PUNCTUATIONTHAT CROOKED MONSTER!

Three punctuation marks signal the end of the sentence:

Period (.); Question Mark (?); and Exclamation Point (!)

Periods and End Marks

Period is used at the end of a declarative sentence (makes a statement).

Period used at the end of a mild imperative sentence (makes a command).

Question mark is used at the end of an interrogative sentence (asks a question).

Exclamation point is used at the end of an exclamatory sentence (shows strong feeling) or an interjection.

Periods and End Marks

Odd exercises 1. write the type of sentence, show end

mark

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Commas signal a pause between parts of a sentence.

1. separate items in series (serial comma) Frogs, worms, and beetles are a boy’s

delight.

COMMAS!

2. Commas show a pause after an introductory word and to set off names in a direct address.

Yes, most cities have parks for dogs.

Bob, are you going hiking this weekend?

COMMAS

3. Use a comma after two or more introductory prepositional phrases, when the prepositional phrase is very long, or when the comma is needed to make the meaning clear.

In the fall of 1992, Frank M. Jordan was elected mayor.

A comma is not needed after a single, short prepositional phrase, but it is acceptable to use one.

COMMAS

4. Use a comma after an introductory participle and an introductory participial phrase.

Plagued by deficits, many cities need state aid.

COMMAS

5. Use a comma to set off words that interrupt the flow of a thought in a sentence.

A large city, as you can see, employs many police officers.

COMMAS

6. Use a comma after conjunctive adverbs such as however, moreover, furthermore, nevertheless, and therefore.

The city is growing; therefore, the city payroll must increase.

COMMAS

7. Use commas to set off an appositive if it is not essential to the meaning of the sentence.

Alpine Inc., this city’s oldest company, joined a large cartel.

The red head sitting over there is Mike’s girlfriend.

COMMAS

ODD only. Write the word nearest the punctuation Ex.

Some buildings are neat clean and attractive.

neat, clean,

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8. Use a comma before and, or, nor, for, so, yet, and but when it joins two main clauses.

Farming is a business, and farmers need to make a profit.

MORE COMMAS

9. Use a comma after an introductory adverb clause. Adverb clauses begin with subordinating conjunctions, such as after, although, as, because, before, considering (that), if , in order that, since, so that, though, unless, until, when, whenever, where, wherever, whether, or while.

When the weather is too dry, farmers have problems.

If there is no rain, crops can die.

COMMAS

9 continued. In most cases, do not use a comma with an

adverb clause that comes at the end of a sentence.

Farmers have problems when the weather is too dry.

Crops can die if there is no rain.

COMMAS

10. Use a comma or a pair of commas to set off an adjective clause that is not essential to the meaning of a sentence. This means that the clause merely gives additional information. Adj. Clauses often begin with the relative pronouns who, whom, whose, which, or that.

Dairy cows, which are common on farms, are raised for their milk.

COMMAS

10. continued Do not use a comma or pair of commas to

set off an essential clause from the rest of the sentence. An adj. clause is essential when it is necessary to the meaning of the sentence.

An animal that is raised for milk is the dairy cow.

COMMAS

Exercise 3 even... Write the word before the comma and write the comma

Exercise 4 even... Write the word before the comma and write the comma

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11. Use commas before and after the year when it is used with both the month and the day. IF only the month and the year are given, do not use a comma.

The antipollution project began on May 25, 1992, and lasted a year.

The first meeting was held in July 1992 and made headlines.

ONLY SEVEN MORE COMMA RULES

12. Use commas before and after the name of a state or country when it is used with the name of a city. Do not use a comma after the state if it is used with a zip code.

Speakers came from Palo Alto, California, to speak at the meeting.

The address was as follows: 123 Himminy Lane, Orange, CT 06477.

COMMA

13. USE A COMMA OR A PAIR OF COMMAS TO SET OFF AN ABBREVIATED TITLE OR DEGREE FOLLOWING A PERSON’S NAME.

One expert on pollution and health is Jay Carr, M.D.

Peter Fujita, Ph.D., wrote a book on pollution.

COMMA

14. Use a comma or commas to set off “too” in the middle of a sentence when “too” means “also.”

Air pollution, too, creates problems.

The courts, too, are involved.

COMMA

15. Use a comma or commas to set off a direct quotation.

Dr. Flores said, “Indeed, a type of pollution exists in the minds of men.”

“We will try,” said Joan, “to clear the nonsense from our lives.”

COMMA

16. Use a comma after the salutation of a friendly letter and after the closing of both a friendly letter and business letter.

Dear Bubba, Yours Truly, Sincerely,

COMMA

17. Use a comma for clarity in reading a sentence.

Instead of three, four panelists discussed the issue.

COMMA

WRITE THE WORD PRIOR TO THE COMMA AND WRITE THE COMMA

EXERCISE 5 ALL EXERCISE 6 ... 1-10...

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