Alfred Jan G.

Naparan
BSE-3A

THE PERIOD
Use period in declarative sentences, a mild imperative, and an indirect
question.
Example: Edgar Allan Poe wrote poems. (declarative sentence)
I asked him where he had learned to ski. (indirect questions)
Use period in most of the abbreviations
Example: Dr., Sr., B.C., Ave.
THE QUESTION MARK
Use a question mark to end an interrogative sentence, an incomplete
question, or a statement intended as a question.
Example: Have you changed your mind? (interrogative sentence)
Why? How much? (incomplete question)
This clock runs on batteries? (statement intended as questions)
THE EXCLAMATION MARK
Use an exclamation mark to end an exclamatory sentence, a forceful
imperative, or an interjection expressing strong emotion.
Example: That sunset is magnificent! (exclamatory sentence)
Come here quick! (imperative sentence)
THE COMMA
Use comma before the conjunction to separate two or more independent
clauses in a compound sentence.
Example: My cousin travels all over the United States each summer, but my
brother prefers to stay home.
Use commas to separate three or more words, phrases, or clauses in a
series.
Example: Her performance was flawless. Exciting, and inspiring.
Use commas to separate adjectives of equal ranks
Example: a tall, attractive, young woman
Do not use commas to separate adjectives that must stay in specific order
Example: many successful people
Use comma after an introductory word, phrase, or clause.
Example: Yes, we do expect to hear from them soon.
Use commas to set off nonessential expressions.
Example: My mother, buying the apples, is an excellent cook.
When a geographical name is made up of two or more parts, use a comma
after each item.
Example: My aunt who lives in Houston, Texas, is visiting us.
When a date is made up of two or more parts, use a comma after each item
except in the case of a month followed by a day.
Example: Friday, August 23, was the day we met.
When a name is followed by one or more titles, use a comma after the
name and after each title.
Example: Susan Martini, Ph.D., teaches chemistry.
Use a comma after each item in an address made p of two or more parts.
Example: Send a copy of the report to Mrs. Talia Brooks, 145 River Road,
Jacksonville, Florida 32211.

Competency Enhancement Program 2

Alfred Jan G. Naparan

BSE-3A

Use a comma after the salutation in a personal letter and after the closing
in all letters.
Example: Dear Emily,; Your friend,
Use commas to set off a direct quotation from the rest if a sentence.
Example: She said, The moon is big.
Use a comma to prevent a sentence from being misunderstood.
Example: In the reservoir, water is stored.
THE SEMICOLON
Use a semicolon to join independent clauses that are not already joined by
the conjunction and, but, nor, or, so or yet.
Example: We explored the attic together; we were amazed at the useless junk
we found there.
Use a semicolon to join independent clauses separated by either a
conjunctive adverb or a transitional expression.
Example: We visited seven countries in only two weeks; consequently, we
missed many interesting historical sites. (conjunctive adverb)
Consider the use of a semicolon to avoid confusion when independent
clauses or
items in a series already contain commas.
Example: The forest filled with thick underbrush, seemed impassable; and the
hungry, tired family slumped to the ground in despair.
THE COLON
Use a colon before a list of items following an independent clause.
Example: His travels took him to a number of continents: Africa, Australia, Asia,
and South America.
Use a colon to introduce a quotation that is formal or lengthy or a
quotations that does not contain a he/she said expression.
Example: Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., wrote this about freedom: it is only
through
free debate and free exchange of ideas that government remains
responsive to the will of the people and peaceful change is affected.
Use a colon in a number of special writing situations.
Numerals giving the time:
1:30 A.M.
Biblical references:
Exodus 14:21
Subtitles of books:
A Field Guide to the Birds: Eastern Land Birds
Salutations:
Dear Sir:
Labels to signal
important ideas:
Danger: These are high voltage wires.
THE QUOTATION MARK
A direct quotation represents a persons exact speech or thoughts and is
enclosed in quotation marks.
Example: If I am elected, said the candidate, I will sponsor a bill to improve
local public transportation.

Competency Enhancement Program 2

Alfred Jan G. Naparan

BSE-3A
THE DASH
Use dashes to indicate an abrupt change of thought, a dramatic
interrupting idea, or a summary statement.
Example: The hurricane struck at dawn to this day survivors gasp as they
retell
the story.
Use dashes to set off a nonessential appositive or modifier when it is long,
when it is already punctuated, or when you want to be dramatic.
Example: The drum major who wore a white uniform, a gold cape, and gold
boots led the band.
THE PARENTHESIS
Use parentheses to set off asides and explanations only when the material
is not essential or when it consists of one or more sentences.
Example: Her job responsibilities (as she learned within the month) were far
greater than he has been told.
Use parentheses to set off numerical explanations such as the dates of a
persons birth and death and around numbers and letters marking a series.
Examples: You may choose (a) tennis, (b) golf, or (c) track
His telephone number is (822) 345-9802
THE HYPHENS
Use a hyphen when writing out numbers from twenty-one through ninetynine.
Example: twenty-eight ounces
Use a hyphen with fractions used as adjectives.
Example: seven-tenths inch
A fraction used as a noun is not hyphenated however.
Example: One fourth of the members were present.
Use a hyphen after a prefix that is followed by a proper noun of adjective.
Example: pre-Renaissance
Use a hyphen in words with the prefixes all-, ex-, self-, and with the suffix
-elect.
Examples: self-made mayor-elect
Use a hyphen to connect two or more words that are used as one word,
unless the dictionary gives a contrary spelling
Example: sister-in-law
For clarity, use hyphens:
A. Within a word when a combination of letters might otherwise be
confusing
a. semi-illiterate
b. re-press (to press again)
B. Between words to keep the reader from combining then erroneously
a. The special-delivery man.
b. The special delivery-man.
C. If a word must be divided at the end of the line, always divide it
between syllables.
a. Do not divide a word so that a single letter(s) stand alone.
b. Do not divide proper nouns or proper adjectives.

Competency Enhancement Program 2

Alfred Jan G. Naparan

BSE-3A
c. Divide a hyphenated word only after the hyphen.
THE APOSTROPHE
Use apostrophe to indicate possession.
Example: the womans wallet
Use apostrophe in contraction to indicate the position of the missing
letter(s).
Example: cannot - cant

Competency Enhancement Program 2