In what cases is it placed? Homogeneous sentence parts and punctuation marks for "and"

11 simple rules that will help you learn how to create correct and readable lists anywhere: in presentations, reports, documents or on websites.

When drawing up documents, we often come across all kinds of lists. There are simple and multi-level lists. How to arrange them? When to use numbering, letters and dashes? When is it appropriate to end each list item with a period, and when is a comma or semicolon appropriate?

When drawing up documents, we often come across all kinds of lists. At the same time, there are a great many rules for their design. Let's try to understand them.

Notation of list elements

The pre-list sentence and the elements of the subsequent list (listed after the colon) can be written as a single line. But in long and complex lists, it is much more convenient to place each element on a new line. And here you have a choice: you can limit yourself to using paragraph indentation (Example 1) or replace it with a number, letter or dash (Example 2).

Example 1

Example 2

There are lists:

simple, those. consisting of one level of text division (see Examples 1 and 2) and

composite, including 2 or more levels (see Example 3).

The choice of symbols that will precede each element of the list depends on the depth of division. When creating simple lists, you can use lowercase (“small”) letters, Arabic numerals or dashes.

The situation is much more complicated with composite lists. For greater clarity combinations of different symbols In the lists we give an example of the design of a 4-level list:

Example 3

From this example it can be seen that the heading numbering system is as follows: the first level heading is designed using Roman numerals, the second level headings are using Arabic numerals without brackets, the third level headings are using Arabic numerals with brackets and, finally, the fourth level headings formatted using lowercase letters with brackets. If this list included another, fifth level, then we would design it using a dash.

Numbering system for parts of a composite list can only consist of Arabic numerals with dots. Then the structure of constructing the number of each element of the list reflects its subordination in relation to the elements located above (there is an increase in digital indicators):

Example 4

If at the end of the list there is “etc.”, “etc.” or “etc.”, then such text is not placed on a separate line, but is left at the end of the previous list element (see Examples 3 and 4).

Punctuation of lists

In Example 3 you can clearly see that the headings of the first and second levels begin with capital letters, and the headings of subsequent levels are from lowercase. This happens because after Roman and Arabic (without brackets) numerals, according to the rules of the Russian language, a dot is placed, and after the dot, as we all remember from elementary school, a new sentence begins, which is written with a capital letter. Arabic numerals with brackets and lowercase letters with brackets are not followed by a period, so the following text begins with a small letter. The last point, by the way, also applies to the dash, since it is difficult to imagine combining a dash with a dot after it.

pay attention to punctuation at the end headings of the list, as well as at the end of words and phrases in its composition.
If the title suggests subsequent division of the text, then a colon is placed at the end of it, but if there is no subsequent division, a period is placed.

Example 5

If parts of the list consist of simple phrases or one word, they are separated from each other by commas (see Example 5). If parts of the list are complicated (there are commas inside them), it is better to separate them with a semicolon (see Example 6).

Example 6

Finally, if parts of the list are separate sentences, they are separated from each other by a period:

Example 7

Sometimes the list is formatted in such a way that it is preceded by a whole sentence (or several sentences). In this case, the list uses only the so-called “lowest” levels of division (lowercase letters with a bracket or a dash), and dots are not placed at the end of each part of the list, because in this case, the list is a single sentence:

Example 8

It happens that some parts of the list that are phrases include an independent sentence starting with a capital letter. Regardless of the fact that according to the rules of the Russian language a period must be placed at the end of a sentence, each element of the list will be separated from the next by a semicolon:

Example 9

List Item Consistency

When compiling lists, you should always pay attention to the fact that the initial words of each element of the list are consistent with each other in gender, number and case. In Example 10 we presented a variant of incorrect formatting: the last element of the list is used in a different case compared to the rest. Errors like this usually occur in long lists with a large number of items.

Example 10

Also, all elements of the list must necessarily agree in gender, number and case with the words (or word) in the sentence preceding the list, followed by a colon. Let's look at the example of incorrect listing again to analyze the errors.

Example 11

This list may seem impeccable, if not for one “but”. The word “observance” requires words after it in the genitive case that would answer the questions “whom?” what?". Therefore, each section should begin like this:

So, we have given the basic rules for constructing and formatting lists that will help make your documents even more literate.

There are quite a large number of punctuation marks in the Russian language. Some are used to complete a sentence, others emphasize intonation and mood, and others divide a passage of text into logical parts. To understand why a colon is used, it is necessary to consider in what cases it is used.

First you need to remember that in most cases this sign is placed in complex sentences, with the exception of some points.

In the Russian language there is such a thing as a “generalizing word”. For a better understanding, consider an example sentence: “There were tools on the table: a hammer, a drill, a saw and a jigsaw.” This sentence talks about the tools that are on the table, and then they are all listed. In this case, the word “tools” will be a general one. From here we get the first rule, which states that a colon must be placed after the generalizing word. To reinforce this, let’s give another example: “By tomorrow I definitely need to do my homework: biology, algebra and geography.”
Headlines like “Ivanov: gamer and programmer” also include this sign. If we consider a specific rule, then the first part of the title should indicate the actor, some problem or place of action. The second part of the title gives specificity to the first. "The country's economy: further development."
Let's say that there is no generalizing word, but there is an enumeration. In this case, the sign will also be placed, for example: “On the table were: telephone, keys and money.”

Colon in complex sentences

Cases of using this punctuation mark in complex constructions much more, but there is nothing difficult about it.

Consider this example: “This morning my mother told me: “Don’t forget to stop by the store and buy milk.” This example contains direct speech, and if it comes after the words of the author, then a colon must be placed before it. Please note that if the sentence looks like this: “Go to the store and buy milk,” my mother told me,” then the colon will not be placed, since direct speech comes before the words of the author.
Unionless complex sentences are unionless because they simply have no conjunctions: “Mom cleans the room, I do my homework.” This is a very simple sentence that does not require any punctuation except a comma. But what about this example: “Read more books: they will increase your vocabulary, teach you how to write and speak correctly.” Why is there a colon in this case? There is a rule that says: if the second part of a non-union complex sentence reveals the meaning of the first part or indicates the reason, then a colon is placed after the first part. The statement encourages reading books and further indicates the reason for the motivation. “The weather was very bad: it was raining and there was a strong wind,” is another good example for this rule.
Another rule about placing this punctuation mark says that it must be placed between two simple sentences that are not connected by a conjunction, if the first contains verbs like “see”, “look”, “hear”, “know”, etc. Further. These words seem to hint at a further description of something. The rule sounds quite complicated, but in reality it’s the opposite. “I peered for a long time and finally understood: the shadows on the wall reminded me of a human silhouette.” “Walking down the street I hear someone calling me.” These two examples illustrate the rule perfectly.
Words such as “namely”, “for example”, “by the way” require a colon after them. “Last year I visited all the major countries, namely China, the United States, Brazil and Indonesia.” Please note that without the expression “namely”, in this example the colon would still be inserted.

Is a colon necessary for indirect speech?

We have considered all cases in Russian when a colon is placed. I would like to focus special attention on direct speech. The fact is that in addition to it, indirect speech is also used, and they must be distinguished in order to put the correct punctuation mark.

Mom told me: “I need to go to the store and buy milk.” Mom said we need to throw out the trash. The second sentence will be indirect speech. It can be easily determined by several conjunctions, such as “what”, “so that”, “when”, “why” and others. Indirect speech is a subordinate clause in a complex sentence and is not distinguished by a colon.

To summarize, we can say that The colon serves as a dividing punctuation mark, which is placed only in the middle of a simple sentence in the case of a generalizing word and enumeration. In a complex construction, this punctuation mark is necessary if there is a reason that explains the first part of the sentence, if there is direct speech, if there are clarifying words and verbs hinting at a further description of something.

Video

This video will help you understand when to use a colon in a sentence.

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Lists allow you to beautifully structure the text, focus the reader’s attention on something, highlight an important idea, in a word, their use in an article is good. But one small thing remains: competent design. Let's deal with punctuation marks and other difficulties.

Most often, consistency is broken. Each listing item must be in the same gender, case and number, and also agree with the generalizing word before the list. For example, it is incorrect:

washing, brushing teeth,
make the bed
cooking breakfast,
to drink coffee.

It's more correct like this:

What to do in the morning before going to work:

wash your face, brush your teeth,
make the bed,
Make a breakfast,
to drink coffee.

So, remember to ask one question per point and check for grammatical consistency.

How to label list elements?

Our exchange functionality offers two options: numbered and bulleted lists. However, there are three options for dividing multi-level lists:

the highest level is indicated by a capital letter with a dot or a Roman numeral with a dot (I. or A.);
middle level - Arabic numeral with a dot (1.);
the lowest level - with a marker, a lowercase letter with a bracket or a number with a bracket (a), 1), etc.).

Accordingly, if you want to introduce a multi-level list into an article, it will look something like this:

We love spring for many reasons:

Everything really comes to life:

nature,
birds.

You can finally get your favorite things:

light jackets,
sneakers.

Which letter should you start listing items with: lowercase or capital?

Essentially, the same rules of punctuation apply to the design of lists as to regular sentences. If an enumeration item is preceded by a number or a dotted letter, it must begin with a capital letter, like a new sentence. For example:

My plans for today were simple:

Get a good night's sleep.
Order from your nearest food delivery service for the whole day.
Invite a friend over to watch a movie.

Also, if the clauses are separate sentences rather than parts of one, then each clause will begin with a capital letter and end with a period (more on this below).

What punctuation mark should I put before a list?

The list may be preceded by a period or colon.Colon– after a generalizing word or phrase indicating what follows next, i.e. the offer will be divided. A colon may be added if the elements begin with a capital letter.In other cases, a period is put. For example:

I really wanted to do two things today:

go to a concert
sleep peacefully.

Punctuation marks after listing items

At the end of each enumeration element is placed:

— dot– if parts of the list are separate sentences. And, as mentioned above, each paragraph begins with a capital letter;

Example . St. Petersburg is a wonderful city!

White nights are filled with romance.
The drawbridges are fascinating.
Many architectural monuments.

— comma– if the list elements are simple, i.e. consist of one or more words, begin with a lowercase letter, and do not contain punctuation marks inside. However, it is permissible to format such clauses with a semicolon;

Example . Options for getting to the city:

train,
airplane,
hitch-hiking.

— semicolon– if the listing items begin with a lowercase letter, there are punctuation marks inside them, several sentences are included in one item.

Example – this enumeration list.

Have you often wondered when writing when to put a colon and when to put a dash? Probably often, because these punctuation marks, like any other, require adherence to certain rules, although in some cases they are very similar. But we’ll talk about which ones later in the article.

Relationship between generic words and colon or dash

When discussing when to put a colon and when to put a dash, first of all you need to mention those sentences in which homogeneous members are used, and with them there is a generalizing word. It is after it, before the listing, that the colon is necessary.

So, for example, in the sentence: “ You could always find interesting things in his backpack: pebbles, bolts, metal balls and even a fly in a matchbox", the list is preceded by the general word " things”, after which in this situation a colon is placed.

If the generalizing word is found after the listing, then a dash must be placed in front of it. For example: " Pebbles, bolts, metal balls and even a fly in a matchbox - these are the things that can always be found in Petka’s backpack».

By the way, after a generalizing word you can often find a dash, which is also the right option. For example: " Everything is different there - the language, way of life and even values».

Colon and dash in non-union complex sentences

There are several cases when a colon is placed in complex non-union sentences:

If the second part of a complex sentence explains the content of the first. Then the conjunctions “namely” or “like that” can be placed between them. For example: “Everything in nature spoke of joy: the sun shone brightly from a clear sky, and birds sang in different voices.”
If the second part of the sentence indicates the reason for what is mentioned in the first part. Then, by the way, it is easy to put the conjunctions “because” and “since” between the parts. For example: “Ivan was a very distrustful person: his close people let him down too often.”
Another case where a colon is placed between parts of a sentence is where one part warns that the presentation will continue further. In such sentences, the first part usually uses one of the verbs: see, know, hear, feel, etc. For example: “Peter and Anna knew: they would definitely have a large and noisy family.” As you can see, between the parts of this sentence and similar ones you can put the conjunction “what”, thus turning it into a complex sentence.

An acceptable option is also to use a dash instead of a colon in these sentences. Compare:

He understood that something irreparable had happened..
It’s better not to say something like that in front of him - he might get offended.
It seemed to them that just a little more and everything would come true.

By the way, sentences with a warning about the continuation of the story should be distinguished from complex sentences that do not contain one. In this case, a comma is placed between the parts. For example: " I know they will live with us».

When to put a colon in a sentence with direct speech

In those sentences where direct speech is used, a colon is placed after the words of the author, for example:

On the way home, Nina plaintively asked Sonya: “Will you ever be able to forgive me?”
She said through her teeth: “If you knew how much I hate this life.”

Sentences that include direct speech must be distinguished from complex constructions. In the latter, a comma is placed before the subordinate clause, for example:

On the way home, Nina plaintively asked Sonya whether she could count on forgiveness.
She said through clenched teeth that she absolutely hated this life.

In what cases is a colon placed in the title?

The rules for writing headings require special explanation. If the title of a text is divided into two parts, and the first of them (nominative) names a person, problem, place of action, etc., and the second specifies the meaning of the first, then a colon is placed between them.

Let's look at examples of such headers:

Sore throat: signs and methods of treating the disease.
Mikhail Bulgakov: unknown facts from the writer’s biography.
Ten days in India: a land of wonders and contrasts.

So what should you put - a dash or a colon?

In conclusion, we can say that in modern language it is becoming increasingly easier to decide when to use a colon and when it is better to use a dash, since the dash is in this " fight” often comes out victorious.

According to the famous D. E. Rosenthal, the dash is a freer sign, often “ coming" and into the possessions of the colon. What explains this? The linguist believes that a dash in a sentence performs not only purely syntactic functions, but also gives it an emotionally expressive coloring. Obviously, this is why authors love to use it so much in fiction and periodicals. As an example, we can cite several phrases from newspapers: “ The elections are over - we can take stock" or " Experts call this process quite natural - the demand for land has increased».

This means that you can decide when to put a colon in a sentence, and when to put a dash, based on the author’s preferences.

Punctuation is a system of symbols used in a written language. The same punctuation marks are placed differently in different languages and have different meanings. In general, they are necessary to structure written speech, because there are no pauses or intonations that we could say out loud in a normal situation.

A colon is a punctuation mark that is placed inside a sentence. Why do you need a colon? It means that the parts between which it is placed are related to each other or differ from each other. The colon is used in both simple and complex sentences and is intended to focus attention on what follows it.

Why do you need a colon in writing?

When listing, a colon must be placed after the generalizing word “How many types of sweets were there in that store: chocolate, toffee, caramel, marmalade, cotton candy, cinnamon rolls.”
Why do you need a colon? An essay, if you are writing it based on a literary work, often requires quotations from the original source. In sentences with direct speech, a colon separates the words of the author and direct speech. “I took a long pause and said: “He’s gone forever, he’ll never come back here again.” When inserting a quotation from a text into your essay, use a colon and then quotation marks.
In complex sentences, a colon is used if one of the simple sentences explains or complements another “He knew that the killer was still in the room, he had his reasons: there were traces throughout the room, except for the doors.”

So, if you need to write an argumentative essay about why a colon is needed, you can explain that it is necessary to emphasize any parts of the sentence that differ from the main text. This is a listing of homogeneous members of a sentence after a generalizing word, highlighting direct speech, explaining one sentence to another. What is the difference between a dot and a dash and