Punctuation


 * This page mainly concerns about the uses of different punctuations, especially those easily misused. **

a mark such as period or comma used in writing to separate sentences and their elements in order to clarify meaning and write in a clear style.
 * 1. ****Definition of the Punctuation: **

· **THE PERIOD** is used to end a statement, mild command, or indirect question, and it is also used with abbreviations. Example At the end of a **statement**: //I have a computer.// At the end of a **mild command**: //Pass me the book.// At the end of an **indirect question**: //I wonder whether she will come tonight.// With abbreviations: //Dr. Mr. Mrs. i.e. e.g.// Note Use periods with abbreviations that consist of or end in small letters. Otherwise, omit periods from abbreviations. When a sentence ends in an abbreviation with a period, don't add a second periods: //My first class is at 8 a.m.// · **THE QUESTION MARK** is used after a direct question and also is used within parentheses to indicate doubt about the correctness of a number or date. Example At the end of **a direct question**: // Where is my ipad? // Within parentheses to **indicate doubt**//: The Greek philosopher Socrates was born in 470 (?) BC and died in 399 BC.// <span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Note <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Question marks are never combined with other question marks, exclamation points, periods, or commas: // "Which one is better //// ?," //// Lisa asks. // <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">(Incorrect) // "Which one is better //// ?" //// Lisa asks. // <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">(Correct) · <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">THE EXCLAMATION POINT is used after an emphatic statement, interjection, or command. <span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Example <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">After an **emphatic statement**: //I must finish this assignment today!// <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">After an **interjection**: //Ah! That's it!// <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">After a **command**: //Don't touch anything here!// <span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Note <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Exclamation points are never combined with other question marks, exclamation points, periods, or commas: // "I can't stand this anymore!," she roared. // <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">(Incorrect) // "I can't stand this anymore!" she roared. // <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">(Correct)
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">2. Application of Punctuations: **
 * 2.1 End punctuation marks- **** the period ****, **** the question mark **** , and **** the exclamation point **** - signal the ends of sentences. **

· **<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">To separate items in a series ** <span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Example //<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The kiosk sells newspapers, magazines, and books. // <span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Note <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The final comma in a series is optional, but it is often used. · **<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">To set off introductory material ** <span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Example //<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">After the lunch, she continues her work. // <span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Note <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">If the introductory material is brief, the comma is sometimes omitted. <span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Example //<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The hallway, dingy and dark, was illuminated by a bare bulb. // //<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">My computer, which my brother got me as a gift, never breaks down. // · **<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Between two complete thoughts connected by and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet ** <span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Example //<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">She opened both the window and the door, so the air can circulate in the room. // //<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The purse is the most beautiful one she have ever seen, but it is also the most expensive one. // <span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Note <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">a. The comma is optional when the complete thoughts are short. <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">e.g. //She feels tired so she stops working.// <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">b. Be careful not to use a comma to separate two verbs that belong to one subject. The comma is used only in sentences made up of two complete thoughts (two subjects and two verbs). <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">e.g. //The doctor stared over his bifocals// //, and lectured //// me about smoking. // <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">(Incorrect) // The doctor stared over his bifocals //// and lectured //// me about smoking. // <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">(Correct) · **<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">To set off a direct quotation from the rest of a sentence ** <span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Example //<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">"Jim, bring my book to the class today," the note reads. // <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">"I'm sorry," he said, "I just forget to bring the book." //<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The girl sighed and said," don't forget to bring me the book tomorrow." // <span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Note <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Commas and periods at the end of a quotation go inside quotation marks. · **<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">For certain everyday material ** <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">a. __Persons spoken to__: //Did you see my ipad, Lisa?// <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">b. __Dates__: //April 13, 2011, is the day I bought my car.// <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">c. __Addresses__: //1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043// <span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Note <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">No comma is used before a zip code. <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">d. __Opening and closings of letters__: //Dear John, Sincerely yours,// <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">e. __Numbers__: //I want to have a fortune of $500,000 so that I can travel around the world.//
 * 2.2 The Comma **<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">is used mainly as follows:
 * · <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">On both sides of words that interrupt the flow of thought in a sentence **

· **<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Between main clauses not joined by and, but, or another coordinating conjunction ** <span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Example //<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The side effects are not minor; some leave the patient quite ill. // <span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Note <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> If you do not link main clauses with a coordinating conjunction and you separate them only with a comma or with no punctuation at all, you will produce a comma splice or a fused sentence. <span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Exception <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Writers sometimes use a comma instead of a semicolon between very short and closely parallel main clauses: //<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The poor live, the rich just exist. // · **<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Between main clauses related by however, for example, and so on. ** <span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Example //<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Blue jeans have become fashionable all over the world ////<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">; however, ////<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> the American originators still wear more jeans than anyone else. // <span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Note <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> If you use a comma or no punctuation at all between main clauses connected by a conjunctive adverb or transitional expression, you will produce a comma splice or a fused sentence. · **<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">To separate main clauses if they are complicated or contain commas, even with a coordinating conjunction. ** <span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Example //<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">By a conscious effort of the mind, we can stand aloof from actions and their consequences ////<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">; and ////<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> all things, good and bad, go by us like a torrent. // //<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> --Henry David Thoreau // · **<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">To separate items in a series if they are long or contain commas. ** <span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Example //<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The custody case involved Amy Dalton, the child; Ellen and Mark Dalton, the parents; and Ruth and Hal Blum, the grandparents. //
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">2.3 The Semicolon ** <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">separates equal and balanced sentence elements, usually main clauses, sometimes items in series.

Example //have + not = haven't// //I + will = I'll// Note Be aware that many people disapprove of contractions in any kind of formal writing. Example // ﻿My sister's book // //Jane and Joan's room// //Jane's and Joan's toys// //Mrs Kims' car// //Those boys' bicycles//
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">2.4 The Apostrophe **has two main uses as follows:
 * **To show the omission of one or more letters in a contraction**
 * **To show ownership or possession**

Example //"Fortunately," said the girl,"the teacher is busy with other business, so we don't have class this afternoon."// Example //"I went into the room when he cried,'help me .''' // Example When quoting conversations, begin a new paragraph for each speaker: //"What's your name?"// //"Elizabeth."// Note When you quote a single speaker for more than one paragraph, put quotation marks at the beginning of each paragraph but at the end of only the last paragraph, in order to tell readers that the speech is continuing. e.g. //"I want to buy a house......// //"I also want to buy a car....// //"Actually, I won't buy anything I mentioned above."// <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Example <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">the essay "On Self-Respect" in the book Slouching Towards Bethlehem <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">the chapter "Chinese Religion" in the book //Paths of Faith// the song "Ziggy Stardust" in the CD //Changes// Example ﻿//It is not easy to find "Mr. Right".// //Save your "compassion", I feel comfortable to live my life this way.// <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 17px;"> In the United Kingdom, Canada, and islands under the influence of British education, punctuation around quotation marks is more apt to follow logic. In American style, then, you would write: My favorite poem is Robert Frost's "Design." For more information, visit this site: []
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">2.5 Quotation Marks ** are mainly used in following ways:
 * **Use double quotation marks to enclose direct quotations, the exact words of a speaker or writer**
 * **Use single quotation marks to enclose a quotation within a quotation**
 * **Set off quotations of** **dialog according to standard practice**
 * **<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Put quotation marks around the titles of works that are parts of other works **
 * **Enclose words used in a special sense**
 * **<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 17px;">In the United States, periods and commas go inside quotation marks regardless of logic. **

Example //The library will close on the following dates: April 10, April 11, and April 12.// //He supports the girl's opinion in his article:"I agree that we should have more free time for extra-curriculum activities."// //I can solve this problem: I know where to buy a new book.// //Charles Dicken: An Introduction to His Novels// //1:30 AM 12:26 PM// <span style="color: #0000ff; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Example //I was so exhausted that I fell asleep within seconds--standing up.// //The pardon from Ben finally came--too late.// <span style="color: #0000ff; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Note In your papers, form a dash with two hyphens (--), or use the character called an em dash on your word processor. Do not add extra space around or between the hyphens or around the em dash. Example "That Texaco station [just outside Chicago] is one of the busiest in the nation," said a company spokesperson.
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">2.6 Other Punctuation Marks **
 * A **colon** is used at the end of a complete statement to introduce a list, a long quotation, or an explanation. It is also used to separate titles and subtitles and the subdivisions of time.
 * A **dash** signals a pause longer than a comma but not as complete as a period, and it is often used to set off for dramatic effect.
 * **Parentheses** are used to set off extra or incidental information from the rest of a sentence
 * **Brackets** are used within quotations to indicate your own comments or changes.
 * **A hyphen** is used to connect two or more words to form a single unit describing a noun.
 * **The ellipsis mark** is used to indicate omissions from quotations and pauses in speech.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">[1] John Langan, //Writing Skills With Readings,// 6th Edition, Beijing: Foreign Language and Research Press <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">[2] H.Ramsey Fowler and Jane E.Aaron, //The Little Brown Handbook,// 9th Edition, Peking University Press <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">[3] []
 * REFERENCE**