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Periods
Rule 1. Use a period at the end of a complete sentence that is a statement.
Example: I know him well.
Rule 2. If the last item in the sentence is an abbreviation that ends in a period, do not follow it
with another period.
Incorrect: This is Alice Smith, M.D..
Correct: This is Alice Smith, M.D.
Correct: Please shop, cook, etc. We will do the laundry.
Rule 3. Question marks and exclamation points replace and eliminate periods at the end of a
sentence.
Rule 4. Use a period after an indirect question.
Example: He asked where his suitcase was.
Ellipses
An ellipsis (plural: ellipses) is a punctuation mark consisting of three dots.
Use an ellipsis when omitting a word, phrase, line, paragraph, or more from a quoted passage.
Ellipses save space or remove material that is less relevant. They are useful in getting right to the
point without delay or distraction:
Full quotation: "Today, after hours of careful thought, we vetoed the bill."
With ellipsis: "Today…we vetoed the bill."
Although ellipses are used in many ways, the three-dot method is the simplest. Newspapers,
magazines, and books of fiction and nonfiction use various approaches that they find suitable.
Some writers and editors feel that no spaces are necessary.
Example: I don't know…I'm not sure.
Others enclose the ellipsis with a space on each side.
Example: I don't know … I'm not sure.
Still others put a space either directly before or directly after the ellipsis.
Examples:
I don't know …I'm not sure.
I don't know… I'm not sure.
A four-dot method and an even more rigorous method used in legal works require fuller
explanations that can be found in other reference books.
Rule 1. Many writers use an ellipsis whether the omission occurs at the beginning of a sentence,
in the middle of a sentence, or between sentences.
A common way to delete the beginning of a sentence is to follow the opening quotation mark
with an ellipsis, plus a bracketed capital letter:
Example: "…[A]fter hours of careful thought, we vetoed the bill."
Other writers omit the ellipsis in such cases, feeling the bracketed capital letter gets the point
across.
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Rule 2. Ellipses can express hesitation, changes of mood, suspense, or thoughts trailing off.
Writers also use ellipses to indicate a pause or wavering in an otherwise straightforward
sentence.
Examples:
I don't know…I'm not sure.
Pride is one thing, but what happens if she…?
He said, "I…really don't…understand this."
Commas
Commas and periods are the most frequently used punctuation marks. Commas customarily
indicate a brief pause; they're not as final as periods.
Rule 1. Use commas to separate words and word groups in a simple series of three or more
items.
Example: My estate goes to my husband, son, daughter-in-law, and nephew.
Note: When the last comma in a series comes before and or or (after daughter-in-law in the
above example), it is known as the Oxford comma. Most newspapers and magazines drop the
Oxford comma in a simple series, apparently feeling it's unnecessary. However, omission of the
Oxford comma can sometimes lead to misunderstandings.
Example: We had coffee, cheese and crackers and grapes.
Adding a comma after crackers makes it clear that cheese and crackers represents one dish. In
cases like this, clarity demands the Oxford comma.
We had coffee, cheese and crackers, and grapes.
Fiction and nonfiction books generally prefer the Oxford comma. Writers must decide Oxford or
no Oxford and not switch back and forth, except when omitting the Oxford comma could cause
confusion as in the cheese and crackers example.
Rule 2. Use a comma to separate two adjectives when the adjectives are interchangeable.
Example: He is a strong, healthy man.
We could also say healthy, strong man.
Example: We stayed at an expensive summer resort.
We would not say summer expensive resort, so no comma.
Rule 3a. Many inexperienced writers run two independent clauses together by using a comma
instead of a period. This results in the dreaded run-on sentence or, more technically, a comma
splice.
Incorrect: He walked all the way home, he shut the door.
There are several simple remedies:
Correct: He walked all the way home. He shut the door.
Correct: After he walked all the way home, he shut the door.
Correct: He walked all the way home, and he shut the door.
Rule 3b. In sentences where two independent clauses are joined by connectors such as and, or,
but, etc., put a comma at the end of the first clause.
Incorrect: He walked all the way home and he shut the door.
Correct: He walked all the way home, and he shut the door.
Some writers omit the comma if the clauses are both quite short:
Example: I paint and he writes.
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Rule 3c. If the subject does not appear in front of the second verb, a comma is generally
unnecessary.
Example: He thought quickly but still did not answer correctly.
Rule 4a. Use a comma after certain words that introduce a sentence, such as well, yes, why,
hello, hey, etc.
Examples:
Why, I can't believe this!
No, you can't have a dollar.
Rule 4b. Use commas to set off expressions that interrupt the sentence flow (nevertheless, after
all, by the way, on the other hand, however, etc.).
Example: I am, by the way, very nervous about this.
Rule 5. Use commas to set off the name, nickname, term of endearment, or title of a person
directly addressed.
Examples:
Will you, Aisha, do that assignment for me?
Yes, old friend, I will.
Good day, Captain.
Rule 6. Use a comma to separate the day of the month from the year, and—what most people
forget!—always put one after the year, also.
Example: It was in the Sun's June 5, 2003, edition.
No comma is necessary for just the month and year.
Example: It was in a June 2003 article.
Rule 7. Use a comma to separate a city from its state, and remember to put one after the state,
also.
Example: I'm from the Akron, Ohio, area.
Rule 8. Traditionally, if a person's name is followed by Sr. or Jr., a comma follows the last
name: Martin Luther King, Jr. This comma is no longer considered mandatory. However, if a
comma does precede Sr. or Jr., another comma must follow the entire name when it appears
midsentence.
Correct: Al Mooney Sr. is here.
Correct: Al Mooney, Sr., is here.
Incorrect: Al Mooney, Sr. is here.
Rule 9. Similarly, use commas to enclose degrees or titles used with names.
Example: Al Mooney, M.D., is here.
Rule 10. When starting a sentence with a dependent clause, use a comma after it.
Example: If you are not sure about this, let me know now.
But often a comma is unnecessary when the sentence starts with an independent clause followed
by a dependent clause.
Example: Let me know now if you are not sure about this.
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Rule 11. Use commas to set off nonessential words, clauses, and phrases (see the "Who, That,
Which" section in Chapter One, Rule 2b).
Incorrect: Jill who is my sister shut the door.
Correct: Jill, who is my sister, shut the door.
Incorrect: The man knowing it was late hurried home.
Correct: The man, knowing it was late, hurried home.
In the preceding examples, note the comma after sister and late. Nonessential words, clauses,
and phrases that occur midsentence must be enclosed by commas. The closing comma is called
an appositive comma. Many writers forget to add this important comma. Following are two
instances of the need for an appositive comma with one or more nouns.
Incorrect: My best friend, Joe arrived.
Correct: My best friend, Joe, arrived.
Incorrect: The three items, a book, a pen, and paper were on the table.
Correct: The three items, a book, a pen, and paper, were on the table.
Rule 12. If something or someone is sufficiently identified, the description that follows is
considered nonessential and should be surrounded by commas.
Examples:
Freddy, who has a limp, was in an auto accident.
If we already know which Freddy is meant, the description is not essential.
The boy who has a limp was in an auto accident.
We do not know which boy is meant without further description; therefore, no commas are
used.
This leads to a persistent problem. Look at the following sentence:
Example: My brother Bill is here.
Now, see how adding two commas changes that sentence's meaning:
Example: My brother, Bill, is here.
Careful writers and readers understand that the first sentence means I have more than one
brother. The commas in the second sentence mean that Bill is my only brother.
Why? In the first sentence, Bill is essential information: it identifies which of my two (or more)
brothers I'm speaking of. This is why no commas enclose Bill.
In the second sentence, Bill is nonessential information—whom else but Bill could I mean?—
hence the commas.
Comma misuse is nothing to take lightly. It can lead to a train wreck like this:
Example: Mark Twain's book, Tom Sawyer, is a delight.
Because of the commas, that sentence states that Twain wrote only one book. In fact, he wrote
more than two dozen of them.
Rule 13a. Use commas to introduce or interrupt direct quotations.
Examples:
He said, "I don't care."
"Why," I asked, "don't you care?"
This rule is optional with one-word quotations.
Example: He said "Stop."
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Rule 13b. If the quotation comes before he said, she wrote, they reported, Dana insisted, or a
similar attribution, end the quoted material with a comma, even if it is only one word.
Examples:
"I don't care," he said.
"Stop," he said.
Rule 14. Use a comma to separate a statement from a question.
Example: I can go, can't I?
Rule 15. Use a comma to separate contrasting parts of a sentence.
Example: That is my money, not yours.
Rule 16a. Use a comma before and after certain introductory words or terms, such as
namely, that is, i.e., e.g., and for instance, when they are followed by a series of items.
Example: You may be required to bring many items, e.g., sleeping bags, pans, and warm
clothing.
Rule 16a. Commas should precede the term etc. and enclose it if it is placed midsentence.
Example: Sleeping bags, pans, warm clothing, etc., are in the tent.
NOTE
The abbreviation i.e. means "that is"; e.g. means "for example."
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Commas Quiz 1
1. Choose the sentence with the correct comma placement.
( ) A) I took Angie, the one with the freckles to the movie last night.
( ) B) I took Angie, the one with the freckles, to the movie last night.
( ) C) I took Angie the one with the freckles, to the movie last night.
( ) D) I took Angie, the one with the freckles, to the movie, last night.
2. Choose the sentence with the correct comma placement.
( ) A) Jeremy, and I, have had our share of arguments.
( ) B) Jeremy and I, have had our share of arguments.
( ) C) Jeremy and I have had our share of arguments.
( ) D) Jeremy and I have had, our share of arguments.
3. Choose the sentence with the correct comma placement.
( ) A) You are I am sure, telling the truth.
( ) B) You are, I am sure, telling the truth.
( ) C) You are, I am sure telling the truth.
4. Choose the sentence with the correct comma placement.
( ) A) She left Albany, New York, on January 18 of that year.
( ) B) She left Albany, New York on January 18, of that year.
( ) C) She left Albany New York, on January 18 of that year.
( ) D) She left Albany New York, on January 18, of that year.
5. Choose the sentence with the correct comma placement.
( ) A) I need, sugar, butter, and eggs from the grocery store.
( ) B) I need sugar, butter, and eggs, from the grocery store.
( ) C) I need: sugar, butter, and eggs from the grocery store.
( ) D) I need sugar, butter, and eggs from the grocery store.
6. Choose the sentence with the correct comma placement.
( ) A) Please Sasha, come home as soon as you can.
( ) B) Please, Sasha, come home as soon as you can.
( ) C) Please, Sasha come home as soon as you can.
( ) D) Please Sasha, come home, as soon as you can.
page6
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7. Choose the sentence with the correct comma placement.
( ) A) Although, you may be right I cannot take your word for it.
( ) B) Although, you may be right, I cannot take your word for it.
( ) C) Although you may be right I cannot take your word for it.
( ) D) Although you may be right, I cannot take your word for it.
8. Choose the sentence with the correct comma placement.
( ) A) My oldest sister Maya is the feisty one.
( ) B) My oldest sister Maya, is the feisty one.
( ) C) My oldest sister, Maya is the feisty one.
( ) D) My oldest sister, Maya, is the feisty one.
9. Choose the sentence with the correct comma placement.
( ) A) “Why,” I asked, “are you still here in Maine?”
( ) B) “Why” I asked “are you still here in Maine?”
( ) C) “Why,” I asked. “Are you still here in Maine?”
( ) D) “Why,” I asked, “are you still here, in Maine?”
10. Choose the sentence with the correct comma placement.
( ) A) She finished her work, and then took a long lunch.
( ) B) She finished her work, and then, took a long lunch.
( ) C) She finished her work and then took a long lunch.
( ) D) She finished her work and then, took a long lunch.
page7
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Quiz 1 Results
1. Correct Answer: B
I took Angie, the one with the freckles, to the movie last night.
Explanation: enclose nonessential material (“the one with the freckles”) in commas.
2. Correct Answer: C
Jeremy and I have had our share of arguments.
Explanation: in this sentence, commas are not needed to separate the two nouns.
3. Correct Answer: B
You are, I am sure, telling the truth.
Explanation: use commas to surround an interrupting expression (“I am sure”).
4. Correct Answer: A
She left Albany, New York, on January 18 of that year.
Explanation: use a comma to separate the city from the state and another after the state
5. Correct Answer: D
I need sugar, butter, and eggs from the grocery store.
Explanation: use commas to separate words and word groups in a series of three or more.
6. Correct Answer: B
Please, Sasha, come home as soon as you can.
Explanation: use commas before or surrounding the name or title of a person directly addressed.
7. Correct Answer: D Although you may be right, I cannot take your word for it.
Explanation: use a comma after a dependent clause that starts a sentence.
8. Correct Answer: D
My oldest sister, Maya, is the feisty one.
Explanation: “Maya” is nonessential, so use commas.
9. Correct Answer: A
“Why,” I asked, “are you still here in Maine?”
Explanation: use commas to introduce and to interrupt direct quotations.
10. Correct Answer: C
She finished her work and then took a long lunch.
Explanation: a comma is unnecessary because the subject does not appear in front of the second
verb.
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Quiz 2
1. For each question, choose the correct sentence.
( ) A) Ophelia is picking up the food and I am making the centerpieces.
( ) B) Ophelia is picking up the food, and I am making the centerpieces.
2.
( ) A) “Yes,” Ting said, “I did see the baby panda at the zoo today.”
( ) B) “Yes,” Ting said “I did see the baby panda at the zoo today.”
( ) C) “Yes” Ting said “I did see the baby panda at the zoo today.”
3.
( ) A) Her mother is planning a trip to Portland Maine in the fall this year.
( ) B) Her mother is planning a trip to Portland, Maine in the fall this year.
( ) C) Her mother is planning a trip to Portland Maine, in the fall this year.
( ) D) Her mother is planning a trip to Portland, Maine, in the fall this year.
4.
( ) A) Patrick’s name was on the guest list wasn’t it?
( ) B) Patrick’s name, was on the guest list wasn’t it?
( ) C) Patrick’s name, was on the guest list, wasn’t it?
( ) D) Patrick’s name was on the guest list, wasn’t it?
5.
( ) A) Yes, Mother I did remember to place the bakery order.
( ) B) Yes, Mother, I did remember to place the bakery order.
( ) C) Yes Mother I did remember to place the bakery order.
( ) D) Yes Mother I did remember, to place the bakery order.
6.
( ) A) Jackson’s white cat was born in June, 2013, at his farm.
( ) B) Jackson’s white cat was born in June 2013, at his farm.
( ) C) Jackson’s white cat was born in June 2013 at his farm.
7.
( ) A) Jackson’s white cat was born on June 28 2013 at his farm.
( ) B) Jackson’s white cat was born on June 28, 2013 at his farm.
( ) C) Jackson’s white cat was born on June 28, 2013, at his farm.
( ) D) Jackson’s white cat, was born on June 28, 2013, at his farm.
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8.
( ) A) You may only bring the bare essentials to the exam, i.e., a watch, a pencil or a pen, paper, and a
calculator.
( ) B) You may only bring the bare essentials to the exam, i.e. a watch, a pencil or a pen, paper, and a
calculator.
( ) C) You may only bring the bare essentials to the exam i.e. a watch, a pencil or a pen, paper, and a
calculator.
9.
( ) A) Pencils, pens, paper, calculators, etc., will be provided.
( ) B) Pencils, pens, paper, calculators etc., will be provided.
10.
( ) A) I would be hesitant however to take the trip alone.
( ) B) I would be hesitant, however to take the trip alone.
( ) C) I would be hesitant, however, to take the trip alone.
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Quiz 2 Results
1. Correct Answer: B
Ophelia is picking up the food, and I am making the centerpieces.
Explanation: use a comma to separate two independent clauses separated by a connector such
as and, or, but,
2. Correct Answer: A “Yes,” Ting said, “I did see the baby panda at the zoo today.”
Explanation: use commas to introduce direct quotations.
3.Correct Answer: D
Her mother is planning a trip to Portland, Maine, in the fall this year.
Explanation: use a comma to separate a city and state, and put one after the state, too.
4. Correct Answer: D
Patrick’s name was on the guest list, wasn’t it?
Explanation: use a comma to separate a statement from a question.
5. Correct Answer: B
Yes, Mother, I did remember to place the bakery order.
Explanation: use a comma to set off someone’s name or a term of endearment.
6. Correct Answer: C
Jackson’s white cat was born in June 2013 at his farm.
Explanation: no comma is necessary in this sentence.
7. Correct Answer: C
Jackson’s white cat was born on June 28, 2013, at his farm.
Explanation: use a comma to separate the day of the month from the year, and remember to put
one after the year, also.
8. Correct Answer: A
You may only bring the bare essentials to the exam, i.e., a watch, a
pencil or a pen, paper, and a calculator.
Explanation: use a comma before and after i.e.
9. Correct Answer: A
Pencils, pens, paper, calculators, etc., will be provided.
Explanation: use a comma before and after etc
10.Correct Answer: C
I would be hesitant, however, to take the trip alone.
Explanation: when however means “though” or “nonetheless,” it is generally preceded and
followed by a comma.