Punctuation Flashcards
What are the 3 marks of TERMINAL PUNCTUATION
- PERIOD
- EXCLAMATION POINT
- QUESTION MARK
What are the three kinds of sentences you will find a period at the end of?
- Statements - This is a sentence
- Commands - Do your homework
- Implied Content - Who’s there? Sarah.
Name the 3 types of statements you’ll find an exclamation point at the end of.
- Emotionally intense statements
- Commands (that are stronger than period)
- Interjections
What kind of question requires a question mark?
a DIRECT QUESTION
Have the kids eaten yet?
When is a question mark NOT used?
for INDIRECT QUESTIONS–these are STATEMENTS not questions.
- I wonder if it will rain.*
- I asked if the kids had eaten*
What is INFLECTION?
the variation or change of form that words undergo to mark distinctions of case, gender, number, tense, person, mood, voice, comparison
When are periods used outside of terminal punctuation?
- Courtesy Titles: Mr. Dr. Ms. Pres.
- Initials: J. R. R Tolkein (note the spaces)
- Latin Terms: e.g. (not the lack of spaces)
and as a matter of style…
- Places - U.S.A
- Degrees - Ph.D.
- Acronyms - F.B.I.
What are the 7 most common uses for a comma?
- to signal a short pause in a sentence
- to clarify meaning
- to separate a list of items
- in dates and locations
- in Latin abbreviations
- with introductory phrases
- to set off dialogue tags
What is an Oxford/serial comma?
The comma preceding the coordinating conjunction and in a list of three or more items.
What is the argument for the serial comma?
The absence of the final comma can invite confusion by suggesting an unintended closeness/relationship.
- This book is dedicated to my parents, Ayn Rand and God.*
- “…encounters with Nelson Mandela, an 800-year-old demigod and a dildo collector”*
What is the difference between a restrictive vs nonrestrictive appositive in these sentences?
- My husband, Rob, is an English professor.*
- Her sister Susan has blue eyes.*
Place commas around nonrestrictive appositives–ie, those which a sentence can stand without.
One-of-a-kinds are nonrestrictive (commas)–there is only one husband
What is the number one test of whether a clause is restrictive or nonrestrictive?
Is the information necessary to the sentence?
Add commas where needed to the following sentences:
The house an old Victorian sold for a hundred dollars.
The house on the corner sold for a hundred dollars.
The answer of course is obvious. You therefore have figured it out.
The house, an old Victorian, sold for a hundred dollars.
The house on the corner sold for a hundred dollars.
The answer, of course, is obvious. You, therefore, have figured it out.
What are dialogue tags? When should commas appear?
Dialogue tags are used for DIRECT SPEECH, e.g.,
“No, probably not,” Dale said.
“Tell me,” I said, “why do you want to do that?”
what is the difference between a clause and a phrase?
a clause can stand on its own; it has a subject and verb
a phrase cannot stand on its own
What do ADVERBIAL PHRASES do?
they modify the verb (like an adverb)
- On Tuesday, I bought some pens.
- With baited breath, I awaited the conclusion.
How do participial phrases function in a sentence?
often as an ADJECTIVE
- Invented by Thomas Edison, the lightbulb had a huge impact on…
- Rushing ahead, Margot didn’t see the banana peel.
What is an ABSOLUTE PHRASE?
a NOUN + PARTICIPLE PHRASE (w optional modifiers and/or object) that modifies an entire sentence
Absolute phrases are set of by commas.
- Lip quivering, the child awaited the punishment.
- We devoured Aunt Barbara’s cake, our fingers scraping the leftover frosting from the plate.
How are commas used to separate clauses?
Commas are used to separate subordinate (dependant) clauses from the main (independant) clause…
…when the subordinate clause PRECEDES the independent clause.
So…
- Since the child came home, the parents have been more strict.*
but. .. - The parents have been more strict since the child came home.*
Name the 3 primary uses for a semi-colon.
- to provide a stronger break than a comma
- for clarity in a long series with internal commas
- to connect closely related main clauses when a period would imply too much of a pause.
What do COLONS do?
- introduce a list
- separate title and subtitle
- introduce a block quote
- introduce a SUMMARY STATEMENT (AKA a POINTING COLON)
Colons inroduce what kinds of statements?
Summary or explanatory statements.
She can’t pay the bills: she has no money.
A three-point ellipsis indicates…
- a pause or trailing off of speech
- material that has been omitted.
Order hyphens and dashes by size…
- hyphen
- en dash
- em dash
Hyphens are used for what part of speech?
compound adjectives.
- evidence-based practice*
- follow-up appointment*
What 2 instances call for an EN DASH?
- a number series: scores, time ranges, pp. 12-59
- joining compounds Middle School-High School Science Fair; Gay-Straight Alliance; New York-Based Artist
Identify 3 uses for the EM DASH.
- to signal an INTERRUPTION or an abrupt break in speech (“We cannot allow–” Then the phone went dead.”)
- to set off an appositive or parenthetical
- to signal an abrupt shift in thought or meaning
Name two uses for apostrophes
-
Posession
* The KING’S English* -
Omission
* I CAN’T stand it. The class of ‘89. Yes, ma’am.*
Use DOUBLE QUOTATION MARKS for:
- dialogue
- quoted material
- air quotes
- shorter works, such as articles, song titles …
Only use single quotation marks for:
quotes within quotes
What does a comma do?
It separates words, clauses, or phrases within a sentence.
Think of the comma as a:
soft pause
A comma should never…
separate subject from verb
Compound subject or objects are separated by a comma. True or false?
False. Do not separate two nouns that appear together as a subject or object.
Cleo and her band will be playing at Dockside Diner next Friday.
EXCEPTION: If the second item is parenthetical.
Compound predicates are separated by a comma. True or false?
False. Do not separate the verbs in a compound predicate with commas.
Cleo will sing and play banjo.
What is a compound predicate?
When the subject of a sentence is doing more than one thing, i.e., is the subject of multiple verbs.
Cleo will sing and play banjo.
What is the most common mistake when punctuating a compound predicate?
Use of a comma when the predicate is made up of a long verb phrase.
- INCORRECT: I meant to buy tickets for Cleo’s show, but ran out of time.
- CORRECT: I meant to buy tickets for Cleo’s show but ran out of time.
What is the exception for comma use in compound predicates?
when there’s a chance of a misreading.
Cleo spotted the man who entered the diner, and waved.
What is a COMMA SPLICE?
When two independent clauses are joined by a comma (and w/o a conjunction)
A comma is not strong enought to join two independent clauses.
What is required to join two independent clauses?
either a comma + conjunction or a semi-colon
Use comma after what kinds of introductory phrases?
-
Participial phrases
Grabbing her umbrella, Kate raced out of the house.
Confused by the lights, he staggered out of the house. -
Adverbial Phrases
After the ballgame, they went out to dinner.
Commas must follow introductory phrases except:
for adverbial phrases shorter than four words (this is optional)
What is an INTERRUPTER?
A little thought that pops up in a sentence to show emotion, tone, or emphasis.
It was, sadly, the last day of camp.
What is a parenthetical?
a PHRASE that ADDS extra information to a sentence but could be removed without changing the meaning of the sentence.
How do you punctuate question tags?
Use a comma before.
- You know what to do, don’t you?*
- You know what I mean, right?*
- I’m right, no?*
When addressing another person by name…
set off the name with a comma.
This is known as DIRECT ADDRESS.
- MOM, I can’t find my shoes.*
- Hello, Chester.*
What is an appositive?
A word or phrase that restates or refers to another noun in the same sentences.
Appositives often provide further information about the noun or help to distinguish it.
- My mother, ANGELA, is a wonderful cook.*
- Edgar Allen Poe’s poem The Raven is a classic.*
Appositives fall into two categories. Name and distinguish them.
- Essential/Restrictive – appositive cannot be removed w/o altering meaning of sentence – NO COMMAS
* Edgar Allen Poe’s poem The Raven is a classic.* - Nonessential/Nonrestrictive – you can remove the appositive w/o changing the meaning of the sentence – USE COMMAS
* My mother, Angela, is a wonderful cook.*
What is the exception to the comma rule in dates?
Month + year does not need a comma
July 2014
How do you tell if adjectives are coordinate?
Try switching the order of them: if the sentence still sounds natural, they are coordinate.
What are coordinate adjectives?
adjectives that modify a noun to an equal degree.
How do you punctuate coordinate adjectives?
separate them with a COMMA. Otherwise, do NOT use a comma.
- COORDINATING: That man is a pompous, arrogant, annoying idiot.
- NON-COORDINATING: The adorable little boy was eating ice cream.
What is a nonrestrictive clause?
A clause that adds information about something mentioned but does is not essential to identify that thing.
Posey’s Cafe, which Chester recommended, is a fantastic restaurant.
Are nonrestrictive clauses separated by commas?
yes
My wife, whom I love dearly, is a brilliant physicist.
Nonrestrictive clauses commonly begin with these two words …
which
who
What is a RESTRICtIVE CLAUSE?
A clause that adds essential information to a sentence.
The cafe that Chester recommended is an excellent restaurant.
Restrictive clauses are comonly introduced by which relative pronouns?
THAT
WHO
The cafe that Chester recommended is a fantastic restaurant
Restrictive clauses are set off by commas. True or false?
False.
The cafe that Chester recommends is a fantastic restaurant.
Use commas with correlative conjunctions. True or false?
FALSE.
You can wear a pashmina not only for the warmth but also for the fashion.
Do commas go before or after parentheses? Can you do w/o them entirely?
After. Yes.
After opening the cookie tin (and eating all the cookies), Chester phoned his mother.
Use a comma before AS WELL AS?
Not unless it’s part of a nonrestrictive clause.
- Correct: Please proofread for grammatical mistakes as well as spelling.
- Correct: Spelling mistakes, as well as grammatical errors, are distracting to readers.
Use a comma with SUCH AS?
Depends on whether it introduces a restrictive or nonrestrictive clause.
- Correct: Coniferous trees, SUCH AS pine or spruce, do not drop their needles…
- Correct: Trees SUCH AS pine and spruce do not drop their needles…
Use a comma before too?
Optional. It simply adds emphasis.
I like bananas too. I too like bananas.
I like bananas, too. I, too, like bananas.
What punctuation is used to connect two independent clauses linked by a conjunctive adverb?
a semi-colon
Punctuate this:
Heavy snow continues to fall at the airport consequently all flights have been grounded.
Heavy snow continues to fall at the airport; consequently, all flights have been grounded.
The 2 primary uses for SEMI-COLONS:
- the SERIAL SEMI-COLON (where a series has internal commas)
- to indicate THERE IS MORE TO COME. But unlike colons, which point forward, semi-colons reflect back
There are three official border crossings near Otay Mesa; one, for commercial vehicles, is inside the industrial zone.
Her previous home, painted with white walls, had come to seem as sterile as an Apple Store; skylights in the kitchen made the brightness almost oppressive.
What do semi-colons do?
They introduce clauses that REFINE what came before.
While colons point forward, semi-colons REFLECT BACK on the first half of the sentence.
”There are three official border crossings near Otay Mesa; one, for commercial vehicles, is inside the industrial zone.”
What is a conjunctive adverb? How is it punctuated?
Conjunctive adverbs are adverbs that connect two clauses by describing their relationship to one another.
Examples: however, also, consequently, thus, nevertheless, next
clauses are joined by a semi-colon; the conjunctive adverb is enclosed in a comma.
When a sentence begins with a clause and ends with a list use a…
colon
Use what mark of punctuation to introduce an explanatory or exemplifying clause?
for explanations, summaries, or examples use a COLON.
- Studholme’s personal aesthetic is more bohemian than that of most Farrow & Ball clients: at the presentation, she wore a linen caftan paired with Converse sneakers … [example]*
- Pre-made commercial paints emerged in the nineteenth century, but their manufacture was messy and noxious: lead, a principal ingredient, gave an excellent cover and finish, but it was also toxic. [explanation]*
When a sentence begins with a list and ends with a clause, use a…
em dash
Dishes, laundry, dusting—they’re all done now, and I need a rest.
Punctuate this:
Chocolate strawberry vanilla all ice cream tastes good, especially on a hot summer’s day
Chocolate, strawberry, vanilla—all ice cream tastes good, especially on a hot summer’s day.
Em dashes can also be used as a substitute for … , …, or similar expressions.
“it is” or “they are”
There was only one person suited to the job—Mr. Lee.
In this way they function like colons, but are not used for lists of multiple items, and are used less frequently in formal writing situations:
A word or phrase that can be placed anywhere in a sentence without causing confusion is known as a
FREE MODIFIER
How are free modifiers punctuated?
they are set off with commas
Nancy waved enthusiastically at the docking ship, laughing joyously.
When are commas used at the end of sentences?
for phrases or clauses that refer to the beginning or middle of a sentence. (These are known as free modifiers.)
Nancy waved enthusiastically at the docking ship, laughing joyously.
(If the placement of the modifier causes confusion, then it is not “free” and must remain “bound” to the word it modifies.)
Don’t think of commas as marking pauses; think of them as …
marking the thoughtful subordination of information -Mary Norris
How to distinguish between parenthesis and em dash?
Think of a light dimmer–the parenthesis dims the lights, while em dashes raise them.
Think of parenthenses as more of a whisper
Parentheses often act like
GIANT COMMAS
“Before Atwater died (of brain cancer, in 1991), he expressed regret … “
Name a function that the em dash and colon share.
They both introduce extra information–
i.e., introduce clauses that explain or expand upon something that precedes them.
What is the difference between the em dash and colon when introducing clauses that are
- parenthetical
- explanatory
- amplifying (expand upon)
- em dash is MORE DRAMATIC (more dashing!). It EMPHASIZES, calls more attention to itself.
- em dash is LESS FORMAL
What are the two primary marks of punctuation for PARENTHETICALS?
EM DASHES or PARENTHESES
em dashes turn up the volume on the parenthetical
- Standing before the crowd, she showed slides of houses that she’d worked on—Hayley Allman’s house was prominently featured.
Name the two general styles of punctuation.
- CLOSE punctuation
- OPEN punctuation
What are the three approaches to OPEN PUNCTUATION?
- AURAL — i.e., punctuating by ear ( “,” = 1-beat; “;” = 2-beat; “.” = 3 or 4-beat; ‘:’ = sharp accelerando [something important is coming])
- VISUAL
- *SYNTACTICAL — punctuating according to grammatical and syntactical units
The key to syntactical punctuation is the ability to identify grammatical units, in particular…
- independent clauses
- dependent clauses (restrictive and nonrestrictive)
- phrases
What are the first 3 principle uses of punctuation?
- to mark the end of sentences (terminal punctuation)
- to join independent and dependent clauses
- to set off phrases
Punctuate this:
if the project is approved traffic will increase by 20 percent perpetual gridlock
If the project is approved, traffic will increase by 20 percent. Perpetual gridlock.
Lesson: Sentence fragments are OK when used for special emphasis; use them sparingly, though.
Question marks are used for what kind of questions?
DIRECT QUESTIONS only
—Should the project by funded?
—The topic for debate was, Should the project by funded?
but not for
INDIRECT QUESTIONS
—The question is whether the project should be funded.
What is the proper terminal punctuation for indirect questions, requests phrased as questions, and one-word interrogatives?
a PERIOD
Punctuate
the question is whether the project will be funded
The question is whether the project will be funded.
Punctuate: would you please complete your report by friday
Would you please complete your report by Friday.
Punctuate: employees should not second guess company policy by asking why
Employees should not second guess company policy by asking why.
When is it acceptable to use a comma to join independent clauses?
- When they are connected by a coordinating conjunction
- In rare cases, when a sentence is comprised of three short independent clauses that share the same grammatical subject
(2) “He came, he saw, he conquered.”
Punctuate this:
read the instructions fill out the form and submit the completed form to the office
Read the instructions, fill out the form, and submit the completed form to the office.
Rule: Use commas to connect three short independent clauses that share the same grammatical subject.
Note: Because the implied subject of an imperative verb is always “you,” the above sentence shares a grammatical subject. [One often finds this in recipe writing!]
What two factors determine whether an introductory phrase requires a comma?
grammatical nature and length
When does an introductory phrase NOT require a comma?
When it is BOTH
- 2 or 3 words in length
- functions as an ADVERB (an adverbial phrase)—that is, indicates time, place, manner, or degree
unless
- it can be misread w/o a comma
Punctuate this
At noon the staff will meet discuss new software
At noon the staff will meet discuss new software.
No commas because sentence is introduced by a short adverbial phrase (indicating time).
Punctuate this
In this way one can solve most quadratic equations
In this way one can solve most quadratic equations.
No comma needed for short adverbial phrase (of manner) at beginning of the sentence.
Punctuate this
In all cases of typhus decreased by 43 percent between 1991 and 1995
In all, cases of typhus decreased by 43 percent between 1991 and 1995.
Adverbial introductory phrase (degree) should not get a colon so as to prevent a misreading of “In all cases” as a unity of thought.
Punctuate this and explain
Unfortunately the presentation was interrupted by a power outage
Unfortunately, the presentation was interrupted by a power outage.
Place a comma after SENTENCE ADVERBS
Punctuate and explain
Next the recipes are tested in professional kitchens
Next, the recipes are tested in professional kitchens.
TRANSITIONAL ADVERBS must be set off with commas.
Punctuate and explain
The snow (I caught a glimpse of it as I passed the window) was now falling heavily
The snow (I caught a glimpse of it as I passed the window) was now falling heavily.
Rule: Omit periods at the end of sentences within sentences.
Punctuate and explain
The binoculars _ where the devil did I put them?
The binoculars … where the devil did I put them?
Use ellipses for faltering speech accompanied by
- confusion
- uncertainty
- insecurity
- doubt
- distress
Punctuate and explain
The ship _ oh my God _ it’s sinking _ cried Henrietta
“The ship … oh my God! … it’s sinking!” cried Henrietta
Use ellipses for faltering speech accompanied by
- confusion
- uncertainty
- insecurity
- doubt
- distress
The em dash, by contrast, suggests decisiveness.
(a) Lamon gained access to Pinkerton’s February 23, 1861, report.
(b) Lamon gained access to Pinkerton’s February 23, 1861 report.
(b) Lamon gained access to Pinkerton’s February 23, 1861 report.
Rule: Omit the comma after the year if you’re using the date as an adjective.
Punctuate this:
you begin to ask the question why is it that people have to pay water bills in a world that is two-thirds water
You begin to ask the question, Why is it that people have to pay water bills in a world that is two-thirds water?
Rule: Use a comma before a direct question contained within another sentence.
Punctuate this:
we can pose the question where did these attitudes and behavior originate
We can pose the question, Where did these attitudes and behavior originate?
Punctuate this:
we can pose the question where did these attitudes and behavior originate
We can pose the question, Where did these attitudes and behavior originate?
Rule: Use a comma before a direct question contained within another question.
Not wanting to make a scene, she released, grudgingly, her hold on the necklace
Not wanting to make a scene, she grudgingly released her hold on the necklace.
Rule: Don’t use a comma between a verb and its object, except to set off a nonrestrictive phrase or clause.
Just before he hit, at full speed, the rough stone wall of the pool, the All-American freestyler tucked his chin, swung his legs over his head, and flipped over.
Not this: Just before he hit, [at full speed], the rough stone wall of the pool, the All-American freestyler tucked his chin, swung his legs over his head, and flipped over.
But this: Just before he hit the rough stone wall of the pool [at full speed], the All-American freestyler tucked his chin, swung his legs over his head, and flipped over.
Rule: Don’t use a comma between a verb and its object, except to set off a nonrestrictive phrase or clause.
Waving her rolling pin angrily, the baker chased the young boys down the alley, screaming at them to, “get lost.”
Not this: Waving her rolling pin angrily, the baker chased the young boys down the alley, screaming at them to, “get lost.”
But this: Waving her rolling pin angrily, the baker chased the young boys down the alley, screaming at them to “get lost.”
Rule: Don’t use a comma to set off a quotation that blends into the rest of the sentence.
This: He hated sitting in the armchairs, but felt much more at ease in the kitchen chairs.
Or this: He hated sitting in the armchairs but felt much more at ease in the kitchen chairs.
He hated sitting in the armchairs but felt much more at ease in the kitchen chairs.
Rule: Don’t use a comma in the second part of a compound predicate–that is, when a second verb has the same subject as an earlier one.
But, too often, the people who talk this way go on to churn out the ancient formulas we have been listening to for a whole lifetime.
BUT [no comma] TOO OFTEN, the people who talk this way go on to churn out the ancient formulas we have been listening to for a whole lifetime.
Rule: Generally, don’t use a comma after a sentence-starting conjunction.
we were elated but realizing that the day was almost over we decided to go to bed
We were elated, but realizing that the day was almost over, we decided to go to bed.
Rule (Chicago 6.32): If the conjunction joins two independent clauses, the comma precedes the conjunction.
Strictly speaking, it would not be wrong to add a second comma after but. Such usage, which would extend the logic of commas in pairs, may be preferred in certain cases for emphasis or clarity.
Quotations may be treated in one of two ways. What are they?
- Run-in – run into the text; reserved for shorter quotations
- Set-off – as “extracts” (block quotations); reserved for longer quotations
What steps must be taken to change a run-in quotation to an extract?
- mark beginning and end of extract
- delete quotation marks (extracts do not have quotation marks!)
- typecode the block to indicate it is an extract
- change any single quotation marks to double quotation marks
Heraclitus wrote nothing endures but change
Heraclitus wrote, “Nothing endures but change.”
Rule: Run-in quotations may be introduced by a comma or a colon.
The choice reflects
- the syntax of the introductory phrase
- the length of the quotation
- the degree of formality
How to punctuate a quotation that extends over a paragraph break?
Use an opening double quotation mark at the beginning of each paragraph and a closing double quotation mark at the end of the last paragraph in the quotation.
In devising their classification scheme, Potrero and Sanchez wanted to ensure that it “accounts for patterns of intraspecific genetic variation measured by DNA analysis studies.”
In devising their classification scheme, Potrero and Sanchez wanted to ensure that it would account for “patterns of intraspecific…”
- Revise to fix the tense shift of original
- Move the quotation marks so as not to fracture the phrasing of the sentence or quotation; ie don’t break up “acount for”
In Emerson’s words A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.
In Emerson’s words, “A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.”
Rule: The syntax of a sentence as a whole determines the punctuation immediately preceding and following a quotation.
Emerson argues that a foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds
Emerson argues that “a foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.”
Rule: Syntactical fit: The syntax of a sentence as a whole determines the punctuation immediately preceding and following a quotation.
No said Mr Stephens certainly not
“No,” said Mr. Stephens, “certainly not.”
Rule: When quoted speech is introduced, interrupted, or followed by a reporting verb such as said, shouted, etc., the interpolation is usually separated from the speech by commas. (Fowler)
Rather than mince words she told them you have forced this move upon me.
Rather than mince words she told them: “You have forced this move upon me.”
Rule (Fowler): Use a COLON to introduce
- more formal speech
- speeches of more than one sentence
He called Good morning!
He called “Good morning!”
Rule: Very short speeches do not need introductory punctuation.
The governor said no to our proposal.
The governor said no to our proposal.
Rule:
- Very short speeches do not need introductory punctuation
- Do not enclose the words yes or no or question words such as where and why in quotation marks when they represent REPORTED SPEECH or tacit PARAPHRASING.
He said yes, but she retorted no.
He said “Yes!”, but she retorted “No!”
RULE:
- Very short speeches do not need introductory punctuation
- The words yes and no and question words such as where and why are enclosed in quotation marks where they represent DIRECT SPEECH, but not when they represent reported speech or tacit paraphrasing.
Add terminal punctuation:
The terse instructions (“Place tab A into slot B Secure tab A”) were not helpful
The terse instructions (“Place tab A into slot B. Secure tab A”) were not helpful.
Rule (Einsohn):
Occasionally, a tuck-in parenthetical comment consists of two sentences. In that case, the first sentence carries a terminal punctuation mark, but the second does not:
Add terminal punctuation to
Who can forget his “Who doesn’t like Nascar” remark
Who can forget his “Who doesn’t like Nascar?” remark?
RULE (Einsohn):
At the end of a quotation, the terminal punctuation mark is placed inside the closing quotation mark.
Punctuate this:
The topic for debate was should this program be funded
The topic for debate was, Should this program be funded?
Rule:
- A question mark indicates that the sentence is a DIRECT QUESTION
- The first letter of a formal question is CAPITALIZED.
- But brief, informal questions are CAPITALIZED only when presented as dialogue
He asked himself, “Why not?”
He asked himself, why not?
Punctuate as (1) dialogue, and (2) a direct question.
He asked himself why not
- He asked himself, “Why not?” (dialogue)
- He asked himself, why not?
- The first letter of a formal question is capitalized, BUT the first letter of BRIEF INFORMAL QUESTIONS (1) are lower case except when presented as DIALOGUE (2).
- In other words, use lower case for the first letter of BRIEF INFORMAL QUESTIONS–unless they are presented as dialogue.
Add terminal punctuation:
Last year popular fiction accounted for half of all books purchased (business and self-help book were the second largest category)
Last year popular fiction accounted for half of all books purchased (business and self-help book were the second largest category).
Rule: When a parenthetical sentence is tucked inside another sentence, the parenthetical sentence does not take a terminal punctuation mark.
Add terminal punctuation:
Was it Jones who concluded that “the manufacturing schedule is entirely unrealistic”
Was it Jones who concluded that “the manufacturing schedule is entirely unrealistic”?
RULE: A question mark or exclamation point that is added as an editorial comment is placed outside the closing quotation mark.
The prospectus states that, “historical returns are not indicative of future performance.”
The prospectus states that “historical returns are not indicative of future performance.”
RULE (Einsohn):
Do not use a comma after a that that precedes a quotation.
The group’s motto is, “All for one, one for all.”
The group’s motto is “All for one, one for all.”
RULE: Do not use a comma before a quotation that is a direct object of a verb.
The Labor Party won 125 seats the Freedom Party 58 and the Dignity Party 56
The Labor Party won 125 seats; the Freedom Party, 58; and the Dignity Party, 56.
Rule (A.E.): Semi-colons are used to mark off the segments of a complex elliptical phrase.
I went to the movie, “Midnight in Paris” with my friend, Jessie.
Neither comma belongs. Instead…
I went to the movie “Midnight in Paris with my friend Jessie.
Rule: Do not use a comma to separate a definite generic noun (“the movie”) from the name identifying its referent. [Pinker p290]
She said “I don’t want to go.”
She said, “I don’t want to go.”
RULE: Use a comma before DIRECT QUOTATIONS. [Pinker P291]
She said, that she didn’t want to go.
She said that she didn’t want to go.
Do not use a comma to introduce an INDIRECT QUOTATION. [Pinker p291]
Punctuate as a direct quote:
Garnett replied I hope you are not referring to me. Because if you are…
Garnett replied: “I hope you are not referring to me. Because if you are…”
Rule (CMOS 13.16):
Use a colon in place of a comma to introduce quotations of more than one sentence or, occassionally, to add emphasis.
Punctuate this…
Friday’s conclusion was alarming without significant intervention, your home town will have gone the way of Atlantis by century’s end
Friday’s conclusion was alarming: “Without significant intervention, your home town will have gone the way of Atlantis by century’s end.”
Rule (CMOS 13.16):
When a quotation is introduced by an independent clause (i.e., a grammatically complete sentence), a colon should be used.
A second danger some novice copyeditors misinterpret the recommendations in The Elements of Style
A second danger: some novice copyeditors misinterpret the recommendations in The Elements of Style.
Rule: Use a COLON after a work, phrase, or sentence to introduce something that follows, such as a formal question or quotation, an amplification, or an example. (WIT, p. 180)
“A second danger” here functions as an introductory label.
It was Thorough who wrote[,] “One generationabandons the enterprises of another like stranded vessels.”
…wrote<comma> "One..."</comma>
An independent clause quoted in the form of a dialogue or from text and
introduced with said, wrote, asked, replied…
is usually introduced w/ a COMMA
–CMOS 6.40
