punctuations – are marks used to clarify

8/14/2019 PUNCTUATIONS Are Marks Used to Clarify

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PUNCTUATIONS

Are marks used to clarify the structure and meaning of sentences.They promote ease of reading and help avoid ambiguities. However,the overuse of punctuations is as much an error as their underuse.

The test for the proper use of punctuations is whether it helps tomake the meaning of the sentence clear and to prevent misreading.

a sentence may be deprived of half of its force by the use of wrongpunctuations Edgar Allan Poe

KINDS OF PUNCTUATION MARKS

1. Ampersand ---------------- (&)2. Apostrophe ---------------- ( )3. Brackets -------------------- ( [ ] )4. Colon ------------------------ ( : )5. Comma ----------------------( , )6. Dash --------------------------( _ )7. Ellipsis point --------------- ( ... )8. Exclamation point -------- ( ! )9. Hyphen ---------------------- ( - )10.Parentheses ---------------- ( ( ) )11.Period------------------------- ( . )12.Question mark ------------- ( ? )13. Quotation marks ---------- ( )14.Semicolon ------------------- ( ; )

15.Slash -------------------------- ( / )

1.] AMPERSAND is the name of the symbol &, meaning and. It is alsospelled amperzand and called the short and. It is a contraction of and per se and.

A. USES OF AMPERSAND1. The ampersand is used in the names of companies. (American

Telephone & Telegraph Co.)2. The ampersand may be used in abbreviations in general

correspondence. (Please contact the S & L [Savings and Loans]associations in your area).

3. The ampersand is also used in bibliographies, indexes, listings,and documentation. (Blair & Robertson, 1920).


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AMPERSAND (cont.)

A. WHEN AMPERSAND NOT USED

The ampersand should not be used in the names of governmentagencies. (Securities and Exchange Commission, Department of Trade and Industry).

Note: Do not use a comma before an ampersand. When anampersand is used between the last two elements in a series, thecomma is ommitted. (The law firm of Quaison, Makalintal, Barot,Torres & Ibarra).

2.] APOSTROPHE is a mark of punctuation and a spelling symbol. It isformed either by using an apostrophe and s or an apostrophe alone.

A. USES OF APOSTROPHE

1. To form the Possessive case the apostrophe is used to form thepossessive (genetive) case of nouns and certain pronouns.

1.1 ) Use an apostrophe and s to form the possessive of

a. Nouns not ending in s. The nouns may be singular or pluraland of one or more syllables. ( mens, womens, towns,childrens, doctors).

b. One-syllable proper names ending in s or s sound . (Jonesstruck, Marxs teaching, Keatss poems). However somegrammarians use the apostrophe alone for such proper names(Charles, Jules).

c. Proper names with more than one syllable but ends in silents or x.(Margauxs books, Francoiss diamonds).

d. Indefinite pronouns. (anybodys, someones, nobodys).

e. Abbreviations. (C.O.D.s transaction, C.B.s deployment) .

1.2) Use an apostrophe to form the possessive of:

a. Proper names of more than one syllable with an unaccentedeez ending. (Jesus disciples, Ramses kingdom,Demosthenes riches).


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b. Singular nouns of more than on syllable ending in s, z orothr hissing sound. (conscience sake, appearance sake).

Note: the use of just the apostrophe without the s avoids theawkwardness of too many s sound.

c. Plural nouns ending in s. (horses corral, Justices court,girls playmates). If an apostrophe and an s are added, theresulting word would be hard to pronounce.

USES OF APOSTROPHE (cont.)

2. To form Plurals use the apostrophe and s or just the apostrophe:

a. To form the plural words used as words and which havebecome fixed expressions. (dos and donts)

b. Use s alone to form the plurals of abbreviations made up of initial letters. (NGOs)

c. Use the apostrophe and s to form the plurals of letters,words, symbols, sizes and abbreviations with periods:1. Single letters. (dot your is and cross your ts).2. Words. (Do not use too many ands in your pleadings).3. Numerals. (His 3s look like 5s).4. Symbols. (Use xs in multiplication).5. Size. (2 by 2s, 4 by 4s).6. Abbreviations with periods. (Ph.D.s).

2. To indicate Contractions use the apostrophe to indicatecontractions or the omission of a letter or letters from words(oclock of the clock, cant cannot, rock n roll rock and roll) andfigure or figures from numerals (Class of 50 Class of 1950, Spirit of 76 Spirit of 1976). The letter or letters may be intentionallyomitted to reproduce a perceived pronunciation, like in dialectalspeech, or to give a highly informal flavor to the writing (bout time about time).

3. To Devise Words use the apostrophe to devise or invent words

from certain abbreviations particularly those used in informalwriting (assn association, okd okayed, secy -secretary).

4. To add er use the apostrophe to add er as ending to anabbreviation to avoid confusion. (AAer - American Airlineemployee).


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5. To show relationship use the apostrophe to show relationship.(Rubens sister -in-law, Marias best friend).

6. To identify characteristics use the apostrophe to identify certaincharacteristics. (Juans big nose).

A. WHEN APOSTROPHES NOT USED

1. In shortened forms of certain words. (phone, copter).2. To form the possessive of personal and relatieve pronouns. (ours,

not ours; yours, not yours). A common error is the use of its(thecontraction of it is)as the possessive form of it. The correct formis its.

3. To show the possession of things. (the legs of the table, not thetables legs).

3.] BRACKET a bracket is a mark, squarish in form and always used inpairs, for setting off inserted materials remotely or incidentally related tothe texts.

A. USES OF BRACKET

1. To Enclose:

1.1 corrections in quoted matters. Max Dela Rosa [Da Rosa] was theeditor.)

1.2 the word sic in quoted errors. Juan is of Chinese decent [sic].

1.3 the phrase to be continued on p._ and continued from p._ innewspapers and magazines.

1.4 insertions that supply missing letters or words. The law was[en]acted last year.

2. To Distinguish brackets are used to distinguish notes supplied by theauthor or editor from the original notes. The world is a stage [as statedby Shakespeare].

3. To indicate Units brackets are used to indicate units in mathematicalor chemical formula. H3[COOH], X + Y[AB], E[MC]2

B. WHEN BRACKETS NOT USED

Do not use a bracket to set off criticism or other views of the quotedmaterials. Transfer such commentary to separate sentences.


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Note: Brackets are also used to enclose materials inserted by one insomebody elses writing while parentheses are used by someone to writehis own writing.

Dante [Italys greatest poet] wrote The Divine Comedy.

Dante (Italys greatest poet) wrote The Divine Comedy.

4.] COLON is a sign of a pause, midway in length between the semicolonand the period. It signals the reader that more information is to come onthe subect of concern; hence, it is a mark of introduction.

A. USES OF COLON

1. To Introduce. A colon is used to introduce:

1.1 An appositive He had only one vice: woman izi ng .

1.2 A statement The General gave a curt reply: Nuts.

USES OF COLON (cont.)

1.3 A list preceded by a complete sentence or by words like thefollowing or as follows.

100 reams of bond paper, legal size. 5 boxes of typewriting ribbons, Zenith brand.

1.4 A sentence which explains another sentence. When a colon ends inan introductory sentence, what follows begins with a capital letter.

The alternative is obvious: You either finish the job or you face adamage suit.

1.5 A colon is used before a series when the introducing series is acomplete sentence.

The conference was attended by representatives of fourcountries: Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and Brunei.

1.6 A brief heading, which may be a word, phrase or clause thatemphasizes, illustrates, restates or exemplifies what has already beenstated. Since the colon is not an end mark, do not capitalize the wordunless it is a proper noun.


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He has only one regret: he didnt top the bar.

1.7 The statements in a dialogue. A colon is also used to distinguishbetween the speaker and waht he said in dialogue tests.

Juan: Did you bing the money?Maria: Yes.

Judge: Are the parties ready?Defendants Counsel: I am sorry, your Honor, my witness has notarrived yet.

2. To indicate that something will follow. What follows a colon is linkedwith some element that precedes it, whether as an example, explanation,illustration, an elaboration or the message after a salutation. (Dear Sir:)

3. To Separate. A colon is used to separate:

3.1 A chapter of the Bible from the verses (Genesis 2:4-7).

3.2 The hour and minutes in noting the time marked by clocks andwatches (6:10 a.m.).

3.3 The formal salutation of a business letter from the body of aletter (Dear Sir:).

3.4 To separate terms that are being contrasted or compared(Distinguish urban: rural life).

USES OF COLON (cont.)

3.5 The title from its sub-title and the subject of a book (The WideWorld: A High School Geography).

3.6 Number references to the volumes and pages of books (Vol. 118:11-16).

3.7 Numbers in a ratio or proposition (1:3).

4. To express Contrast. A colon is used to express a balanced contrastwithout using conjunctions.

Speech is silver: silence is golden.


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B.WHEN COLON NOT USED

Do not use a colon:

1. To introduce words that fit properly into grammar of thesentence without the colon.

Wrong: The prohibited activities are: smoking, gambling,

drinking and boisterous conversations.

Correct: The prohibited activities: smoking, gambling, drinkingand boisterous conversations.

2. To separate a preposition or a verb and its object unless theobjects are included in formal list beginning on a succeedingline.

Wrong: I am fond of: Chinese food. Correct: I am fond of Chinese food.

Wrong: He likes to watch: TV, basketball games and stageshows.

Correct: He likes to watch TV, basketball games and stageshows.

3. In By-line.

Wrong: By: F.S. Sandoval just write By F. S. Sandoval =correct.

5.] COMMA is the most frequently used punctuation mark in English. It isused to separate items in a series, set off grammatical elements withinsentences, and to coordinate one part of the sentence with another. Itacts like a barrier to keep certain elements from flowing or running intoeach other.

A. USES OF COMMA

1. To introduce commas are used to introduce:


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1.1 An adverbial clause that is fairly long and precedes a main clause.This is called an introductory dependent clause.

If you see him, kindly give my regards.

1.2 A dependent clause at the beginning of a sentence even if saidclause is restrictive. At the time of the revolution, the commercial intercourse between

the Philippines and Japan was discontinued.

1.3 An adverb with more than one syllable (e.g., however, moreover,furthermore) that is found at the beginning of the sentence.

However, the show must go on.

1.4 Commas are also used in phrases like the following:

1.4 A.) An absolute phrase that introduces a clause. The contract having been signed, the parties adjourned for thecocktails.

1.4 B.) An adverb phrase that introduces the main clause.

Immediately after the hearing, the court issued a temporaryrestraining order.

1.4 C.) A prepositional phrase that introduces the main clause.

At the beginning of rhe century, the population of the country did

not exceed five million.

To get an answer, send a follow-up telegram.

1.5A direct question or statement. You will go, wont you? I wondered, should I tell the group the bad news?

1.5A salutation in an informal letter ( Dear Binang, Dear Inday,).1.6 Words such as Yes, No, Well, Why and Oh. (Oh, youre

such a loser.)

USES OF COMMA (cont.)

2. To Separate. Commas are used to separate:


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4. To indicate omission. A comma is used to indicate omission for brevityor convenicence of word/s in a sentence. (Common stocks are preferred busome investors, bonds [are preferred], by others.)

USES OF COMMA (cont.)

5. To avoid confusion. A comma is used to avoid confusion, misreadingand vagueness. (They marched in, in twos).

B. WHEN COMMA NOT USED

1. Do not use a comma after:

1.1 The words that that(He sacrifice his life that that freedom mightprevail.)

1.2 The vocative O. However, a comma is used after the exclamation

Oh. (O God please help me.)1.3 A phrase or clause placed in an inverted order (From the apartment

above came a loud sound.)

1.4 A short prepositional phrase (For recreation the mayor goesfishing.)

1.5 A short antithetecal phrase (The more the better).

2. Do not use a comma before:

2.1 The ampersand in a firm name ( Diaz & Associates).2.2 The word that and which, when said words signal a limiting

junction and restricts the preceding word or phrase (The judge read thememorandums that were well written.)

3. Do not use a comma between:

3.1 The word page and the numbers following it (page 115).

3.2 The last two surnames in a company or firm name (Quiason,Makalintal, Barot, Torres and Ibarra Law Firm).

4. Do not use a comma to enclose:

4.1 A conjunctive verb that becomes an essential part of the meaningof a sentence (The President was therefore justified in dismissing Pedro.)

4.2 A word phrase in italics ( People v. Reyes ).


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4.3 A word in quotations (The word caprice comes from the Latinword caper.)

WHEN COMMA NOT USED (cont.)

5. Do not use a comma to join:

5.1 Two or more independent clauses if the clauses are grammaticallycomplete and are not joined by a conjunction as to form a compoundsentence. Use instead a semicolon or a period.

e.g., Wrong: It is nearly half past five, we cannot read in the dark.

Correct: It is nearly half past five; we cannot read in the dark.

6. Do not use comma to separate:

6.1 The abbreviation etc. when it ends in a sentence.

6.2 Two adjectives, when the first adjective modifies the combinationof the second adjective and the noun following it (e.g., dirty old man,illegal drug traffic, cold spring water).

6.3 Short and simple clauses that are closely related in meaning andare clearly understood (The sun was shining and the birds were singing.)

6.4 Short clauses clauses of a compound sentence when they areclosely connected (He looked but did not see the flying object.)

6.5 Short, introductory adverbial clauses if there is no uncertaintywhere the main clause begins e.g., In the alley lay a dead cat.

6.6 The postal number of the house and the street name in an addresse.g., 24 Nihtingale, Green Meadows

6.7 The number of laws e.g., Republic Act 12456.8 Telephone number e.g., Telephone No. 631-111-523

6.] DASH is an emphatic mark used to indicate a sudden shift in thoughtor a sharp break in the construction of a sentence. The most common dash


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is the em dash which in typeset has the width of a capital M. The en dashis shorter than the em dash but longer than the hyphen.

A. USES OFDASH

1. To add effect a dash is used to add effect, create suspense, oremphasize for dramatic effect of words or phrases (Behold- the Prince of Persia).

2. To enclose a clause e.g., Most lawyers- and Pedro is no exception- donot like to appear before provincial courts.

USES OF DASH (cont.)

3. To indicate an area or extent (These books are recommended forchildren - from 11 to 14 years old.)

4. To set off:4.1) A strongly distinguished material

I was pleased- delighted- to hear the good news.

5. To note authors (Dont buy trouble-Juan).

6. To soften a statement that could give offense (We cannot accept yourexplanation-that is, without further verification).

NOTE: The en dash is also used as a replacement for a hyphen as the

equivalent of up to and including when used between numbers, dates orother notations to indicate range e.g., 1-100, Jan Dec.

The en dash is also used in replacement of the word to betweencapitalized names (San Jose-Downtown).

A two-em dash in dicates missing letters in a word, or indicates a missingword.

A three-em dash indicates that an entire word has been left out ormissing.

7.] EXCLAMATION POINT - also called exclamatory mark is used afterexclamatory sentences, or sentences that expresses surprise, emotion ordeep feeling.

A. USES OF EXCLAMATION POINT


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1. To express strong feelings:

1.1) A command e.g., Advance!

1.2) Irony and sarcasm e.g., Big Deal! he replied.

1.3) Surprise e.g., Thats Awesome!

2. To indicate. The exclamation point is used to indicate:

2.1) A very forceful question. In this case it may replace the questionmark because the emphatic tone is more intense than the question e.g.,

You did what!

3. To express praise e.g., Youre the man!

B. WHEN EXCLAMATION POINT NOT USED

Never use an exclamation point when another mark will serve adequatelyor properly. Except when an exclamation point appears in a quotedmaterial, it should not be used in legal writing.

NOTE: The exclamation point in quoted passages falls inside the quotationmarks.

Thats a lie! shouted the accused.

8.] ELLIPSES consist of three dots and each point is actually a period.They are used to indicate an intentional omission from a quoted word,phrase, clause, paragraph or passage.

A. USES OF ELLIPSES

1. Ellipses are sometimes used as a stylish mark to catch the readersattention.

2. Ellipses are used to indicate:

2.1) An interruption

2.2) The omission of a word, phrase, line or paragraph within a quotedpassage e.g.,

Give me liberty or... death.

2.3) A pause in dialogues e.g., I think... our friend is guilty.


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2.4) That a sentence is unfinished and much more could be said on thematter.

B. WHEN ELLIPSES NOT USED

1. Before or after a run-in-quotation of a complete sentence.

2. Before a block quotation beginning with a complete sentence.

3. After a block quotattion ending in a complete sentence.

9.] HYPHEN is a punctuation used in combining words to form new wordsand in dividing words at the end of the lines. It is also used to avoidambiguities or to determine the relationship between words and betweenparts of the same word.

A. USES OF HYPHEN

1. To avoid ambiguities by separating certain words

200-odd people (meaning about 200 people) and 200 odd people(meaning 200 people)

re-cover (meaning to cover again) and recover (meaning to becomewell again)

2. To combine:

2.1) Two simple adjectives preceding the noun they modify (ten-footceiling).

2.2) An adjective and a past participle when used before a noun (rosy-cheeked girl).

2.3) A suffix if the adition would create a sequence of three identicalletters (bell-like).

3. To divide the word at the end of a line when a part of the word is to becarried over to the next line. The division should be made after a vowel,unless the resulting break changes the pronunciation (e.g., cri-ti-cism,liga-ture, physi-cal).

4. To express ratios in words or figures (a fifty-fifty chance, a 2-1 ratio).

5. To indicate:

5.1) A dialectal pronunciation (They wer a-driven the whole week).


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5.2) Stuttering or hesitation (W-e-ll, Jose stammered, I like t-t-tomatoes.)

5.3) From-to travel points (Manila-Cebu, Manila-USA).

6. To separate letters from figures (B-17 bombers) or letters from words(X-ray).

B. WHEN HYPHENS NOT USED

Hyphens are not used :

1.To separate prefixes and suffixes from their main words (anteroom,antenuptia, misinformed, dishonorable).

2. To separate suffixes from the main words (tenfold, meanness,lengthwise).

3. To separate words that can be written better as one word (teapot,catfish, handsaw).

4. To separate compound adfjectives of three or more words when theyfollow the noun they modify (His report was off the record) or when theyfollow thenoun they modify and are not unit modifiers ( He is ill prepared).

5. To separate compound adverbs whose first word endsto in ly (highlydeveloped region).

6. To combine temporarily a long noun and another long noun (televisioncamera, wildlife sanctuary).

10.] PARENTHESES arecurved punctuation marks used like commas anddashes, to enclose new materials inside the sentence. But unlike commas,the materials enclosed in parentheses have little connection with thecontext of the sentence.

A. USES OF PARENTHESES

1. To enclose:

1.1) Words as appositives e.g., Juan (Marias boyfriend) is the leader of the syndicate.

1.2) The names of a city or province that is inserted into a proper nounfor identification e.g., The Ateneo University (Naga, Cam. Sur).


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1.3) Question marks to express doubt or if the accuracy of theinformation is uncertain e.g., He was born on April 24 (?), 1950.

1.4) Examples when these are necessary but not important enough tobe defined separately e.g., Crimes against persons (murder, homicide,

physical injuries) are usually considered more serious than crimes aginstproperty.

1.5) Exclamation marks used to express irony e.g., Pedro is benevolent,he donates P100,000 (!) annually to the charity.

2. To indicate. - Parentheses are used to indicate:

2.1) Abbreviations of spelled-out words e.g., Manila Electric Company(MERALCO). Write out the complete name of the company the first time

you use it then put the abbreviation in parenthesis after the name.

2.2) The authority for the statement, bibliographic data, crossreference, comments about a text and direction e.g., The procedure forfiling claims with NLRC has been discussed previously. (p.116).

2.3) The error or omission in quoted materials e.g., President Queson(Quezon) was brn in Baler, Tayabas.

3. To refer the transcript of steographic notes, citations of authorities oran appendix e.g., Defendant paid his first installment payment on Jan.,1996 (T.S.N. Aug. 11, 1994, p.18).

11.] PERIOD next to the comma, the period is the next most usedpunctuation. It is one of the three end marks of full stops, the others

being the question mark and the exclamation point. It ends all sentencesthat are not questions or exclamations.

A. USES OF PERIOD

1. To End. Periods are used to end:

1.1) Abbreviations (Mister Mr., Miss Ms., feet ft.).


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When the last word of a sentence is an abbreviation, the period after theabbreviation also serves as the period ending the sentence.

The train leaves at 7 A.M.

If the abbreviation is placed in the middle of the sentence, a comma isused to separate it from the rest of the sentence .

The train leaves at 7 A.M., except on Sundays when it leaves at10:30 A.M.

1.2) A period is used to end complete sentences (The defendantscounsel is absent.)

1.3) Declarative sentences (Decisions of the Court of Appeals areappealable to the Supreme Court.)

1.4) Imperative sentences that do not command or express strongemotion, like a request (Please take this book Juan.)

1.5) Indirect questions, which are statements that recast directquestions in the writers own words. Likewise, when a question isintended as a suggestion and the listener is not expected to answer, aperiod is used as part of the sentence.

Judge Reyes asked whether the letter had been mailed.

1.7) Words or phrase used as a sentence (Yes. Delighted, Okay. Agree).

2. To Guide. Periods are used to guide a readers eye across to a page of reference in tables of contents of books. For this purpose, a line of periodscalled leaders are used.

3. To Separate. Periods are used to separate:

3.1) Parts of abbreviations (B.C. Before Christ, A.M. ante-meridian,P.M. post meridian).

USES OF PERIOD (cont.)


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3.2) To separate letters and numbers used to enumerate items in avertical list

The events are: The cities are:

a. The Bay of Pigs 1. Baguio Cityb. Tug of War 2. Cebu Cityc. Russian Roulette 3. Tacloban City

4. To Indicate. Periods are used to indicate:

4.1) The omission of certain words from a quoted passage. In thiscase,three periods are used.

Who the h...ll you think you are!

4.2) Hesitation or interruption in a dialogue or a narrative. For thispurpose, four periods are used if they are placed at the end of thesentence and three if they are placed inside the sentence.

Are you ...the one? I think they are going to....

B. WHEN PERIODS NOT USED

Periods are not used in the following cases:

1. After abbreviations of well- known publications (DMHM).

2. After acronyms (CATV, MERALCO, UNESCO)

3. After headings or titles (The Flight of The Phoenix)

4. After items in a tabulated list if one or more of the items are notcomplete sentences

The Chapter is divided into:

1. The introduction2. When to use a period3. When not to use a period

5. After sentences that are included within another sentence and enclosedin parentheses.

The snow (I caught a glimpse of it as I passed the window) wasfalling heavily.


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6. After sentences that end with an abbreviation. If a sentence ends withan abbreviated word the period after that word is enough. In other words,do not use two periods to end a sentence.

12.] QUESTION MARK sometimes called the interrogatory point, is a

terminal mark of punctuation. Like the period and the exclamation mark, itis a full stop. In speech, the speaker raises his voice at the end of thesentence to show that he is raising a query.

A. USES OF QUESTON MARK

1. To Indicate. A question mark is used to indicate:

1.1) A doubt or uncertainty. A question mark enclosed in parenthesesand placed after a word in a sentence means that the word is of doubtfulinformation.

Pedro was born on April (?) 1, 1950

1.2) A request (Will you please send my October bill?)

1.3) A series of questions in the same sentence (Are you joining? Isyour sister? Your brother? Pedro?)

2. To terminate. Question marks are used to terminate:

2.1) A direct question or interrogation e.g., Who is the one who didthis?

Sometimes a sentence begins as a statement and ends with a questione.g., You will return the book tomorrow, will you not?

2.2) An expression that asks a question and stands as a statement e.g.,How many lawyers attended? Sixty?

2.3) A humor. The question mark is enclosed in parentheses and placedafter the element it describes e.g., The newspapers reported that thePresident delivered a short(?) speech.

B. WHEN QUESTION MARK NOT USED

Do not use a question mark in a technically, superficially interrogativesentence. These are merely requests prompted by courtesy, anger orsome strong emotions.

Will you please pass the butter. Will you pass the butter please!


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13.] QUOTATION MARKS is a mark of enclosure for words, phrases,clauses, sentences and even paragraphs and groups of paragraphs toindicate the beginning and end of quoted materials. It is used to set-off the exact words said or written by somebody. The word quotationmeans copying or repeating what someone has said or written.

A quotation mark, also called a quote consists of two inverted commas ( ) at the beginning of a sentence, and two apostrophes ( ) at the end of a sentence in the case of double quotes. A single quote is consist of one

inverted comma at the beginning of the sentence and one apostrophe atthe end of a sentence.

A. USES OF DOUBLE QUOTATION MARKS

1. To Emphasize a thought by enclosing an expression having specificlimited usage.2. To Enclose. A quotation mark is used to enclose:

2.1) A different level of writing e.g., Pres. Garcia told Speaker Perezthat the resolution of the House was cockneyed.

2.2) Words or phrases borrowed from others.

2.2) Short sentences falling within longer sentences e.g., Throughoutour mission, the spirit was Never say die.

2.3) Words of marked informality or which are considered odd orunusual, like a jargon used in formal writing.

I thought she was a knockout.

2.4) The representation of sounds e.g., Ooh, Ssshh, Mmm!

2.5) Technical terms e.g., This is a heavily watered stock.

3. To Indicate. Quotation marks are also used to indicate:

3.1) The definition when a word and its definition appears in the samesentence e.g., The word caprice comes from the Latin word caper.

3.2) The names of ships, trains and airplanes e.g., The cargo wasloaded on the SS Travel Star.

4. To Set Off. A quotation mark is used to set off:


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4.1) The words of a speaker from the rest of the sentence e.g., Theflight is scheduled for Tuesday, said the pilot.

5. To Show a Change of Speaker. - A quotation mark is used to show achange of speaker in a dialogue. The quoted statement is placed in a

separate paragraph.

B. USES OF SINGLE QUOTATION MARK

The single quoattaion mark is used to enclose a quotation within aquotation. In a quotation within another quotation, the correctpunctuation marks are first, double quotation marks for the mainquotation, single marks for the quotation within and double marks again

for the last quotation.

C. WHEN QUOTATION MARKS NOT USED

1. Do not enclose indirect discourses and questions, unless they representquoted dialogues.

The question is, somos o no somos?

2. Do not use quotation marks as a display or ornament to the text ratherthan as part of the text itself.

3. Legal maxims, proverbial expressions and familiar phrases of literaryorigin are not enclosed in quotation marks.

4. Titles of books, movies, newspapers or magazines unlike articles orchapters of books, are not enclosed in quotation marks.

5. In formal writing, unlike in informal writing, words which are referred toas words, are not enclosed in quotation marks. The words are put in italicsor are underlined.

6. Do not enclose in quotation marks the words yes and no, except in

direct discourses.

14.] SEMICOLON is a mark of separation or division. It is never used tointroduce, enclose or terminate a statement. Semi means half andtherefore semicolon is half a colon. There is a suggestion that asemicolon be called semi-period, half-period, reduced period ordouble comma because of its functions.


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A semicolon performs a function that is between that of a comma and aperiod. It is stronger than a comma because it marks a more definitebreak between two sentence elements. It is weaker than a period becauseit indicates a readily discernible relationship between sentence elements.

A. USES OF SEMICOLON1. To Separate. A semicolon is used to separate:

1.1) Two or more coordinate clauses which are closely related inthought e.g., Jose Reyes was a poet; he was also a bricklayer.

1.2) Coordinate clauses joined by adverbs. If a sentence consists of twoor more clauses, each of considerable length and containing commas, theclauses may be separated by semicolons for clarity.

(Arellano follows Greek, Roman and Byzantine architecture; but Recto

uses his own original design.)

USES OF SEMICOLON (cont.)

1.3) Coordinate clauses joined by a special kind of adverb used as aconjunction (conjunctive adverb), like also, anyhow, as a result,besides, consequently, for example, furthermore, hence,however, in addition, indeed, and in fact.

Modern husbands are slaves of the wives; for example, they nowbabysit and bottlefeed their wives.

1.4) To separate clauses and phrases of great length.

Success in life, so some maintain, requires intelligence, industry andhonesty; bot others, fewer in number, assert that any personality isimportant.

1.5) To separate elements of equal parts of a sentence even if theseelements are less than complete statements.

The Bible reading for the day includes Genesis 2:4-6; Judges 2:3;Romans 2:1-4.

2. To show Changes. A semicolon is used to show a change in thespeaker in the transcript of proceedings.

B. WHEN SEMICOLON NOT USED

Do not use a colon when a period is more appropriate.


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NOTE: A semicolon at the close of a quotation falls outside the quotationmarks e.g., Read Holmes The Common Law; then write a report aboutcommon law.

15.] SLASH is a short diagonal stroke or slanting mark used as a mark of separation. The slash is also called a bar, virgule, diagonal, solidus,oblique,slant or slant line. Virgule is a pedantic word from the Latinvirgula, meaning a rod.

A. USES OF SLASH

1. To indicate alternatives. It may show that either the two woords may beused in interpreting the sense of expression e.g., yours/mine

2. To replace the words per (100 Km/Hr), divided by (price/earnings;

men/women ratio) and the word to (Manila/Cebu).

3. To replace a word in an abbreviation (w/o meaning water in oil; c/omeaning care of).

4. To separate numbers in dates like month-day-year combination ininformal writing (6/9/10)

5. To indicate delivery of items free of charge (520/500 meaning 520 itemsdeliverd for P500 only).


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punctuations – are marks used to clarify

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