The use of signs and symbols: rules, features and exercises

No matter how they tried to convince the students that the knowledge they received in school years, they will need them in the future, unfortunately, this is not so. However, some things that are taught in school, in fact, useful in adulthood. For example, the ability to write competently. To master it, you need to know the basic grammatical laws of the Russian language. Among them - the rules governing the use of separating signs and b signs.

A solid sign: history and its role in the word

The twenty-eighth letter of the Russian alphabet, despite the fact that it does not mean sounds, performs an important function in words. правила, регулирующие употребление ъ и ь знаков, стоит немного узнать о ее истории и роли в слове. Therefore, before considering the rules governing the use of symbols, one should learn a little about its history and role in the word.

A hard sign existed in the Slavic languages almost from the very moment of their formation. At first it was a short vowel sound, until it turned into an unpronounceable letter used to divide the word into syllables, as well as replacing spaces.

At the end of XIX century. It was noted that the frequent use of в in texts (4% of the total volume) is inexpedient, especially in telegraphy, cursive writing and printing. In this regard, more than once tried to restrict the use of a solid sign.

After the revolution of 1917, this letter was completely abolished for almost ten years. As a separator in those years, an apostrophe was used in words. However, in 1928 he was expelled from the Russian language (but preserved in Ukrainian and Belarusian), and his separative function took upon himself a firm sign, which he fulfills to this day.

In what cases is a

As for the use of a solid sign, that is, several rules for its setting before e, w, e, i:

• After the prefixes, which end with a consonant letter: a connector pre-prefixed.
• In terms that come from other languages, the prefixes ab-, ad-, dis-, in-, inter-, con-, ob- and sub-: adjuvant, disjunction.
• After counter-, pan-, super, trans- and feld-: pan-europeanism, superyacht .
• In compound words starting with two-, three-, four-: dual, three-tiered, four-lingual.

There are several exceptions when it is not at the junction of the prefix and the root, but within the word itself. These nouns include: a courier and a flaw.

When not put

In addition to the rules governing the use of symbols and signs, it is worth remembering cases when they do not need to be put:

• A solid sign is not put in words with a prefix ending in a consonant letter, when followed by vowels a, o, u, y, e, s: cloudless, bridled .
• This sign is not put in complicated terms: the Tyaz, the Chief Editor .
• It is not put in lexemes, written with a hyphen: half-diocese, half-apple .

Considering the rules governing the use of ь and ь signs performing a separating function in a word, it is worth remembering that the lexemes "interior" and "podjaci" are written through a soft sign. Such a spelling is not an exception, because in the word "interior" there is a prefix, but a part of the root. And in the "podiatch" the prefix is not sub-, but, and -yad is the root.

What does the soft sign perform?

As for b, it in ancient times meant a short vowel [and], but gradually, like b, it lost its sound.

At the same time, he retained the ability [and] to give softness to the preceding consonant sound.

Unlike the solid sign, the soft in the word can perform 3 functions.

• Separating.
• Informs of the softness of the preceding sound.
• Used to refer to some grammatical forms.

Rules for using a soft sign

, регулирующие употребление ъ и ь знаков , стоит усвоить несколько правил: Studying the laws of the Russian language , regulating the use of symbols , it is worthwhile to learn several rules:

• A soft sign that performs a separating function is never placed after the prefix (this is the portion of the solid sign). Parts of the words in which the separator is written are the root, the suffix and the ending to e, e, w, i: monkey, interior . This rule applies to both Russian vocabulary and borrowed terms from other languages.
• Separating ь is put in some words before the combination of letters: champignon, medallion, broth and mélion.

In the case when ь informs of the softness of the preceding sound, and does not perform the separation function, its setting is determined by the following rules:

• In the middle of the word, ь indicates the softness of the letter n, if it precedes another consonant, except for: finger, plea . Also, the soft sign is not wedged into the letters: nh, nsch, nn, rsh, chk, chn, rch, schn ( drummer, candle ).
• In the middle of the word, this sign is placed between soft and firm consonants: a request, quite.
• In the middle of the word, you can stand between two soft consonants. Provided that when changing the form of the word the first remains soft, and the second - acquires firmness: the request - in the request, the letter - in the letter .
• In some cases, this symbol is located at the end of the word after the consonants. In doing so, it helps to establish the meaning of the lexeme: flax (plant) - laziness (quality of character), con (place for betting in the game) - horse (animal).

As a marker for individual grammatical forms, this sign is used in such cases:

• In the names of adjectives arising from the names of the months (except January): February, September.
• At the end of the numerals from 5 to 30, and also in their middle, if they denote tens of 50 to 80 and hundreds of 500 to 900: six, seventy, eight hundred.
• In the imperative mood of verbs (except lying down - lie ): pull out - take out, throw - throw.
• In the infinitive (the initial form of the verb): contain, grow.
• In all cases, the words "eight" and in the instrumental case are multiplied. The numbers of individual numerals and nouns: six, whips.

The use of ь and знаков signs after sizzling x, h, w, w

Following these letters of a soft sign is possible under these conditions:

• At the end of most adverbs and particles, except: already, already, unbearable, married and in the preposition between .
• In the infinitive: preserve, bake.
• In the imperative mood of verbs: namazh, comfort.
• In the endings of the II person of the verbs of the singular number of the future and present times: you will sell, you will spread.
• At the end of the nominative case of nouns. Kind, in the third decline: daughter, power. For comparison, in the genus, a cry, a sword.

In some cases, ь is not used after these letters:

• In nouns II declensions: the executioner, a model.
• In short forms of adjectives: fresh, burning.
• In the genitive plural nouns: puddles, clouds.

A solid sign after x, w, h, u, at the end of a word or root is not put, since its "place" is always after the prefix before e, e, w, i.

Use of ь and знаков signs: Exercises

Having become acquainted with all the cases of setting up soft and solid signs, it is worthwhile to proceed to exercises. In order not to be confused, we put together the majority of the above rules, regulating the use of ь and знаков signs. The table below will serve as a hint for performing tasks.

In this exercise, you must choose which letter to put in words.

This task concerns the use of a soft sign following the hissing letters. In it it is necessary to open brackets and where it is necessary to put a soft sign.

In the last exercise you need to write out the proposed words in 2 bars. In the first - those that are used with ь, in the second - those that are without it.

Despite the fact that both hard and soft signs are "mute" letters, they perform an important role in the Russian language. You can make many mistakes in your written speech, if you do not know the laws of grammar governing the use of symbols and b. The rule is not one to learn, not to be confused, which of the signs should be put in a particular situation. However, it is worth it, especially in the case of a soft sign, since often only its presence helps to determine the lexical meaning of the word.