Seminář: Gramatika pro překladatele
Vyučující: Markéta Janebová
Semestr: ZS 2006/07
Punctuation
Comma, Colon, and Semicolon
obligatory comma
optional comma
NO comma
semicolon
colon
non-restrictive relative clause (WH- pronoun)
preposed long dependent clause / minor clause / adverbial
parenthesis
number
sequence of similar elements
co-ordinating sentence
full date
restrictive relative clause (that, WH- pronoun)
sequence of unlike elements (and cannot be inserted)
clause with ‘silent’ subject > multiple predicate
object clause
co-ordinating sentences without conjunction
co-ordinating sentences without conjunction; explanation
Exercise:
I have painted the entire house(,) but he is still working on sanding the doors.
- co-ordinating sentence > optional comma
He left the scene of the accident and tried to forget that it had happened.
- multiple predicate > no comma x CZ: co-ordinating sentence
Because her alarm clock was broken, she was late for class.
- preposed long dependent clause > comma
She was late for class because her alarm clock was broken.
- no comma
Having finished the test, he left the room.
- preposed long minor clause > comma
On February 14 many couples give each other chocolate and roses.
- preposed ADV x but: short enough > no comma
To George, Harrison had been a sort of idol.
- preposed ADV x but: short x but: confusing wrt the meaning > comma
To me Harrison had been a sort of idol.
- preposed ADV x but: short, not confusing wrt the meaning > no comma
I am, as you have probably noticed, very nervous about this.
- parenthesis > commas
This restaurant has an exciting atmosphere. The food, on the other hand, is rather bland.
- parenthesis > commas
I appreciate your hard work. In this case, however, you seem to have over-exerted yourself.
- parenthesis > commas
She also said that she would ask her parents whether they would be happy about her going to
a youth club with her best friend.
- a sequence of object clauses > no comma
I asked if she needed a ride.
- object clause > no comma
BrE: The closet contained worn clothes, old shoes and dirty hats.
- sequence of similar elements > comma
AmE: The closet contained worn clothes, old shoes, and dirty hats.
- sequence of similar elements > comma
My $10,000,000 estate is to be split among my husband, daughter, son, and nephew.
- number > comma; sequence of similar elements > comma
- BUT: son and nephew divided by a comma to ensure each of them an individual share
He is a strong, healthy man.
- sequence of similar elements > comma
We stayed at an expensive summer resort.
- sequence of unlike elements > no comma
That is my money, not yours.
- emphasis > comma
I met my husband on December 5(,) 1985(,) in San Francisco, California.
- full date > comma
We met in December 1985 in Sacramento.
- no full date > no comma
The baby wearing a yellow jumpsuit is my niece.
- restrictive minor clause > no comma
The book that I borrowed from you is excellent.
- restrictive clause > no comma
Pamela found out about two local youth clubs, one of which seemed particularly suitable for
her.
- comma
Apples, which are my favourite fruit, are the main ingredient in this recipe.
- parenthesis > commas
Secluded rear doors are especially vulnerable: they are often forced open with a simple wellaimed kick.
- co-ordinating sentences without conjunction; explanation > colon
Inverted Commas
British English
American English
Czech
single inverted commas ‘ ’
punctuation outside
double inverted commas “ ” punctuation inside
double inverted commas „ “ punctuation inside
BrE: ‘Citation’. x AmE: “Citation.”
AmE
At the lake we stop and stretch and mingle affably with the small crowd of tourists holding
cameras and children, yelling, “Don’t go too close!” and see cars and campers with all
different license plates, and see the Crater Lake with a feeling of “Well, there it is,” just as the
pictures show.
BrE
At the lake we stop and stretch and mingle affably with the small crowd of tourists holding
cameras and children, yelling, ‘Don’t go too close’! and see cars and campers with all
different license plates, and see the Crater Lake with a feeling of ‘Well, there it is’, just as the
pictures show.
End-of-line Division
Czech: syllabically x English: morphologically
- driv-er, know-ledge, illustrat-ing, sit-ting, seat-ing