Punctuation is one of the sections of grammar that systematizes the rules for punctuation in written speech, as well as the signs themselves. Scientists cannot come to an unambiguous decision as to who exactly, however, it is known that in an unsystematized form punctuation marks (or rather one character - a dot) were found in ancient Greek. The dot was used to separate one from the other, obeying the rules of oratory.

The syntactic theory proceeds from the fact that the placement of punctuation marks depends entirely on the rules. However, adherents of this theory admit that these rules are based on conveying the meaning of the statement as accurately as possible.

Finally, representatives of the intonation theory of punctuation stand on the fact that the division of written speech by punctuation marks is carried out in order to convey the rhythmic and declamatory division of the text. This means that the punctuation rules are designed in such a way as to make it easier to read the text aloud.

In addition to the mandatory rules for the use of punctuation marks, there are so-called copyright signs, using which writers try to convey additional emotions.

All researchers agree that punctuation is one of the most important sciences, which greatly simplifies the process of written communication. The correct use of punctuation marks allows the reader to receive not only factual information in a convenient form, but also to perceive the emotional component of the text, which is especially important for journalism and. Punctuation can turn an incomprehensible text into an interesting reading, conveying all shades of meaning, so you should not neglect the rules of punctuation.

What is Punctuation?

Punctuation- this (Late Latin punctuatio, from Latin punctum - point)

1. Collection of rules for punctuation marks. Russian punctuation.

2. Arrangement of punctuation marks in the text. Wrong punctuation. Features of punctuation in the works of M. Gorky.

3. Same as punctuation marks. Punctuation marks.

In the history of Russian punctuation, on the issue of its foundations and purpose, there are three main areas: logical, syntactic and intonation.

The theorist of the logical, or semantic, direction was F.I. Buslaev. Based on the position that “for greater clarity and definiteness in the presentation of thoughts in writing, it is customary to separate words and whole sentences with punctuation marks (i.e., stop signs)”, Buslaev formulated his understanding of the purpose of punctuation:

“Since through language one person conveys his thoughts and feelings to another, punctuation marks also have a dual purpose; 1) contribute to clarity in the presentation of thoughts, separating one sentence from another or one part of it from another, and 2) express the sensations of the speaker's face and his attitude towards the listener. The first requirement is satisfied by: comma (,), semicolon (;), colon (:) and period (.); to the second - signs: exclamatory (!) And interrogative (?), ellipsis (...) and dash (-) and abrupt In our era, the semantic understanding of the foundations of Russian punctuation (German punctuation is close to it, but French and English punctuation diverges from it) found its expression in the works of S. I. Abakumov and A. B. Shapiro. The first of them notes that “the main purpose of punctuation is to indicate the division of speech into parts that are important for expressing thoughts when writing. Although, as S. I. Abakumov points out further, “the use of most punctuation marks in Russian writing is regulated primarily grammatical (syntactic) rules”, he, however, believes that “the rules are still based on the meaning of the statement

A. B. Shapiro finds that “the main role of punctuation is the designation of those semantic relationships and shades that, being important for understanding a written text, cannot be expressed by lexical and syntactic means

The syntactic direction in the theory of punctuation, which has become widespread in the practice of its teaching, proceeds from the fact that punctuation marks are designed primarily to make the syntactic structure of speech visual, to highlight individual sentences and their parts. One of the most prominent representatives of this trend, J.K. Grot, believed that through the main punctuation marks (periods, semicolons, colons and commas), “an indication of a greater or lesser connection between sentences, and partly between members of sentences”, which serves “ to make it easier for the reader to understand written speech. Regarding the question and exclamation marks, Grot indicates that they serve “to show the tone of speech. Representatives of the intonation theory believe that punctuation marks serve “to indicate the rhythm and melody of a phrase, otherwise phrase intonation” (L.V. Shcherba), that they reflect “in the vast majority of cases, not the grammatical, but the declamatory-psychological division of speech” (A. M. Peshkovskii), that they are needed “to convey the melody of speech, its tempo and pauses” ( L. A. Bulakhovsky).

Despite the significant divergence of views of representatives of different directions, they have in common the recognition of the communicative function of punctuation, which is an important means of formalizing written speech. Punctuation marks indicate the semantic articulation of speech. Thus, the dot indicates the completeness of the sentence in the understanding of the writer;

setting commas between homogeneous members of the sentence shows the syntactic equality of the elements of the sentence expressing equal concepts, etc.

To a large extent, our punctuation system is built on a syntactic basis (cf. the formulations of most of the punctuation rules). This does not mean at all that punctuation copies the structure of the sentence, obeying it: the latter is itself determined by the meaning of the statement, therefore the starting point for the structure of the sentence and for the choice of punctuation marks is the semantic aspect of speech. Wed cases of punctuation that are not related to syntactic rules, for example, the setting of the so-called intonational dash:

1) Walk for a long time - could not; 2) Walking is not mine for a long time. This example shows that our punctuation is also related to intonation. However, even in this case there is no direct dependence of the first on the second: both serve as means of expressing grammatical-semantic relations. between the elements of the statement (intonation performs this function in oral speech, and punctuation - in written speech). Often there is a discrepancy between punctuation and intonation (rhythm melodics). So, in the sentence Pink women's dress flashed in dark greenery (Turgenev), the pause between the composition of the subject and the composition of the predicate (after the word dress) is not indicated in the letter by any punctuation mark. On the other hand, in the sentence Under his arm, the boy carried some kind of bundle and, turning towards the pier, began to descend along a narrow and steep path (Lermontov) after the union and a pause is not made, but in accordance with the existing rule, a comma is put here (in passing, you can note that a pause in this sentence is made before the union and, but it is not marked with a punctuation mark).

Pointing to the articulation of speech, punctuation marks at the same time serve as a means of identifying various semantic shades inherent in individual parts of a written text. Thus, the placement of a question mark at the end of a sentence indicates not only the articulation of speech, but also the interrogative nature of the sentence, its special type in terms of the purpose of the statement; the exclamation point simultaneously indicates the completeness of the sentence and its emotional character, etc. In some cases, punctuation marks are the main or only means of identifying semantic relationships that cannot be expressed in a written text by grammatical and lexical means. Wed setting a comma, a dash and a colon in the same non-union complex sentence: The youth left, it became boring at the evening (the sequence of phenomena is indicated); The youth left - the evening became boring (the second part indicates the consequence, the result of the action indicated in the first part);

The youth left: the evening became boring (cause-and-effect relationships are revealed with an indication of the reason in the second part). Wed also the setting or absence of commas in sentences in which the introductory words and members of the sentence are lexically the same: The doctor may be in his office.- The doctor may be in his office. Appropriate punctuation makes it possible to understand the role of definitions preceding the noun being defined: puffs of thick, black smoke (definitions are homogeneous) - puffs of thick black smoke (definitions are heterogeneous).

The Russian punctuation system is highly flexible: along with mandatory rules, it contains indications that are not strictly normative in nature and allow various punctuation options associated not only with semantic shades, but also with the stylistic features of the written text.

There are only 10 punctuation marks. But in writing they help to express all the variety of shades of the meaning of oral speech. The same sign can be used in different cases. And at the same time play a different role. 20 chapters outline the main patterns of punctuation, which are studied at school. All rules are illustrated with illustrative examples. Give them special attention. Remember the example - you will avoid mistakes.

• Introduction: What is punctuation?

  §one. The meaning of the term punctuation
  §2. What punctuation marks are used in written speech in Russian?
  §3. What role do punctuation marks play?

• Chapter 1 Period, question mark, exclamation point. ellipsis

  Period, question and exclamation marks
  Ellipsis at the end of a sentence

• Chapter 2 Comma, semicolon

  §one. Comma
  §2. Semicolon

• Chapter 3 Colon

  Why is a colon needed?
  Colon in a simple sentence
  Colon in compound sentence

• Chapter 4 Dash

  §one. Dash
  §2. double dash

• Chapter 5. Double signs. Quotes. Parentheses

  §one. Quotes
  §2. Parentheses

• Chapter 6. Punctuation of a simple sentence. Dash between subject and verb

  A dash is put
  Dash is not put

• Chapter 7 Punctuation marks with homogeneous members

  §one. Punctuation marks for homogeneous members without a generalizing word
  §2. Punctuation marks for homogeneous members with a generalizing word

• Chapter 8

  §one. Separation of agreed definitions
  §2. Separation of inconsistent definitions
  §3. Application isolation

• Chapter 9

  Circumstances stand apart
  Circumstances are not separate

• Chapter 10

  §one. Clarification
  §2. Explanation

• Chapter 11

  §one. Introductory sentences
  §2. Offers with introductory sentences
  §3. Offers with plug-in structures

• Chapter 12

  Appeals and their punctuation in written speech

• Chapter 13

  §one. Comma separation of comparative turns
  §2. Turnovers with a union as: comparative and non-comparative

• Chapter 14

  §one. Punctuation design of direct speech, accompanied by the words of the author
  §2. Puncture design of the dialogue

Any of us at school had to write dictations in our native language. And, probably, the most offensive 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 the language, and what science specializes in this issue.

What does punctuation study?

At the end of the previous sentence there is a well-known to all of us which signals to each 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 studies, it is worth paying attention to its practical value. After all, for example, the practical meaning of spelling is clear to most of us - if people are not taught 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 is it needed at all, and why a whole science was formed to study it.

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

In order to more clearly understand the meaning of punctuation marks, it is worth remembering the "bearded" example from the cartoon "In the Land of Unlearned Lessons" - "You can't be pardoned".

The life of the protagonist, Vitya Perestukin, depended on where the comma would be placed. If he had put her in this way: "Execute, you can’t pardon" - Vitya would have been threatened with death. Fortunately, the boy correctly endured the sign: "It is impossible to execute, pardon", and thus escaped.

In addition to focusing on certain parts of a sentence, it is punctuation that 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 that the mother has arrived.

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

Term etymology

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 dot. Based on this, we can assume that the first punctuation mark in history is precisely the period (in any case, this is the case in Russian punctuation).

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

Punctuation marks

Knowing what punctuation is studying, it is worth dwelling on this in more detail. 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 / selection of words, phrases, semantic segments in a sentence or a whole text.
• They point to grammatical and sometimes logical connections between words.
• They indicate the emotional color of the sentence and its communicative type.
• Signal about the completeness / incompleteness of the statement / thought.

Unlike words, punctuation symbols are not members 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 red.

Types of punctuation marks that are in Russian

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 ones are much smaller: 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 whole.

At the same time, quotation marks are also used to highlight names in Cyrillic and as a designation of direct speech.

By the way, the most common mistake in punctuation of paired characters is to forget to put the second of them.

There are much more unpaired punctuation characters. They are divided into groups according to their direct functions. Moreover, some of them are able to perform not one, but two roles at once.

Analyzing the above, you can see that nothing has been said about the apostrophe. However, this symbol refers to spelling, not punctuation. Therefore, it cannot be discussed in this context.

History of Russian punctuation

In the Russian Empire, punctuation as such did not exist until the second half of the 15th century. And only in the 80s began to use the dot.

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 initially it served as a question mark. So if, when reading a document dating from before 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 was used to designate a question. By the way, in 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 character in the grammar of the Russian language was parentheses, first noted when checking punctuation in a document of 1619.

Dash, quotation marks and dots also appeared only in the 18th century. And one of the first and main popularizers was Nikolai Karamzin.

Unusual punctuation marks that are not used in modern Russian

In addition to the symbols 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 punctuation in the sentence.

• Interrobang is a hybrid of question and exclamation marks.
• A rhetorical question mark that looks like a mirror image of the usual character of this kind. It was used in English for only a few decades at the end of the 17th century.
• ironic sign. Outwardly similar to the above, but a little smaller and put at the beginning of the sentence. Originated in 19th century France.
• Love symbol, which is advised to use 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 the same dot. Symbolizes the expression of good will.
• Confidence sign. It looks like an exclamation mark with a cross.
• Authoritative. It is similar to the previous one, but it is not crossed out by a straight line, but by a league. Used in orders or advice.
• Asterism. It looks like three stars placed in the form of an inverted pyramid. Previously, it served to separate semantic chapters, as well as parts of books, or denoted minor breaks in a long text.
• Exclamation and interrogative commas. Designed for intonational emphasis on words or phrases within a sentence.

Punctuation is a collection of rules about punctuation marks. Punctuation marks (punctuation - “stop, break”) are signs that are placed between words or groups of words in written speech.

Punctuation, like spelling, is part of the graphic system adopted for a given language, and must be as firmly mastered as the letters of the alphabet with their sound values, in order for the letter to accurately and completely express the content of the statement. (Shapiro A. B. Modern Russian language.)

“Punctuation marks are notes when reading” - this is how A.P. Chekhov's punctuation in one of the letters dated 1888. Punctuation marks are an important means of formalizing written speech, since with their help the semantic articulation of speech occurs. Unlike spelling, the rules of which are based on the phonetic and morphological structure of each language, punctuation is largely international in nature. Punctuation was invented by the typographers the Manutius brothers in the middle of the 15th century. and in general terms was accepted by most of the peoples of Europe.

There are 10 punctuation marks in modern Russian: dot, question mark, exclamation point, ellipsis, colon, semicolon, comma, dash, double dash, brackets.

Quotation marks can also be conditionally referred to as punctuation marks. In addition, spaces between words, a red line (the beginning of a paragraph) and other graphic tools are used to read the text.

According to their function, punctuation marks are divided into two groups: separating(separate) and excretory.

To punctuation marks include: period, question and exclamation marks, comma, semicolon, ellipsis, colon, dash. Dividing characters, as a rule, have a single function (except for a comma and a dash), they are used to separate some segments of speech from others and always act as single characters.

Example:

The years greet us, invitingly trumpeting. The blood pulsates incessantly… Self-giving is giving oneself to people, vocation, duty. If others need your life, is that not good luck! May self-giving prevail always, at all times! (Y. Tatyanicheva)

Emphasis punctuation marks- These are double (paired) signs. These include: brackets, quotation marks, double dashes, double commas. With the help of these signs, various segments and semantic units of speech are distinguished.

Example:

They say: "Your line is simple!" - Simple, but not robbed! She, like a berry from a bush, is collected by your hand. (L. Tatyanicheva)

Many punctuation marks are multifunctional, multi-valued. In addition to the function of breaking up text, punctuation marks can have other functions. So, they can be used in a differentiating function.

Example:

Our task tomorrow is to pass the exam; Our task is to pass the exam tomorrow.

The use of punctuation marks, as well as the rules of Russian spelling, is regulated by the "Rules of Russian Spelling and Punctuation", adopted in 1956.

The rules of Russian punctuation are based on three main principles: logical (semantic), structural-syntactic and intonation.

F.I. Buslaev, a representative of the logical trend in Russian grammar, defined the purpose of punctuation marks in this way: “Since one person transmits his thoughts and feelings to another through language, punctuation marks also have a dual purpose:

1) promote clarity in the presentation of thoughts, separating one sentence from another or one part of it from another,

2) express the feeling of the face of the speaker and his attitude towards the listener ... ”F.I. Buslaev also noted that the system of punctuation marks in the Russian language is based "not only on grammatical analysis, but also on the rules of rhetorical presentation of thoughts."

Thus, punctuation marks help to divide the text into parts that are important for expressing thoughts in writing (semantic division), make the semantic structure of speech visual, highlighting individual sentences and their parts (syntactic division), serve to indicate intonational design, as well as to indicate phrasal intonation, rhythm and melody of the phrase.

It must be borne in mind that some punctuation rules reflect only the structural-syntactic principle (for example, punctuation marks between parts of a complex sentence), others reflect the semantic and intonation principle (for example, punctuation marks with separate members); the third are based on all three principles (for example, putting a question mark at the end of an interrogative sentence).

Unlike spelling rules, punctuation rules allow, along with the mandatory punctuation marks, their optional use.

If you liked it, share it with your friends:

Join us atFacebook!

See also:

Preparation for exams in Russian:

Essentials from theory:

We offer online tests: