The author, analyzing the poems of the Russian poet, cites the following lines: “As Blok wrote, “and eternal battle, we only dream of peace.” (sentence No. 29) The quotation from the work is enclosed in quotation marks, thereby indicating a change in the author of the speech.
		For example, sentence No. 27 is a statement by the 19th century Russian critic V.G. Belinsky: “In literature we honor the “table of ranks” and are afraid to talk about “high-ranking persons.” In the words of the writer we hear irony, and therefore some of the words are enclosed in quotation marks.
	Selection sign. It is used when we want to clarify, clarify something, or add additional information to a statement.	“In the summer (most likely in July) we will go on a cruise on the Black Sea.” After reading this sentence, we see the circumstance of time “in the summer,” which is clarified by the words “most likely in July.” Clarifying members of the proposal introducing necessary information, are enclosed in parentheses.
Combination of an exclamation mark with an ellipsis	Combination of completion signs. Firstly, it (the combination) unambiguously indicates the end of the statement. Secondly, an emotional emphasis is placed, because using v.z. we also convey the feeling with which we pronounce the phrase, and with ellipses we indicate some kind of reflection, the reflection of the author of the speech; it may indicate understatement, a desire to keep something silent, or a quick transition from one statement to another (placed at the end of the paragraph).	Example sentence: Hardly!..
Combination of a question mark with an ellipsis	Combination of completion signs. Firstly, it (the combination) unambiguously indicates the end of the statement. Secondly, v.z. indicates the intonation with which a sentence should be pronounced (it is interrogative). Thirdly, the author, combining v.z. with an ellipsis, also indicates a certain thought, reflection, understatement.	Example sentence: What is his charm? In his mind?.. In his gaze?..

Essay sample

Full stop and ellipsis are important punctuation marks in writing.

The period and ellipsis are important signs of written speech. A period is one of the signs of completion; it indicates the intonation of the end of a statement and is placed at the end of a narrative sentence that expresses a complete thought. Without this sign, we would not pause between statements, and therefore would not understand where one thought ends and another begins. The dot indicates the ending intonation. An ellipsis can also complete a phrase, but the function of the punctuation mark is different. When arguing on any topic, talking about something, the author of the speech sometimes does not dare to express his thought in full and is silent about something. The ellipsis is needed to express this understatement and reflection. Moreover, it can be combined with both question marks and exclamation marks. In the first case, the author asks about something, in the second he expresses emotions (surprise, joy, etc.). In addition, it happens that this sign is also used inside a sentence when quoting
someone's statement is incomplete. We put ellipses in place of missing words.
Let's look at an excerpt from the text. When drawing his hero, the author describes his speech (sentence No. 24), paying especially much attention to his voice (sentence No. 25), and his manner of communicating with people. Having spoken, N. Heinze completes his thoughts, which are declarative sentences, so at the end we see periods. Talking about the impression Bersenyev made on those around him, the writer cites as an example the words of some of them: “How can I tell you... I don’t know... but he is charming.” The ellipsis here is no coincidence. With its help, it is emphasized how women think, try to understand what attracted the hero to themselves. And N. Heinze himself, immersed in his thoughts, wonders what Bersenyev’s charm is: “In his mind?.. In his gaze?.. Or in his voice?..” He asks himself these questions, reflecting, but I’m not immediately ready to answer them, and therefore here the ellipsis is combined with a question mark.
So, dots and ellipses are important signs of written speech.

Each of us at school had to write dictations in our native language. And, probably, the most offensive thing was the reduction in the final grade due to a missing or extra comma. Let's find out why this symbol and others like it are so important in language, and what science specializes in this issue.

What does punctuation study?

At the end of the previous sentence there is a familiar one that signals to every reader that this is a question, not a statement. It is on the study of such signal elements that such a science as punctuation concentrates.

Moreover, she specializes not only in the formation and regulation of norms and rules for setting punctuation marks, but also studies their history.

What is it for?

Having learned what punctuation is studying, it is worth paying attention to its practical value. After all, for example, practical significance spelling is understandable to most of us - if you don’t teach people to write correctly, it will become unclear to others what they want to say: flight or litter, etc. At the same time, many “victims” of school punctuation repressions are still perplexed: what difference does it make where to put a comma? , why it is needed at all, and why an entire science was formed to study it.

Let's figure it out. So, punctuation is important to make the text easier to understand. With its help, sentences or their parts are separated from each other. This allows the writer to concentrate on the thought he needs.

To more clearly understand the meaning of punctuation marks, it is worth recalling the “bearded” example from the cartoon “In the Land of Unlearned Lessons” - “Execution cannot be pardoned.”

The life of the main character, Vitya Perestukin, depended on where the comma was placed. If he had put it this way: “Execute, cannot be pardoned,” Vita would have faced death. Fortunately, the boy correctly translated the sign: “You cannot execute, but have mercy,” and thus was saved.

In addition to emphasizing certain parts of a sentence, punctuation often helps to understand its meaning.

For example, if you simply put a period at the end of the sentence “Our mother has come,” this will be a statement of the fact of the mother’s arrival.

If you replace it with a question mark, it will no longer be a statement of a fait accompli, but a question: “Has our mother come?”

Etymology of the term

Having considered what punctuation studies and why it is needed, we can pay attention to the origin of this concept.

The term under study was derived from the Latin word punctum, which translates as a point. Based on this, we can assume that the first punctuation mark in history is precisely the period (at least in Russian punctuation this is so).

It is believed that the ancient Greeks were the first to use it as a mark for the end of a sentence or even an entire paragraph.

Punctuation marks

Knowing what punctuation studies, it is worth going into more detail on this. In other words, let's pay attention to punctuation marks. They are also called punctuation and are elements of writing necessary to achieve such goals.

The main ones are:

Separation/highlighting of words, phrases, semantic segments in a sentence or whole text.
They indicate grammatical and sometimes logical connections between words.
They indicate the emotional coloring of the sentence and its communicative type.
They signal the completion/incompleteness of a statement/thought.

Unlike words, punctuation symbols are not parts of a sentence, although they perform very important functions in it.

The need for such signs is emphasized by the fact that in most text editors, when checking spelling, punctuation errors are highlighted in a separate color - green, while spelling errors are highlighted in red.

Types of punctuation marks that are in the Russian language

To remember exactly which separating characters are used in Russian, it is worth remembering any lesson about punctuation. It necessarily mentioned most of these elements. All of them are divided into two categories: paired and unpaired.

The first is a much smaller number: quotes "", brackets (), 2 commas and 2 dashes.

They serve to highlight a word, phrase or part of a sentence and are always used together, functioning as a single whole.

In this case, quotation marks are also used to highlight names in Cyrillic and as a designation of direct speech.

By the way, the most common mistakes in punctuation of paired characters is forgetting to put the second one.

There are significantly more unpaired punctuation symbols. They are divided into groups according to their direct functions. Moreover, some of them are capable of performing not one, but two roles at once.

Analyzing the above, you will notice that nothing was said about the apostrophe. However, this symbol is a spelling symbol, not a punctuation symbol. Therefore, we cannot talk about him in this context.

History of Russian punctuation

IN Russian Empire Punctuation as such did not exist until the second half of the 15th century. It was only in the 80s that the dot began to be used.

About 40 years later, commas began to be used in grammar.

The combination of these characters into one (semicolon) happened later. Moreover, checking the punctuation of ancient texts showed that it initially served as a question mark. So if, when reading a document dating back to earlier than the 18th century, there is a question mark, we can conclude that the paper is probably a fake.

However, since the 18th century. a special symbol began to be used to indicate a question. By the way, during the same period, the exclamation mark began to be used in the empire, which initially signaled surprise, and not an exclamation. That is why it was called "amazing".

The first paired symbols in the grammar of the Russian language were parentheses, first noted when checking punctuation in a document of 1619.

Dashes, quotation marks and ellipsis also appeared only in the 18th century. Moreover, one of their first and main popularizers was Nikolai Karamzin.

Unusual punctuation marks that are not used in modern Russian

In addition to the symbols that are well known to us, there are a number of signs that are not recognized by Russian and many other grammars. If you try to put them in a text editor, you will definitely receive a message about the need to correct the punctuation in the sentence.

Interrobang is a hybrid of question and exclamation marks.
A rhetorical question mark that looks like a mirror image of a regular symbol of this kind. It was used in English only for a few decades at the end of the 17th century.
Ironic sign. Externally similar to the above, but slightly smaller and placed at the beginning of the sentence. Originated in France in the 19th century.
A love symbol that is recommended to be used in greeting cards. It looks like a question mark and its reflection, together forming a heart.
The consonant symbol looks like two exclamation marks written from one point. Symbolizes the expression of goodwill.
A sign of confidence. It looks like an exclamation symbol crossed out in the form of a cross.
Authoritative. Similar to the previous one, but it is crossed out not by the direct line, but by the league. Used in orders or advice.
Asterism. Looks like three stars arranged in an inverted pyramid. Previously, it served to separate semantic chapters, as well as parts of books, or to indicate minor breaks in a long text.
Exclamation and question commas. Designed for intonation highlighting of words or phrases within a sentence.

Separating punctuation marks- This those punctuation marks whose function is to separate syntactic structures or their parts from each other. The simplest example of separating punctuation marks is period, question and exclamation marks, ellipsis.

Separating punctuation marks are divided into two large blocks- This signs end of sentence And signs within a sentence.

End of sentence marks as it is not difficult to guess, they are placed at the end of a sentence. But even here you should remember about the peculiarities of the intonation design of each individual sentence. It’s not difficult to put a period; it’s more difficult to determine “by ear” where it is necessary to put a question or exclamation mark or even a colon.

Dot indicates the non-exclamation nature of a declarative or incentive sentence:

The river sleeps quietly. The quiet forest makes no noise. The nightingale does not sing. And the twitcher (bird, also known as crake) does not scream. (S. Yesenin);

Let there be no deaf and hard souls . (A. Yashin).

Question mark speaks about the interrogative nature of the statement: What does a grain dream of in winter in damp soil? ? (N. Krasilnikova)

Exclamation mark indicates increased emotionality and expressiveness of the statement: Of course, about the sun, of course, about the warmth ! (N. Krasilnikova).

Ellipsis shows us that a sentence is characterized by incompleteness or interruption of utterance: An hour passed, two, three … (I. Turgenev).

Signs within a sentence more “complex” because they obey many rules. Here you should know not only general provisions rules, but also exceptions to it. Within sentences there may be period, question and exclamation marks, ellipsis, comma, semicolon, colon, dash.

Dot, surprisingly, also occurs inside a sentence: this happens when the sentence contains abbreviated spellings of words - and etc.(and others), etc.(and so on), and so on.(etc), and under.(and similar) so-called(so-called) etc.

Question mark occurs in interrogative sentences with homogeneous members, where there is a need to divide the question: What do I care? ? before them ? to the whole universe ? (A. Griboyedov). Also, a question mark inside a sentence is used to express doubt or bewilderment of the writer (the construction with a question mark in this case is placed in brackets): Art. Fedorov states: “All listeners are completely ( ? ) agreed with my conclusions"(K. Chukovsky).

Exclamation mark used in the following cases:

1) in exclamatory sentences with homogeneous members to indicate emotional intermittency of speech: Rejected everything: laws ! conscience ! faith ! (A. Griboyedov);

2) after word-sentences, addresses or interjections pronounced with exclamatory intonation: StariTo! I heard many times that you saved me from death(M. Lermontov);

3) in parentheses to express the writer’s irony, surprise or indignation at the conveyed thought: After the liberation of the city, Svyatopolk was in the princely residence, when suddenly ( ! ) Grand Duke Vladimir died(A. Rogalev).

Ellipsis are used when quoting (before the beginning of the quote, in the middle or after it) to indicate an omission in the quoted text: « ... cruel radiation … causes mutations … » (L. Gumilev).

Comma used between homogeneous members of a sentence: The aspen will chill , trembles in the wind , getting cold in the sun , freezes in the heat(I. Tokmakova), as well as between parts of a complex sentence: Whisper , timid breathing , nightingale trills , silver and the swaying of a sleepy stream , night light , night shadows , endless shadows , a series of magical changes to a cute face(A. Fet).

Semicolon we can find between the parts of a complex non-union sentence: The bay is sleeping, bound by some spirit, there is no wind, dew lies in the grass ; the full month, as if enchanted, trembles high and joyfully(K. Sluchevsky).

Colon used between parts of a complex non-conjunctive sentence: Hunger is not a thing : won't slip the pie(proverb), as well as before homogeneous members of a sentence after a generalizing word: Everything thundered : and floor, and ceiling, and furniture(A. Chekhov).

Dash most often found in complex non-union proposals, between the parts of which relations of inference, time, conditions, etc. are established. In addition, a dash is used between the subject and predicate in place of the zero connective, after homogeneous members of the sentence before the generalizing word, between members of the sentence to express surprise or opposition, when one of the members is omitted suggestions, etc.:

They give – take it, they beat you – run(proverb);

Everything is obedient to me, I – no one(A. Pushkin).

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§ 1. Point

1. A period is placed at the end of a complete narrative sentence: A dark leaden mass is crawling towards the sun. Lightning flashes here and there in red zigzags. Distant rumbles of thunder can be heard. A warm wind blows through the grass, bends trees and raises dust. Now the May rain will splash and a real thunderstorm will begin. (Ch.).

Note. The period is not placed at the end of the sentence after the period indicating the abbreviation of the word: ...etc.; ...etc.; …etc.; …and so on.

2. A period is placed after short sentences that paint a single picture to make the presentation more expressive: It’s late. The wind became cold. It's dark in the valley. The grove sleeps above the foggy river. The moon disappeared behind the mountain. (P.)

3. A period is placed at the end of nominative (nominal) sentences that do not contain either a question or an exclamation: Field. Vegetable gardens. Apiary. Milk farm. Poultry house. Fruit garden. Forest. Two tractors. Workshops. And all this is in brilliant condition. (Cat.)

4. The period is placed after the first part of the so-called segmented structures, or structures with “double designation”, consisting of two parts. The first part (segment, i.e., segment), located at the beginning of a sentence or text and expressed, as a rule, by the nominative case form of a noun or a phrase headed by this form (nominative topic, or nominative representation), names a person, object, phenomenon , which in the second part (in the following text) receives a different designation in the form of a pronoun: Earth. No one will touch her... Just cling to her tighter. (Sim.); Labor productivity. How to increase it? (gas.)

5. The period is placed after a dividing pause before connecting constructions, which with other punctuation would play the role of members of the sentence (the so-called parcellation, i.e. division): In any case, contact me. Any minute now. (Chuck.); Mitrofanov grinned and stirred the coffee. He narrowed his eyes. (N.I.); Three young watch factory workers came running to the editorial office after work. Excited. Alarmed. (Adv.); The world has become different. One year older. (gas.); The program is grandiose. And quite real. (gas.)

6. A period is placed at the end of the incentive sentence if it is pronounced without an exclamation: You should get treatment. (M.G.); Let me read it another time. (Bl.); Don't teach me. (Good)

7. A period is placed before the conjunctions and, and, but, however, etc., if they begin a new sentence: There are lanterns on all corners and they burn with full intensity. And the windows are lit. (Sim.); Apparently the man got lost. But getting lost in the taiga now is a disastrous business: neither the month nor the stars are visible. (Mark.); It would be easier for me if he scolded me. But he remained silent and silent. (Kav.)

8. A period is placed at the end of the listing headings if the numbers or letters that indicate the headings have a dot:

§ 83. Written together:

1. Adverbs formed by combining prepositions with adverbs... unlikely, for nothing.

2. Adverbs formed by combining the prepositions in and on with collective numerals... in three, but: in twos, in threes.

3. Adverbs formed by combining prepositions with short adjectives... slowly, rashly. (Rules of Russian spelling and punctuation.)

1. If there are subparagraphs in numbered headings, the latter are usually separated by a semicolon (less often, a comma).

2. If inside the paragraph forming a subparagraph there is an independent sentence, then a dot is placed in front of it and the first word begins with a capital letter:

...Timely determine and change the focus of research and development, organizational structure scientific institutions. Strengthen the interaction of social, natural and technical sciences;

increase the efficiency of using the scientific potential of higher educational institutions to solve national economic problems. Improve training, advanced training and certification of scientific and scientific-pedagogical personnel.

9. The period is placed at the end of the sentence introducing a further detailed presentation: This is the story. (Paust.) [the story follows]; Imagine this: [further - detailed narration]; The new machine has such a device. [further - a lengthy description].

§ 2. Question mark

1. A question mark is placed at the end of a simple sentence containing a direct question: Where did you come from, Andrey? (Hump.); Do you like oranges? (Sim.)

Note. A question mark can be placed in interrogative sentences after each homogeneous member in order to separate the question: What am I - a parrot? turkey? (M.); Kravtsov smiled affectionately - at his impatience? self-conceit? genius? (Gran.)

2. Nominative (nominal) sentences can also be interrogative: Fire? (Leather)

3. A question mark is placed at the end of a complex sentence if all the parts included in its composition, or only the last one, contain the question: How long has the heart suffered in her, or has the time for tears passed? (P.); Will you get tired of living with them, and in whom you won’t find any stains? (Gr.)

4. A question mark is placed at the end of a complex sentence if the question is contained in both the main and subordinate parts of the sentence or only in the main or subordinate parts: Do you know what sisters of mercy are? (Acute); All kinds of violations, evasions, deviations from the rules made him despondent, although, it would seem, why should he care? (Ch.)

Note. If the subordinate part of a complex sentence forms indirect question, then a question mark is usually not placed at the end of a sentence: I interrupted Savelin’s speech with a question of how much money I have in total (P.); Korchagin repeatedly asked me when he could be discharged (N.O.).

However, if the indirect question contains a strong interrogative intonation, a question mark is placed at the end of the complex sentence: Tell me, please, what kind of lights are these? (L.T.); I asked how he became a hermit? (M.G.)

5. A question mark is placed at the end of a non-conjunctive complex sentence if its constituent parts are interrogative sentences(commas are placed between them) or only the last part contains a direct question (a colon or a dash is placed before it, depending on the semantic relationships between the parts of the sentence): Who gallops, who crumples under the cold darkness? (Bug.); And I was driving now, talking to you and kept thinking: why don’t they shoot? (Sim.); Praise is tempting - how can you not want it? (Kr.)

6. A question mark in brackets is placed to express doubt or bewilderment of the writer, most often inside the quoted text: “...Already cheerful and noisy with wine, already melodious (?) and bright (!) sat in circles at the table.” What a strange set of words! (White)

7. For the combination of question and exclamation marks, see § 3, paragraph 7.

§ 3. Exclamation mark

1. An exclamation point is placed at the end of an exclamation sentence: Eh, yes, it’s a thunderstorm! (T.); Bon voyage! (Leather)

Note. An exclamation mark can be placed in exclamatory sentences after each homogeneous member to indicate emotional, intermittent speech: Played! lost! taken into custody by decree! (Gr.)

2. Sentences that contain the words what for, how, which, etc. are always exclamatory: What a wonderful person my friend is! (T.); How pale you have become! (P.); How extraordinary that girl on the truck was! (F.)

3. An exclamation mark is placed at the end incentive offers, in which an order, a requirement expressed in form imperative mood verb, emotionally charged: Get up! Get out of here! (Ch.); "Hold it!" - the old man groaned, pushing the longboat away from the shore (Sh.).

4. An exclamation mark is placed at the end of incentive sentences that are not expressed in the imperative form of the verb: Telephones! Fast! (Sim.); The officer threw the paper on the table. "Sign!" (M.G.); So that I don't hear such conversations anymore!

5. An exclamation mark is placed at the end of a nominative (nominal) sentence if it is pronounced with an exclamatory intonation: Emergency! (G.); This is my crown, the crown of shame! (P.)

6. An exclamation mark is placed at the end of a word-address, an interjection sentence or a sentence-address if it is pronounced with an exclamatory intonation: Of course! (T.); Right! Right! (Vs. Iv.); No no! (Crimea.); "Sabbath!" - someone shouted in an angry and torn voice (M.G.); Sonya (in a tone of reproach): Uncle! (Ch.)

7. An exclamation point in brackets is placed to express the author’s attitude to someone else’s text (agreement, approval or irony, indignation): “Our observations were carried out over a number of years, the conclusions were confirmed by numerous experiments (!), the main provisions were discussed at various meetings” - with We can completely agree with these words of the author of the new study. (See also § 2, paragraph 6.) To enhance the function of the exclamation (question) mark when expressing the writer’s attitude towards someone else’s text, there is a combination of both signs in brackets: ... The notorious ... William Buckley, whom the New York Times called “furious supporter of conservative positions,” published… a eulogy under the dashing headline: “The neutron bomb is a unique anti-war (?!) weapon” (gas.).

§ 4. Ellipsis

1. An ellipsis is placed to indicate the incompleteness of the statement caused by various reasons (the speaker’s excitement, external interference, etc.): Oh, so you... - I sang everything without a soul the whole summer (Kr.); “And you are not afraid...” - “What am I not afraid of?” - “...Make a mistake?”; “And besides...” I thought, “and besides...”

2. An ellipsis is placed to indicate breaks in speech, hesitations: In the department... but it’s better not to say in which department (G.); “Ah... ah... ah, how could it be otherwise,” he stuttered (cf.: “Ah-ah,” he said drawlingly and knowingly).

3. An ellipsis is placed at the end of the sentence to indicate that the listing could be continued: The exhibition in the hall of the Georgian Museum of Art presents over 50 works by Picasso, Renoir, Gauguin, Degas, Bernard, Modigliani, Cezanne, Monet... (gas. )

4. An ellipsis is placed to indicate an unexpected transition from one thought to another: Dubrovsky was silent... Suddenly he raised his head, his eyes sparkled, he stamped his foot, pushed the secretary... (P.)

5. The ellipsis at the beginning of the text indicates that the narrative, interrupted by some insertion, continues or that a lot of time has passed between the events described in the previous text and in this one: ... And now let’s return to the beginning of this story, which lasted twenty years.

6. An ellipsis is placed when listing words with undisclosed content: Festivals... Competitions... Concerts... (name of the section in the newspaper).

7. For the use of ellipses in quotations, see § 55.

8. For the combination of an ellipsis with a question or exclamation mark, see § 68, paragraph 1.

Why are commas needed?

I believe that commas, like other punctuation marks, serve an important role in writing. They help to understand the structure of the sentence, and therefore the meaning of what is written.

Commas can separate parts of a complex sentence or homogeneous members from each other, or they can highlight isolated members or words that are grammatically unrelated to the sentence. So, for example, in the sentence: “…..” - commas separate (homogeneous members of a sentence, parts of a complex sentence), and in the sentence: “…..” - commas highlight (introductory words, addresses, participle phrases, participial turnover, comparative phrase, clarifying members of the sentence).

K. Paustovsky was right when he compared punctuation marks with musical notations, which firmly hold the text and do not allow it to crumble. Without a doubt, commas are very important. punctuation marks, without which the meaning of the sentence would not be clear.

Why do you need a colon?

I believe that in writing it is impossible to do without a colon, as well as without other punctuation marks.

The colon stops our attention, requires a pause and warning intonation. This punctuation mark can separate a generalizing word from homogeneous members of a sentence (9), direct speech from the words of the author (3), simple sentences within a complex sentence (23).

Performing a semantic function, a colon is placed on the border of parts of a non-union complex sentence if the second part of the sentence indicates the reason (reveals, explains content) what is said in the first part (15).

K. Paustovsky was right when he compared punctuation marks with musical notations, which firmly hold the text and do not allow it to crumble. Without a doubt, the colon is a very important punctuation mark, without which the meaning of the sentence would not be clear.

Why do you need a dash?

I believe that in writing it is impossible to do without a dash, as well as other punctuation marks. It helps to understand the structure of the sentence, and therefore the meaning of what is written.

A dash can separate a generalizing word from homogeneous members of a sentence (1), direct speech from the words of the author (2). It can also separate the composition of the subject from the composition of the predicate (3) and simple sentences as part of a complex sentence (4).

In incomplete sentences, a dash replaces missing parts of the sentence, helping to understand the meaning of what is written (5). A dash is placed on the border of parts of a non-union complex sentence if the content of the first part indicates time (condition, reason) what is said in the second part (6). (Or The content of the first part is sharply contrasted with the content of the second part).

K. Paustovsky was right when he compared punctuation marks with musical notations, which firmly hold the text and do not allow it to crumble. Without a doubt, the dash is a very important punctuation mark, without which the meaning of the sentence would not be clear.

Why do we need punctuation (punctuation marks)?

Punctuation is an important branch of linguistics that studies the placement of punctuation marks. I believe that writing without punctuation is impossible.

They perform excretory and separative functions in written speech. For example, they separate sentences in the text (1 and 2), parts of a complex sentence (3), homogeneous members of a sentence (4), and separate direct speech from the words of the author (5). Punctuation marks can highlight isolated parts of a sentence or words that are grammatically unrelated to the sentence (introductory words, addresses, participial phrase, participial phrase, comparative phrase, clarifying parts of the sentence)(6).

The presence of completion marks at the end of sentences helps the author convey narrative (7), interrogative (8) and exclamation (9) intonations, the mental state of the characters. If you replace the period in sentence 10 with a question mark, the meaning of the sentence will immediately change.

K. Paustovsky was right when he compared punctuation marks with musical notations: they guide intonation, help the author formulate thoughts and convey feelings. Without a doubt, punctuation in writing is indispensable.

Why is spelling needed?

Spelling is an important branch of linguistics that studies the rules of spelling words. I believe that writing is indispensable without spelling.

Let's imagine that there are no spelling rules in a language. Then first the text sentence in the letter will look like this: “I have been experiencing this feeling for many years now...”. As we can see, it is difficult for us to understand the meaning of the recorded information.

Correct spelling of parts of a word is an indicator of knowledge about the language. For example, at the end of a word we can find out which part of speech is in front of us. In the word “guilty” (sentence 10 ) – ending –м. It indicates that we have an adjective in the form male, singular and instrumental case.

Consequently, spelling rules are necessary for a person, since competent writing is an indicator not only of knowledge of the rules, but also of a person’s culture.

Why do we need end-of-sentence punctuation? (Why are they used at the end of sentences? different signs punctuation?)

I believe that it is impossible to write without end-of-sentence marks.

At the end of the sentence there is a period, exclamation or question marks, or an ellipsis. These punctuation marks indicate a sentence boundary. Consequently, they separate sentences in a text, helping to accurately understand what is written (1,2).

The presence of completion marks at the end of sentences helps the author convey narrative (3), interrogative (4) and exclamation (5) intonations, the mental state of the characters. If you replace the period in sentence 6 with a question mark, the meaning of the sentence will immediately change.

As we can see, the choice of one of the four separating signs is determined by the meaning of the sentence and also depends on intonation.

Why do you need an ellipsis?

I believe that in writing it is impossible to do without ellipses, as well as other punctuation marks. It helps to understand the structure of the sentence, and therefore the meaning of what is written.

Ellipsis as a punctuation mark began to be used only at the end of the 18th century. This is a sign of incompleteness or termination of a sentence. In the text this is first offer: "……". The ellipsis placed by the author at the end of sentences 2 and 3 is not only a dividing sign, but also allows you to express the hero’s state of mind: thoughtfulness, absorption in his thoughts and feelings.