1. Chapter 28: Punctuation The Period and Question Mark
Periods can be used in two ways:
1. Use a period to mark the end of a sentence.
With the windows down, Paul and I drove down a tree-lined street.
I would love to come to your house for dinner.
2. Use a period after abbreviations:
Dr. Giannone
Paul Smith, Sr.
10:00 P.M.
Note: If a sentence ends with a period marking an abbreviation, do not add a second period.
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2. Chapter 28: Punctuation The Period and Question Mark
The Question Mark
Use a question mark after a direct question.
Isn’t she adorable?
Do you want to attend my party next month?
My mother asked, “Do you want to eat spaghetti at Manny Moon’s Restaurant tonight?”
If a question is not a direct question, it should not have a question mark.
My mom asked me if I wanted to eat at Manny Moon’s Restaurant tonight.
They asked if I thought their pet lizard was adorable.
He questioned if I wanted to attend his reptilian party next month.
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3. Chapter 28: Punctuation The Comma
The Comma “Lister”
1. Commas support items in a series; these items can be words, phrases, or clauses.
Commas between words in a list:
Her bedroom was decorated in shades of blue, green, and gold.
Commas between phrases in a list:
I looked for my ring under the coffee table, between the sofa cushions, and behind the chairs.
Commas between clauses in a list:
Last week he graduated from college, he found the woman of his dreams, and he won the lottery.
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4. Chapter 28: Punctuation The Comma
The Comma “Linker”
2. A comma before a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) links two independent clauses.
It is very late, and my children need to go to bed.
NO COMMA! I am hungry and very tired.
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5. Chapter 28: Punctuation The Comma
The Comma “introducer”
3. A comma is used before introductory words, phrases, and clauses.
Comma after an introductory word:
Yes, I agree with you on that issue.
Dad, give me some help in the kitchen.
Comma after an introductory phrase:
In the long run, you’ll be better off without him.
Before the anniversary party, my father bought my mother a necklace.
Comma after an introductory clause:
If you call home, your parents will be pleased.
When the phone rings, I am always in the shower.
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6. Chapter 28: Punctuation The Comma
The Comma “Inserter”
4. Commas are used around words that are not necessary to the meaning of the sentence: added information.
The game, unfortunately, was rained out.
My test score, believe it or not, was the highest in the class.
Potato chips, my favorite snack food, are better tasting when they’re fresh.
James, caught in the middle of an argument, tried to keep the peace.
In this example, commas are not needed because the information is necessary:
The girl who called me was selling magazine subscriptions.
Note: The material that is not needed in the sentence is called nonessential (or nonrestrictive), and the material that is needed is called essential (or restrictive).
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7. Chapter 28: Punctuation The Comma
5. Other ways to use commas:
Use commas with quotations:
Her father told her, “Money doesn’t grow on trees.”
“The snow looks lovely,” he said.
Note: End punctuation goes INSIDE the quotation marks. The comma to separate who says something from what they say goes before the quotation mark separating the information.
Use commas with dates and addresses:
We lived at 111 Bessemer Lane, Fairfax, Virginia, before we moved to 125 Regency Court, Milwaukie, Oregon.
On December 12, 1890, orders went out for the arrest of Sitting Bull.
October 3, 1984 is Eden’s date of birth. (Note in this example there is not a comma after the year because it would separate the subject from the verb.)
Use commas in numbers:
The price of the new home is $654, 321.
Use commas for clarity:
Whomever it is, is about to be punished.
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8. Pages 530-531 Chapter 28: Punctuation The Semicolon & Colon
There are two ways to use semicolons:
1. Use a semicolon to join two independent clauses.
Tobias loved his horse; he cared for it everyday.
The situation was hopeless; I couldn’t do anything.
2. Use semicolons to separate the items in a list that contain commas.
The new college students came from Staten Island, New York; Newark, New Jersey; Brooklyn, New York; and Boston, Massachusetts.
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9. Chapter 28: Punctuation The Semicolon & Colon
The Colon
The colon is used at the end of a complete statement; it introduces a list or an explanation:
1. A colon introduces a list:
When I went to the grocery store, I picked up a few things: eggs, milk, and tea. (Notice that the sentence could end after things. The list is just added information and replaces for example, such as etc.)
2. A colon introduces an explanation:
The room was a mess: dirty clothes were piled on chair, wet towels were thrown on the floor, and an empty pizza box was tossed in the closet.
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