Readers have met more than once on the pages of our application with student work and research. The material brought to your attention is also written by the student, not the teacher. And it is dedicated to a very, very topical topic ...
......It all started with a mistake. In the dictation, I came across such a tricky sentence: “After all, for ordinary artists, nature in places where a shadow falls on it, as it were, consists of a different substance than in illuminated places - it’s wood, bronze, anything but a shaded body”. All my neighbors on the desk began to argue: what to put before the word This- a comma, a dash, or both?
Opinions were divided, and we turned to the teacher. “Whoever wants to understand this problem, read grammar references, look in books for sentences in which commas and dashes stand side by side, and together we will try to figure it out,” he said.
This idea seemed interesting to me, and for the next lesson I brought my “collection” (I compiled it while studying “A Reader on Russian Literature of the 19th–20th Centuries” (Moscow: Lamand Enterprises, 1999).
In "Handbook of Spelling, Pronunciation and Literary Editing" by D.E. Rosenthal, E.V. Dzhandzhakova and N.P. Kabanova (M.: CheRo, 1999) it is written that a comma and a dash in a complex sentence are put as a single sign:
1) before the main clause, which is preceded by a series of homogeneous subordinate clauses, if the splitting of the whole into two parts is emphasized, for example: Which one is to blame , who is right, – not for us to judge (I. Krylov); Whether Stoltz did anything for this, what he did and how he did it, we do not know. (N. Dobrolyubov);
2) before a word that is repeated in order to connect with it a new sentence (more often a subordinate clause) or a further part of the same sentence, for example: How could this new social movement not be reflected in literature - in literature, which is always an expression of society! (V. Belinsky); Now, as a judicial investigator, Ivan Ilyich felt that without exception, the most important, self-satisfied people, everything was in his hands. (L. Tolstoy); His life, which began (in memories so wonderful) a huge church porch ... and mother's voice, in which a flinty path shone a thousand times and a star spoke to a star - this life was filled with new, ever new meaning with each hour (V. Kataev);
3) in artistic speech in a period (significant in terms of the sentence, most often complex, which is divided by a pause into two parts - an increase and a decrease) between its parts, for example: A man starts writing a poem different considerations: to win the heart of a beloved, to express his attitude to the reality surrounding him, whether it be a landscape or a state, in order to capture the state of mind, in where he is currently located in order to leave a mark on the earth - for this he takes up the pen (I. Brodsky); Like a hawk floating in the sky, having made many circles with its strong wings, suddenly stops, flattened in the middle of the air in one place, and from there shoots with an arrow at a male quail that screamed at the very road - so Tarasov's son Ostap suddenly flew into a cornet and immediately threw it around his neck rope (N. Gogol).
Armed with this information, I began to look for examples. And here's what I found.
1. After the winter spent in Dyalizh, among the sick and peasants, to sit in the living room, look at this young, graceful and, probably, pure creature and listen to these noisy, annoying, but still cultured sounds - it was so pleasant, so new ...( A. Chekhov. Ionych)
The sign "comma + dash" stands between the subject, expressed by a number of homogeneous infinitives, and the predicate; the example does not fit any of the items named in the reference book. The grammatical basis of the sentence sit, it was so nice to watch and listen does not imply the appearance of any signs between the subject and the predicate, there are no constructions separated by commas here either. This means that the sign “comma + dash” can be considered purely authorial.
By the way, there is another punctuation difficulty in this sentence. Commas around turnover among the sick and men reflect the author's intention to show the clarifying nature of the circumstance.
2. At first, Startsev was struck by what he saw now for the first time in his life and which, probably, will no longer happen to be seen: a world unlike anything else, a world where the moonlight is so good and soft ... ( A. Chekhov. Ionych)
Here the sign "comma + dash" corresponds to paragraph 2 of the Handbook, cited above.
3. Startsev barely found the gate - it was already dark, like on an autumn night - then he wandered for an hour and a half, looking for the alley where he left his horses. ( A. Chekhov. Ionych)
This example does not fit any of the cases described in the Handbook. This proposal contains a plug-in design (it was already dark, like an autumn night); it is marked with a double dash. comma after word night necessary, since, firstly, it closes the comparative turnover, and secondly, it separates homogeneous predicates from each other found, wandered. comma after word gates not obligatory, it can be considered an author's sign, set for greater expressiveness (and partly, perhaps, for symmetry).
4. He was a little ashamed, and his vanity was offended - he did not expect a refusal - and could not believe that all his dreams, languor and hopes had led him to such a stupid end. ( A. Chekhov. Ionych)
This example also does not fit any of the cases described in the Handbook. See the comment to the previous sentence - everything is the same here.
5. He remembered his love, the dreams and hopes that worried him four years ago - and he felt embarrassed. ( A. Chekhov. Ionych)
This example also does not fit any of the cases described in the Handbook. The obligatory sign here is a comma, which closes the subordinate clause. The dash was added by the author for greater expressiveness.
6. I remember when I was a boy of about fifteen, my late father - he then traded in a shop in the village here - hit me in the face with his fist, blood came out of his nose ... ( A. Chekhov. The Cherry Orchard)
This example also does not fit any of the cases described in the Handbook. A typical plug-in construction is highlighted here not by the standard “dash pair” sign, but by the “comma + dash” paired sign.
7. Yaroslavl grandmother sent fifteen thousand to buy the estate in her name - she does not believe us - and this money would not even be enough to pay the percentage. ( A. Chekhov. The Cherry Orchard)
See the comment to Proposition 3: everything is similar here.
8. The young lady tells me to dance - there are many gentlemen, but few ladies - and my head is spinning from dancing, my heart is beating. ( A. Chekhov. The Cherry Orchard)
See commentary on proposal 3. However, in this proposal, the author did not put that very optional comma before the first dash. In principle, it was possible to do without the second comma here, since the comma before the union a in a compound sentence, a dash can be replaced.
9. The inhabitants of the suburban seaside resort - mostly Greeks and Jews, cheerful and suspicious, like all southerners - hurriedly moved to the city. ( A. Kuprin. Garnet bracelet)
Here, a separate application, highlighted with the help of the double dash sign, and a comparative turnover “met”. Normative combination of signs.
10. Fishing boats, hardly distinguishable by the eye - they seemed small - dozed motionless in the sea surface, not far from the coast. ( A. Kuprin. Garnet bracelet)
Plug-in design they looked small indicated by a double dash, a comma after the word small closes the participle. It is non-trivial here that the author decided to introduce the inserted construction into the participial turnover.
11. It was about him that Skobelev once said: "I know one officer who is much braver than me - this is Major Anosov." ( A. Kuprin. Garnet bracelet)
The comma here closes the subordinate clause, the dash (in accordance with the norm) separates the parts of the sentence connected by an asyndetic connection. It is possible to replace the combination of characters with a semicolon or (worse) with a colon.
12. You will see that frozen pigs are brought up - Christmas is coming soon. ( I. Shmelev. Summer of the Lord)
The comma closes the subordinate clause, the dash separates the parts connected by an unassociated connection. It is not possible to change the character combination.
I believe that even these examples will be enough to understand how important it is to “track” syntactic constructions in a sentence: some, standing next to each other, create a situation of combining signs (sentences 11, 12); the latter are able to "absorb" a punctuation mark belonging to a neighbor (see commentary on sentence 8); As for the special sign "comma + dash", it is predominantly the author's, apparently, it was generated by the punctuation fashion, and now in many cases it is being replaced by a simple dash.
As for the sentence that gave rise to heated debates among my classmates, now I can say with knowledge of the matter: it needs both a comma, which closes the comparative turn, and a dash, “opening” a new part of the complex sentence. However, this combination of characters can be replaced with a semicolon.
The teacher praised me and said one more important thing: often the author's mark appears not at the will of the author himself, but at the will of editors and proofreaders.
The common formulation of the punctuation rule “this is always preceded by a dash” is both true and false. The fact is that in this version the rule covers only a part of the cases of the use of this word. It is understood that the “dash” sign before this word is always, without exception, necessary if we are talking about a connection between the subject and the predicate, while in other cases other algorithms and rules may apply.
Dash in original constructions
As you know, one of the main situations when it is necessary to put a dash is in sentences, the basis of which is expressed by a noun, numeral or infinitive, in which a sign is placed between the subject and the predicate:
A jigsaw is a tool that even a woman can easily master.(The sign is placed between expressed nouns.)
Late spring is the time of love, hopes and expectations.
School is a time for self-determination and personality development.
Dash in the same constructions containing a connective
Often, unsuccessful formulations of elementary school methodologists provoke errors in sentences where the predicate is accompanied by a copula. Everywhere, younger schoolchildren are explained that “a dash is placed instead of (!) The word “this””. This wording works as a tool when placing signs in sentences without a link, but it is misleading if you need to put a sign in a sentence with this link. The fact is that from the “hint” thus formulated, it logically follows that if the dash is placed “instead of” the word, it means that when it is in the sentence, there is no need for a sign. Many schoolchildren form a persistent stereotype that leads to persistent errors: dashes are not put in sentences with a bunch.
After or single participle
In addition, the sign is erroneously placed after the participle or there are no logical reasons for such a sign, apparently, the writer is in the grip of the same stereotype, transferred from special cases to all others: “a dash is put before “this”.
Formed gradually, this decision grew stronger and stronger, and finally was accepted.
Being unattainable, this journey so absorbed his thoughts that he could not think of anything else.
Having scattered across the meadow, this herd of children released into the wild did not hear or see anything but the sun, strawberries and butterflies.
As in the case described above, a sentence with a link before a predicate, a pronounced noun, a numeral or an infinitive and a complicated adverbial turnover should be distinguished from such a construction. In such sentences, two signs are placed before the link following a single participle or turnover:
Leaving forever, mentally looking back at the past years, is a true test.(The dash is there for the same reason it is needed in the sentence " Leaving forever is a true test". A comma before a dash is needed as a closing one in a participial turnover.)
Watching children learn to live by playing and quarreling with each other and copying the behavior of their parents is not only a pleasure and an interesting activity, but also an occasion to reflect on oneself. If we reduce the sentence by excluding the adverbial and adverbial phrase from its composition, then the logic of the appearance of the dash is obvious: “ Watching children is not only a pleasure and an interesting activity, but also an occasion to think about yourself.". A comma before this sign closes the adverbial turnover, and in case of its exclusion - a subordinate clause.
So, whether a dash is placed before “this”, if it is not about, almost completely depends on what part of speech and what kind of this word is being discussed.
Reference book on the Russian language. Punctuation Rosenthal Ditmar Elyashevich
§ 64. Comma and dash
§ 64. Comma and dash
1. When “meeting” inside a sentence, a comma and a dash are first placed comma, and then dash:The history of discoveries, inventions, the history of technology that makes life and work easier for people - this, in fact, is the history of culture.(M.G.); It's not water splashing, you can't fool me, it's his long oars(L.).
In most cases, each of these two punctuation marks is placed on its own basis: Alas! My casket, a silver-rimmed saber, a Dagestan dagger, a gift from a friend - everything has disappeared.(L.) - a comma closes a separate application, a dash is placed before the generalizing word after listing the homogeneous members of the sentence; His gait was careless and lazy, but I noticed that he did not wave his arms, the first sign of a certain secretiveness of character.(L.) - a comma closes the subordinate part of a complex sentence, a dash is placed before a kind of appendix to the previous words, has an attaching connotation; I replied that the flies bothered me - and we both fell silent(L.) - a comma closes the subordinate part, a dash is placed before the part of the sentence expressing the consequence.
staging dash as an additional character may depend on the context. Wed: All sorts of items were laid out on the table: books, writing materials, geographical maps, a box whose purpose no one knew - the subordinate clause of a complex sentence refers to the last homogeneous member and is thus included in the enumeration, no additional sign is required; All sorts of objects were laid out on the table: books, writing materials, geographical maps - which the owner, apparently, had not used for a long time - the dash is needed to show that the subordinate clause refers to all homogeneous members, more precisely, to the generalizing word.
2. About the production comma and dash as a single sign in a complex sentence, see § 40, in a non-union complex sentence - § 46, in a period - section 13. See also: § 25, paragraph 10; § 26; § 32, approx. one; § 43 para. 3; § 45 para. 9; § 48 - 50.
From the book Handbook of the Russian language. Punctuation author Rosenthal Ditmar Elyashevich§ 16. A comma with repeated words 1. A comma is placed between repeated words pronounced with the intonation of enumeration and denoting: 1) the duration of the action: But he was driving, driving, and Zhadrin could not be seen (P.); Winter was waiting, nature was waiting (P.); The shoemaker fought and fought and
From the book Great Soviet Encyclopedia (FOR) of the author TSB§ 30. A comma in a compound sentence 1. Commas separate the predicative parts of a compound sentence (simple sentences), between which there are conjunctions: 1) connecting (and, yes ("and"), no .. no): The sand shines warm in the sun, yellow glitter, and on his velvet
From the book Spelling and Style Guide author Rosenthal Ditmar Elyashevich§40
From the book A Guide to Spelling, Pronunciation, Literary Editing author Rosenthal Ditmar Elyashevich§ 46. A comma and a dash in a non-union complex sentence The current rules provide for the use of a comma and a dash as a single punctuation mark in three cases:
From the author's book§ 64. Comma and dash 1. When a comma and a dash “meet” inside a sentence, a comma is first placed, and then a dash: The history of discoveries, inventions, the history of technology that makes life and work easier for people - this, in fact, is the history of culture (M. G.); It's not water splashing, I'm not
From the author's book From the author's book From the author's book From the author's book From the author's book§ 104. A comma in a compound sentence 1. Commas separate parts of a compound sentence, between which there are unions: 1) connecting: and, yes (in the meaning of “and”), neither ... nor. For example: All faces frowned, and angry grunts and coughs were heard in the silence.
From the author's book§113
From the author's book§ 133. Comma and dash When a comma and a dash are encountered inside a sentence, a comma is first placed, and after it a dash, for example: The history of discoveries, inventions, the history of technology that makes life and work easier for people - this is actually the history of culture (Gorky); I am at the same moment
From the author's book§ 90. Comma with repeated words 1. Between the same words, repeated with the intonation of enumeration, to indicate the duration of the action, to indicate a large number of objects or phenomena, to emphasize the degree of quality, etc., a comma is placed,
From the author's book§ 104. A comma in a compound sentence 1. Commas separate parts of a compound sentence, between which there are unions: 1) connecting: and, yes (in the meaning of “and”), neither ... nor. For example: All faces frowned, and angry grunts and coughs were heard in the silence.
From the author's book§ 108. A comma with complex subordinating conjunctions
From the author's book113
Wed the ability to choose between a colon and a dash in the following examples: Nothing takes him (: -) neither time, nor adversity, nor sickness; Of course he has changed. (: -) hunched over, gray, with wrinkles at the corners of his mouth; It is difficult to explain what he attracted to himself. (: -) intelligence? loose manners? sincerity? kindness?; But why did he so dominate the minds and hearts (: -) rejoiced and saddened, punished and forgave ?; We are both artists (: -) and you and me.(See also § 15, paragraphs 5 and 9.)
2. In a non-union complex sentence with explanatory relations, it also occurs along with a colon dash. Wed:
I realized: it is important who draws(Gran.). - I understood - grief happened, and silently wanted to help(Ec.);
It seemed to Ephraim: there will be no end of the road(Sart.). - And it seemed - just about a little, and Fedor will understand(Tendr.);
And the judges decided: if it rains, the competition will be canceled. - I noticed the first stone, I decided - there is a treasure here, I started poking around(Tendr.).
3. The use of colons and dashes in elliptical sentences with the missing verb of perception has become variant. (and saw, and heard, and felt; see § 44, paragraph 4) .
I listened: it was quiet in the mountains(Hump.). - Listened - eternal forest silence(Ser.);
Kuzma listened: someone was urging a horse(Lv.). - Jacob listened - sad song(German).
Wed also: I enter (: -) everything is quiet; He keeps looking around (:-) if someone is sneaking up; Calculated, figured (: -) unprofitable; He looked with surprise at the spots (: -) where are they from?
Wed staging dash(instead of the expected colon) in this type of sentence: He looked askance at her - she is very young and beautiful(M. G.); She looked back - Vaska flew at her in a soldier's tunic, with jet-black eyebrows from the nose to the temples(Pan.); He looked out of the room - not a single light in the windows(Pan.); I looked at the hole - the water was dozing(Shishk.).
Sometimes in these cases, instead of a colon, they use comma and dash as a single sign: I looked into the nest - there are only two chicks(Ver.); I turned around - the rider is already there(Inc.); He raised his eyes, - the chair near the table was empty(Ser.).
4. Colon and dash are variant in non-union complex sentences with cause-and-effect relationships; compare: The last days the flags on the map did not move: the position remained unchanged(Sim.). - And we could not go deep - the earth froze(Gran.).
Wed also: It seems that Primorye already has something to surprise the world with (:-) only tigers and ginseng are worth something; Do not say these words in front of him (: -) may be offended; With such a partner, you can even fly to Mars (: -) reliable friend.
5. Colon and dash are variant in non-union complex sentences with explanatory relations: The authors of these letters were concerned about different problems, but they had one thing in common (: -) they all expected concrete and effective help from the newspaper; Everyone was interested in only one question (: -) how to get out of the situation as soon as possible; I remember the fluff on his cheeks (:-) he just started to shave; On her head is a colored scarf (: -) green roses across a scarlet field; I have a rule (:-) no coffee before bed.
Wed staging dash instead of the expected colon: Little white dots pop up in the sky - shrapnel is torn(Cat.); Drops are falling from birches in large tears - spring juices are coming(Cat.).
6. The parallel use of colons and dashes occurs when the explanatory and clarifying members of the sentence are separated: It meant one thing (: -) need to leave; How long did this silence last (:-) a minute, three, ten?; Then the main thing began (: -) searches, groping for new ways of research; Their conversation always ended with the same (: -) quarrel; How old was I then (:-) nineteen or twenty?; Don't know when to leave (:-) Wednesday or Thursday.
Wed punctuation design of headings similar in sentence structure: Meet Baluev. - Attention - child.
In conclusion, it can be pointed out that in the "competitive struggle" of colons with dashes, the "winner" often comes out dash. This phenomenon has been noted by many researchers. So, A. G. Lapotko and Z. D. Popova believe that “in general, the dash is a freer sign, which also enters the domain of the colon.” N. S. Volgina also comes to the conclusion that in some cases there is a tendency to replace colons with a dash. This can be explained by the special status of the dash among other punctuation marks: “Currently, the dash is a very common and multifunctional punctuation mark. It performs both grammatical (purely syntactic) and emotional-expressive functions; it is especially widely used in the latter capacity in fiction.
Observations on modern periodicals confirm the conclusion about the “aggressiveness” of the dash: In the years that have passed since the signing of the Final Act in Helsinki, millions of people, primarily in Europe, have personally been able to appreciate all the good that detente has given them - the advantages of a peaceful, calm life, economic, scientific, technical and cultural cooperation.(gas.); Elections behind - Putin can rest(gas.).
Comma - dash
The synonymy of these punctuation marks, while preserving the semantic and intonational shades inherent in each of them, is found in a number of cases:
1) between homogeneous members of the proposal with their union-free connection: I turned everything into a joke, I realized, I began to reproach(Bl.) - setting after the fifth instead of a dash would weaken the connotation of the investigation; She was stubbornly silent (- ,) endured, but was silent;
2) when separating inconsistent definitions: It was a beautiful mountainous area (-,) with deep gorges, sheer cliffs, dense coniferous forests;
3) when separating the clarifying members of the proposal: Detente has become recognized, moreover ( - , ) the dominant factor in world political life; There were a few vacancies left, or rather (-,) five; Not sure, most likely (- ,) disagree;
4) in connecting structures: It didn't work out (-,) and that's it; This testifies to his impudence (-,) and nothing more;
5) in compound sentences to indicate unexpected addition (see § 32): A little more (-,) and we would be on the edge of the abyss;
6) in non-union complex sentences with the meaning of opposition or conditional-investigative: It was possible (- ,) no, it has already happened; listen to you (- ,) so you are ready for anything for the sake of justice; cf. also: And if it wasn't for me, you would have smoked in Tver(Gr.); If you want it - the guy and Tanya would be bad(Pan.);
7) in complex sentences, in the first part of which the condition is expressed by a combination of the impersonal form of the verb costs with the indefinite form of another verb, and in the second - the result or consequence: As soon as he slipped (-,) and everything died;
8) in an indirect question: He was even ready to ask (- ,) how are you;
9) in sentences with pleonastic (excessive) use of the personal pronoun of the 3rd person, duplicating the previous noun: All these past years, all these memories (- ,) they continued to exist; compare:
The people, he demands culture(Sol.). - A bullet - it won’t please Fedotka, but it will dump someone from the side(Sed.);
Tears of humiliation, they were caustic(Fed.). - Man - he loves severity(Mark.);
Tell me how to correctly format the heading of a dictionary entry containing a participial phrase, with or without a comma: Lymphoid tissue associated with the mucosa (LTAS) (,) is ...?
The closing bracket is followed by a comma and a dash.
| Question No. 292038 | ||
Is a second comma needed or is one dash sufficient? The first thing that catches your eye (,) is the abundance of lakes.
The answer of the reference service of the Russian language
Comma needed: subordinate clause what catches the eye stands out on both sides. Each of the signs ( comma and dash) is placed on its own grounds.
| Question #287634 | ||
Good afternoon, please tell me if a comma and a dash are needed in this case: wash-resistant colors obtained using exclusively safe dyes are a guarantee of impeccable quality Thank you
The answer of the reference service of the Russian language
Comma and dash before a word pledge needed.
| Question #286753 | ||
Hello, dear Gramota.Ru. Unfortunately, I did not receive an answer to my yesterday's question, so I have to ask it again. Are the punctuation marks in the sentence correct? Particularly worried about the _comma and dash _ after it. But so does the rest. Thanks in advance. I really hope to get an answer. Honestly, it's very necessary. Suggestion: From the color of a product to the material it is made of, everything can affect...
The answer of the reference service of the Russian language
Punctuation marks are placed correctly.
| Question #284948 | ||
hello, please indicate the rule according to which a comma and a dash are placed in a row in this sentence: The main motive that prompted doctors to apply to the institution is, of course, two daughters.
The answer of the reference service of the Russian language
Each sign is placed on its basis. The comma “closes” the attributive phrase after the word being defined; a dash is placed before the predicate, attached to the subject word This.
| Question #284600 | ||
Good afternoon. Need a comma before the dash (because of "what")? Or does a dash replace a comma? But this does not mean that the addresses collected according to the standard scheme are useless - these are also clients.
The answer of the reference service of the Russian language
Your punctuation matches the rules. However, D. E. Rosenthal noted that before a non-union connecting sentence that begins with a pronominal word This, often put a comma and a dash as a single sign .
| Question #284415 | ||
Thank you for your unwavering service. Your portal is a treasure trove of difficult cases of our language practice. I have doubts about the answer to question no. 281705: Please explain why there is a comma before the dash after the phrase "suddenly pronounce them wrong" in the passage below. "He spoke only when it was expected of him, and spoke approximately as he walked into the dining room: he stumbled, stopped, looking for the right words in his multilingual dictionary, weighing those that were clearly suitable, but fearful - suddenly you pronounce them incorrectly, - - rejecting others who will not be understood here, or they will sound very rude and harsh. Help desk response: A comma is placed between homogeneous circumstances weighing and rejecting. The dashes that highlight the insertion do not affect the placement of other punctuation marks in the sentence. But in this case, the comma between the participles is in a different place - before BUT: weighing those, but fearfully rejecting others ... And then the comma after pronouncing is not justified by the rules? Thank you. Galina Filippovna
The answer of the reference service of the Russian language
Design but it's scary - suddenly you pronounce them incorrectly refers to words searching in his multilingual dictionary for the right words, weighing those that are clearly suitable. It is about such a semantic connection that a single comma and dash sign speaks.
| Question #282372 | ||
Hello.
Faced with an unusual punctuation mark:, - (comma and dash). Information about its use in modern literature is not found. The only appearance I recorded at Rosenthal, thus:§113. Comma and dash in a complex sentence and in a period
A comma and a dash in a complex sentence are put as a single sign:
1) before the main sentence, which is preceded by a series of homogeneous subordinate clauses, if the splitting of a complex whole into two parts is emphasized, for example: Who is to blame among them, who is right, is not for us to judge (Krylov); Whether Stoltz did anything for this, what he did and how he did it, we do not know (Dobrolyubov);
2) in front of a word that is repeated in order to connect with it a new sentence (often a subordinate clause) or a further part of the same sentence, for example: Could this new social movement not be reflected in literature - in literature, which is always an expression of society! (Belinsky); Now, as a judicial investigator, Ivan Ilyich felt that without exception, the most important, self-satisfied people, everything was in his hands (L. Tolstoy); His life, which began (in his memoirs so wonderfully) with a huge church porch ... and the voice of his mother, in which the flinty path shone a thousand times and the star spoke to the star - this life was filled with new, ever new meaning with every hour (Kataev);
3) in artistic speech in the period (see § 219, Types of syntactic repetition, paragraph 3) (significant in terms of sentence, most often complex, which is divided by a pause into two parts - increase and decrease) between its parts, for example: A person is accepted for composing a poem for various reasons: to win the heart of a beloved, to express his attitude to the reality surrounding him, whether it be a landscape or a state, to capture the state of mind in which he is currently located, to leave a mark on the earth - for this it is taken by the pen (Joseph Brodsky).
Inside the parts of the period, if they are significantly common, a semicolon is put in artistic speech. Less often, commas are placed between the parts (members) of the period, for example: Like a hawk floating in the sky, having given many circles with strong wings, suddenly stops, flattened in the air in one place, and shoots from there with an arrow at a male quail screaming at the very road - so Tarasov son Ostap suddenly ran into a cornet and immediately threw a rope around his neck (Gogol).Please specify how relevant this punctuation mark is, whether it is replaced in our time by just a dash or a comma. To what extent can Rosenthal be trusted in this rule?
The answer of the reference service of the Russian language
The complete academic reference book "Rules of Russian Spelling and Punctuation", ed. V. V. Lopatina (M., 2006 and later editions) provides for the setting of a comma and a dash as a single sign in a complex sentence, if the sentence is built in the form of a period that is divided into two parts - pronounced with an increase and decrease in tone (comma and dash are placed in place of division): If old foliage rustled under foot, if different twigs turned red, if willows turned around, if trees of different species spoke with the aroma of their bark, then there is movement in birch trees, and there is nothing to spoil the birch(Prishv.). In such sentences, the main part often has a generalizing character and completes the enumeration of the preceding subordinate clauses: When I found myself in the bosom of the Odessa family, when I listened to Mika's violin, when, floating on my back, I looked into the deep sky, everything fell into place(grain); What was bitter to me, what was hard and what inspired the profit of forces, what life hurried me to cope with - I brought everything here(TV). The fact that this sign has now lost its relevance is not mentioned in the directory, in other words, such punctuation also corresponds to the modern written norm.
But two other cases of using a comma and a dash as a single character in the reference book are marked as obsolete. This is a comma and a dash between parts of a compound sentence: Next in line were police stations - and there no one heard anything about David(Shv.), As well as highlighting plug-in structures with this sign: You get into a carriage - it's so nice after the carriage - and roll along the steppe road(Ch.).
| Question #279406 | ||
Hello Literacy! Is the punctuation correct: In the last years of Vladimir's life, his relationship with his sons - Svyatopolk, the former Prince of Turov, and Yaroslav, appointed to reign in Novgorod (,) (-) seriously aggravated. Thank you!
The answer of the reference service of the Russian language
The specified comma and dash are required.
| Question #275251 | ||
Hello, dear Diploma! Please explain something. For several times now, I have been doing an interactive dictation on your portal. And what is most surprising: the computer gives me errors where I did not make them. For example: “I forgot the word that I wanted to say,” Osip Emilievich wrote. The computer tells me that I need a comma and a dash. Although I put a comma and a dash. Next, I re-perform the task - and again the same thing. And not only in this proposal. If I didn't know the rule, I would think I was wrong. And this is not the first time... Please tell me what's wrong. Sincerely, Serge.
The answer of the reference service of the Russian language
You need a quote, comma and dash. In that order. Check, please.
| Question #274368 | ||
Good afternoon, tell me, please: recently I have often encountered non-standard design of direct speech. In all the spelling rules I know, it is clearly stated: if the author’s words break direct speech, then (provided that there should be a period at the break point or there should not be a punctuation mark at all) a comma and a dash are placed before the author’s words; the author's words are written with a lowercase letter. The following option is regularly encountered in fiction: instead of a comma and a dash, in the case described above, they put a dot and a dash, while the words of the author begin with a capital letter. I initially sinned on the source of literature (electronic books), but then I took a couple of books in the Mayakovsky Library (St. Petersburg) - the same thing is there! Perhaps my knowledge is outdated and / or insufficient, maybe there are some new / well-forgotten old norms of the Russian language, according to which such a design option is possible?
The answer of the reference service of the Russian language
The rule you are quoting has not been repealed. But there is one more rule related to the design of direct speech: if the author's words after direct speech are a separate sentence (do not contain a verb of speech), then they begin with a capital letter:
Hurry, the school is on fire! - And he ran home to wake people up.
Perhaps you have come across a similar design?
| Question #273587 | ||
When and according to what grammar rules are commas and dashes put in sentences:, -
Thank you.
The answer of the reference service of the Russian language
A comma and a dash can be placed as a single character and as a combination of characters. As a single sign, a comma and a dash are possible in a complex sentence, for example: Even the water was agitated - that's how the frogs jumped(Prishvin). But more often you can find a combination of a comma and a dash, where each character stands on its own basis, for example: An important task set by the organizers of the Olympiad is to support talented youth(a comma closes the subordinate clause, a dash is placed between the subject and the predicate).
| Question #269359 | ||
Is the following sentence correct? "With us - the law is on your side!"
The answer of the reference service of the Russian language
The comma and dash are not needed in this sentence.
| Question #266809 | ||
Hello! I am writing to you for the fifth time. Please, if for some reason you cannot answer, tell me, and I will not ask this question again. All my life I thought I knew how direct speech is formed. But more and more often I see how in newspapers, books after quotation marks that close direct speech, if at the end of direct speech there is a question mark, exclamation point or ellipsis, after the quotation mark put a dot or a comma. For example: "What wonderful weather!", - he exclaimed. He exclaimed: "What wonderful weather!". She screamed, "Where are you going?" And recently I opened the book of the seventy-second year of the Leningrad publishing house - and there is the same story: dots after quotation marks after direct speech with an exclamation or question. Tell me, please, was I taught incorrectly at school and at the philological faculty of the university? Or did I miss something? Why those dots and commas?
The answer of the reference service of the Russian language
Your question has two parts. We'll try to answer.
If direct speech is worth before introducing it author's words, then a comma and a dash are placed after direct speech, and the author's words begin with a lowercase letter: “We understand everything perfectly, Nikolai Vasilievich,” Solodovnikov quipped to himself, sitting down on a white stool(Shuksh.). If after direct speech there is a question, exclamation point or ellipsis, then these signs are preserved, and a comma is not put; the words of the author, as in the first case, begin with a lowercase letter: “Yes, it was necessary to say goodbye! ..” - he realized when the covered car was already climbing up to the vozvoz(Shuksh.); “My blue-eyed guardian angel, why are you looking at me with such sad anxiety?” - Krymov wanted to say ironically(Bond.).
If there is an exclamation or question mark at the place of the break, then it is preserved, followed by a dash before the words of the author (with a lowercase letter), after these words a period and a dash are put; the second part of direct speech begins with a capital letter: “Am I giving happiness to many people now, as I did before? thought Kiprensky. “Are only fools trying to arrange the well-being of their lives?”(Paust.); “Yes, be quiet! - the attendant ordered. “Can you shut up?!”(Shuksh.).
2. But you need to put a dot at the end of the sentence (after the quotes).
... If the closing quote is preceded by a question mark, exclamation mark, or ellipsis (and this is where the sentence ends), then the same characters required by the terms of the entire sentence are not repeated after the closing quote; unequal characters (before the quote and after the quote) are placed; compare: “Have you read the novels What Is to Be Done? and “Who is to blame?”; Who does not know the magnificent words of A. Blok: “Erase random features. And you will see - the world is beautiful ... "?; Haven't you read the novel What Is to Be Done?
| Question #265632 | ||
Do I need to put a comma along with a dash in the following sentence:Until the age of twelve, Gluck studied at a village school, then at a gymnasium, where he acquired his first musical knowledge.
P.S. This is a fundamental moment, because the fate of admission to an educational institution depends on this sign (dash). The examining committee states that the dash should not stand.
The answer of the reference service of the Russian language
The dash is not required in this case, because where he acquired his first musical knowledge- this is a subordinate clause in the composition of a complex subordinate clause, it is separated by a comma.
A comma and a dash as a single punctuation mark can be placed between the parts of an allied compound sentence, but in your case there is an allied word where, and this rule does not apply. There is no reason to put two punctuation marks at once (comma and dash).
