english-punctuation.rst
changeset 266 b186113f9492
parent 265 f8bc3e208c16
equal deleted inserted replaced
265:f8bc3e208c16 266:b186113f9492
   125   [6] The powerful, resonating sound caught our attention.
   125   [6] The powerful, resonating sound caught our attention.
   126 
   126 
   127 * Colon, ':'.
   127 * Colon, ':'.
   128 
   128 
   129  1 Colons precede a list, an explanation or an example.
   129  1 Colons precede a list, an explanation or an example.
   130  2 To introduce a direct quote (a comma can also be used in this situation).
   130  2 The colon is used to separate two main clauses where the first is an
       
   131  introduction to the second.
       
   132  3 To introduce a direct quote (a comma can also be used in this situation).
   131  * You do not put a space before a colon, but you do need a space after one.
   133  * You do not put a space before a colon, but you do need a space after one.
   132 
   134 
   133 Example:
   135 Example:
   134 
   136 
   135   [1] There are two main shopping areas in Nottingham: Broadmarsh Centre and
   137   [1] There are two main shopping areas in Nottingham: Broadmarsh Centre and
   136   Victoria Centre.
   138   Victoria Centre.
   137   [2] He announced to his friends: "I'm getting married!"
   139   [2] The pilot had an awful realization: he had forgotten to turn off the gas
       
   140   at breakfast time.
       
   141   [3] He announced to his friends: "I'm getting married!"
   138 
   142 
   139 * Full stop (period), '.'.
   143 * Full stop (period), '.'.
   140 
   144 
   141  * Full stops (periods in the USA) go at the end of sentences that are
   145  1 Full stops (periods in the USA) go at the end of sentences that are
   142    statements.
   146    statements.
       
   147  2 They are also used to mark abbreviations. If such an abbreviation occurs at
       
   148    the very end of a sentence, the final dot is not usually written twice.
   143  * You do not put a space before a full stop, but you do need at least one
   149  * You do not put a space before a full stop, but you do need at least one
   144    space after one (two spaces for purists).
   150    space after one (two spaces for purists).
   145 
   151 
   146 Example:
   152 Example:
   147 
   153 
   148   My name is Lynn. I am a teacher.
   154   [1] My name is Lynn. I am a teacher.
       
   155   [2] An overhead projector is often referred to as an O.H.P.
   149 
   156 
   150 * Hyphen, '-'.
   157 * Hyphen, '-'.
   151 
   158 
   152  * Hyphens are used to connect words or syllables, or to divide words into
   159  * Hyphens are used to connect words or syllables, or to divide words into
   153    parts.
   160    parts.
   211   Nathan replied, "I don't understand."    Nathan asked, "Do you understand?"   Nathan shouted, "I don't understand!"
   218   Nathan replied, "I don't understand."    Nathan asked, "Do you understand?"   Nathan shouted, "I don't understand!"
   212   He wrote in 1946 that, "The key word in digital computer is 'digital'."
   219   He wrote in 1946 that, "The key word in digital computer is 'digital'."
   213 
   220 
   214 * Ellipsis, '...'.
   221 * Ellipsis, '...'.
   215 
   222 
   216  * Ellipsis used to show that something has been omitted.
   223  1 Ellipsis used to show that something has been omitted, indicate missing
   217 
   224    words in an incomplete quotation.
   218 Example:
   225 
   219 
   226 Example:
   220   Chomsky suggested that, "Language is a system that...can be described in an
   227 
   221   algebraic notation."
   228   [1] Chomsky suggested that, "Language is a system that...can be described in
       
   229   an algebraic notation."
   222 
   230 
   223 * Dash, '-', '--'.
   231 * Dash, '-', '--'.
   224 
   232 
   225  1 The dash should be used when making a brief interruption within a
   233  1 The dash should be used when making a brief interruption within a
   226    statement, a sudden change of thought, an additional comment, or a dramatic
   234    statement, a sudden change of thought, an additional comment, or a dramatic
   243 * Brackets '[]'.
   251 * Brackets '[]'.
   244 
   252 
   245  1 Use brackets to signify an editor's note in a regular piece of writing. You
   253  1 Use brackets to signify an editor's note in a regular piece of writing. You
   246    can also use brackets to clarify or to revise a direct quote so that it
   254    can also use brackets to clarify or to revise a direct quote so that it
   247    appeals to your own writing.
   255    appeals to your own writing.
       
   256  2 The first brackets are rounded, and brackets inside brackets are squared.
   248 
   257 
   249 Example:
   258 Example:
   250 
   259 
   251   [1] "[The blast] was absolutely devastating," said Susan Smith.
   260   [1] "[The blast] was absolutely devastating," said Susan Smith.
   252 
   261