A request that is stated as a polite question should be followed by a period
May you please open the door for me.
Terminal marks:
Use a period after a declarative sentence(regular),an imperative sentence(command), or an indirect question
- Julian opened the door.
- Go open the door.
- She asked if Julian opened the door.
Use a period Also after most abbreviations
Mrs.Reffel is married to Mr.Reffel
Use three periods to indicate an omission of a word for words within a quoted sentence,three periods Plus the terminal Mark to indicate an omission at the end of a quoted sentence
“None of those regular colleges were able to inspire me. . .thats why i came back to fidm. . . .”
Use a question mark After a direct question
- Did John answer the telephone?
- “Did he answer the door?” she asked
Use an exclamation mark after an expression of strong feeling,this Mark should be used sparingly
- “wait for me!” she shouted(Direct quotation)
- That’s crazy! (simple)
- The person left without paying! ( exclamation)
The comma:
Use a coma to separate independent clauses when they are joined by the coordinating conjunctions ( and but or nor for so and yet)
She went swimming (independent), but the water was cold. ( dependent )
Use a comma to desperate words, phrases, and clauses written In a series of three or more.
- Jacob, Amber, Ashley, and Dylan all went to the football game (words in a series)
- I went to the store,got my groceries, and the went home. (short phrases)
- I went to the store, I went to the park, and I went home. (Short independent clauses)
Use a comma to separate two or more coordinate adjectives that modify the same nouns
The smart, beautiful young girl went to the dance.
Use a comma to separate sharply contrasted coordinate elements
She wasn’t mean, she was defensive.
Use commas to set off all nonessential modifiers.do not set off essential modifiers
- Audrey, who loves animals, works at the animal shelter (nonessential clause)
- The girl, who loves animals,is Audrey (nonessential phrase)
- Audrey who loves animals works at the animal shelter (essential clause)
- The girl who loves animals is Audrey (essential phrase)
Use a comma after an introductory adverbial clause, verbal phrase, or absolute phrase
- When we were driving(dependent), we got stuck in traffic (independent). (introductory participial phrase)
- While he was playing, he thought about his dad. (Introductory participial phrase)
Use commas to set off nonessential a positives
Rayna, the head dancer, was currently on stage.
Sometimes an appositive is so closely fused with it’s the preceding word that it constitutes any sensual element in the sentence thus is not set off by commas
Sir Isaac Newton the great was a very important figure
Use commas to set off items in dates geographical names and addresses and to set off titles after names
- October 24th,1998, was the day I was born
- Stockton,California, is where I was born
- My address is 1742 Argose drive, Stockton, California
- Juliana Rosen,fashion director, will be visiting
Use commas two cents off words used in direct address
You,my friend, must help me with the project.
Use a comma after a mild interjection and after yes and no
No, I can not go to the party tonight.
Use a comma to separate and independent clause from a question dependent on the clause
I put my trust in you, okay?
Use commas two sets off expressions like he said or she replied when they interrupt a sentence a direct quotation
“I was thinking”, she said, “we could go out to eat”.
Use commas two sets off certain parenthetical elements
I was hoping, to be honest, that she would not come.
The semicolon:
Use a; two separate independent clauses when they are not joined by (and but for or nor so yet)
- she left me; I left her
- “ I am sick,” I told them; “ therefor I can not come.”
Use a; two separate coordinate elements that are joined by a coordinating conjunction with that that are internally punctuated
His tour included concert appearances in Austin, Texas; Little Rock, Arkansas; Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Kansas City, Kansas.
