14 : colon |
18 : colon |
15 ; semi colon |
19 ; semi colon |
16 ? question mark |
20 ? question mark |
17 ... ellipsis |
21 ... ellipsis |
18 |
22 |
19 * General rules. |
23 General rules. |
|
24 ============== |
20 |
25 |
21 * Put end-of-sentence punctuation inside quotation marks. |
26 * Put end-of-sentence punctuation inside quotation marks. |
22 * Put commas and other sentence punctuation outside of parentheses. |
27 * Put commas and other sentence punctuation outside of parentheses. |
23 * Put a comma (plus a space) before and, but, or, and nor when they join two |
28 * Put a comma (plus a space) before and, but, or, and nor when they |
24 sentences. |
29 join two sentences. |
25 * The semicolon (;) is not used widely in English and probably should be |
30 * The semicolon (;) is not used widely in English and probably should |
26 avoided by non-native writers. |
31 be avoided by non-native writers. |
27 * Names of newspapers, books, movies, ships, magazines, journals, and poems |
32 * Names of newspapers, books, movies, ships, magazines, journals, and |
28 are usually italicized or underlined. |
33 poems are usually italicized or underlined. |
29 |
34 |
30 ** Capital letter. |
35 Capital letter. |
31 |
36 =============== |
32 1 A capital is used for the first letter of a new sentence, of quoted speech |
37 |
33 or proper nouns. |
38 1. A capital is used for the first letter of a new sentence, of quoted |
34 2 The first letter of a sentence does not need to be capitalized if it is |
39 speech or proper nouns. |
35 included in parenthesis within another sentence. |
40 2. The first letter of a sentence does not need to be capitalized if it |
36 3 A capital letter is always used for the first person singular subjective |
41 is included in parenthesis within another sentence. |
37 personal pronoun I. |
42 3. A capital letter is always used for the first person singular |
38 4 A capital is used for the first letter of key words in headings and titles. |
43 subjective personal pronoun I. |
39 If such titles are hyphenated then both components are given capitalized |
44 4. A capital is used for the first letter of key words in headings and |
40 first letters. |
45 titles. If such titles are hyphenated then both components are given |
41 5 A capital is used for the first letter of key words in historical events. |
46 capitalized first letters. |
42 6 A capital is used for the first letter of religions and many other |
47 5. A capital is used for the first letter of key words in historical |
43 religious words. |
48 events. |
44 7 A capital is used for the first letter of names of months and days of the |
49 6. A capital is used for the first letter of religions and many other |
45 week, but not of seasons. |
50 religious words. |
46 8 Holidays should also be capitalized. |
51 7. A capital is used for the first letter of names of months and days of |
47 |
52 the week, but not of seasons. |
48 Example: |
53 8. Holidays should also be capitalized. |
|
54 |
|
55 Examples:: |
49 |
56 |
50 [3] My boss and I agreed that I should make up for the time I had lost. |
57 [3] My boss and I agreed that I should make up for the time I had lost. |
51 [4] The Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries |
58 [4] The Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries |
52 [4] The Centers for Disease Control |
59 [4] The Centers for Disease Control |
53 [4] Vice-President Dick Cheney |
60 [4] Vice-President Dick Cheney |
68 |
76 |
69 Some old rules: |
77 Some old rules: |
70 |
78 |
71 * Put two spaces after colons and between sentences. |
79 * Put two spaces after colons and between sentences. |
72 |
80 |
73 |
81 Exclamation mark, '!'. |
74 * Exclamation mark, '!'. |
82 ====================== |
75 |
83 |
76 * Exclamation marks act as a full stop. |
84 * Exclamation marks act as a full stop. |
77 * An exclamation mark is most often used to show shock, surprise, horror or |
85 * An exclamation mark is most often used to show shock, surprise, |
78 pleasure. |
86 horror or pleasure. |
79 * No space is needed before an exclamation mark, at least one space after one |
87 * No space is needed before an exclamation mark, at least one space |
80 (two spaces for purists). |
88 after one (two spaces for purists). |
81 |
89 |
82 Example: |
90 Examples:: |
83 |
91 |
84 Oh! Wow! Brilliant! |
92 Oh! Wow! Brilliant! |
85 It was shocking! |
93 It was shocking! |
86 |
94 |
87 * Apostrophe, "'". |
95 Apostrophe, "'". |
|
96 ================ |
88 |
97 |
89 * Apostrophes next to the letter ('s) indicate possession or belonging. |
98 * Apostrophes next to the letter ('s) indicate possession or belonging. |
90 * They are also used to show missing letters in shortened words, especially in |
99 * They are also used to show missing letters in shortened words, especially in |
91 informal writing. |
100 informal writing. |
92 * No space is needed before or after the apostrophe. |
101 * No space is needed before or after the apostrophe. |
93 |
102 |
94 Example: |
103 Examples:: |
95 |
104 |
96 This is Lynne's web site. |
105 This is Lynne's web site. |
97 It's a nice day today, isn't it? I've got an idea. Let's go out. |
106 It's a nice day today, isn't it? I've got an idea. Let's go out. |
98 |
107 |
99 * Comma, ','. |
108 Comma, ','. |
100 |
109 =========== |
101 1 Separate items in long lists. |
110 |
102 2 Commas point out brief pauses in a complex sentence or a long prepositional |
111 1. Separate items in long lists. |
103 phrase. |
112 2. Commas point out brief pauses in a complex sentence or a long |
104 3 Comma is included before the conjunction 'and' which comes |
113 prepositional phrase. |
105 before the final element of a list (for purists). |
114 3. Comma is included before the conjunction 'and' which comes before |
106 4 Introduce a direct quote. |
115 the final element of a list (for purists). |
107 5 Separate appositives (a noun, or noun phrase) or non-defining relative |
116 4. Introduce a direct quote. |
108 clauses. |
117 5. Separate appositives (a noun, or noun phrase) or non-defining |
109 6 Use a comma if your subject has two or more adjectives describing it. |
118 relative clauses. |
110 * You do not put a space before a comma, but you do need a space after one. |
119 6. Use a comma if your subject has two or more adjectives describing |
111 ? We don't usually put a comma before the word 'and'. |
120 it. |
112 |
121 7. You do not put a space before a comma, but you do need a space after |
113 Example: |
122 one. |
|
123 8. We don't usually put a comma before the word 'and'. |
|
124 |
|
125 Examples:: |
114 |
126 |
115 [1] There were a lot of people in the room, teachers, students and parents. |
127 [1] There were a lot of people in the room, teachers, students and parents. |
116 [2] The teachers were sitting, the students were listening and the parents |
128 [2] The teachers were sitting, the students were listening and the parents |
117 were just worrying. |
129 were just worrying. |
118 [2] Although he wanted to come, he wasn't able to attend the course. |
130 [2] Although he wanted to come, he wasn't able to attend the course. |
119 [3] I like reading, listening to music, and visiting with my friends. |
131 [3] I like reading, listening to music, and visiting with my friends. |
120 [4] The boy said, "My father is often away during the week on business trips." |
132 [4] The boy said, "My father is often away during the week on business trips." |
121 [4] His doctor replied, "If you don't stop smoking, you run the risk of a |
133 [4] His doctor replied, "If you don't stop smoking, you run the risk of a |
122 heart attack." |
134 heart attack." |
123 [5] Bill Gates, the richest man in the world, comes from Seattle. |
135 [5] Bill Gates, the richest man in the world, comes from Seattle. |
124 [5] My only sister, who is a fantastic tennis player, is in great shape. |
136 [5] My only sister, who is a fantastic tennis player, is in great shape. |
125 [6] The powerful, resonating sound caught our attention. |
137 [6] The powerful, resonating sound caught our attention. |
126 |
138 |
127 * Colon, ':'. |
139 Colon, ':'. |
128 |
140 =========== |
129 1 Colons precede a list, an explanation or an example. |
141 |
130 2 The colon is used to separate two main clauses where the first is an |
142 1. Colons precede a list, an explanation or an example. |
131 introduction to the second. |
143 2. The colon is used to separate two main clauses where the first is an |
132 3 To introduce a direct quote (a comma can also be used in this situation). |
144 introduction to the second. |
133 * You do not put a space before a colon, but you do need a space after one. |
145 3. To introduce a direct quote (a comma can also be used in this |
134 |
146 situation). |
135 Example: |
147 4. You do not put a space before a colon, but you do need a space after |
|
148 one. |
|
149 |
|
150 Examples:: |
136 |
151 |
137 [1] There are two main shopping areas in Nottingham: Broadmarsh Centre and |
152 [1] There are two main shopping areas in Nottingham: Broadmarsh Centre and |
138 Victoria Centre. |
153 Victoria Centre. |
139 [2] The pilot had an awful realization: he had forgotten to turn off the gas |
154 [2] The pilot had an awful realization: he had forgotten to turn off the gas |
140 at breakfast time. |
155 at breakfast time. |
141 [3] He announced to his friends: "I'm getting married!" |
156 [3] He announced to his friends: "I'm getting married!" |
142 |
157 |
143 * Full stop (period), '.'. |
158 Full stop (period), '.'. |
144 |
159 ======================== |
145 1 Full stops (periods in the USA) go at the end of sentences that are |
160 |
146 statements. |
161 1. Full stops (periods in the USA) go at the end of sentences that are |
147 2 They are also used to mark abbreviations. If such an abbreviation occurs at |
162 statements. |
148 the very end of a sentence, the final dot is not usually written twice. |
163 2. They are also used to mark abbreviations. If such an abbreviation |
149 * You do not put a space before a full stop, but you do need at least one |
164 occurs at the very end of a sentence, the final dot is not usually |
150 space after one (two spaces for purists). |
165 written twice. |
151 |
166 * You do not put a space before a full stop, but you do need at least |
152 Example: |
167 one space after one (two spaces for purists). |
|
168 |
|
169 Examples:: |
153 |
170 |
154 [1] My name is Lynn. I am a teacher. |
171 [1] My name is Lynn. I am a teacher. |
155 [2] An overhead projector is often referred to as an O.H.P. |
172 [2] An overhead projector is often referred to as an O.H.P. |
156 |
173 |
157 * Hyphen, '-'. |
174 Hyphen, '-'. |
|
175 ============ |
158 |
176 |
159 * Hyphens are used to connect words or syllables, or to divide words into |
177 * Hyphens are used to connect words or syllables, or to divide words into |
160 parts. |
178 parts. |
161 * You don't use a space on either side of a hyphen. |
179 * You don't use a space on either side of a hyphen. |
162 |
180 |
163 Example: |
181 Examples:: |
164 |
182 |
165 There were ninety-nine red balloons. |
183 There were ninety-nine red balloons. |
166 |
184 |
167 * Question mark, '?'. |
185 Question mark, '?'. |
168 |
186 =================== |
169 1 Question marks go at the end of sentences that are questions. |
187 |
170 2 You need a question mark at the end of tag questions. |
188 1. Question marks go at the end of sentences that are questions. |
|
189 2. You need a question mark at the end of tag questions. |
171 * For quotes within quotes, use single quotes. |
190 * For quotes within quotes, use single quotes. |
172 * You do not put a space before a question mark, but you do need at least one |
191 * You do not put a space before a question mark, but you do need at |
173 space after one (two spaces for purists). |
192 least one space after one (two spaces for purists). |
174 |
193 |
175 For example: |
194 Examples:: |
176 |
195 |
177 [1] Is my name Lynn? Of course it is. |
196 [1] Is my name Lynn? Of course it is. |
178 [2] It's a nice day, isn't it? |
197 [2] It's a nice day, isn't it? |
179 |
198 |
180 * Semicolon, ';'. |
199 Semicolon, ';'. |
181 |
200 =============== |
182 1 Semicolons are used to separate two sentences that would otherwise be |
201 |
183 joined with a word such as 'and', 'because', 'since', 'unless' or 'while'. |
202 1. Semicolons are used to separate two sentences that would otherwise |
184 2 To separate groups of words that are themselves separated by commas. |
203 be joined with a word such as 'and', 'because', 'since', 'unless' or |
185 * You do not put a space before a semicolon, but you do need a space after one. |
204 'while'. 2 To separate groups of words that are themselves separated |
186 |
205 by commas. |
187 Example: |
206 * You do not put a space before a semicolon, but you do need a space |
|
207 after one. |
|
208 |
|
209 Examples:: |
188 |
210 |
189 [1] I'm looking forward to our next lesson; I'm sure it will be a lot of fun. |
211 [1] I'm looking forward to our next lesson; I'm sure it will be a lot of fun. |
190 [2] They plan to study German, for their travels; chemistry, for their work; |
212 [2] They plan to study German, for their travels; chemistry, for their work; |
191 and literature, for their own enjoyment. |
213 and literature, for their own enjoyment. |
192 |
214 |
193 |
215 Quotation mark (speech mark), '""', "''". |
194 * Quotation mark (speech mark), '""', "''". |
216 ========================================= |
195 |
217 |
196 Double quotes '""', single quotes "''". |
218 Double quotes '""', single quotes "''". |
197 |
219 |
198 * Quotation marks (single or double) are used to show words that are directly |
220 * Quotation marks (single or double) are used to show words that are |
199 spoken (direct speech). |
221 directly spoken (direct speech). |
200 * Only the words actually being quoted are enclosed by speech marks. |
222 * Only the words actually being quoted are enclosed by speech marks. |
201 * You need a space before the opening speech mark, but no space after it, and |
223 * You need a space before the opening speech mark, but no space after |
202 a space after the closing one, but no space before it. |
224 it, and a space after the closing one, but no space before it. |
203 * Another general rule is to use a comma after the introduction to quoted |
225 * Another general rule is to use a comma after the introduction to |
204 speech or writing. |
226 quoted speech or writing. |
205 * Sometimes when writing a spoken sentence it is split in two. The speech |
227 * Sometimes when writing a spoken sentence it is split in two. The |
206 marks must then be placed at the beginning and end of each part of the |
228 speech marks must then be placed at the beginning and end of each |
207 sentence. Commas are used to separate the spoken part from the rest of the |
229 part of the sentence. Commas are used to separate the spoken part |
208 sentence. |
230 from the rest of the sentence. |
209 * If you need a question mark or exclamation mark the markers that punctuate |
231 * If you need a question mark or exclamation mark the markers that |
210 the quoted words are enclosed by the speech marks. |
232 punctuate the quoted words are enclosed by the speech marks. |
211 |
233 |
212 Example: |
234 Examples:: |
213 |
235 |
214 "Could everyone sit down please," said the teacher. |
236 "Could everyone sit down please," said the teacher. |
215 Jaime said, "I love you." |
237 Jaime said, "I love you." |
216 "I wonder," she said quietly, "whether people will ever truly understand each other." |
238 "I wonder," she said quietly, "whether people will ever truly understand each other." |
217 "I don't understand," replied Nathan. "Do you understand?" asked Nathan. "I don't understand!" shouted Nathan. |
239 "I don't understand," replied Nathan. |
218 Nathan replied, "I don't understand." Nathan asked, "Do you understand?" Nathan shouted, "I don't understand!" |
240 "Do you understand?" asked Nathan. |
|
241 "I don't understand!" shouted Nathan. |
|
242 Nathan replied, "I don't understand." |
|
243 Nathan asked, "Do you understand?" |
|
244 Nathan shouted, "I don't understand!" |
219 He wrote in 1946 that, "The key word in digital computer is 'digital'." |
245 He wrote in 1946 that, "The key word in digital computer is 'digital'." |
220 |
246 |
221 * Ellipsis, '...'. |
247 Ellipsis, '...'. |
222 |
248 ================ |
223 1 Ellipsis used to show that something has been omitted, indicate missing |
249 |
224 words in an incomplete quotation. |
250 1. Ellipsis used to show that something has been omitted, indicate |
225 |
251 missing words in an incomplete quotation. |
226 Example: |
252 |
|
253 Examples:: |
227 |
254 |
228 [1] Chomsky suggested that, "Language is a system that...can be described in |
255 [1] Chomsky suggested that, "Language is a system that...can be described in |
229 an algebraic notation." |
256 an algebraic notation." |
230 |
257 |
231 * Dash, '-', '--'. |
258 Dash, '-', '--'. |
232 |
259 ================ |
233 1 The dash should be used when making a brief interruption within a |
260 |
234 statement, a sudden change of thought, an additional comment, or a dramatic |
261 1. The dash should be used when making a brief interruption within a |
235 qualification. |
262 statement, a sudden change of thought, an additional comment, or a |
236 |
263 dramatic qualification. |
237 * Parentheses '()'. |
264 |
238 |
265 Parentheses '()'. |
239 1 Use parentheses to clarify, to place an afterthought, or to add a personal |
266 ================= |
240 comment. Be sure to include the period after the closing parenthesis. |
267 |
241 |
268 1. Use parentheses to clarify, to place an afterthought, or to add a |
242 Example: |
269 personal comment. Be sure to include the period after the closing |
|
270 parenthesis. |
|
271 |
|
272 Examples:: |
243 |
273 |
244 [1] Steve Case (AOL's former CEO) resigned from the Time-Warner board of |
274 [1] Steve Case (AOL's former CEO) resigned from the Time-Warner board of |
245 directors in 2005. |
275 directors in 2005. |
246 [1] You will need a flashlight for the camping trip (don't forget the |
276 [1] You will need a flashlight for the camping trip (don't forget the |
247 batteries!). |
277 batteries!). |
248 [1] Most grammarians believe that parentheses and commas are always |
278 [1] Most grammarians believe that parentheses and commas are always |
249 interchangeable (I disagree). |
279 interchangeable (I disagree). |
250 |
280 |
251 * Brackets '[]'. |
281 Brackets '[]'. |
252 |
282 ============== |
253 1 Use brackets to signify an editor's note in a regular piece of writing. You |
283 |
254 can also use brackets to clarify or to revise a direct quote so that it |
284 1. Use brackets to signify an editor's note in a regular piece of |
255 appeals to your own writing. |
285 writing. You can also use brackets to clarify or to revise a direct |
256 2 The first brackets are rounded, and brackets inside brackets are squared. |
286 quote so that it appeals to your own writing. |
257 |
287 2. The first brackets are rounded, and brackets inside brackets are |
258 Example: |
288 squared. |
|
289 |
|
290 Examples:: |
259 |
291 |
260 [1] "[The blast] was absolutely devastating," said Susan Smith. |
292 [1] "[The blast] was absolutely devastating," said Susan Smith. |
261 |
293 |
262 * Slash '/'. |
294 Slash '/'. |
263 |
295 ========== |
264 1 Use the slash to separate "and" and "or", when appropriate. |
296 |
265 2 The slash can replace the word "and" to join two nouns. |
297 1. Use the slash to separate "and" and "or", when appropriate. |
266 3 The slash is used when quoting lyrics and poetry to denote a line break. Be |
298 2. The slash can replace the word "and" to join two nouns. |
267 sure to add spaces between your slashes here. |
299 3. The slash is used when quoting lyrics and poetry to denote a line |
268 |
300 break. Be sure to add spaces between your slashes here. |
269 Example: |
301 |
|
302 Examples:: |
270 |
303 |
271 [1] To register, you will need your driver's license and/or your birth |
304 [1] To register, you will need your driver's license and/or your birth |
272 certificate." |
305 certificate." |
273 [2] The student/part-time employee has very little free time. |
306 [2] The student/part-time employee has very little free time. |
274 [3] "Row, row, row your boat / gently down the stream / life is but a dream." |
307 [3] "Row, row, row your boat / gently down the stream / life is but a dream." |
275 |
308 |