Punctuation marks definition. Why punctuation is needed and what punctuation marks are

Punctuation - a system of graphic non-alphabetic signs and rules that codify the norms of punctuation in a written text - has been and remains one of the most important sections of linguistics, the study of which at all times has been as relevant and indisputable as the use of a particular character in a particular text has been ambiguously interpreted.
M. V. Lomonosov, Ya. K. Grot, A. B. Shapiro, V. I. Klassovsky, S. I. Abakumov, L. V. Shcherba, A. M. Peshkovsky, L. A. Bulakhovsky, A. A. Reformatsky, I. A. Baudouin de Courtenay, V. A. Itskovich, L. G. Vedenina, N. S. Valgina, A. B. Penkovsky, B. S. Schwarzkopf, D. E. Rosenthal - this is an incomplete a list of major Russian scientists whose scientific works and practical manuals created the foundation of punctuation both in the scientific direction and in the training course in the Russian punctuation school.

Punctuation as a graphic system functioning in the modern Russian literary language developed in the history of the Russian language, changing graphically, fundamentally and qualitatively. These changes have occurred and are constantly occurring, they reflect the life of the language, and therefore the rules, stable and legalized by special documents, always inevitably lag behind their time, as they fix a certain time period, and the practice of using punctuation marks always depends on linguistic and extralinguistic (extralinguistic) reasons. ) character.

Fundamental electicity Russian punctuation system is already becoming accepted fact, and voices are heard less and less demanding to unify, simplify, bring all the rules under a single criterion, eliminate the optionality of their use. Recognizing the multiplicity and diversity of factors that determine the choice and use of the sign. It is possible to determine the functional significance of punctuation marks, but this is difficult to do, because operating system rules is both rigid, strictly regulated, and mobile, open for variable application. It is generally accepted that the punctuation rules in force in modern Russian writing are for the most part optional. This is precisely what is considered the main property of punctuation, which makes it possible to communicate accuracy, expressiveness, and logicality to written speech.

The influence of context on the choice of sign has long been noted by researchers. However, continuing this idea, we can also talk about the context of a separate sentence that determines the arrangement of punctuation marks. The influence of the context of a separate sentence can be understood in another way: when the choice of the only possible sign is dictated not by the lexical composition of the sentence, but only by the author's attitude. In this regard, linguists face the task of clarifying the distinction between optional punctuation marks and copyright marks.
The choice of research direction is determined by the problems associated with the functional essence of punctuation, which is found in the attachment to signs common values, in stability and patterns of their application. It is the functional significance of punctuation that is fraught with rich possibilities for using signs in different styles, genres, types of literature, in different texts and discourses. This determines the relevance of this study.

The object of the study is the functional field of punctuation marks in a literary text. The subject of the study is the author's punctuation in the language of fiction in the first third of the 20th century.
The purpose of the dissertation work is to investigate the system of functioning of punctuation marks in a literary text, correlating it with the system of signs in the Russian literary language. To achieve this goal, the following specific tasks are solved:
1) consider the formation and development of the system of punctuation marks in the history of the Russian language;
2) describe the principles of Russian punctuation;
3) determine the functional significance of punctuation marks;
4) to reveal the connection between punctuation and the nature of syntactic constructions in modern Russian;
5) analyze the syntactic arrangement of punctuation marks;
6) show the connection of punctuation with the actual division of the sentence;
7) establish the role of punctuation in communicative syntax;
8) show the variable nature of Russian punctuation;
9) assess the nature of the norm for the use of punctuation marks in the author's texts;
10) determine the author's punctuation and the principles of its design in the language of fiction (on the example of Russian literature of the 1st third of the 20th century);
11) explore the rhythmic and melodic functions of copyright signs in the language of fiction.
The range of problems formed above determined the choice of the main research methods, the most important of which is the method of directed scientific observation of punctuation marks in literary texts of writers of the 1st third of the 20th century, as well as the method of linguistic description, the method of classifying punctuation marks, the statistical method, and the specific situational method. . The complexity of the application of the indicated methods is designed to ensure the multidimensionality of the field linguistic analysis in the interaction of codified punctuation marks and marked graphic units.

The following provisions are put forward for defense:
1) Unlike spelling, punctuation is more international, it is seen as the result of a long and complex interaction of punctuation marks in a number of languages.
2) Russian punctuation was formed under the influence of three directions that dominate modern syntax - logical, syntactic and intonation.
3) The gap between the codified norm and the use in the field of written speech is objectively due to the specifics of the punctuation norm, which should be considered as a communicative-pragmatic norm.
4) Fluctuations in the use of punctuation marks are obligatory form functioning of the punctuation system and a way to resolve intra-system contradictions.
5) The use of punctuation marks, qualified as non-normative and even erroneous, testifies to the emerging new systemic properties of Russian punctuation.
6) In modern Russian, the ability of punctuation marks to increase the information content of a written message is growing.
7) Varying in written speech, punctuation marks graphically reflect the various semantic relations of grammatical units.
8) The most significant and productive function of copyright marks is semantic emphasis, highlighting one or another syntagma and strengthening the role of text components.

The scientific novelty of the study is determined by an integrated approach in the description and analysis of the author's punctuation marks, in generalizing observations on the punctuation of a literary text by a number of writers of the 1st third of the 20th century.
The theoretical significance of the study is determined by the fact that the comprehensive analysis of the author's punctuation marks of a number of writers of the 1st third of the 20th century, carried out in it, can contribute to a deeper and more systematic coverage and study of the problem of the interaction of the punctuation system in the literary language and in the artistic space of a particular writer.
The practical significance of the work lies in the fact that its results can be used in the development of problems in scientific and practical punctuation, in the preparation of lecture courses and practical exercises on the history of the Russian language, punctuation of the modern Russian language, style and culture of speech.
The material of the study was the literary texts of M. Gorky, as well as the poetic texts of V. Mayakovsky and M. Tsvetaeva.
Approbation of work. Based on the results of the study, reports and reports were made at scientific conferences held at meetings of the department foreign languages(Moscow state academy water transport), at the Department of Slavic Philology (Moscow State Regional University). The main provisions of the work formed the basis of the course of lectures on the subject "Russian language and culture of speech".

FORMATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE SYSTEM OF PUNCTUAL SIGNS IN THE HISTORY OF THE RUSSIAN LANGUAGE

1.1. The theory of punctuation in the works of scientists of historical and modern linguistics
The history of Russian punctuation has not been fully and deeply studied. The statement made by Shapiro back in 1955 is still relevant today: “Russian punctuation has not yet been subjected to scientific research. As a system of rules, it was covered mainly in works on grammar (M. V. Lomonosova, A. A. Barsova, A. Kh. Vostokova, F. I. Buslaeva, and others). Special works devoted to punctuation are rare... We also do not have a history of Russian punctuation” (Shapiro, 1955, 3).
There are only a few studies that address the issue of the emergence and development of Russian punctuation. Brief outline of the history of punctuation before early XVIII century we find in the article by I. I. Sreznevsky “On Russian Spelling”. V. Klassovsky deals with particular issues of the development of punctuation in his work “Punctuation marks in five major languages". An attempt to determine the development of punctuation at its origins is made by S. A. Bulich in the article "Interpuncture". Statements about the origin and development of punctuation are in the work of A. Gusev “Punctuation marks (punctuation) in connection with short teaching about the proposal and other signs in the Russian written language.

L. V. Shcherba in the article "Punctuation" expressed some thoughts about the use of punctuation marks in ancient Russian writing. But the most valuable among the works on the history of punctuation are the scientific works of S. I. Abakumov. His research "Punctuation in the monuments of Russian writing of the XI-XVII centuries." is an essay on the history of Russian punctuation.
The works of K. I. Belov are devoted to the study of the punctuation of individual monuments: “From the history of Russian punctuation of the 16th century”, which examines the punctuation of “Domostroy”, and “From the history of Russian punctuation of the 17th century”, which analyzes the use of punctuation marks in the “Cathedral Code of 1649” ". However, the listed works do not give a sufficient idea of ​​the development of Russian punctuation and do not fully reflect the features of the use of punctuation marks.
It is traditionally accepted that the basis of punctuation is syntax. S. K. Bulich wrote: “Interpuncture makes the syntactic structure of speech clear, highlighting individual sentences and parts of sentences” (Bulich 1894, 268]. N. I. Grech adhered to the grammatical principle in determining the main function of signs: “Punctuation marks are used in writing to indications of a grammatical connection or difference between sentences and their parts and to distinguish sentences by expressing them "(Grech, 1827, 512). S. I. Abakumov defended the semantic purpose of punctuation: "The main purpose of punctuation is to indicate the division of speech into parts important for the expression of thought in writing "(Abakumov 1950, 5). A. A. Vostokov, I. I. Davydov, A. M. Peshkovsky believed that the main purpose of punctuation is to convey the intonational side of speech. Modern linguistic science proceeds from structural-semantic principle She considers it necessary to take into account semantic and grammatical features when using punctuation marks. The semantic purpose of punctuation marks, S. I. Abakumov believed, in many cases can be understood with sufficient clarity only by understanding the grammatical structure of the language, f The question of the purpose of punctuation, its principles, was also reflected in the works of Russian grammarians of the 16th-18th centuries. During this period, the foundations of Russian punctuation began to take shape.

However, almost before the invention of printing, we do not find a certain punctuation in the samples of ancient writing, although some of its rudiments were observed at the time of Aristotle in the Greek written language. So, for example, a dot at the top of the letter corresponded to the current point, against the middle of the letter - a colon, and at the bottom of the letter - a comma. However, the use of a dot as a thought-separating sign was not considered mandatory.
Unlike spelling, punctuation is more international, so it should be considered as the result of a long interaction of the punctuation features of the Russian language with the features of other languages ​​of the world. The first to use punctuation marks was Aristophanes of Byzantium. Clear allusions to punctuation marks are found in Aristotle: the dot at the bottom of the letter (A.) corresponded to the current comma, against the letter (A) - a colon, and against the top (A) - a point. And at the beginning of the 1st c. BC. the system of punctuation marks was already realized theoretically and set forth by the Greek grammarian Dionysius of Thrace in the book "Grammatical Art". He distinguished three punctuation marks:
1) a dot is a sign of a complete thought,
2) middle point- a sign of rest,
3) a small dot is a sign of a thought not yet completed, but in need of continuation.
* Thus, the point was reborn before all signs.
In the middle of the 1st century BC. e. punctuation is influenced by the dominant role of Roman science, but no fundamentally new punctuation has been created. Nevertheless, some differences in Greek and Latin punctuation existed, and as a result, it is customary in the history of punctuation to distinguish between Greek and Latin punctuation traditions. These differences would later be reflected in Western European punctuation systems.

By the 10th century, that is, by the time the Slavic Cyrillic script was invented, the following signs were already in use in Greek and Latin manuscripts:
1) cross (+),
2) different combinations of dots (. . . . ~ : ~),
3) dot (.),
4) semicolon (; or.,),
5) two semicolons (,),
6) comma (,),
7) group of commas (,).
Russian manuscripts did not know the division of phrases into words. Points were placed in the intervals between undivided segments of the text.
In the middle of a speech, only one punctuation mark was used - a period, and then accidentally, inappropriately; as a final sign they used four dots on a cross (.) or another similar combination of signs, and then a line.

PUNCTUATION OF ANCIENT MONUMENTS OF THE XI-XIV CENTURIES

RUSSIAN PUNCTUATION XV–XVII CENTURIES

In early printed books, when words were already separated from each other, the graphic arsenal of Russian punctuation was significantly enriched: in addition to the dot, a comma, semicolon, and colon began to be used to divide a line. Dots differ different kind: term - a dot in the middle of the line - and the actual dot, which was placed at the bottom, and the dots could be different size and colors. However, having mastered the external difference in signs, scribes sometimes did not know what to do with this difference, therefore, not only in the XIV-XV, but also in the XVI-XVII centuries. there are texts with fuzzy opposition of signs not only according to the drawing, but also according to their purpose.
The traditions of Cyrillic writing in the use of various punctuation marks were dominant in Russia until the 16th century. In the magnificent Four Gospels of 1537, it is customary to sharply separate expressions, putting thick dots or commas between them, and each expression was written completely together.

Starting from the 16th century, the principle of separate writing words, and later - the use of punctuation marks between words, sentences and other syntactic constructions. This custom of writing becomes a tradition, which was supported by a new way of creating a manuscript - typography. The first works on grammar appear, in which some attention is paid to punctuation. These articles were published by Yagich in the work "Discourse of antiquity on the Church Slavonic language". (Studies in the Russian language, vol. 1. Sat., 1885–1895). common feature of all articles was their anonymity, and most often the authors could not be identified. In some articles, punctuation marks were only named, in others their use was determined. As S. I. Abakumov notes, statements about punctuation set forth in the works of Russian scribes of the 16th-17th centuries undoubtedly relied on the Greek punctuation tradition, but at the same time they were not a cast from any Greek original: they were created on Russian soil, based on existing punctuation practice.

Of particular note is the work of Maxim the Greek “On the Grammar of Enoch Maxim the Greek, the work of the Holy Mountaineer was announced for subtlety.” In it, punctuation issues are given a relatively small place. M. Grek considered the comma to be the main sign of Russian writing and called it hypodiastole.
In his opinion, the comma indicates the incompleteness of the action and allows the speaker to pause while reading.
next sign punctuation is a period that marks the end of a sentence. The third punctuation mark is the hypodiastole with a period, which the Greek recommends to indicate a question. Thus, M. Grek emphasizes only the intonation value in the use of punctuation marks. At the same time, it tries to concretize their use by delimiting the functions of a comma and semicolons.
Statements about punctuation in the works of Russian scribes were based on Greek punctuation, but the system of punctuation means was formed on Russian soil, the traditions of which were shaped by practice.

In 1563, the first Russian printing house appeared in Moscow, and in 1564 the first printing house appeared in Russia. printed book- "Apostle", which already used punctuation marks - a period and a comma. A whole independent sentence was separated by a dot, and a comma served to separate its parts. The development of book printing pointed to the need for stability in writing and required a significant improvement in the system of Russian punctuation. The first printed Slavonic Grammar was published in Lvov in 1591 under the title ADELFOTN?. The first actually Slavic Grammar was composed by the Orthodox Archpriest Lavrentiy Zizaniy and published in 1596 in Vilna. It contains the rules for using different punctuation marks - subtle, as Zizanius called them. In addition to the dot and comma, the term (small dot) and the double line were adopted in almost the same meaning as the semicolon in modern Russian. At the end of a sentence, a question mark was used - a subframe. Zizaniy himself in his book used only some of the signs he proposed. Instead of the deadline (small dot), a dot was constantly put. The double line was used only once. It seems that the author did not clearly understand the function of this sign, all the more he could not distinguish between the use of terms and double terms. A more complete correspondence between the theoretical positions and their practical application observed in the setting of the underframe and point. The underframe was consistently used by L. Zizaniy at the end of an interrogative sentence.

According to S. K. Bulich, the entire chapter "On Points" was written by L. Zizaniy under the influence of those grammatical articles that appeared in Russia in the 16th century and were compiled by unknown authors. Indeed, in the grammar of L. Zizania, all those punctuation marks that are found in pre-existing grammars are named. However, his merit is that he tried to give a more detailed explanation of all existing punctuation marks. According to K. I. Belov, in the definition of punctuation marks, L. Zizaniy proceeds from their syntactic purpose. Using the definition of a comma as an example, K. I. Belov writes: “Here, a certain syntactic meaning of a comma is emphasized as a sign that defines a part of a statement that expresses a complete meaning. This principle, to one degree or another, will be traced in the future, when characterizing other punctuation marks ”(Belov, 1959, 4). T. I. Gaevskaya does not agree with this point of view, who states: “In the definition of a comma, as well as other signs, L. Zizaniy proceeds primarily from the semantic purpose of punctuation. Syntax functions punctuation marks could not be substantiated theoretically, if only because syntax as a section of grammar had not yet been developed at that time. It is not represented in any way in the grammar of L. Zizania. That is why the question of the basics of punctuation, if approached from the point of view of the modern Russian language, was solved by L. Zizaniy only one-sidedly” (Gaevskaya, 1973, 12).
In general, the work of L. Zizania is an attempt to systematize the information about punctuation marks that had accumulated by the end of the 16th century, the desire to determine the place of each character in common system punctuation.

And in 1619 another, even more important work was printed in the Vilna Fraternal Printing House - "Grammar" by Melety Smotrytsky. which has been used as study guide. It represented a deeper experience of the grammatical development of the Russian language, in contrast to the grammar of L. Zizania. Of course, the external schemes containing the material are copied from the Greek grammar of Laskaris, but it is important that the section on punctuation is much wider than that of Zizania. For the first time, a definition of the concept of punctuation marks appears: “There are speeches / inscription of different banners in the line of division” (M. Smotrytsky, 1619, 5). Thus, Smotrytsky regarded punctuation marks as a means of grammatical articulation of speech and singled out ten punctuation marks:
1) trait /
2) comma,
3) colon:
4) point.
5) razyatnaya
6) single "
7) question;
8) amazing!
9) joint
10) deferred()
Of the ten given names, razyatnaya and unity are not punctuation marks in the grammatical sense and are given in order to ensure clarity when reading individual words.
Some signs in the grammar of M. Smotrytsky are called differently than those of L. Zizania: instead of a double line - a colon, instead of a subframe - a question mark, instead of a connective - a single one.
The trait is explained by the author as a slight increase in voice, not accompanied by a stop when reading. Therefore, this sign should be considered as a sign that does not have a syntactic meaning, but has only a rhythmic-melodic character. Therefore, a line that is not used in the meaning of a comma turns out to be devoid of any meaning. But it should be noted that the line was an innovation of the grammarian, before him this sign was not known to our punctuation. It is debatable whether the line can be considered a prototype of a dash. If speak about graphic side, then, of course, there is a relationship. But in their functions they are different, since the punctuation of the grammar was based on a fundamentally different principle.
The comma at Smotrytsky is a clearly expressed punctuation mark. From the examples given in the grammar, it is possible to reveal the actual syntactic purpose of only one punctuation mark - the comma.
As for the colon, Smotrytsky notes that this sign is not associated with the idea of ​​a completely complete meaning of the statement, and with the colon, a certain stop is clearly felt. So, this sign is somewhat close in meaning to the modern semicolon and partly to the modern colon.

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 occasions. 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 complex sentence And

• 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 at homogeneous members no general 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

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

« . » - Dot allows us to split text into sentences. A sentence is a kind of complete thought within a narrative. Also, the dot serves to shorten long words (example "kv. ​​97" - short for apartment 97).

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

« ? » Question mark allows us to make a sentence "asking".

« ! » Exclamation mark comes to our aid when it is necessary to give a more pronounced emotional coloring to the proposal.

« … » ellipsis(three dots) we use when we want to indicate a pause or innuendo in a story. Ellipsis is also used for technical purposes to shorten text, usually in quotations.
Example.
In the lines of Gorky's poem: "Over the gray plain of the sea ... The petrel soars proudly," we can meet a call for revolution.

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

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

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

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

"To me!" the owner said.

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

I am very sorry for the East.
I will fly away Moscow - Vladivostok.

« : » colon we denote the belonging of the next part of the sentence to the previous one. For example, when in a sentence we have a generalizing word, and after it there is a list of words related to it. Various animals live in the forest: a wolf, a fox, a bear and others. A colon can separate 2 parts of a sentence if the second follows in meaning from the first. I am pleased: today the day was not in vain. Also, the colon is actively used in sentences with direct speech and quotations in cases where the words of the author come first. For instance. Einstein said: “Everything is relative!”

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

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

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

« Paragraph” - a punctuation mark, denoted by a paragraph, is, in fact, a transition to a new line. It is used for the purposes of semantic or intonational division of the text into parts. They usually start with a new line. new thought. Transitions are actively used when writing poems and dialogues.

We have listed and revealed all punctuation marks in Russian today. In conclusion, I would like to draw attention to a few facts from history.
Did you know that until the end of the 15th century in Russia, words were written together without spaces?
The period did not appear until the 1480s, the comma in the 1520s. And the first double sign (brackets) - in 1619.
Today we successfully use all of the listed signs, both for their intended purpose, and creating fancy emoticons from them.
That's all for this one.
Good luck;)

Punctuation marks are graphic (written) signs needed to divide the text into sentences, to convey in writing the structural features of sentences and their intonation.

Russian punctuation marks include: 1) a period, a question mark, an exclamation point - these are the signs of the end of a sentence; 2) comma, dash, colon, semicolon - these are signs of separation of parts of the sentence; 3) brackets, quotation marks ("double" signs) highlight individual words or parts of a sentence, for this, a comma and a dash are used as paired characters; if the highlighted construction is at the beginning or at the end of the sentence, one comma or dash is used: I was bored in the village like a locked up puppy (T.); In addition to rivers, there are many canals in the Meshchersky region (Paust.); “Hey, where are you, mother?” - And there, - home, son (Tv.); 4) special sign ellipsis, "semantic"; it can be placed at the end of a sentence to indicate the special significance of what was said, or in the middle to convey confused, difficult or excited speech: - What is dinner? Prose. Here is the moon, the stars ... (Ostr.); "Father, don't cry. I will also say... well, yes! You're right... But your truth is narrow to us... - Well, yes! You... you! How... you were formed... and I'm a fool! And you ... (M. G.).

Combinations of signs convey a special, complex meaning. Thus, the use of interrogative and exclamatory marks together forms a rhetorical question (i.e., a reinforced affirmation or denial) with an emotional overtone: Who among us has not thought about war?! Of course, everyone thought (Sim.); Scoundrel and thief, in a word. And marry such a person? Live with him?! I'm surprised! (Ch.). The combination of different meanings can be achieved by combining a comma and a dash as a single sign: A black rider passed, swinging in the saddle - horseshoes carved two blue sparks from a stone (M. G.); Above the forest, the sky cleared up - the pale sun poured down on the gray bell towers of Beloomut (Paust.) - grammatical uniformity, enumeration is transmitted by a comma, and with the help of a dash the significance of the consequence-result is emphasized. More often they can be placed side by side, each according to its own rule, for example, a dash in an allied complex sentence after a comma, conveying isolation: cf. particle-bundle is)”, and the invocation is separated by commas.

Variants of the use of punctuation marks are provided for by punctuation rules. If the setting of different signs is allowed, then usually one of them is the main one, that is, it is given an advantage. So, plug-in constructions are distinguished, as a rule, by brackets: A few days later, the four of us (not counting the all-seeing and ubiquitous boys) became so friends that the four of us went almost everywhere (Paust.). It is allowed to highlight the insert with the help of two dashes: And in the middle of May there was a thunderstorm and such a downpour that along the street - it was not even, but sloping - a whole river of yellow water rolled violently (S.-Ts.). For brackets, this use is the main one, and for dashes, it is one of many and secondary.

Variants of the use of signs are provided for by the rules for the design of complex non-union sentences, for example, when explaining or motivating, a dash is used instead of the main colon sign: Separation is illusory - we will be together soon (Ahm.). When separating definitions and applications, along with commas, dashes can be used: The sea - gray-haired, wintery, inexpressibly gloomy - roared and rushed behind thin sides, like Niagara (Paust.); Colored autumn - the evening of the year - smiles lightly at me (March.). It is possible to single out separate definitions and applications with two signs - a comma and a dash - at the same time: A calm courageous whistle flew - ocean, in three tones (Paust.). Options for setting signs are also allowed by some other rules (in particular, a comma and a semicolon in a complex non-union sentence, a comma and exclamation mark when addressing, an exclamation mark and an interrogative with an exclamation in a rhetorical question, etc.).

Variation also appears in the possibility of using or not using signs in some other cases, for example, some introductory words are inconsistently highlighted: indeed, in fact, first of all, predominantly; they can be distinguished together with the attached noun.

Modern Russian literary language/ Ed. P. A. Lekanta - M., 2009