Direct speech - this is a statement that belongs to some person and is transmitted in writing without any changes using quotation marks. The English term is direct speech.

In a quote that “frames” direct speech, the first word must begin with a capital letter.

• 1 person

I asked, “What do you think about our flat?”I asked: "What do you think of our apartment?"

We replied, “That's amazing! We are very glad for you!”We said, “This is amazing! We are very happy for you!”

• 2 person

You might say, “I appreciate your choice.”You can say, "I respect your choice."

• 3 person

Suddenly he cried, “I can’t stand mathematics! I don’ t understand anything!” Suddenly he shouted, “I hate math! I Nothing Not Understand!»

She said kindly, “What's the matter? Don’ t worry. I’ m always here to help you.” She kindly said, “What's the matter, don't worry. I will always help you."

My parents asked, “Are you and Jim going to have a baby?”My parents said, "Are you and Jim going to have a baby?"

Like a regular sentence, direct speech is divided into the following types according to the purpose of the statement: narrative, incentive or interrogative.

• narrative

My boss said “I'm very proud of you. Good job.” My boss said, “I'm very proud of you. Great job."

• interrogative

Suddenly Brad said, “What? What have you said? Do you think that I'm loafer?”Suddenly, Brad said, “What? What you said? Do you think I'm a bum?"

• exclamatory

Jane was smiling, “Good gracious! That's unbelievable! I'm going to Oxford!”Jane smiled: « God my! It's incredible! I'm going to Oxford!"

Pay attention to some punctuation rules for direct speech in English

1. After the words of the author, there should be a comma (unlike the Russian language, where we put a colon)

The students mumbled “Please, no more home assignment… We have so much work to do!”The students muttered, “Please, no more homework… We have so much to do!”

1. The words of the author can also be used after direct speech. In this case they are also separated by a comma

“That's not enough. Moreover, you should write an essay on one of the topics from the Student’s book”, the teacher said."This is not enough. Moreover, you must write an essay on the topic that is offered to you in the textbook,” said the teacher.

1. In written English, the period, as well as the question and exclamation marks, must be enclosed in quotation marks.

“I wish I were in Finland. I miss its nature and climate.”How I would love to be in Finland. I I miss By local nature And climate.

“Did you buy the new illustrated edition of ‘Harry Potter and Philosopher’s Stone?’”You bought new illustrated edition books « Harry Potter And Philosophical stone?

“If only I could! When I came to the bookstore, the shop-assistant said that there is none left!”If only I could! When I arrived at the bookstore, the clerk told me that they had nothing left!

1. If direct speech is a long statement, then a colon can be used after the words of the author.
2. petrov said: “It would be better to start learning a language with verbs. Every sentence consists of different parts of speech: nouns, adjectives, numerals, pronouns, verbs, prepositions and so on. But verb is used surely.” D. Petrov said: “It is best to start learning any language

Hello friends! I have discovered one curious fact - punctuation in English is a topic that is not given due attention. Often, learners of English are so obsessed with the goal of "speaking" in this very language that they forget about such a supposedly "not the most important" nuance as English punctuation. Naturally, there is some truth in this. It's really not originally a necessary topic for study. However, the need for its knowledge arises with the first letter to your, for example, foreign-speaking friend. This letter, no matter how grammatically correct it is, in the absence of proper “formulation”, will completely distort the overall “composition”. And in general, any written work needs the correct placement of punctuation marks. Punctuation marks create very important touches, without which the "picture of the text" would lose its clear outline.

The rules of punctuation in English are simple, but necessary. So, today we will study the rules of punctuation in English.

English punctuation marks:

Rules for placing commas in simple sentences

How to correctly place commas in English

1. If the sentence contains an enumeration, that is, a number of homogeneous members, they are separated by commas. Usually, before the final homogeneous member there is a union "and" (and), which is also preceded by a comma, if there are three or more members in the sentence.
   • I want to buy milk, chocolate cake, and brad. - I want to buy milk, chocolate cake and bread

   However, if the so-called final homogeneous member consists of several words, then the comma is omitted

   • I want to pass my exams, to travel and to find common language with my relatives. — I want to pass exams, travel and find a "common" language with my loved ones
2. In English, as in Russian, introductory words must be highlighted.
   • Unfortunatly, the doctor was late. - Unfortunately the doctor is late
   • His brother, I've forgotten to mention, works in the Ministry of Education. — His brother, I forgot to mention, works for the Ministry of Education.
3. Again, as in Russian, explanatory words are highlighted.
   • Ion Creanga, the great Moldavian writer, died on December 31. — Ion Creanga, the great Moldavian writer, died on December 31
4. An independent participial turnover is also distinguished by commas.
   • The director being absent, the resolution of the problem was postponed. — Since the director was not present, the solution of the problem was postponed
5. After words that introduce direct speech.
   • She said, "I will write an essay." — She said, "I'll write an essay."
6. Appeal stands out in English, as in many other languages.
   • — Kate, I'm waiting for you. — Kate, I'm waiting for you
7. After being contacted by letter.
   • Dear Tom, I want to tell… — Dear Tom, I want to tell you...

   Please note: in Russian, an exclamation mark often follows an appeal in a letter:

   • Dear Andrey! I want to tell you...

   In English, the address is always separated by a comma.

8. At the end of the letter, after words like "with respect", "with love".
   • Yours faithfully, Rotary Olga Best regards, Rotar Olga
9. When specifying dates, the date and year are separated by a comma.
   • This decision was taken on the 13th October, 1993. — This decision was made on October 13, 1993
10. Parts of the address such as the name of the street, city, postal district are separated by commas

Rules for using commas in compound sentences

1. Several simple sentences combined into one compound sentence without any conjunctions are separated using commas.
   • A light breeze was blowing, the sun was bright shiningly, a wonderful day began. — A light breeze blew, the sun shone, a wonderful day began
2. Simple sentences combined with coordinating conjunctions, except for such as and (and), or (or), require the use of a punctuation mark.
   • I asked her for help, but she didn't want to do any tries to help. — I asked her for help, but she didn't want to make any attempt to help.

Complex sentence and the absence of a comma

The rules of the Russian language regarding the punctuation of a complex sentence differ in many respects from those in English. If in Russian the "law" says that the main clause is separated from the subordinate clause by a comma, then the rules of English often reject the need for its use.

1. Subject, complementary, and predicate clauses are not separated by a punctuation mark.
   • How this happened is clear to me. — It's clear to me how it happened
2. Individualizing and classifying attributive clauses are not separated by a comma.
   • I saw the documents which were lying on that table. — I saw the documents that were on that table

   However, descriptive ones, which provide some new details about an already known object or subject, stand out.

   • They went to the river, which was stormy last week. - They went to the river, which has been very rough for the last week.
   • We spoke with the director, who was very tired because of the problems existing in the company. — We spoke to the director, who was very tired due to problems in the company.
3. If the adverbial clause comes before the main clause, only then does it stand out.
   • If you decide to leave the house, close the windows and door. — If you decide to leave the house, close the windows and the door

   Close the windows and door if you decide to leave the house

Use of other punctuation marks in English

Where to put a colon

Apostrophe in English

A punctuation mark such as an apostrophe indicates the abbreviation of one or more letters in the following cases

1. When shortening a few words
   • So as = so's
   • Don't = don't
2. When shortening one word
   • Them = 'em
   • Today = t'day
3. In abbreviations of dates
   • Summer of 1998 = summer of "98
4. When forming the possessive case
   • Mother's pen - mother's pen
   • Parents "car - parents' car

The need for a dash

The dash is more commonly used in informal texts. The rules of formal writing are not so supportive of this punctuation mark.

1. An unexpected explanation in the middle of a sentence
   • Nick - he is Kate's brother - was very glad to see his old friend. - Nick (this is Kat's brother) was very happy to see her old friends
2. Additional thought in a sentence
   • He will be here by Friday - at least, he promised to be. — He'll be here by Friday, at least he promised.
3. An unfinished thought in English is also indicated by a dash, which is completely alien to Russian speakers, since the ellipsis performs this role.
   • If you want to understand me If you want to understand me...

When we need a question mark

We need a question mark, respectively, in interrogative sentences.

• Why did she cry? — Why was she crying?

But don't forget that indirect questions don't need a question mark.

• He asked where his portfolio was. — He asked where his briefcase was

Rare need for a semicolon

1. Putting a semicolon between sentences that are grammatically separated
   • The house needs renovation; the shed needs painting. — The house is in need of renovation; barn needs painting
2. Compound sentences that, due to their grammatical complexity, cannot be separated by a comma

Using an exclamation mark

The rules for using an exclamation mark in English are no different from the rules for using this punctuation mark in Russian.

1. Orders
   • Don't answer! - Do not answer!
2. greetings
   • Hi! — Hello!
   • Glad to see you! — I'm glad to see you!
3. Sentences accompanied by strong emotions (joy, admiration, annoyance)
   • What a beautiful dress! — What a beautiful dress!

Hyphen - connector

A hyphen (dash) is a punctuation mark used to connect parts of compound words.

• To check-out - check, enter
• Reading-room - reading room

The final punctuation mark is a dot

1. There is a period at the end of a declarative sentence.
   • I can make you happy. — I can make you happy
2. There is a dot after the abbreviations.
   For example, such Latinism: e.g. (exempli gratia) - "for example", which you can often find in English.

English hyphenation rules

The hyphenation rules also apply to the topic we are studying today - punctuation in English. Among the most basic rules to follow are the following.

We all studied at school and remember that one of the most difficult tricks was the rules of punctuation in Russian. These rules are quite strict, and we all wrote kilometers of dictations in which it was necessary to correctly place all these commas, dashes, colons, etc. In English, punctuation rules are not so strict, but still they exist and it is advisable to follow them in writing. In this post, we will tell you about the 10 most used punctuation marks and when we should use them.

English punctuation marks

1. Comma - comma

1. Commas are used to separate simple sentences combined with conjunctions:

• The lesson was over, but the students remained in the classroom. The lesson ended, but the students remained in the classroom.
• Yesterday was my day-off, so I took the children to the zoo. Yesterday I had a day off, so I took the children to the zoo.

Google shortcode

However, if the sentence is short, a comma before conjunctions and or or can be omitted, for example:

• The rain stopped and it got much warmer. The rain stopped and it got much warmer.

2. Commas are used after introductory words, phrases or subordinate clauses that precede the main:

• While I was talking on the phone, the cat stole my steak. While I was talking on the phone, the cat stole my steak.
• If you are not well, you should stay at home. - If you are not feeling well, you should stay at home.

Note: If, on the contrary, the main clause comes first, and then the subordinate clause, the rule does not apply, for example, the following two examples are incorrect, they do not need a comma:

• The cat stole my steak, while I was talking on the phone.
• You should stay at home if you are not well.

3. Affirmative word yes, negative word no, as well as introductory words well, you know, I mean etc. separated by commas, for example:

• Yes, you can come in - yes, you can enter
• You know, it's a hard question. You see, this is a difficult question.

4. An explanatory introductory phrase is separated by commas on both sides, for example:

• Pete and Ellen, my former classmates, got married a week ago. Pete and Ellen, my former classmates, got married a week ago.

You can test yourself by cutting out a similar introductory phrase from a sentence. If the meaning of the sentence has not changed, then you put commas where necessary. Let's check our example: Pete and Ellen got married a week ago.

5. Unlike the Russian language, a comma is not placed in a complex sentence before the union that, For example:

• He said that he was going to quit. - He said he was going to quit
• The problem is that they cannot bear each other - The problem is that they cannot bear each other.

6. When listing homogeneous members of a sentence, a comma is also placed before the union and, For example:

• At the supermarket I bought sugar, tea, coffee, and matches - In the supermarket I bought sugar, tea, coffee and matches.

This comma is called "Oxford comma" in some sources because it is the standard method taught at Oxford University.

7. Commas are used to highlight direct speech:

• He said indifferently, "I don't mind." - He said indifferently: "I don't mind"
• “I was going,” she answered, “to do everything myself.” “I'm going,” she said, “to do everything myself.”

8. Use commas if needed to avoid confusion:

• To Mary, Clair has always been the main authority. Claire has always been Mary's main authority.

9. Commas are used to separate all place names, dates (except month and day), addresses (except street number and name), and headings in names.

• Birmingham, Alabama, gets its name from Birmingham, England. - Birmingham, Alabama takes its name from Birmingham in England
• December 15, 2009, was an important day in his life. December 15, 2009 was an important day in his life.

You may see a comma somewhere between the house and street numbers. This is not a bug, just outdated style.

2. Period or Full Stop - point

The main purpose of this punctuation mark is to complete a sentence.

The dot is also used in most abbreviations. Some sources say that the dot at the end of the abbreviation should only be used when the last letter of the abbreviation is not the last letter of the word, for example: Gen. (Secretary) - General Secretary. If the last letter of the abbreviation is the last letter of the word (Mr - Mister, St - Saint), then the dot is not put.

If the abbreviated phrase is pronounced, we do not put a period, for example, NASA is correct, and N.A.S.A is incorrect.

3. Question Mark - a question mark

The question mark is a relatively easy-to-use punctuation mark. It is used only in one case - at the end of a sentence containing a question, for example:

• How many people will go on an excursion? How many people will go on the tour?

However, the question mark is not put:

• He asked how many people would go on an excursion - I wonder how many people would go on an excursion.

Also, a question mark is not put if the sentence begins with a phrase such as I wonder / He doesn't know / I don't remember. (This is the most common mistake when using a question mark.)

• I wonder how long this film lasts - I wonder how long this film lasts
• He doesn't know where they live. He doesn't know where they live.

4. Exclamation Mark - exclamation mark

Use it only to express a command or order, or to express an emotion, for example:

• Stop talking! - Stop talking!
• What a picturesque place! - What a picturesque place!

5. Quote Marks - quotes

1. Quotation marks are used when you need to accurately convey the words of another person (direct speech), for example,

• John said, “We are not going to help him.” John said, "We won't help him."

If you are quoting a person who is quoting another person, use single quotes:

• John said, “My neighbor yelled at me today! ‘Get off my lawn!’ he said” – John said, “My neighbor yelled at me today! he said ‘get off my lawn! '"

2. Quotation marks can also be used to express irony or sarcasm, or to point out something out of the ordinary:

• Your so called “friend” should have given you a lift home. “Your so-called 'friend' should have given you a ride home.

3. Quotation marks are also used to highlight quotes.

6. Colon - colon

A colon is used after a statement to then introduce one (or more) directly related idea, such as a listing, quotation, or other comment illustrating or explaining the statement, such as:

• The following European countries were represented at the meeting: Great Britain, France, and Italy. – The following European countries were represented at the meeting: Great Britain, France and Italy.
• Music is more than something mechanical: it is an expression of deep feeling and ethical values. — Music is not just mechanical sounds: it is an expression of deep feelings and moral values.

7. Semicolon - Semicolon

Use a semicolon to link independent clauses that are not connected by a conjunction, for example:

• Some people think that students must be given homework; others do not agree with it. — Some people think that students should be given homework assignments, others do not agree with this.
• The sky is covered with heavy clouds; it is going to rain soon. The sky is covered with heavy clouds, it will rain soon.

The semicolon is also used to connect parts of a sentence or complex sentences that already have commas, for example:

• My grandfather lived in a small cottage, rather far from the nearest town; there was no running water or electricity in his cottage. – My grandfather lived in a small house, quite far from the nearest town, his house had neither running water nor electricity.

8. Parentheses - brackets

Parentheses are used to emphasize additional, non-essential material included in the proposal as background information, such as dates, sources, or ideas:

• He was appointed a Head of the department (some people say, this is because he was a brother of the Minister) and worked for two years in this company. – He was appointed head of the department (some say it was because he was the brother of the minister) and worked in this company for 2 years.

9. Dash or Hyphen - dash or hyphen

1. Use dashes to highlight the essence of a sentence or an explanatory comment, but do not use dashes too often, as it will lose its meaning.

• To some of you, my proposals may seem radical - even revolutionary. “To some of you, my proposals may seem radical—even revolutionary.

2. As for the hyphen, it is used in compound words, such as chocolate-covered, seventy-nine, re-sign.
The hyphen is always used with the prefixes ex- (meaning former), self-, all-, non-; between a prefix and a capitalized word, with numbers or letters:
ex-wife
self-respected
mid-August
all-inclusive
non-commercial
T-shirt

The system and functions of punctuation marks in English basically coincide with the system and functions of punctuation marks in Russian. For example, dot(the full stop) question mark(the note of interrogation), Exclamation point(the note of exclamation) are placed at the end of sentences in the same cases as in Russian. Quotes(the inverted commas) are placed to emphasize direct speech and quotations. In direct speech, the punctuation mark is placed inside quotation marks. (In Russian, a period and a comma are placed after quotation marks.)

Brackets(the brackets) are placed to highlight the text or word enclosed in them, which is an insert that clarifies and clarifies the text or word of the sentence. Semicolon(the semicolon) is placed in a compound sentence between composed sentences in the absence of a union.

Main functions colons(the colon) in English also coincide with the functions of the colon in Russian, namely: the colon is used before an explanation, enumeration or quote. The colon is used before direct speech only if direct speech is significantly common; a comma is usually placed before a short text of direct speech.

The difference between English and Russian with regard to punctuation marks is manifested mainly in the use of the comma (the comma). Main cases of discrepancy in functions comma in English and Russian languages ​​are reduced to several rules:

Rule One

In a complex sentence in Russian, the subordinate clause is always separated from the main comma. In English, subordinate clauses, additional, subject, predicative members and restrictive attributive commas are not separated from the main one.

* The subject clause is separated from the main comma only when the subject clause is very common.

• Clyde wondered that his uncle did not guess that he was his nephew. Clyde was surprised that his uncle did not know that he (Clyde) was his nephew.
• Who saved his life remained unknown. Who saved his life remains unknown.
• All I know is what I have seen in the press. All I know is what I read in the newspaper.
• Aren "t you the young man who married Fleur Forsite? - Are you the young man who married Forsyth?

A restrictive attributive clause is not separated by a comma from the main clause also when it is attached to the main clause without the help of allied words

• She began to talk quickly and easily upon the subject he had suggested. She began to speak quickly and easily on the subject he had brought up.

Rule Two

The descriptive attributive sentence is separated from the main comma

• The West Surgery, which lay not more than four hundred yards from his house, was a high building. “The Western Surgery Clinic, which was no more than three hundred yards away, was a tall building.

Rule Three

Adverbial clauses are usually separated from the main clause by a comma if they precede the main clause:

• When a parallelogram has all four sides equal, it is called a rhombus. When a parallelogram has all four sides equal, it is called a rhombus.
• If the mixture be well stirred, the temperature will be 20°C. – If the mixture is well mixed, the temperature will be 20° Celsius.

If the adverbial clause comes after the main clause, it is not separated from the main clause by a comma:

• Ratterer asked Clyde, "Would you know your uncle if you saw him?"

Rule Four

In a compound sentence, a comma is usually placed between the composed sentences before the coordinating conjunction. A comma is not placed before the conjunctions and and or if they introduce short sentences:

• Mr Pickwick ran to his assistance, but the faster Mr Pickwick ran forward, the faster the horse ran backward. Mr. Pickwick ran to his aid, but the faster Mr. Pickwick ran, the faster the horse ran away from him.
• Lomonosov worked in many fields of science, and everywhere he brought something new and original leaving his century far behind. – Lomonosov worked in many fields of science, and everywhere he introduced something new and original, far ahead of his time.
• The weight of his pack kept him bent, but he did not fall and he did not ease his pace. - The weight of the satchel made him bend, but he did not fall and did not slow down his pace.

Rule Five

In a compound sentence, a comma is placed between the composed sentences if they are connected without allied words:

• The sky was covered with clouds, a cold wind was blowing, a snow-storm began. The sky was covered with clouds, a cold wind was blowing, a snowstorm began.

Rule six

In a simple sentence, a comma is placed between homogeneous members of the sentence. Unlike the Russian language, a comma is usually also placed before the last of these words, which is preceded by the union and:

• Mechanical motion can be transformed into heat, electricity, and magnetism. – Mechanical motion can be converted into heat, electricity and magnetism.

Rule Seven

A comma is placed before direct speech after introductory words, unlike the Russian language, where a colon is placed:

• Didn't say, "I shall come soon." He said, "I'll be right back."

Note. If direct speech is a long text, then in English, after the introductory words, as well as in Russian, a colon is placed.

Rule eight

A comma is placed to separate an independent participial turnover from the rest of the sentence

• The construction of your house being now completed, my duties as architect have come to an end. Since the construction of the house is completed, my duties as an architect are over.

In English, a dash is usually used to indicate unfinished speech, in contrast to the Russian language, where ellipsis is used in such cases:

• If you take my advice – it is dangerous farther up the river – come down stream with me. “If you take his advice... it's dangerous upriver...come downstream with me.

Apostrophe (the Apostrophe) in English is used in the formation of the possessive case of nouns:

• the student "s book - student's book
• the students "books - students' books

The apostrophe is also used to indicate the omission of letters:

• don"t = do not
• it "s \u003d it is.

Punctuation marks in English (or Stops) show grammatical relationships between words, phrases, phrases and sentences; in addition, with their help, you can focus on certain catches and or show intonation.

General notation

Let's take a look at how punctuation is translated in English and look at the general rules of use, how a dash in English differs from a hyphen, and when to put a semicolon.

	Full stop/period/dot (dot)	A dot marks the end of a sentence. We went to the Zoo.
	Comma (comma)	Commas in English indicate a pause in a statement, and also separate an appeal. Henry, can you answer my question? Separate two or more adjectives: She is attentive, kind listener. Enumerations in the list: Buy cheese, bread, corn and fish. Names of the city from the name of the states: I'm from San Diego, California. Independent suggestions: We still didn't buy the presents, and his B-day is tomorrow. Direct speech: He said, "I will go."
	Question Mark (question mark)	Placed at the end of the sentence and indicates the question: Was it your neighbor?
	Exclamation Point (exclamation mark)	Ends a sentence and serves to indicate excitement or expressiveness of an utterance: Look at this price!
	colon (colon)	The colon in English is used to enter a list, listing something: In the next year I would like to get a new car, a cell phone and a tablet.
	Semicolon (semicolon)	Separates two related but independent sentences: I asked him to read this book, the information would be useful for him. Separates parts of a sentence that are already separated by commas: I will buy these plates for my mom, because she likes to have new dishes; a fishing rod for my dad, because he wanted a new one for a while; and a ball for my younger brother, because he eats too much these days.
	Hyphen (hyphen)	The hyphen is used in compound words: check-in, self-respect, brother-in-law. With numbers written in cursive: forty-five, sixty-seven, nighty-eight.
		A dash in English serves to create a brief pause or introductory phrase: She mentioned - with a cunning smile on her face I might add - that she is going to tell me something important.
	Quotation (quotation marks)	Quotation marks in English conclude a direct quote: “Do not squander time. That is stuff life is made of.”
	Parentheses (brackets)	Used to clarify: Can you buy me an apple juice (not that I don`t like apple, which you brought last time).
	Apostrophe (apostrophe)	The apostrophe is used to express possessive forms. Andrew's car, my brother's Birthday. To create abbreviated forms. Don't, wouldn't, doesn't, we're, he's. When writing dates - 1980's, 90's.

See how a comma in English can change the meaning of a sentence and change the reader's opinion of the author.

English Punctuation

Stops in different types of offers

The use of punctuation marks often depends on the structure of the sentence (simple, compound, complex), the function of the word or phrase in the sentence, the way the part of the compound sentence is connected, and the types of complex sentences. Next, consider what punctuation marks are often used in various types of sentences.

Simple sentence

Compound sentence

• Most often, between compound sentences, you can find a semicolon.

  Jay looked at his watch; he was already late. Jay looked at his watch; he was already late.

• When the second sentence explains the first, a dash or colon is used.

  My sister advised me to buy this dress – the color is splendid and the material is very soft. — My sister advised me to buy this dress – the color is luxurious and the fabric is very soft

• A comma is used when the relationship between sentences is very close.

  His eyes were on the door, his hands trembled. His gaze was fixed on the door, his hands were trembling.

• If independent sentences are connected by a union and, then there can be a comma between them (with a close connection between sentences) or a semicolon (if they are more distant from each other in meaning).

  He was thinking about her – and then he dropped her out of his mind. He thought about her, but then pushed her out of his mind.

• If there are unions neither, nor between sentences, then a semicolon is used.

  He did not laugh; nor did he say something. He didn't laugh, but he didn't say anything either.

• If union is used or, then the sentences are most often separated by a comma, less often by a dash.

  She was sad - or did it only seem to me? Was she sad—or was it just my imagination?

• With unions but and while, a comma or semicolon is used.

  Tom was lazy, while Jack was very hardworking. Tom was lazy, while Jack was very hardworking.

• If the sentences are connected yet, whereas, still - as a rule, a semicolon is used.

  This book is very interesting; whereas that book is very boring. This book is very interesting, while that book is boring.

• Direct speech (quotation) in a sentence is separated by a comma or colon and is taken in quotation marks.

  She asked me: "What are you going to do after graduation?" She asked me: “What are you going to do after graduation?”

Quote in English

Complex sentences

These types of sentences are those in which simple sentences depend on each other, you can ask a question from one part to another. Basically, in these types of sentences, a comma is used to separate the main from the subordinate clause, but even then not always. A comma is placed in case of a non-union connection, when the main clause is too long, the subordinate clause comes before the main one, etc.

What he had heard earlier, he decided to tell everybody. - What he heard earlier, he decided to tell everyone.

As you can see from all the examples, commas are used most often in English.

Review the basic rules of punctuation in English by watching the video tutorial.