Periods (.) and Ellipses (…)

 

1. Use the period at the end of an affirmative or negative

For example, He isn’t available today. You should call back tomorrow.

2. Use the period after an indirect

For example, He asked where his suitcase was.

 

3. If the last word in the sentence ends in a period, do not follow it with another period.

For example, I know that M.D. She is my sister-in-law.

 

4. If part of a sentence is directly quoted and some words are left out, ellipses replace the missing

For example, The original sentence: All students must inform their teacher by e-mail or phone when they are unable to attend class.

 

The teacher wrote that “all students must inform their teacher… when they are unable to attend class. (missing words: by e-mail or phone)

Comma (,)

 

1. Use commas to separate items in a series. The final comma is optional

(when preceded by “and”).

For example, Our itinerary included Rome, London (,) and Madrid. [ The last comma used in this example – Our itinerary included Rome, London, and Madrid. – is called the Oxford Comma, whereas if no comma is used it is American or the Associated Press form]

The cheap, dirty hotel costs a lot. (comma is necessary)

 

2. Use a comma before the coordinating conjunctions and1, but, or, nor, for, so, and yet, when they join independent clauses (unless the clauses are short) and never use a comma before because.

For example, The story gets off to a slow start, but it gets exciting toward the end.

3. Use a comma after introductory

For example: Well, how do you do?               Yesterday evening, he called.

Before you leave, turn off the lights.

Note:

Some specialists suggest that a comma before “and” is optional when it joins 2 complete sentences and the subject remains the same (i.e. 2 independent clauses).

For example, She is fun to be with (,) and she can tell jokes well.

4. Use commas to set off an expression that interrupts 

For example,   The article in The Herald, our local paper, is about writing skills.

Cabs in New York, I’m certain, obey the speed limit.

 

5. Use a comma in certain conventional situations (to separate items in dates and addresses, after the salutation and closing of a letter, and after a name followed by a title).

For example, I was born on January 1, 1992, in New York, NY.

Dear Shirley,              Sincerely,                    Albert Schweitzer, Ph.D.

Don’t use unnecessary commas. Use them sparingly and only to clarify

issues. Commas in the wrong places can be confusing.

Apostrophe (‘)

 

1. To form the possessive case of a singular noun, add an apostrophe and an s.

For example, Bob’s car; one’s home.

 

If the addition of an “s” produces an awkward sound, add only the apostrophe. Usually, this is when there is already a double “s” sound.

For example, Moses’; for old times’ sake; for goodness’ sake.

2. To form the possessive case of a plural noun, add an apostrophe after the s.

For example, girls’ teams; babies’ bottles

If the plural form of the word does not end in s, add an apostrophe and an s.

For example, women’s team; people’s rights

3. Use an apostrophe to show where letters have been omitted

For example: can’t = cannot; it’s = it is.

Semicolon (;)

 

1. Use a semicolon between complete sentences not joined by and, but, nor, for, yet, and so.

For example: Read what you’ve written; don’t just pass it on.

2. Use a semicolon between independent clauses joined by such words as for example, besides, nevertheless, however, therefore,

For example, I think he’s right; however, it’s difficult to know.

 

3. Use a semicolon between items in a series if the items contain commas. For example: Winners in the competition were Bill, first place; Amy, second place; and Jeff, third

Colon (:)

1. Use a colon to mean “note what “

For example: When you go to training, take these items: paper, pencil, and an alert mind.

 

2. Use a colon in times that don’t use the 24-hour clock to separate hours from minutes.

For example: The plane will take off at 10:13 AM and will land at 1:45 PM.

Hyphen (-)

 

1. Use a hyphen to divide a word between syllables at the end of a

For example: If you are not sure where to hyphen- ate a word, look it up in the dictionary.

2. Hyphenate a compound adjective when it precedes the word it

For example, a 15-year-old teenager; a one-man show?

Quotation Marks (” “)

 

1. Use quotation marks for short works and parts of other works (i.e. titles of poems, short stories, articles, works of art and television episodes (but not the television shows) are surrounded by quotation

 

For example:

Last year, we studied Shakespeare’s play

“King Lear.”

 

My favourite episode on the t.v. show Steinfeld is “Kramer’s Car.”

 

2. Use quotation marks to set off a direct quotation

Examples:

“When will you be here?” he asked.

He asked when you will be there.

 

3. Use quotation marks to indicate words used ironically, with reservations, or in some unusual way, but don’t overuse quotation marks in this sense, or they will lose their impact.

For example, History has been made beautiful by “civilization.”

Underlining and Italics

 

These two typographical devices mean the same thing; therefore, it is recommended that you choose either 1. underlining or 2. italics and use it consistently throughout a given document as needed. As computers are becoming more popular, instructors are accepting italics more and more.