PUNCTUATION RULES



PUNCTUATION RULES

COMMAS

1. A comma is used to mark off the Nominative of Address.

• Tom, close the door.

• I feel, Ladies and Gentlemen, that success will soon be ours.

• Do not do it Joe.

2. A comma is used to mark off adverbial clauses, which precede the word, or words they modify.

• When Edward visited Europe, he was a youth.

• Before you reach the border, you will enjoy the scenery.

• If no one calls, you will know l am safe.

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3. Commas are used to mark off two or more words of the same part of speech.

• A braver, kinder, more lovable person I never met.

• Everywhere we saw rocks, logs, branches and smashed fences.

4. A comma is used to mark off a word or words in apposition

• Scott, the famous, poet, was born in 1771.

• We read about Nicholas, the Emperor of Russia.

5. A comma is used to mark off such words as: - however, perhaps, finally, in truth, indeed, to sum up, etc. because they tend to interrupt slightly the main flow of thought.

• They tell us, however, that a flight to the moon will soon be a reality.

• To sum up, we may all hope for an early report.

6. A comma is used to mark off a participial phrase, which starts a sentence.

• Turning for home, the pilot hoped the engine would not fail.

• Arriving very early, the guests were able to see the scenery.

7. A comma is used to introduce the direct words of the speaker.

• Uncle then said, “This is a suitable spot for lunch.”

8. Commas are used to mark off words running in pairs.

• Old and young, rich and poor, wise and foolish, were seen leaving the city.

9. A comma is used to mark off an infinitive phrase.

• To open the safe, the thieves used a saw.

10. A comma is used to mark off short principal clauses when no conjunction is used.

• He laughed, he sang, he danced, he cheered.

• She dug the hole, placed the plant, held it firm, and pushed the earth to it.

11. A comma is used to mark off an absolute phrase.

• The washing being done, mother enjoyed a cup of tea.

• The rain having stopped, the boys continued with the match.

12. A comma is used to mark omission of a word or words.

• Jack will have coffee; Mary, tea.

13. A comma is used to mark off inversions. (i.e. words, phrases. or clauses out of their usual position.)

• That I was right, he readily admitted.

• A very large fish, Jack caught.

14. A comma is used to mark off a continuative adjectival clause from the word it qualifies.

• The horse, which is one of our favourite animals, has served man well.

16. When “or” joins words that are merely different names for the same thing, a comma is used before and after the “or” phrase.

INVERTED COMMAS

1. Inverted commas are used to mark off a quotation.

• “A stitch in time saves nine,” is a common saying.

• You left out the “t” in “Thought”.

• “Curled like a possum”, is a vivid word-picture.

2. Inverted commas are used to mark off titles of books, songs, painting, properties and so on.

• “The Last of His Tribe.”

• “Ben-Hur”

• “Sunlight after Rain.’

3. Inverted commas are used to mark the beginning and the end of exact words of a speaker.

• “This is just the spot”, he said.

• “Through white lips he whispered, “I’m done I think.”

• “Doctor,” I said, “I passed my test.”

FULL STOPS

1. A full stop is used to mark the end of the sentence.

2. A full stop is used sometimes to separate hours from minutes.

• IO.45am

3. A full stop is used after initials

• J.E. Brown or C.W.A or R.A.C.Q.

4. A full stop is used after abbreviations.

• February — Feb. or answer - ans. or approximately — approx.

CAPITAL LETTERS

I. Capital letters are used for:

• the first word in a sentence

• for proper nouns (London, Monday)

• first word in line of poetry

• first word in direct speech

• for important words in the title of a book, poem, song. play, or painting

• the pronoun “I”

• the name of God

• pronouns standing for his name

• initials

• the titles of persons. Eg. Governor

QUESTIONS MARKS

1. A question mark is used at the end of a direct question.

• How did it happen?

• “How far is it to Yelarbon?” he asked.

2. A question mark is used when a question is implied by a word or the tone of the voice.

• Ten o’clock you say?

• Tough problem eh?

APOSTROPHE

I. An apostrophe is used to indicate a contraction. E.g. it’s or you’d

2. An apostrophe is used to denote possessive case.

• The boy’s hat

• James’s hat

• Two day’s time

• Princess’s crown

• A hair’s breadth

• For goodness’ sake

• One week’s holiday

• Moses’ Law

EXCLAMATION

I. An exclamation mark is used after sentences beginning with explanatory “what” or “how”.

• How brilliant the sun is today!

• What a shocking mess!

2. An exclamation mark is used after an interjection showing emotion.

• Oh! Alas! Ha, ha! Goodness! He’s gone! No, no! I cannot go on!

DASH

1. A dash is used to mark a break in a sentence, or to mark an abrupt turn in the sentence.

• The sounded soldier began to speak. “I don’t think that —,” his voiced trailed off.

• The science master then said, “Now the properties of oxygen are - Jones are you listening?”

2. A dash is used to mark off words of explanation at the end of a sentence.

• Thinking deeply, John sat in the cave — the same one as he often visited.

• Following the Piper they came — brown rats, grey rats, black rats, and white mice.

3. A dash is used to resume or gather up a scattered subject.

• Fathers, mothers, brothers, sister, - all were there.

4. A dash is used to indicate a hesitation of faltering speech.

• I - er—I—we—well, yes, I think so.

PARENTHESIS

1. A parenthesis is used to mark words of explanation in the middle of a sentence.

• John sat in the cave (the same one as he often visited) and thought deeply.

2. A parenthesis is used to mark off words spoken as an aside.

• Now, Ladies and Gentlemen. (They don’t seem too pleased) I am going to address you.

COLON

I. A colon is used to introduce a quotation

• I always remember the saying: “A stitch in times saves nine.”

2. A colon is used to enumerate a list of things.

• Please forward the following: I doz. eggs, 2 large tins of plum jam, 6kg sugar.

3. A colon is used to introduce a statement, which is in explanation of a previous statement.

• Water has many uses: it preserves life, it keeps us cool, it keeps us clean.

SEMI-COLON

1. A semi-colon is used to separate clauses connected by such words as otherwise; for example, if not, for instances, on the other hand.

• It was so cold we just sat and shivered; indeed, it was doubtful if it had ever been so cold.

• The tracker as almost exhausted; yet, in spite of everything he still persevered.

2. A semi-colon is used to separate longer clauses of the same kind with themes closely related.

(Sometimes commas are used, but use a semi-colon when the clause is fairly long.)

The semi-colon indicates a longer pause than a comma does; it separates longer clauses than a

comma does; it is more frequent in literary than in simple language.

Quotation Marks for Direct Quotations

1. A direct quotation is when you write down someone’s exact words.

2. Always put quotation marks around a direct quotation.

“I feel sick.” “Is it time to go?” “That is fantastic!”

3. If explanatory words like she said or she wrote are added, separate the direct quote from

the rest of the sentence with a comma.

She said, “I feel sick.”

“I feel sick,” she said.

4. An exception to the above rule- do not use a comma after a quotation that ends with a

question mark or an exclamation mark.

He asked, “Is it time to go?” BUT “Is it time to go?” he asked.

Mom shouted, “That is fantastic!” BUT “That is fantastic!” shouted Mom.

5. If a quotation is interrupted by explanatory words like she said or he asked, use two sets of

quotation marks so that the quotation marks surround the person’s exact words.

* Separate each part of the quotation from the explanatory words with a punctuation mark

both before and after the interrupting phrase.

“A thing of beauty,” wrote John Keats, “is a joy forever.”

“Do you think,” asked John, “Michelle will go to the dance with me?”

“I am absolutely sure,” exclaimed Sue, “that you will do a great job!”

* If the second part of the quotation is a complete sentence, begin it with a capital letter.

“I feel sick,” she said. “I really need to go home.”

“Is it time to go?” he asked. “I don’t want to be late.”

“That is fantastic!” shouted Mom. “I always knew you could do it.”

6. Do not use quotation marks for an indirect quotation ( when a person’s exact words are not repeated.)

Direct quotation- Tiffany said, “Chocolate ice cream is my favorite.”

Indirect quotation- Tiffany said that chocolate ice cream is her favorite.

7. Use single quotation marks to show a quotation within a quotation.

Mrs. Smith said, “I just love the old saying, ‘A rolling stone gathers no moss.’ ”

8. When writing dialogue, begin a new paragraph and use a new set of quotation marks every time the speaker changes.

She asked in a concerned voice, “Are you feeling better yet? I am so worried that

you might be coming down with that horrible flu that is going around.”

“I don’t feel all that bad,” Tom replied. “I think that I’ll be fine. Don’t worry about everything, Mom.”

“I’m sorry. I just worry about your health,” she said. “I’ll try not to nag you.”

Quotation Marks with Titles and Unusual Expressions,

and Other Marks of Punctuation

1. Use quotation marks to enclose titles of short works.

Examples: short stories, short poems, newspaper articles, essays, magazine articles, book chapters, and songs.

She sang “Climb Every Mountain” for her audition.

Did you read “Forest Fire Rages” in the newspaper?

2. Use quotation marks to enclose unfamiliar slang and other original or unusual expressions.

“Groovy” was a term used in the 1960’s.

The 1920’s were known as the “Roaring Twenties.”

3. Place a colon or semicolon OUTSIDE closing quotation marks.

This is my opinion of “The Star-Spangled Banner” ; it’s very difficult to sing.

4. Place a question mark or an exclamation point OUTSIDE the closing quotation marks when it is part of the entire sentence but INSIDE if ti refers only to the quoted material.

Did the caller say, “Drop the ransom money behind the big oak tree”?

(The quotation is not a question. The entire sentence is a question.)

Suzi asked, “What is your favorite poem?”

(The quotation asks a question. The question mark goes with the quotation.)

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