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HOME PARTS OF SPEECH SENTENCE STRUCTURE PUNCTUATION USAGE EXERCISES PUNCTUATION comma | semicolon | colon | apostrophe | parentheses | dash | italics | quotation marks Use a SEMICOLON 1. Between independent clauses not joined by coordinating conjunctions (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)
Example
2. Between independent clauses joined by a conjunctive adverb
Example
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3. Between items in a series containing internal punctuation
Example
4. Between independent clauses containing internal punctuation even when the clauses are joined by coordinating conjunctions.
Example
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Use a COLON
1. Before formally introducing a list (*An independent clause must precede the colon.)
Examples
Incorrect pdfcrowd.com open in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API Incorrect
2. Between two independent clauses when the second explains or expands the first Examples
3. Before a formal appositive (*An independent clause must precede the colon) pdfcrowd.com open in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API Example
Incorrect
4. Between hour and minute / chapter and verse (Bible) Examples
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Use an APOSTROPHE 1. To show ownership (to form the possessive case of nouns)
Examples
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2. To show joint ownership with nouns Example
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3. To show individual ownership with nouns
Example
4. To show ownership with indefinite pronouns
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NOTE:
Do not use an apostrophe to form the possessive case of the personal possessive pronoun its.
Example
Do use an apostrophe with its to mean it is or it has.
Correct
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5. To form the plural of letters, numbers, and signs, and of words referred to as words.
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Use PARENTHESES
1. To enclose interrupting elements that add information or identification
Examples
2. To enclose figures or letters when used for enumeration within a sentence pdfcrowd.com open in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API
Example
Use a DASH
To set off parenthetical matter
Example
NOTE: UNLIKE PARENTHESES, WHICH MINIMIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF THE. pdfcrowd.com open in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API PARENTHETICAL MATERIAL, DASHES EMPHASIZE PARENTHETICAL MATERIAL.
Notice the different emphasis in each sentence.
Use ITALICS (underlining)
1. For words, letters, and figures referred to as such
Examples
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2. For foreign, technical (including mathematical expressions), or unusual words and phrases. Examples
3. For titles of books, newspapers, magazines, journals, plays, movies, radio programs, TV programs, long musical works, long poems, works of art, names of ships and airplanes.
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Use QUOTATION MARKS
1. To enclose titles of minor works: articles, essays, poems, songs, chapters of books, short stories, episodes of radio/TV programs.
Examples
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2. To enclose words used ironically or where the term so-called could be inserted.
Examples
3. To enclose a direct quotation: a person's exact words
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NOTE: Do not use quotation marks to enclose indirect quotations. Incorrect
Correct
NOTES FOR DIRECT QUOTATIONS:
1. Start the quotation with a capital letter. pdfcrowd.com open in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API 2. Place commas and periods INSIDE the quotation marks. 3. Place semicolons and colons OUTSIDE the quotation marks. 4. Place question marks and exclamation marks INSIDE the quotation marks if the quotation itself is a question or an exclamation. 5. Place question marks and exclamation marks OUTSIDE the quotation marks if the quotation itself is NOT a question or exclamation.
USE SINGLE QUOTATION MARKS to enclose a quotation inside another quotation.
Examples
If the quotation within another quotation is a question or an exclamation, place appropriate punctuation next to the item concerned.
Examples
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