Punctuation(punctuation marks) in English, as in Russian, is used to separate sentences, parts of complex sentences and words, to express intonation and semantic underlining of individual words.
English punctuation rules are less strict than Russian, and their use often depends on the author himself (especially the use of a comma).
Dot
Dot (period) in English, as in Russian, is placed at the end of a declarative sentence.
- This is Lauren. - This is Lauren.
- I didn't like that cake. I didn't like that cake.
- I'm cold. close the door. - I'm cold. Close the door.
The dot is used when abbreviating words, abbreviations (except acronyms). If the sentence ends with an abbreviation with a dot, then the second dot not put. Between letters in an abbreviation no space is placed.
- I wake up at 7 a.m.- I wake up at 7 am.
- We will arrive on Fri. the 17th. We will arrive on Friday the 17th.
- Prof. Morrison is in room 302.“Professor Morrison is in Room 302.
The use of dots in abbreviations also depends on the variant of the English language. For example, in British English language abbreviations, which consist of the first and last letter of a word, are used without a dot. IN American English in such abbreviations period can be used.
Depending on the style of the text, the dot can be placed in the abbreviations of academic degrees and country abbreviations, or it can be omitted.
- Julia Carroll, PhD - Julia Carroll, PhD (Ph.D.)
- Richard Maxwell, Ph.D.– Richard Maxwell, PhD (Ph.D.)
- Charles Morrison, MBA– Charles Morrison, MBA
- Christopher Merritt, M.B.A.– Christopher Merritt, MBA
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A period is also placed in the initials of the name. According to the rules of the English language, there should be a space between abbreviations of people's names, but sometimes the space (and periods) are omitted to save space.
- W. E. B. Du Bois – William Edward Burghardt Du Bois
- J. K. Jerome – Jerome Klapka Jerome
- She said, “Calm down, baby, everything will be alright.”- She said: "Calm down, baby, everything will be fine."
- “Calm down, baby,” she said, “everything will be alright.”“Calm down, baby,” she said, “everything will be fine.”
- “Calm down, baby, everything will be alright,” she said.“Calm down, baby, everything will be fine,” she said.
Comma placed after a conditional sentence with if and adventitious time with when if they come before the main clause. If the main clause comes before the conditional if-clause or when clause, they are not separated by commas.
- If you need help, just let me know.- If you need help, let me know.
- If you are tired, take some rest.- If you're tired, take a rest.
- When you feel lonely, just call me!- When you're sad - just call me!
- Take some rest if you are tired. Rest if you're tired.
- call me when you are home.- Call me when you get home.
Comma stand out dividing questions(tag questions).
- Are you mad, aren't you? You are evil, aren't you?
- He doesn't know anything, does he? He doesn't know anything, does he?
Colon
Colon (Colon) in English is used before enumeration (list) or explanation of the previous part of the sentence.
- We have to buy the following things: bread, butter, milk, a cake. We need to buy the following: bread, butter, milk, cake.
- I know what we should do: work.“I know what we have to do: work.
- He has got what he deserves: a good punishment he will never forget.“He got what he deserves: a good punishment he will never forget.
When after colons there are several sentences explaining the previous one, then they are written with a capital letter. If this is someone's quote, these sentences can be quoted.
- Mom always told me: Be strong. Work hard. Never Give Up.“My mother always told me: “Be strong. Work hard. Never give up".
- I will never forget his words: “Be careful with your dreams.”- I will never forget his words: "Be careful with your dreams."
Colon not put after a verb or preposition before listing items that are directly related to them.
- I want a new dress, new shoes, a new bag and a little puppy. I want a new dress, new shoes, a new bag and a little puppy.
- I've read all his books including The Shining, The Dead Zone, Pet Sematary and others.– I have read all of his books, including The Shining, The Dead Zone, Pet Sematary, and others.
Semicolon
Semicolon (Semicolon) is used to connect independent sentences in one compound sentence. A semicolon indicates a pause, longer than a semicolon but shorter than a full stop. The semicolon is mostly used in formal documents or in fiction.
- His car is broken ; it is also very old.– His car is broken; she is also very old.
- Some people like cats ; others prefer having a dog.– Some people like cats; others prefer to get a dog.
Semicolon also used to connect parts of a sentence or independent sentences that already have commas.
- Some people, for some reasons, like monkeys, racoons, rats; but others prefer having just a cat or a dog.“Some, for some reason, like monkeys, raccoons, rats; but others prefer to have just a cat or a dog.
- Last summer i visited Moscow, Idaho; Washington, D.C.; Springfield, California and some other cities.– Last summer I visited the city of Moscow, Idaho; Washington, DC; Springfield, California and some other cities.
Quotes
Quotes (Quotation Marks) in English are used when quoting and introducing direct speech into a sentence.
- Saying “I don’t care” was a big mistake.“The phrase “I don’t care” was a big mistake.
- “I hope we will meet again one day,” said Jack.“I hope we meet again sometime,” Jack said.
When quoting or direct speech dot And comma put in quotes, not after them. However, in British English, a period and a comma can be used after quotation marks.
- American English
- .”
- .”
- British English
- My favorite song is “We are stars ”. – My favorite song is “We are stars”.
- She said, “It is the best thing I've ever read ”. She said, "This is the best thing I've ever read."
Interrogative And exclamatory signs can be both in quotes and behind them, depending on the part of the sentence to which they refer. If there is an exclamation mark and a question mark in direct speech, then a period or comma is not put after direct speech.
- Jack asked, “Why is she here?” Jack asked: “Why is she here?”.
- He yelled, "I don't care!" He yelled, "I don't care!"
- Why did you say "I don't care"? Why did you say "I don't care"?
If in the middle of a quote or direct speech you need to enter another quote or a phrase, then are used single quotes.
- “Never say ‘I can’t do that’,” said my father.“Never say 'I can't do it',” my father used to say.
- “I saw the sign ‘Closed’ on the door but I entered anyway,” said Matt.“I saw the 'Closed' sign on the door, but I went in anyway,” Matt said.
According to the rules of the English language quotes are also used when introducing the titles of essays, articles, book chapters, songs from musicals, titles of movie or television series into a sentence, but not the titles of large individual works. The names of complete works, individual songs, films are more often written in italics.
- I didn't read the chapter “Traveling alone” of this book. I have not read the chapter of this book “Traveling Alone”.
- He wrote the song “Belle” for the musical Notre Dame de Paris .– He wrote the song “Belle” for the musical Notre Dame Cathedral.
Quotes also used for terms, as well as words that are used in a sentence in an unusual sense (often to express sarcasm).
- Yesterday I had a phone call from my “best friend” Mark. Yesterday my “best friend” Mark called me.
- It leads to a deficit of total body water known as “dehydration.”– This leads to a decrease in the amount of water in the body, known as “dehydration”.
Brackets
Brackets (Parentheses) in English are used to introduce additional information into a sentence. This information can be highlighted commas or colon instead of parentheses, but the parentheses indicate that this information is not important or required.
- He got a small reward for his help (20$ or something) . He received a small reward for his help ($20 or so).
- he answered (after 5 minutes of hesitation) that he has never seen that girl. He replied (after 5 minutes of hesitation) that he had never seen this girl.
points And commas always put after brackets. However, there are cases when a whole sentence is transmitted in brackets, in which case a period can be placed in brackets.
- Matt got a bonus for his work ($100), but although Clark didn't work that much his bonus was way bigger ($200). Matt got a bonus for his work ($100) but Clark had a much bigger bonus ($200) even though he didn't work that much.
- You should watch this video! (You'll be surprised.)– You should watch this video (you will be surprised)!
Interrogative And exclamatory signs can stand in brackets if they refer to the phrase enclosed in brackets.
- You completely forgot about my birthday (didn't you?). You completely forgot about my birthday (didn't you?).
- He came to my house (just imagine!) and asked for some money.– He came to my house (just imagine!) and asked me for money.
Square brackets (Brackets) are mainly used to enter the author's remarks or corrections in someone's text, quotations or direct speech.
- He didn't know the truth about Matt's situation. He (the teacher) didn't know the truth about Matt's situation.
- “Leningrad is the second largest city in USSR...”– “Leningrad (today we know this city as Petersburg) is the second largest city in the USSR...”
Apostrophe
Apostrophe (apostrophe) in English is used to create possessive form of nouns(ending -'s).
- Kate's dog is really funny. Kate's dog is really funny.
- My brothers-in-law's room is big. The room of my stepbrothers is big.
- Guys' parties are always really noisy. Boys' parties are always very noisy.
Apostrophe also used in abbreviations and truncated forms of words in place of missing letters.
- Let's rock 'n'roll!- Let's party!
- I 'd better go now.- I'd better go now.
- You 're my best friend.- You are my best friend.
- Kate won 't do this anyway. Kate won't do it anyway.
Question mark
Interrogative sign (Question mark) in English is placed at the end of interrogative sentences.
- Are you going to the party tonight? Are you going to the party tonight?
- Why didn't you go there? Why didn't you go there?
- Are you tired, aren't you? - You're tired, aren't you?
In complex sentences with direct speech or with inserted sentences interrogative sign placed after the part of the sentence to which it refers.
- “Why is she so angry today? asked Jim.“Why is she so angry today?” Jim asked.
- I asked him, “What can I do for you? ”– I asked him: “Can I help you with something?”.
- It is hardly surprising (isn’t it? ) that emerging markets have recently lost some of their appeal as a means of diversifying risk.– It hardly seems surprising (is it?) that emerging markets in Lately somewhat lost their appeal as a way to diversify the market.
No question mark with questions in indirect speech and in many rhetorical questions.
- Why don't you help this old lady.“Why don't you help this old lady.
- I asked him whether he could go with me. I asked him if he could come with me.
Exclamation mark
Exclamation mark (exclamation Mark) is placed at the end of exclamatory sentences (sentences expressing surprise, joy, anger, command, etc.).
- Stop it right now! - Stop it now!
- You look fantastic! - You look amazing!
- That's incredible! Bob Dylan won the Nobel Prize in Literature!- Incredible! Bob Dylan won the Nobel Prize in Literature!
Exclamation mark can also be placed after interjections instead of a comma.
- gosh! That was so tasty!- Crap! It was so delicious!
- Oh dear! I completely forgot about cookies in the stove.- Moms! I completely forgot about cookies in the oven.
Exclamation mark can be placed in the middle of a sentence to emotionally emphasize a word, express sarcasm or surprise. In this case, the exclamation point is taken in brackets.
- Ann says she bakes really (!) tasty cakes. Ann says she bakes very tasty pies.
- Jim was preparing (!) for his exams when I came. Jim was preparing (imagine!) for his exams when I came.
Since childhood, I love the cartoon "In the land of unlearned lessons." I love at least for how cool it shows the importance of knowing the rules of punctuation. Do you remember the classic “execution cannot be pardoned”?
There is also a comic phrase in English: “Let’s eat grandma” where, depending on the place of the comma, you can either call your grandmother for dinner, or make her dinner herself ... I propose to talk about commas in English.
In fact, this comma must be used only when the meaning of the sentence changes without it:
– Please bring Bob, a DJ and a clown
Without a comma, the sentence can be understood as “Please bring Bob - a DJ and a clown”, that is, Bob is both a DJ and a clown.
– Please bring Bob, a DJ, and a clown.
With a comma, the meaning is already different: “Bring Bob, a DJ and a clown” - that is, three different people.
WE RECOMMEND: note that in some cases, when listing homogeneous members, a comma is necessary before the union and to avoid confusion. If you are afraid of not guessing this case, then you can always put this “Oxford comma” - this will not be a mistake.
2. Comma in sentences with subordinate clauses
In Russian, complex sentences require a comma. Here look:
If you're not sure about this, then let me know now.
Let me know now if you're not sure about this.
Let me remind you that a complex sentence (CSP) is where there is a main and a dependent part. The main sentence in our example is “let me know now.” Subordinate - "if you're not sure."
In English, in the first case, a comma is required, but not in the second.
If you are not sure about this, let me know now.
Let me know now if you are not sure about this.
This is due to the fact that, according to the rule, a comma should be placed only if the subordinate (dependent) clause is BEFORE the main one.
One more example:
If you're ever in New York, come and look me up. (If you ever find yourself in New York, visit me).
Come and look me up if you're ever in New York. (Visit me if you ever find yourself in New York).
3. Comma in defining sentences
There is one more case when in English we can not put a comma in NGN.
In Russian, before the subordinate clauses with “the one that ...” or “the one that ...”, we always put a comma:
I'm standing in the house that Jack built.
I see the house that Jack built.
Such subordinate clauses are called attributive clauses and answer the question "what?". In English, the comma can be omitted:
They're the people who want to buy our house. (These are people who want to buy our house).
But everything is not so simple here ... If this defining part can be removed, if it is not the main determinant of the subject, then a comma is put:
Clare, who I work with, is doing the London marathon this year. (Claire, who I work with, is organizing the London Marathon this year.)
Note: we already identified Claire - called her name. If we remove the commas, the meaning doesn't change much: "Claire is organizing the London Marathon."
Conjunctions w can be used in this type of sentences ho, which, whose, whom(but just not that) and put a comma.
Now compare:
They're the people that she met at Jon's party. (These are the people she met at John's party).
If you remove the second part, it will remain: “These are people,” and the meaning of the sentence will be lost. Since we cannot mentally remove the second part, then the comma is NOT needed: this emphasizes the indivisibility of the statement.
This type uses the same conjunctions who, which, whose and whom + that, which often replaces all of the listed conjunctions in informal speech.
WE RECOMMEND: note that a comma is not put before the attributive clause, if without it the sentence completely loses its meaning. Such a proposal may use that. If the attributive sentence is removed without losing the main meaning, then we can NOT use in it that and put a comma.
4. Comma after combinations "I believe, I think, I believe"
In Russian, introductory "I think, I believe, I say" and others are separated by a comma. It is not surprising: it is part of a complex sentence! And we already remembered that in Russian they are strict with them:
I think everything will work out.
But in English, a comma is not needed here. As an example famous quote Audrey Hepburn:
I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day…
5. Comma in participial turnover
In Russian, participle turnover, following the word being defined(⇐ here's an example for you), separated by a comma. In English, no.
I see the sun rising above the horizon (I see the sun rising above the horizon).
Conclusion: comma rules in English
These are not all the nuances associated with the English comma. In English, in general, there are much fewer cases when a comma is placed.
Therefore, we will not stop at this article! 🙂 We plan to make a video about punctuation for YouTube channel. And the service will soon release a very cool online intensive about the most common mistakes in English. Of course, there is a separate section for punctuation. See you!
The comma in English is the most common and, therefore, the most difficult to write. It is in cases with the use of a comma that there are the greatest number of various difficulties and questions, which is often determined by the author's opinion, personal emotional perception and interpretation of a particular case and situation described in the text. A comma in English, unlike Russian, is not always placed in to separate from the main one, while in Russian subordinate clauses are always separated by a comma.
When a comma is not used
Commas are not separated in English:
- subordinate subject / predicate / object:
It is important that she should be there on Wednesday.It is important that she be there on Wednesday.
My rule is that you should not drink.My condition is that you don't drink.
I insist that you call him soon.We insist that you call him quickly.
- subordinate clauses, where the circumstance is, when they come after the main clause:
She told her all when she went downstairs.She told her everything as she walked down the stairs.
I had to end my work earlier to aid mother.I had to finish work early to help my mother.
The police may take your car if you park it there.The police can confiscate the car if you park there.
The most typical situations of using a comma
The most typical situations of using a comma.
- A comma in English is always used when referring.
Waitress, I would like a menu, please.Waitress, bring menu, Please.
Father, there is no one here.Father, there's no one here.
- A comma in English is used to separate individual enumeration items:
Purple, lily, red flowers filled several vases.The vases were filled with purple, lilac, red flowers.
Notrose, went around the table, leaned down and took the little armchair.He got up, walked around the table, leaned over and took a small chair.
She laughs, drinks and speaks too much. He laughs too much, drinks and talks too much.
It should be remembered that in this case a comma before and can be used, but not required.
- It is used (but not necessarily) between 2 main sentences connected by the unions and / as / but / and others. The comma is especially often used in English when the first sentence is long:
He will affirm it, and I will help him with his problems. him with his problems.
They stopped to look at each other, and she asked about this hard day.They stopped to look at each other, and she asked about this hard day.
The crowd was stupefied, as the clown tried to entertain with his jokes.The crowd was mesmerized as the clown tried to entertain with his jokes.
- It is used after circumstances in subordinate clauses that come before the main clause:
When she went downstairs, she told him that Selena had already come.As she went downstairs, she told him that Selena had already arrived.
To support my sister, he had to leave Moscow.To help my sister, he had to leave Moscow.
Having called Sara, she rapidly went to the station.Calling Sarah, she quickly drove to the station.
When in doubt, you should come to see me.When you are in doubt, come to me.
If you park the car there, the police will seize it.If you park your car there, the police will confiscate it.
- It is used after any part of the sentence where there is additional information about the subject:
The waiter, who was old, told that he knew me. .
Subtleties of use
Strict English is the postulate, according to which the use of a comma between the subject (several subjects) and the predicate is prohibited. This case represents one of the few situations where a comma is possible, however, it should be borne in mind that only additional information is underlined by a comma, and on both sides:
The girl who was so pretty, assuared that he saw me. / The girl, who was so pretty assuared that he saw me. — Both sentences are wrong. No second comma .
The girl, who was so pretty, assuared that he saw me - Right.
The man, who aided me that night, told that he recognized me.The man who helped me that night said he recognized me. — Wrong, there is no additional information about the subject, but only an explanation, commas are not required.
Right :
The man who aided me that night told that he recognized me.
The strike at the nuclear plant, which lasted there days, is already over. — D Additional data is separated by commas, as there is clarifying information. Strike on nuclear factory, lasting three days, finished.
The woman with whom Tom was in love left him after five years. - P clarification, commas are not required . Woman, V which Volume was in love, left his later five years.
The manson, which was empty for three years, has been sold out.The mansion, which had been empty for three years, was sold.
The girl whom I desired to meet was away on vacations.The girl I wanted to meet has gone on vacation.
Apostrophe
An apostrophe, or colloquially a comma (in English is placed at the top) goes together with a letter s in all cases of using the possessive case, except for the plural of objects and things, it is formed according to standard rule(then the apostrophe goes without the s):
father's look;
the princess's ring;
men's gloves (man-men);
students" tasks.
Note:
Comma in English from above when forming the possessive case from proper names ending with a letter -s, you can use both options:
King Charles "s wife / King Charles" wife.
It is put in abbreviated forms to indicate missing letters or numbers:
I "m - I am;
he "s - he is / has;
"86 - 1986.
The apostrophe is placed together with the letter -s when forming the plural of letters, numbers or abbreviations (with numbers and capital letters, the apostrophe can be omitted):
In the 1970's / the 1970s;
VIP "s / VIPs;
He could not distinguish his L "s. He did not clearly pronounce the letter L.
Separation in circulation
A comma in English when addressing is in the English dialect (in the American one a colon is used) in the design of business correspondence, as well as in simple everyday speech.
Dear Mr. Frendick, We have received your letter...
It is used in official or business correspondence after the last phrases of greeting, separating it from the surname and position (between which there are no punctuation marks):
Yours faithfully, / Yours sincerely, Ranason-.Ltd.A. Simpson manager.
A comma is used in addresses on an envelope or in the upper zone of the letter (above the text), emphasizing the addressee's last name / organization name / address / (no comma is required between house numbers and street names):
Stephen P. Denny, 5678 Starling Avenue, Garlem, L.A. 10857.
Also used to separate explanatory words from direct speech if there are no other punctuation marks:
"How were you?" Nick questioned. "He was ok", she replied. "Do you still hurt?" he asked. "No", she said, "not much." He said, "I am not aware."
Comma for introductory phrases and other words
The comma in English before because is not used.
He can't get into the house because she had lost the keys.
Because he was strange, I broke up with him.Because he was weird, I broke up with him.
Comma in English after so, well, however, probably, certainly, naturally)
In fact, I had a little chance to do it.
Probably, Tom would come to Paris at 8 pm.
In the presence of those having a sacrament or participle:
Heartbroken, he has gone to his cottage.With a broken heart, she went to the cottage.
Used before the word for , if it goes as a union (secondary sentences attached by this union rarely go ahead of the main one):
I begged her to be there, for I had some information to tell her.I asked her to be there as I needed to give her some information.
I could tell about this woman, for I had seen him before.I could tell about this woman, as I have seen her before.
Features of use
This is just a fraction of the rules that must be used in everyday everyday life. And it always helped to be on top when communicating with an educated contingent and, without hesitation, to make contact, discuss topics on the forums.
In English, or rather, in the American dialect that is used in the United States, everything is much simpler. Americans do not pay such close attention to this grammatical issue as, for example, in Russian grammar.
The thing is, two different teachers might tell you different rules about the proper use of a comma in an English sentence, and both might be right. And all due to the fact that in America there is no strict, organized system use of commas. But still, there are general rules, adhering to which a person can gain basic knowledge of English punctuation.
Conclusion
In standard English, the comma is a multifunctional punctuation mark, and its modern use is an example not only of transformations in the use of punctuation, but of how the whole target concept of what counts as a normative sentence in English is being modified. Until the very end of the 19th century, authors and writers used a semicolon where a single comma is now commonly used, and a comma in cases where no punctuation is now required at all. During the 20th century there were cardinal changes in the punctuation rules of modern English.
I love the expression "author's punctuation". After all, this means that you can stick punctuation marks in any form and quantity, and no one will make a remark. It’s just a pity that teachers don’t want to understand this and mercilessly draw a swan when you miss a couple of commas, colons, dashes and other squiggles in a short story.
Fortunately, the British are less pretentious people. They have a looser attitude towards punctuation, so usually English teachers do not focus much attention on punctuation. You can write a life-long sentence without putting a single sign. True, it still has to be completed. Either a dot, or an exclamation/question mark, or an ellipsis. There was a tale among our teachers that if, during the exam for the philological faculty, an applicant writes an interrogative English sentence and forgets to put this humpbacked icon “?” at the end, then the teacher immediately puts “failed” and offers to leave in English.
So that no one sends us anywhere without goodbye, let's get a little acquainted with capricious squiggles.
.
- full stop/period (dot)
,
- comma (comma)
?
- note of interrogation/question mark (question mark)
!
- note of exclamation/exclamation mark (exclamation mark)
-
hyphen (hyphen)
-
dash (dash)
;
semicolon (semicolon)
:
- colon (colon)
…
- dots (ellipsis)
‘
- apostrophe (apostrophe)
, ()
- brackets/parenthesis (brackets square, round)
“ “
- inverted commas/quotation marks ( quotes)
.
- dot (dot used in internet addresses, email addresses and for abbreviations)
POINT WHICH "FULL STOP"
It is logical that, as in Russian, it completes the declarative sentence:
My
name
is
Ivan
.
e
.
g
.
(For example), Mr
.
THE POINT WHICHDOT
I will never forget my “shame” when a Western partner called and dictated his email address to me over the phone. Instead of a dot before the uk extension, I courageously entered the word "dot" and sent the address in this form to the boss. Lucky he had a sense of humor. And I have since remembered: mike @tralala .uk reads like "m, i, k, e, at, t, r, a, l, a, l, a, dot, u, k".
In addition, in English, the dot is used to shorten words:
e
.
g
.
(For example), Mr
.
U.S.A. (although it is possible and simple Mr or USA
)
.
BURNER, which is "in a coma"
Here, again, everything is like ours. Only even if you do not put a comma, no one will be offended.
. when transferring:
I have a PC, TV, i-phone and 2 books
.
. after introductory words and constructions:
Anyway
,
you
are
wrong
!
To be better, you must study better.
(Whatever it was, but you are wrong! To be better, you need to study better)
. after participial revolutions:
The clock having showed 5, she ran out from his flat.
(As the clock struck 5, she ran away from his apartment)
. after also if this word is used to reinforce:
Also, you mustn't tell me such things! (
Also, you shouldn't say things like that to me!)
. in complex sentences, as well as in those sentences where you need to make a semantic pause:
I
decided
to
be
honest
with
you
,
but
today
I
don
’
t
think
so
(Yesterday I decided to be honest with you, but today I don’t think so anymore).
UNLIKE RUSSIAN English comma DO NOT BE PUT:
. in the address(usual, not the one with the dog):
221
B
Baker
street
London
. in a complex sentence between the subject and the predicate, if this information is not basic, but additional:
The
dog
which
was
following
me
all
day
long
turned
to
be
our
aunt
’
s
pet
(It turned out that the dog that had been following me all day was our aunt's favorite).
QUESTION AND EXCLAMATION POINTS
Well, here, I think, there’s even nothing to chew on: interrogative - for questions, exclamatory - for exclamations.
Don
’
t
you
know
that
?
Didn't you know?
That's striking! Amazing!
COLON, or COLUMN
Those who have everything in order with Russian will not be surprised: in English, the colon is used in the same cases. That is, when you need to explain something in more detail or list. But there is some difference: if a full sentence comes after the colon, then it must be written with a capital letter.
I've got 3 friends: Ann, Mary, Inna.
(I have three girlfriends: Anya, Masha, Inna).
I'm furious: Your cat has broken my favorite vase
!
(I'm furious: your cat broke my favorite vase!)
Semi-column, or semicolon
Such complex sign you will meet only in official letters, literary texts and in articles of serious newspapers / magazines. The semicolon is needed in long complex sentences, which are already full of all sorts of other characters.
A dash that you can't just give
Most often it is used in the same way as in Russian: for example, you suddenly need to explain something right in the middle of a sentence, or list it with a generalizing word.
Last summer I was absolutely alone - you know, my boyfriend was in Paris - and that annoyed me so much!
(Last summer I was completely alone - you know, my boyfriend was in Paris - and it irritated me so much!)
There is also a very original use of the English dash ... instead of an ellipsis!
My mother has never(My mother never...)
A hyphen that begins with the letter "x"
Many even in Russian confuse a hyphen with a dash. In fact, they even look different. The hyphen is short, it is only needed to connect complex words (rock -n -roll). A dash is long and is used as a punctuation mark in a sentence.
An apostrophe, which is an apostrophe and nothing else, because it appeared in Russian recently
This is the same little comma that we go through in grammar. Helps:
. form the possessive case ( Mary
’
s
book- Masha's book)
. successfully replace missing letters (I ’m fine \u003d I am fine)
. form the plural for years (1960's - sixties), abbreviations (VIP's - VIPs).
Quotes and ellipsis
Both of these are traditional. Those. quotation marks - to indicate direct speech, and ellipsis ...
Looks like they didn't miss anything. Although, of course, there are many nuances in the use of punctuation marks that are more important for philologists than for those who study English for communication and career growth. However, no one
Looks like they didn't miss anything. Although, of course, there are many nuances in the use of punctuation marks that are more important for philologists than for those who study English for communication and career growth. However, no one forbids sharing these nuances with those who suffer: for this, there are comments on the article.
Anastasia Petrova, specially for
