§3. Using the dash

In English punctuation system, the dash is perhaps the strongest marker.

It indicates a sudden break or abrupt change in continuity, which in Russian is usually marked by ellipses:

Well, you see, I ─ I’ve ─ I’m just not sure.

Видите ли, я … я был … я просто не уверен.

Well, then, I’ll simply tell her that ─

Ну, тогда я просто скажу ей, что …

The dash sets apart an explanatory or defining phrase: Foods high in protein – meats, fish, eggs, and cheese – should be a part of one’s daily diet. Продукты, богатые белками: мясо, рыба, яйца и сыр – должны входить в ежедневный рацион человека. We suddenly realized what the glittering gems were – emeralds. Неожиданно мы поняли, что это были за сверкающие камни: изумруды.

There is no dash introducing dialogue in English. Instead, quotation marks are used. Compare:

- Вот ваша зарплата. За то, что вы бездельничаете в конторе по 7 час. в день. - Простите, - восемь часов.

“Here’s your pay for loafting in the office seven hours a day.” “Excuse me - eight hours.”

In English there is no dash introducing the author’s words after direct quotations: «Я скоро вернусь», – сказал он. “I’ll be back soon,” he said.

§4. Using quotation marks

There are two types of quotation marks in English – double and single quotation marks. Double quotation marks enclose direct quotations, single ones are used within quotations: Mary said, “I heard the thief yell, ‘Quick! Let’s get out of here!’ ” Or “I heard the thief yell, ‘Quick! Let’s get out of here!’ ” said Mary. Or “I heard,” said Mary, “the thief yell, ‘Quick! Let’s get out of here!’ ”

Care should be taken to put commas and periods within quotation marks. Exclamation points and question marks are also put inside if they are part of the matter quoted.

Beside direct speech, in Russian quotation marks always enclose the titles of books, movies, etc. In English, quotation marks can also be used in this case; otherwise, the title is underlined or italicized: e.g., For further information, readers may wish to consult the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. For further information, readers may wish to consult the “MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers”.

§5. Using the colon and semicolon

The semicolon separates the clauses of a compound sentence having no coordinating conjunction: The questions are provided by the analyst; the answers come from the data. Вопросы готовятся аналитиком, ответы выводятся из данных.

The semicolon can also be used to separate clauses of a compound sentence joined by a conjunctive adverb, such as nonetheless, however, hence, therefore: We demanded the refund; however, the manufacturer refused to give us one.

Like in Russian, the colon introduces words, phrases, or clauses that explain or summarize the preceding information: Suddenly I knew where I was: Paris. The colon can introduce quotations, but only long ones: In his Gettysburg Address, Lincoln said: “Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. …”

The colon is used in formal letters to separate the name of a person addressed:

Dear Sir or Madam:

Dear Mr. Johnson:

Gentlemen: