6 - Use the double quotation mark and single quotation mark/apostrophe
for different purposes.
The double quotation ( " ) encloses a direct quotation, whether made
by a person or taken from a piece of literature.
"I can't wait to see him perform!" John exclaimed.
The single quotation mark or apostrophe ( ' ) has a variety of uses.
Use the apostrophe together with the letter s to indicate possession.
Be aware of the difference in using an apostrophe with singular or
plural nouns. A singular noun will use 's, whereas the plural version
of that singular noun will use s'. Also, be mindful of nouns that are
always considered to be plural, such as children and people -- here,
you should use 's. Be aware of pronouns that are already possessive
and do not require apostrophes, such as hers and its (it's is used
only for the contractions of it is and it has). Their is possessive
without apostrophe or s, except as a predicate adjective, where it
becomes theirs.
The hamster's water tube needs to be refilled.
A singular noun with possession.
In the pet store, the hamsters' bedding needed to be changed.
A pluralized singular noun with possession.
These children's test scores are the highest in the nation.
A plural noun with possession.
Use the apostrophe to combine two words to make a contraction. For
example, cannot becomes can't, you are becomes you're, and they have
becomes they've.
Use the single quotation mark within a regular quotation to indicate a
quotation within a quotation.
Ali said, "Anna told me, 'I wasn't sure if you wanted to come!'"
7 - Indicate a break or pause within a sentence with the comma ( , ).
This is another commonly used punctuation mark. There are several
instances where you might use a comma:
Use the comma when denoting an appositive, or a break within a
sentence that supplements and adds information to the subject.
Bill Gates, CEO of Microsoft, is the developer of the operating system
known as Windows.
Use the comma when denoting a series. This is a set of three or more
"list" items within a sentence. To save space in newspapers, some
writers may omit the last comma.
The fruit basket contained apples, bananas, and oranges.
The computer store was filled with video games, computer hardware and
other electronic paraphernalia.
Use a comma if your subject has two or more adjectives describing it.
This is somewhat similar to a series, except that it is incorrect to
place a comma after the final adjective.
CORRECT - The powerful, resonating sound caught our attention.
INCORRECT - The powerful, resonating, sound caught our attention.
Use a comma when referring to a city and state. It is also necessary
to use a comma to separate the city and state from the rest of the
sentence.
I am originally from Freehold, NJ.
Use a comma to separate an introductory phrase (which is usually one
or more prepositional phrases) from the rest of the sentence. An
introductory phrase briefly introduces the sentence, but is not part
of the sentence's subject or predicate, and it therefore should be
separated from the main clause by a comma.
After the show, John and I went out to dinner.
On the back of my couch, my cat's claws have slowly been carving a
large hole.
Use the comma to separate two independent clauses. Having two
independent clauses in a sentence simply means that you can split the
sentence into two. If your sentence contains two independent clauses
that are separated by a conjunction (such as and, as, but, for, nor,
so, or yet ), place a comma before the conjunction.
Ryan went to the beach yesterday, but he forgot his sunscreen.
Use a comma when making a direct address. When calling one's attention
by name, separate the person's name and the rest of the statement with
a comma. Note that this kind of comma is used rarely in writing,
because this is something that we do normally while speaking.
Amber, could you come here for a moment?
Use a comma to separate direct quotations. A comma should come after
the last word before a quotation that is being introduced. It is not
necessary to use a comma in an indirect quote. A comma is usually not
necessary if you are not quoting an entire statement.
While I was at his house, John asked me if I wanted anything to eat.
An indirect quotation that does not require a comma.
While I was at his house, John asked, "Do you want anything to eat?"
A direct quotation.
According to the client, the lawyer was "lazy and incompetent."
A partial direct quotation that does not require a comma.
8 - Understand the difference between parentheses, brackets, and
braces.
Use parentheses ( ( ) ) to clarify, to place an afterthought, or to
add a personal comment. Be sure to include the period after the
closing parenthesis.
You will need a flashlight for the camping trip (don't forget the
batteries!).
Use brackets ( [ ] ) to signify an editor's note in a regular piece of
writing. You can also use brackets to clarify or to revise a direct
quote so that it appeals to your own writing. Brackets are often used
to encompass the word "sic" (Latin for thus), suggesting that the
previous word or phrase was written "as is", with the error intended
to be displayed.
"[The blast] was absolutely devastating," said Susan Smith, a local
bystander at the scene of the incident.
"It was absolutely devastating!" - the actual quote by Susan Smith.
Braces ( { } ) are most widely used in denoting a numeric set in
mathematics. Though generally uncommon, braces can also be used in
regular writing to indicate a set of equal, independent choices.
{ 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 }
9 - Know how to use the slash ( / ).
Use the slash to separate "and" and "or", when appropriate. The phrase
"and/or" suggests that a series of options are not mutually
exclusive.
"To register, you will need your driver's license and/or your birth
certificate."
The slash is used when quoting lyrics and poetry to denote a line
break. Be sure to add spaces between your slashes here.
"Row, row, row your boat / gently down the stream / Merrily, merrily,
merrily, merrily, / life is but a dream."
The slash can replace the word "and" to join two nouns. By replacing
"and" with a slash, you suggest that there is equal important to both
characteristics. Use these replacements in moderation to place greater
emphasis where "and" may not do so--as well as as not to confuse the
reader. You can also do the same for "or", as in "his/her". However
you should not use the slash to separate independent clauses, as shown
below.
"The student and part-time employee has very little free time." → "The
student/part-time employee has very little free time."
"Do you want to go to the grocery store, or would you prefer to go to
the mall?" → "Do you want to go to the grocery store / would you
prefer to go to the mall? - This is incorrect.
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