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IntroductionTop writers do not use the semicolon as much today as they did in the past. As a matter of style, you should try to avoid using too many sentences consisting of two independent clauses joined by a semicolon. The mark does have its uses, h... | added by edgood 8 years ago |
Semicolons and Independent Clauses A semicolon separates two or more independent clauses joined without a coordinating conjunction: The Court required police to warn suspects of their constitutional rights; in doing so, it made judicial history. Previous: Chapter 3 - SemicolonNe... | added by edgood 8 years ago |
“However” and Other Conjunctive Adverbs Conjunctive AdverbsConjunctive adverbs include however, therefore, thus, furthermore, and others.If you use a conjunctive adverb to join two independent clauses (compound sentence), then use a semicolon, followed by the conjunctive adverb, followed b... | added by edgood 8 years ago |
Semicolons Separating Elements in a Series Semicolons Instead of CommasWe reviewed this rule when we discussed the serial-comma rule in the discussion on the comma above. It bears repeating, however. When elements in a series are long and complex or involve internal punctuation, they should b... | added by edgood 8 years ago |
Semicolons with Quotation Marks Semicolon Comes OutsideThe semicolon should be placed outside ending quotation marks. When the quoted matter ends with a semicolon, the semicolon in the quotation is dropped: The agency reviewed those petitions that were "timely"; it ignored those th... | added by edgood 8 years ago |
The colon joins two independent clauses (compound sentence), introduces lists, and sets up quotations. Previous: Semicolons with Quotation MarksNext: Colon and Independent Clauses... | added by edgood 8 years ago |
Colon Acts like a PeriodMany writers use the colon between two independent clauses, especially when the subject matter of the second clause expands on, or exemplifies, the subject matter of the first. Some writers start the second clause with a capit... | added by edgood 8 years ago |
A ListUse the colon to introduce a list or a series: The committee's study focused on the most critical areas: development of software, needed changes in computer systems, and recruitment of new engineers. Use of namely, that is, etc.If the list or s... | added by edgood 8 years ago |
Introducing Statements or Quotations Introduce Formal StatementUse the colon to introduce a formal statement, an extract from a passage, or a speech in a dialogue: Remember the rule: A colon may be used to introduce a statement.I now quote from the committee's ruling: "As we stated befo... | added by edgood 8 years ago |
Colon Comes OutsideThe colon should be placed outside quotation marks. When matter ending with a colon is quoted, the colon is dropped: The employee has two objections to the practice of "early retirement": He wants to continue working, and the polic... | added by edgood 8 years ago |
Functions of the DashThe dash is one of the most effective punctuation marks of all. It can halt readers in their tracks—it makes them pay attention—as they read through your words of wisdom. Basically, the dash creates the biggest of the "punctu... | added by edgood 8 years ago |
Types of DashesThere are several kinds of dashes, differing from one another in length. There are en dashes (short), em dashes (medium), and 2‑ and 3‑em dashes (long). The term em dash is a printer's term meaning the width of the letter "m." The ... | added by edgood 8 years ago |
No spaces come before and after the dash. The dash—a most effective punctuation mark—halts readers in their tracks. Previous: En and Em DashesNext: Chapter 6 - Parentheses... | added by edgood 8 years ago |
IntroductionParentheses, like commas and dashes, may be used to set off amplifying, explanatory, or digressive elements. If the parenthetical elements bear a close logical relationship to the rest of the sentence, use commas. If the logical relation... | added by edgood 8 years ago |
Use parentheses to enclose material that amplifies, explains, or digresses from the central message in the sentence: The disagreement between the president and the treasurer (they had fought over the issue a number of times) ultimately destroyed the ... | added by edgood 8 years ago |
Use parentheses to enclose numerals or letters marking divisions or enumerations within the text of your writing. Remember, in indented and vertical lists, the period sets off the number or letter: He discovered the various abuses in (1) recruiting, ... | added by edgood 8 years ago |
Parentheses and Other Punctuation Drop Other PunctuationBefore the closing parenthesis, drop almost all punctuation, such as commas, semicolons, and colons.PeriodsRetain a period inside the closing parenthesis if you've written a complete parenthetical sentence. Put the period outsid... | added by edgood 8 years ago |
IntroductionBrackets are used to enclose editorial interpolations, corrections, explanations, or comments in quoted material.SicResist the temptation to use "[sic]," which in Latin means "that's your mistake, fella, not mine," to point out a mistake ... | added by edgood 8 years ago |
Parentheticals Within Parentheses If you write a parenthetical statement and need to include another parenthetical statement within it, then enclose the second one in brackets: While visiting Virginia, Dr. Smith and his assistant (Fred Jones, who would later study the state bird [the... | added by edgood 8 years ago |
IntroductionIn creative writing, the question mark shows up all the time. In expository writing, question marks do appear—often as mistakes.The question mark serves a variety of roles.Ask a Question The question mark ends the sentence that is a que... | added by edgood 8 years ago |
Question Marks with Quotation Marks Where Do Questions Marks Go?Put the question mark inside ending quotation marks if the question belongs to the quoted source. Put it outside if the question belongs to the writer.Inside When the Question Belongs to the Source The committee asked, rat... | added by edgood 8 years ago |
IntroductionUse the exclamation point to shout. And don't shout much at all in expository writing. Let your prose show your emphasis: The Supreme Court flatly ruled against us! When 911 took the call, the operator said, "I'm on a break now"! Exclamat... | added by edgood 8 years ago |
IntroductionThe hyphen is one of the most underused, one of the most incorrectly used, and one of the most important punctuation marks in writing.It plays a role in showing ranges of numbers. It often incorrectly appears in words beginning with prefi... | added by edgood 8 years ago |
You may use the hyphen (or the en dash) to show a range of numbers: These statistics appear on pages 54-56. Previous: Chapter 10 - HyphenNext: Prefix Words... | added by edgood 8 years ago |
IntroductionMany words start with prefixes; e.g., nonresident, antitrust, coparty, and a spate of others. As a writer, you must learn the rules of hyphenation. So let's start with this observation:Nearly all words formed with prefixes are not hyphena... | added by edgood 8 years ago |
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