Punctuation Flashcards
What are the three types of end marks in English punctuation?
Periods (.), question marks (?), and exclamation points (!)
When should a declarative sentence end with a period?
When it makes a statement or conveys information
What type of sentence gives commands or requests?
Imperative sentence
What punctuation mark ends an exclamatory sentence?
An exclamation point (!)
What type of sentence always ends with a question mark
Interrogative sentence
What is the Oxford comma?
An optional comma placed before ‘and’ in a series of items
When writing a date, where should commas be placed?
Between the day and year, and after the year
When should multiple adjectives be separated by commas?
When they are equally describing the same noun
What are the coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS)?
for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so
Where should a comma be placed in a direct quotation?
Between the quote and the rest of the sentence
When is a semicolon stronger than a comma but weaker than an end mark?
When linking two closely related independent clauses
When should you NOT use a comma?
When connecting a complete thought with an incomplete thought, and when you have a sentence with one subject, and two actions
What punctuation is needed when one subject performs two actions?
No comma - just ‘and’ between the actions
What happens to a dependent clause that begins a sentence?
It must be followed by a comma
What words require both a semicolon and comma when connecting thoughts?
therefore, however, nevertheless, inasmuch as
How should you punctuate items in a series?
With commas between each item (Oxford comma optional before ‘and’)
How do you separate city and state?
With a comma (Boise, Idaho)
What punctuation is used for interrupting phrases?
Commas before and after the interrupting phrase
When can a semicolon replace a period?
When connecting two closely related independent clauses
How do you punctuate an introductory phrase?
With a comma to separate the introductory phrase.
How do you punctuate an introductory phrase?
With a comma after the introductory phrase
What type of clauses can stand alone as complete thoughts?
Independent clauses
When should you use a period instead of a comma between thoughts?
When the thoughts are complete and separate ideas
What is required when joining two complete thoughts with a comma?
A connecting word (conjunction)
What defines a subordinating conjunction?
It makes one idea dependent on another, creating an incomplete thought