Punctuation Flashcards
Introductory clauses typically require a comma.
Exceptions: (2)
1) When the introductory phrase is short and clear.
E.g., When in town we go shopping.
2) When an introductory phrase begins with a preposition.
E.g., Into the crystal ball she gazed.
What is an appositive?
The ending comma that encloses a nonessential clause.
When is descriptive detail considered essential?
When the subject cannot be identified without it.
E.g.
Essential: The boy who has a limp uses a cane.
Nonessential: Freddy, who has a limp, uses a cane.
When is description essential: If you have more than one of something, or if you have only one?
If you have more than one, the descriptive information indicating which one is essential and should not be set off by commas.
If you have only one and it has been sufficiently identified, additional description is nonessential and should be set off by commas.
E.g.
My brother Ben is visiting.
Vs
My oldest brother, Ben, is visiting.
Comma placement when writing a complete date, including the year.
Both between the day of the month and the year, and after the year.
E.g., December 25, 2022,
Exception: when a written date ends a sentence, simply end with a period.
Is a comma necessary between a month and a year.
No.
E.g., July 1776
Should the first word of a complete quotation be capitalized, even if it falls at mid-sentence?
Yes.
If a quotation is preceded by introductory words such as “that,” is the introductory comma still needed.
No.
Is a comma necessary to introduce titles of articles, chapters, or songs if they are in quotes?
No.
If a quoted question ends midsentence…
The question mark replaces the comma.
If a quoted exclamation ends mid-sentence…
The exclamation mark replaces the comma.
Do question and exclamation marks go inside or outside of the quotation marks?
Depends on logic.
If the quoted material is a question/exclamation, then the mark goes inside the quotation marks.
If the quote is not part of the question/exclamation, the mark goes outside of the quotation marks.
If a sentence poses a question about another speakers quoted question…
Use only one question mark and set it inside of the quotation marks.
Can a colon be used like a semicolon to join two independent clauses that complete the same thought?
Yes.
When a colon introduces a complete sentence, is the first word after the colon capitalized?
Depends on your stylebook.
AP: Yes
Chicago: Only if the information following the colon requires two or more sentences.
If a colon introduces a phrase or incomplete sentence, is the first word of that fragment capitalized?
Exception?
Not unless it is a proper noun.
Is the first word of a full-sentence quotation capitalized following a colon?
Yes.
What’s the best way to introduce a quotation that contains two or more sentences?
With a colon instead of a comma.
When a parenthetical sentence stands on its own, where does the closing punctuation mark belong.
Inside the parentheses.
When parenthetical content occurs at the end of a larger sentence, where should the closing punctuation mark for the sentence be placed?
Outside of the parenthesis.
E.g, After three weeks on set, the cast was fed up with his direction (or, rather, lack of direction).
When parenthetical content occurs in the middle of a larger sentence, where should the surrounding punctuation (commas, semicolons, etc.,) be placed?
Outside the parentheses, as if they were not there at all.
E.g., We verified his law degree (Yale, class of 2022), but his work history remains unconfirmed.
When a complete sentence occurs in parentheses in the middle of a larger sentence, does it get its own period? Should the sentence be capitalized?
What if it it is an interrogative or exclamatory sentence?
It should neither be capitalized nor end with a period; however, a question mark or exclamation mark is acceptable.
In what scenario would punctuation be required both inside and outside of the parentheses?
When parenthetical content located at the end of a larger sentence consists of a full sentence ending with a question or exclamation mark. (The period would remain outside the parentheses.
What is the correct way to demonstrate the possessive of a single noun ending in “s”?
E.g., bus
Depends on stylebook used.
AP: apostrophe + “s” to common nouns, but a single apostrophe to proper nouns ending in “s.”
E.g., class’s hours, Mr. Jones’ car
Chicago: apostrophe + “s” in all cases
E.g., The bass’s solo. Jesus’s disciples
If a word is spelled the same in both its plural and singular form (e.g., species) or if a plural word represents a singular entity (e.g., The United States), the possessive is demonstrated by…
An apostrophe alone.
How do you form the correct plural form of proper names ending in “s,” “ch,” or “z”?
Add “es.”
E.g., Hastings/Hastingses
Yes, it looks wrong. It’s not.
How do you form the plural possessive of proper names ending in “s,” “ch,” or “z”?
First form the plural by adding “es.”
Then, add the apostrophe.
E.g., Sanchez + es + apostrophe = Sanchezes’
How do you form the plural of a lowercase letter?
Add apostrophe + s
E.g., My a’s look like u’s.
How do you form the plural of a capital letter?
Varies by stylebook.
AP: Add apostrophe + “s.”
Chicago: Add “s.”
How do you form the plural of capital letter abbreviations?
E.g., MP, ABC
Just add “s” - No apostrophe.
E.g., MPs, ABCs
Does an apostrophe face left or right?
How do you type a true apostrophe?
Left.
Option + Shift + } (right bracket)
How do you pluralize numbers?
Just an “s” - No apostrophe!
E.g., 1920s, 737s, 20s
How do you form the plural of compound words like brother-in-law?
Pluralize the basic noun.
E.g., brothers-in-law
How do you form the plural possessive of compound nouns like “brother-in-law”?
First, form the plural by pluralizing the noun. Then, add apostrophe + “s.”
E.g., Brothers-in-law’s
If two people possess the same item, and both proper names are used, where do you put the apostrophe.
After the second name only.
E.g., Ella and Evie’s toys.
In cases of separate rather than joint possession of a single noun where both of the owners proper names are used, where do you put the apostrophe.
After both names.
E.g., Ella’s and Evie’s rooms.
