Such an introduction can be followed by a comma or a colon to separate it from the quotation, or it can be followed by nothing i. I have a question regarding the commas and periods quiz 1, on page 147 of the blue book of grammar and punctuation. Semicolons and colons quiz 1 the blue book of grammar. Its extremely well organized, ensuring that readers can quickly locate a required topic. A semicolon isnt the only thing that can link two independent clauses. Its a testament to the popularity of jane strauss book that it has entered the 11th edition. A question mark, exclamation point, or dash is placed within the quotation marks when it is part of the quoted material. Single quotation marks versus double quotation marks.
Quotation marks and commas, periods, colons, and semicolons. The blue book of grammar and punctuation is filled with easytounderstand rules, realworld examples, dozens of reproducible exercises, and pre and posttests. Revisiting use of quotation marks when creating defined. Thus, you only need semicolons to separate the units of the series from each other and not from the rest of the sentence. Place commas or periods inside the quotation marks, but place all other punctuation outside the quotation marks unless such punctuation is part of the quoted text. The blue book of grammar and punctuation, eleventh edition english usage rules explained in plain english it doesnt take a lifetime to master english grammar and punctuation.
The agency approved those agreements having no significant impact on. Grammarbooks subscription quizzes opened a new door for me, a way to see exactly who is doing the work and who isnt, and it is very convenient for the students. Be careful here not to confuse ly adverbs with adjectives as ly adverbs dont necessarily need commas after them. Quotation marks are used for components, such as chapter titles in a book, individual episodes of a tv series, songs from a broadway show or a music album, titles of articles or essays in print or online, and shorter works such as short stories and poems. Generations of law students, lawyers, scholars, judges, and other legal professionals have relied on the bluebooks unique system of citation in their writing. Using a colon before a quotation writers often ask whether they should use a comma, a colon, or nothing when introducing a quotation. You can find the first in the series of grammar tutorials here. Commas before and in a series grammar and punctuation. Otherwise it is placed outside the quotation marks.
Written without jargon for all of us who need simple answers to our everyday questions, this new, updated version has 50% more materialrules, exercises, tests, and answersand a new cover that is both sleek and durable. The blue book of grammar and punctuation 11th edition. Interactive grammar quizzes the blue book of grammar and. Its a refresher for experts, a reference for lay people, and a lesson plan for teachers.
The semicolon should be placed outside ending quotation marks. Mom, does a period go before or after the last quotation mark. A revised and updated new edition of the bestselling workbook and grammar guide. We are glad to hear that you find the blue book of grammar and punctuation helpful. Punctuation, capitalization, and writing numbers mastery test. Divide the candy between the two of you divide the candy among the three of you. With the exception of semicolons in a list, either side of a semicolon should always be able to stand on its own. A common mistake, though, is to use quotation marks to simply highlight a word in a sentence. Yes, ting said i did see the baby panda at the zoo today. All it takes is the blue book of grammar and punctuation.
Valuable for anyone who takes tests or writes reports, letters, web pages, e. Semicolons and colons quiz 1 from the blue book of grammar and punctuation. Among such rare grammar books is the one written by jane straus, named as the blue book of grammar and punctuation. Concepts are described in clear and simple phrases, and backed up with examples one would find in everyday language. It doesnt take a lifetime to master english grammar and punctuation. Place final semicolons and colons outside the quotation mark, even if the quoted material happens to have a semicolon or colon in that position. Thanks again to lester and tom, who recently released a new edition of the blue book of grammar and punctuation. Each entry starts with a simple explanation and basic examples before moving to reallife, entertaining examples.
The blue book of grammar and punctuation solid choice. This userfriendly resource includes simple explanations of grammar, punctuation, and usage. English punctuation has always had two complementary aspects. The blue book of grammar and punctuation is filled with easytounderstand rules,realworld examples, dozens of reproducible exercises, and pre and posttests. Thats exactly why you cant substitute a comma for a semicolon.
Quotations are often introduced with terms like he said, she whispered, and they shouted. The blue book of grammar and punctuation is a concise, entertaining workbook and guide to english grammar, punctuation, and usage. Ive been a technical writer for about 7 years, and jane straus the blue book of grammar and punctuation is the best reference ive found. Rarely have i come across an english grammar book so easy to grasp. The blue book of grammar and punctuation, eleventh edition. The employee has two objections to the practice of early retirement. The blue book of grammar and punctuation jane straus.
No one writing handbook or grammar guide should suffice for careful writers, and though jane strauss the blue book of grammar and punctuation is less comprehensive than some other resources, its largeformat workbook approach provides a readerfriendly introduction to the intricacies of proper prose straus was still a college student when she began her career as a. Punctuation, quotation marks, and footnotes the volokh. Some writers seem to think that semicolons are fancy commas that create longer pauses that commas. My sense is that this is also customary in most other books and journals, but i can speak with the most confidence about the custom in legal publications. Punctuation in the english language helps the reader to understand a sentence through visual means other than just the letters of the alphabet. The same is true of periods, question marks, commas, and exclamation points. He wants to continue working, and the policy manual does not require it. Even though the semicolon is present in the sentence quoted, it should not be in the quotation. This weeks lesson answers such thorny questions as this one. Its no accident that a semicolon is a period atop a comma. I teach medical transcription in a community college, and the book is invaluable in. Quotation marks the blue book of grammar and punctuation. The blue book of grammar and punctuation will amuse you while demystifying the rules of grammar and punctuation.
When the last comma in a series comes before and or or after daughterinlaw in theabove example, it is known as the oxford comma. Joan heminway, professor at the university of tennessee college of law, sent the following inquiry to me and one of her colleagues in commenting on student work, i have noticed over the years a decrease in student use of quotation marks around defined terms, especially when defined in inside parentheses. The blue book of punctuation and grammar gives this example. Welcome to the second in a series of tutorials on grammar. Now in its tenth edition, the blue book is a masterpiece of clarity and usefulness. When the quoted matter ends with a semicolon, the semicolon in the quotation is dropped. Most newspapers and magazines drop theoxford comma in a simple series, apparently feeling its unnecessary.
You can use italics or double quotation marks to highlight words, but we use quotation marks on the grammar girl site. In a diverse and rapidly changing legal profession, the bluebook continues to provide a systematic method by which members of the profession communicate important information to one another about the sources and legal. An easytouse guide with clear rules, realworld examples, and reproducible quizzes. Buy our book smashing grammar 2019 written by the founder of grammar monster, smashing grammar includes a glossary of grammar essentials from apostrophes to zeugma and a chapter on easily confused words from affecteffect to whetherif. When, as here, the plaintiff is a public figure, he cannot recover unless he proves by clear and.
The blue book of grammar and punctuation succeeds at a rare feat. Using a comma instead of a semicolon in the sentences above would result in a comma splice. When matter ending with a colon is quoted, the colon is dropped. Using commas, semicolons, and colons within sentences. Semicolons the blue book of grammar and punctuation. With over 200,000 copies sold, this is one of the most highly trusted english language resources available. The colon should be placed outside quotation marks. Use a comma inside quotation marks at the conclusion of a quote if you are adding attribution at the end. Another way to look at it is to consider the simplest form of the sentence, which could be pam reid, a registered nurse, attended the. Use a semicolon to separate units of a series when one or more of the units contain commas. If you look at either side of a semicolon, youve got to have words, in other words sentences that can stand by themselves.
Yes, it is a general rule that there should not be a space before a semicolon or colon. This handy workbook is ideal for teachers, students in middle school through college, esl students, homeschoolers, and professionals. Another way to look at it is to consider the simplest form of the sentence, which could be pam reid, a registered nurse, attended the meeting. Essentials punctuation of quotations hamilton college. So its not like a regular colon where you provide a list afterwards.
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