Flashcards

Punctuation Marks Wilson Guerra

Willo .G Spanish 11 cards

Cards in this deck (11)

1CommasUse a comma and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, yet) to join two independent clauses. (, and)
Use a single comma to indicate that a word or words have been omitted, or to avoid a possible misreading. (.)
a. Use single commas to separate three or more items in a series.
b. Use single commas to separate two or more coordinate adjectives preceding a noun. Coordinate adjectives are Two or more adjectives that are in the same category.
c. Use a single comma any time to avoid misreading.
Use a pair of commas to indicate a nonessential element in a sentence.
2More about commasSometimes the nonessential elements come first or last in a sentence. In these cases, only one half of the pair of
commas is necessary.
a. Use commas to set off nonessential appositives.
b. Use commas to set off nonessential participial phrases, nonessential adjective clauses, and nonessential adverb clauses.
c. Sometimes an element may be interpreted as essential or as nonessential.
d. Use commas to set off words used in direct address.
e. Use commas to set off well, yes, no, and other interjections at the beginning of a sentence.
f. Use commas to set off parenthetical expressions: in fact, for example, of course, indeed, however, incidentally, nevertheless, on the contrary, in my opinion, at any rate, I think, I suppose, etc.
Use a comma to set off introductory modifying phrases or clanxes. (Do not set off introductory phrases or clauses used as the subject of a sentence.)
3SemicolonUse a semicolon between independent clauses if you do not use a comma and a coordinating conjunction.
A semicolon may be used between independent clauses even with a coordinating conjunction (1) if there are com mas within the clauses or (2) if the clauses are long.
Use a semicolon between independent clauses joined by transitional words, such as accordingly, consequently, for example, for instance, however, namely, nevertheless, that is, then, therefore, thus.
Use a semicolon between items in a series if the items themselves contain commas.
4ColonUse a colon before listed items, especially when announced by such words as as follows or the following. Do not use a colon to introduce a list that is the complement of a verb or the object of a preposition.
Use a colon to introduce a statement or quotation that is formally announced.
Use a colon between independent clauses when the sec ond clause gives a fuller explanation of what is stated in the first clause.
Use a colon between the chapter and verse of a biblical reference.
Use a colon between the hour and the minute of a time reference.
Use a colon after the salutation of a business letter.
5DashUse a dash after a series of words or phrases that give de tails about the statement that is to follow.
Use a dash to indicate a break in faltering speech or an unfinished construction.
Use a pair of dashes to indicate parenthetical elements that are emphatic or that contain internal punctuation.
6ParenthesesUse parentheses to enclose brief confirmatory information.
Use parentheses to enclose confidential comments to the reader and supplementary or explanatory information added merely for clarity.
7BracketsUse brackets to enclose editorial corrections, comments, or explanations in quoted matter.
Use brackets, when necessary, as parentheses within parentheses.
8Quotation MarksUse quotation marks to enclose the exact words of a speaker (a direct quotation).
Capitalize the first word of a direct quotation. If the quotation is interrupted by other words, the second part should not begin with a capital letter unless the second part is the beginning of a new sentence or is a word that would be capitalized anyway.
The exact words of a speaker should be set off from the rest of the sentence by using a comma, a question mark, or an exclamation point.
Commas and periods always go inside the closing quota tion marks.
Colons and semicolons always go outside the closing quotation marks.
Question marks and exclamation points go inside the closing quotation marks when they apply to the quoted matter only. They go outside when they refer to the whole sentence.
Use ellipsis marks to indicate that words, sentences, or paragraphs are omitted within a quoted section of material.
In quoting more than one sentence, use quotation marks only at the beginning and at the end of the whole quotation.
9—Italicize or underline the titles of books, magazines, newspapers, plays, works of art (with the exception of monuments), and the names of trains, ships, submarines, aircraft, and spacecraft.
Italicize (underline) words, letters, and numbers referred to as such.
Italicize (underline) foreign words and phrases that have not been accepted as English.
10HyphenUse a hyphen if you must divide a word at the end of a line.
Use a hyphen in compound numbers from twenty-one through ninety-nine.
Use a hyphen in fractions used as adjectives.
Use a hyphen with the prefixes all-, ex-, self- and with the suffix -elect.
Use a hyphen with prefixes before a proper noun or proper adjective.
Use a hyphen with most compound adjectives used before a noun.
11ApostropheUse an apostrophe to form the possessive case of nouns.
a. To form the possessive case of a singular noun, first write the singular spelling of the word. Then add an apostrophe and s. ('s)
b. To form the possessive case of a plural noun that does not end in s, first write the plural spelling of the word. Then add an apostrophe and s. ('s)
c. To form the possessive case of a plural noun that ends in s, first write the plural spelling of the word. Then add an apostrophe. (')
d. When forming the possessive case of compound words and words that show joint possession, make only the last word possessive.
e. For words that show individual possession, make each word in the group possessive.
Use an apostrophe and s to form the possessive case of indefinite pronouns.
Use an apostrophe to show that letters or numbers have been omitted from a word.
Use an apostrophe and s to form the plurals of letters, numbers, signs, and words used as words.