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PUNCTUATION
comma | semicolon | colon | apostrophe | parentheses | dash | italics | quotation marks

Use a SEMICOLON

1. Between independent clauses not joined by coordinating conjunctions

(for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)

Example

2. Between independent clauses joined by a conjunctive adverb

Example

3. Between items in a series containing internal punctuation

Example

4. Between independent clauses containing internal punctuation -even when the clauses are
joined by coordinating conjunctions.

Example

Use a COLON

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1. Before formally introducing a list (*An independent clause must precede the colon.)

Examples

Incorrect

2. Between two independent clauses when the second explains or expands the first
Examples

3. Before a formal appositive (*An independent clause must precede the colon)
Example

Incorrect

4. Between hour and minute / chapter and verse (Bible)

Examples

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Use an APOSTROPHE

1. To show ownership (to form the possessive case of nouns)

Examples

2. To show joint ownership with nouns

Example

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3. To show individual ownership with nouns

Example

4. To show ownership with indefinite pronouns

Examples

NOTE:Â
Do not use an apostrophe to form the possessive case of the personal possessive pronoun its.

Example

Do use an apostrophe with its to mean it is or it has.

Correct

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 5. To form the plural of letters, numbers, and signs, and of words referred to as words.

Examples

Use PARENTHESES

1. To enclose interrupting elements that add information or identification

Examples

2. To enclose figures or letters when used for enumeration within a sentence

Example

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Use a DASH

To set off parenthetical matter

Example

NOTE:Â UNLIKE PARENTHESES, WHICH MINIMIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF THE.

PARENTHETICAL MATERIAL, DASHES EMPHASIZE PARENTHETICAL
MATERIAL.

Notice the different emphasis in each sentence.

Use ITALICS (underlining)

1. For words, letters, and figures referred to as such

Examples

2. For foreign, technical (including mathematical expressions), or unusual words and phrases.

Examples

3. For titles of books, newspapers, magazines, journals, plays, movies, radio programs, TV programs, long
musical works, long poems, works of art, names of ships and airplanes.

Examples

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Use QUOTATION MARKS

1. To enclose titles of minor works:Â articles, essays, poems, songs, chapters of

books, short stories, episodes of radio/TV programs.

Examples

2. To enclose words used ironically or where the term so-called could be inserted.

Examples

3. To enclose a direct quotation:Â a person's exact words

Example

NOTE: Do not use quotation marks to enclose indirect quotations.

Incorrect

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 Correct

NOTES FOR DIRECT QUOTATIONS:

1. Start the quotation with a capital letter.

2. Place commas and periods INSIDE the quotation marks.
3. Place semicolons and colons OUTSIDE the quotation marks.
4. Place question marks and exclamation marks INSIDE the quotation marks if the
quotation itself is a question or an exclamation.
5. Place question marks and exclamation marks OUTSIDE the quotation marks if the
quotation itself is NOT a question or exclamation.

USE SINGLE QUOTATION MARKS to enclose a quotation inside another quotation.

Examples

If the quotation within another quotation is a question or an exclamation, place appropriate

punctuation next to the item concerned.

Examples

Question quotation inside statement quotation

Statement quotation inside question quotation

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Question quotation inside question quotation

Exclamation quotation inside question quotation

or
Question quotation inside exclamation quotation

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