Punctuation is the term used for the marks, such as the period/full stop, comma, dash, and parentheses, used to separate structural units, and perform other roles that clarify the meaning.
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Parenthetical statements in direct speech
In some novels, I have often seen parenthetical statements used within direct-speech.
e.g. from War and Peace Page 1
Non, I warn you, if you don't say this means war — if you still defend all ...
3
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3answers
141 views
What is the best use of the apostrophe in a church name when the church also “possesses” something? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Possessive of a word that’s already possessive?
For example, would it be correct to write St. Marys' basketball team for the basketball team belonging to St. Mary's ...
2
votes
1answer
146 views
Punctuation outside of quotes [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
How should I punctuate around quotes?
When should end punctuation go inside quotes?
Here is what I have written:
Is it too late to say, "Don't go. I'm sorry"?
Here ...
6
votes
1answer
112 views
Using “?:” after a question
I find myself using the dual punctuation marks "?:" when I want to say "I have a question about the thing that follows". For example:
Is it possible for the following sentence to be translated ...
0
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0answers
22 views
When do I use a suspended hyphen? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Use of hyphens when writing repeated compound words that have common parts
When is the use of a suspended hyphen correct? Only in cases were the last part of the ...
2
votes
2answers
106 views
What is the rule of using semicolons in this sentence? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Is it proper usage to replace a comma in a list with a semi-colon in this situation (see details)?
Transglobal historians are muscling up with their magnum opuses; ...
3
votes
2answers
155 views
Should the comma be in italics? [closed]
Consider the following two sentences:
Statement 1:
The parameters were calculated a priori, and the other variables
were calculated iteratively.
Statement 2:
The parameters were ...
0
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2answers
135 views
Difference between “?!” and “!?”?
Is there any difference between “?!” and “!?”?
The Wikipedia page on Interrobang describes:
In informal English, the same inflection is usually notated by ending a sentence with first a question ...
2
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1answer
111 views
Punctuation after the interjection “by heaven” [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Exclamation marks in the middle of a sentence
How would you punctuate the following phrase with "by heaven"? It was used by a cricket commentator.
By heaven ...
3
votes
3answers
242 views
What is a correct punctuation for a sentence starting with “One more thing”?
In the following sentence what would be the correct punctuation
One more thing don't tell anyone about our conversation.
Should "One more thing" be separated by comma, dash or colon? Or perhaps ...
4
votes
1answer
196 views
Why is the comma inside quotation marks when people are quoted? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
When should end punctuation go inside quotes?
From a AMS blog post:
Some organizations have temporarily suspended their polling, and with the news media tabbing ...
3
votes
2answers
145 views
Punctuation following an interruption with a dash
I am not sure what the correct punctuation to use when ending a clause that was introduced with a dash when the next character in the main sentence is a punctuation mark.
Take the following contrived ...
6
votes
2answers
212 views
How to correctly assimilate dots, if at all?
I see this sentence:
There are many examples like mining, farming, foresting etc., that are dangerous to society because they cause environmental damage.
Shouldn't "etc.," be written instead ...
0
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0answers
18 views
punctuation when addressing a person's name [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Is it proper to omit periods after honorifics (Mr, Mrs, Dr)?
Should I use a full stop after Mr. or Mrs. as in Mr. Smith or Mrs. Smith or should I write Mr Smith and Mrs ...
-1
votes
1answer
75 views
Placement of “[Whispers.]” in a dialogue line [closed]
A book containing a transcription of some historical conversation has someone by the name Fred asking a question:
Fred: "What is the recipe for Orange Julius?" [Whispers.]
George: "No, it is ...
5
votes
1answer
874 views
Symbol, punctuation, or abbreviation that indicates a “paraphrase”? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
What is the proper use of [square brackets] in quotes?
This question is born of practical necessity - one that I encountered while quoting a reference in "another" Stack ...
0
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0answers
13 views
Do you use a period when you end a question with an abbrev.? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
If a question ends in the abbreviation of et cetera, do you still add the period before the question mark?
If I end a question with (for instance) etc., should I include ...
3
votes
1answer
262 views
Comma — a punctuation error?
Consider:
This book provides a solid psychological understanding of these experiments, and adds a few expansions and conclusions of its own. It also provides …
My question regards the comma. I ...
3
votes
1answer
309 views
What is the correct punctuation of the phrase: one size fits all [closed]
What is the correct punctuation for the phrase: one size fits all?
I have seen two variants:
'one size fits all', and
one-size-fits-all
0
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0answers
14 views
“Rate, comment, and subscribe” vs. “rate, comment and subscribe” [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Should I put a comma before the last item in a list?
In a sentence, when listing a couple — at least three — of things, are you supposed to add a comma before the last ...
5
votes
1answer
135 views
Punctuating “What are you going to do, sue me?”
For example:
What are you going to do, sue me?
Is that correct? Or is there supposed to be a question mark after the first question:
What are you going to do? Sue me?
It seems like "Sue ...
2
votes
1answer
1k views
Sincerely [comma?] name [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Should you use a comma/period after “Thanks”/“Regards” in email signatures?
I see answers on how to end a letter putting a comma after for example sincerely, like:
...
3
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0answers
73 views
If a question ends in the abbreviation of et cetera, do you still add the period before the question mark? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
When “etc.” is at the end of a phrase, do you place a period after it?
Example:
How do I pay for the bananas, oranges, etc.?
or
How do I pay for the bananas, ...
-1
votes
3answers
631 views
Is a semicolon appropriate in this sentence? [closed]
Is 1 or 2 correct? Or neither?
I'm not saying I'm Batman, but answer me this; have you ever seen me and Batman in the same room?
I'm not saying I'm Batman, but answer me this. Have you ever ...
5
votes
3answers
302 views
Why don't years have commas?
For example, if one asks "what's two thousand plus two thousand", one could write it like this:
2,000 + 2,000
But when one writes the date:
January 2, 2000
So why do we put commas when ...
0
votes
2answers
105 views
How can this sentence be written correctly? [closed]
Our interactive products are fun to use on desktop, mobile and touchscreen devices, just look awesome and are driven by the latest technology.
The commas don't seem right to me. Shouldn't there ...
1
vote
1answer
95 views
To apostrophe or not to apostrophe [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
User’s Guide vs Users’ Guide
I am sorry if this is really obvious but I can't work out from Wikipedia if it's right to use one here. My English is terrible but I try:
...
-2
votes
2answers
85 views
What is the best way and what are the differences to introduce a “pause explanatory” phrase inside another one? [closed]
In this example:
bla bla bla phrase such as even if something like this doesn’t exist bla bla bla.
What can I use to inject my phrase in the middle of the sentence?
,phrase, (commas)
;phrase; ...
-1
votes
2answers
143 views
How should rhetorical questions be punctuated? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Should rhetorical questions end with a period?
How would you punctuate the following sentence, and others like it? Are there any precedents, or applicable style guides?
...
3
votes
2answers
269 views
When should you use italics to reference an example and when should it be inside apostrophes?
When should you use italics to reference an example or quote, and when should it be inside apostrophes instead?
(I am trying to tighten up here. I write in advertising and we break so many rules with ...
3
votes
2answers
265 views
Punctuation with block-quotes
How do I properly place a comma after a big block-quote? Let's say I have a sentence like this:
The author states: < a big quote goes here. >, therefore...
Since my sentence continues after ...
4
votes
2answers
5k views
How to write “till now” in a résumé? [closed]
I am writing a résumé. I want to specify that I started my education in 2009 and as of now I am at the 4th grade (in other words, still learning), so how should I specify that in résumé:
2009 - ...
2
votes
1answer
148 views
Using hyphen and quote marks in composed term? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
When is it necessary to use a hyphen in writing a compound word?
I want to write a term composed out of multiple words, and I would like to know whether I have to use ...
5
votes
3answers
263 views
Is this correct usage of a semi-colon?
I always have problems with the use of semi-colons.
Is the following proper usage? They are connected but also standalone sentences.
I speak and write English fluently; as you can see from my CV, ...
5
votes
2answers
115 views
Does use-mention distinction warrant breaking conventions?
Does use-mention distinction sometimes warrant breaking the following capitalization and punctuation conventions?
American convention recommends placing punctuation within quote marks.
Sentences ...
3
votes
1answer
305 views
Is it correct to use the conjunction “or” more than twice in one sentence?
For an example is it correct to say:
You may use X or Y or Z or even something else.
And what is proper punctuation for such example in case it is valid.
15
votes
3answers
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How does one correctly punctuate a sentence that declares that one has a question? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Punctuation with “The question is…” '.', '?' or ' “… ?” '
Position of question mark when sentence doesn't end ...
2
votes
0answers
89 views
Is there some guideline that I can point to about the overuse of bold and underline? [closed]
I am getting really tired of getting emails and PowerPoint presentations in which half of the words bold and underlined. There is also excessive use of exclamation points, all caps, and overly strong ...
5
votes
2answers
747 views
“Oh, dear!” vs. “Oh dear!”
Which is correct, "Oh, dear!" or "Oh dear!"?
My understanding is that the word oh is an interjection, and should thus be followed by a comma. However, is the second usage the correct one because the ...
2
votes
2answers
143 views
Should I place a comma in “I live in London where I work at a coffeeshop”
Should I put a comma between "London" and "where" in the following sentence, or is it acceptable not to include it?
I live in London where I work at a coffeeshop brewing delicious coffee.
2
votes
1answer
352 views
Periods after directional abreviation in address
I am creating a business card, and I need to put the address of the company on it. What is the proper way to write this address?
555 14th St NW, Atlanta, GA 55555
555 14th St NW., Atlanta, ...
3
votes
1answer
210 views
Use of comma following prepositional phrase
Is a comma required after the date (year only or day of week only) that is in a prepositional phrase before the subject of the sentence? For example:
In 1966 I began college.
12
votes
1answer
558 views
Really nice, Mat
I see a lot of people saying things such as
Nice work, Nick
Or
Thanks, Mat
Is the comma really needed? I'm not 100% sure because my spelling and grammar is not great, but I think it reads ...
2
votes
5answers
657 views
Should emoticons be regarded as punctuation marks?
According to Wikipedia, “[p]unctuation marks are symbols that indicate the structure and organization of written language, as well as intonation and pauses to be observed when reading aloud”.
Does ...
7
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3answers
7k views
If I quote only the middle part of a sentence, do I use ellipses?
For example, if Peter is my source, should I say:
Peter mentioned his '... unquenchable thirst, a fatigued body...' as being part of the reason for his actions.
Or would I have to leave out the ...
1
vote
3answers
149 views
Proper format for listing criteria for a project
My team are going back and forth between the proper usage of a specific sentence in our project proposal. This project proposal is being presented to a school, so we want to make sure we are correct ...
0
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0answers
335 views
How can I write an aside in a sentence? [closed]
When I am writing sentences, I often find myself adding digressions or qualifying statements related to the sentence that I am writing. I have used three different styles; parenthesized, dashed (or ...
-2
votes
1answer
109 views
Singular or Plural? [closed]
I know that in general people say
How are you?
I find out that people used "are" for showing politeness and respect to the person.
But one of my friend always say
How is you?
so, can I ...
0
votes
2answers
85 views
How to rigorously define independent clauses? [closed]
Consider the following sentence:
The independent filmmaker Ira Sachs’s drama “Keep the Lights On,”
which opened on Friday, is neither an especially good movie nor an
especially bad one, but ...
6
votes
2answers
488 views
Is a smiley at the end of a sentence like a period?
How do you treat an emoticon at the end of a sentence?
He probably caught his cold from the kids at school :(
Should there be a period after the :(, or should I go straight into the next ...
