Chapter 12 PUNCTUATION POTPOURRI ENGLISH FOR CAREERS, 9th Edition Business, Professional, and Technical by Leila R. Smith Presentation design by Barbara.

Chapter 12 Chapter 12 PUNCTUATION PUNCTUATION POTPOURRIPOTPOURRI

ENGLISH FOR CAREERS, 9th EditionBusiness, Professional, and Technicalby Leila R. SmithPresentation design by Barbara Moran

English for Careers, 9th EditionBusiness, Professional, and TechnicalBy Leila R. Smith

©2006 Pearson Education, Inc.Pearson Prentice HallUpper Saddle River, NJ 07458

Chapter 12 helps you use Chapter 12 helps you use

punctuation marks with punctuation marks with

precisionprecision





Use a Use a semicolonsemicolon between two between two closely related independent closely related independent clauses clauses notnot joined by joined by and, but, or, and, but, or, nor, for,nor, for, or (sometimes)or (sometimes) yetyet..

Few minds wear outFew minds wear out;; most most minds rust out.minds rust out.

Success is getting what you wantSuccess is getting what you want;;

happiness is wanting what you get.happiness is wanting what you get.



Use a Use a semicolonsemicolon (or a period) (or a period) before a transition expression before a transition expression joining independent clauses.joining independent clauses.

I have a contractI have a contract;; therefore,therefore, I am protected legally.I am protected legally.

(Omit the comma after short (Omit the comma after short transitions --transitions -- then, thus, hence, still, then, thus, hence, still,

yet, yet, and and also.)also.) You are protected; You are protected; thus thus so am I.so am I.



Use a Use a semicolonsemicolon before a before a coordinate conjunctioncoordinate conjunction that that joins independent clausesjoins independent clauses -- IF -- IF the sentence already hasthe sentence already has two two or more commas.or more commas.

We ordered the team’s uniformsWe ordered the team’s uniforms,, shoesshoes,, and caps and caps;; andand they were they were shipped directly to your Cincinnatishipped directly to your Cincinnati,, OhioOhio,, stadium address.stadium address.



Use aUse a semicolonsemicolon after an after an independent clause precedingindependent clause preceding for for example, for instance, namely,example, for instance, namely, oror that isthat is when a list is introduced or when a list is introduced or an explanation ends the sentence.an explanation ends the sentence.

The retirement village is The retirement village is convenient to needed servicesconvenient to needed services; ; namely,namely, a grocery store, a a grocery store, a library, and a post office.library, and a post office.



Use aUse a semicolonsemicolon between between items in a series IF the series items in a series IF the series hashas commascommas within.within.

Visiting hours are weekdaysVisiting hours are weekdays,, 8 to 8 to 55;; SaturdaysSaturdays,, 10 to 510 to 5;; and and SundaysSundays,, 1 to 5.1 to 5.

We also have locations in San We also have locations in San MateoMateo,, CaliforniaCalifornia; ; AtlantaAtlanta,, GeorgiaGeorgia; ; and San Antonioand San Antonio,, Texas.Texas.



Use aUse a coloncolon after a sentence after a sentence (independent clause) when a second (independent clause) when a second sentence (clause), a phrase, or even a sentence (clause), a phrase, or even a single word explains or supplements single word explains or supplements the first sentence (original clause).the first sentence (original clause).

Backyard bird watching is growing in Backyard bird watching is growing in

popularitypopularity:: Specialty stores now Specialty stores now cater to this popular hobby.cater to this popular hobby.

Urban birds have one main predatorUrban birds have one main predator:: cats. cats.



Use a Use a coloncolon after a complete after a complete sentence (independent clause) sentence (independent clause) that introduces a quotation or that introduces a quotation or when a series follows.when a series follows.

There is an old sayingThere is an old saying:: “Birds of a feather flock together.” “Birds of a feather flock together.”

You can attract wild birds to your yard if you provide four You can attract wild birds to your yard if you provide four thingsthings:: fresh seed, clean water, shelter, and safety from fresh seed, clean water, shelter, and safety from predators.predators.



Use aUse a colon colon between hour and between hour and minutes and in technical proportions.minutes and in technical proportions.

1212::30 p.m.30 p.m. 20 20::1 1 (ratio of 20 to 1)(ratio of 20 to 1)

“Standard Punctuation style” calls for a colon after the salutation (and comma after the complimentary close).

Dear Mr. Vu: Sincerely,



Use aUse a coloncolon in a vertical list, in a vertical list, unlessunless another sentenceanother sentence separates the list from its separates the list from its introductory sentence:introductory sentence:

These may be North America’s rarest birds. These may be North America’s rarest birds. This is based on several studies.This is based on several studies. (no colon)(no colon)Common NighthawkCommon NighthawkChimney SwiftChimney SwiftGreen ParakeetGreen Parakeet

These may be North America’s rarest birdsThese may be North America’s rarest birds::Common NighthawkCommon NighthawkChimney SwiftChimney SwiftGreen ParakeetGreen Parakeet



Quotation marksQuotation marks prevent accusations prevent accusations of plagiarism (stealing someone else’s of plagiarism (stealing someone else’s words or intellectual property). Use words or intellectual property). Use before and after repeating someone’s before and after repeating someone’s exact wordsexact words

Mark Twain once said, Mark Twain once said, ““Nothing is ours but our Nothing is ours but our language, our phrasing. If a man takes that from me language, our phrasing. If a man takes that from me (knowingly, purposely) he is a thief.(knowingly, purposely) he is a thief.””

Do not use when paraphrasing Do not use when paraphrasing (summarizing what someone said)(summarizing what someone said)

Mark Twain once said that if anyone took his Mark Twain once said that if anyone took his exact language or phrasing on purpose, that exact language or phrasing on purpose, that man would definitely be a thief.man would definitely be a thief.



Insert closingInsert closing quotation marks quotation marks after after a period or comma (American style), but a period or comma (American style), but not if a colon or semicolon is needed.not if a colon or semicolon is needed.

““To find yourself, think for yourselfTo find yourself, think for yourself,”,” Socrates said. Socrates said.

Three philosophers are included in Three philosophers are included in

“Great Ancient Sages“Great Ancient Sages” :” : Socrates, Socrates, Plato, and Confucius. Plato, and Confucius.

““



Mahatma Ghandi said, “ Could there be a greater Mahatma Ghandi said, “ Could there be a greater proof of our cowardice than fighting amongst proof of our cowardice than fighting amongst ourselvesourselves?” ?” (question mark applies only to quote)(question mark applies only to quote)

With question or exclamation With question or exclamation marks, placement varies.marks, placement varies.

Did you know that Ghandi said,“ Could there be Did you know that Ghandi said,“ Could there be a greater proof of our cowardice than fighting a greater proof of our cowardice than fighting

amongst ourselvesamongst ourselves?”?” (question mark applies to (question mark applies to both parts of the sentence, not just quote)both parts of the sentence, not just quote)

““



UseUse quotation marksquotation marks for titles of for titles of subdivisionssubdivisions of published works of published works (articles, chapters). Also use (articles, chapters). Also use quotation marks for names of quotation marks for names of short short poemspoems, , songssongs, and , and lectureslectures.. ““

OH!



Use the Use the underlineunderline or preferably or preferably italicsitalics to emphasize a word or expression or to emphasize a word or expression or to show that a word is used where it to show that a word is used where it might seem out of place.might seem out of place.

ItalicizeItalicize full-length published books, full-length published books, magazines, newspapers, films, plays, magazines, newspapers, films, plays,

and shows.and shows. If If italicsitalics are not available, are not available, underlineunderline the title or the title or use all capital use all capital letters.letters.

Marie wrote Marie wrote massagemassage instead of instead of messagemessage.



The The hyphenhyphen and the and the dashdash are are completely different!completely different!(half a (half a dashdash is a is a hyphenhyphen))

Compound Compound numbers from numbers from twenty-onetwenty-one to to ninety-nineninety-nine are spelled are spelled with a with a hyphenhyphen

SelfSelf words are words are hyphenhyphenated ated except for except for selfsameselfsame..

Self-conscious Self-conscious Self-respect Self-respect

HyphenHyphenateate exex when it means former when it means former ex-presidentex-president ex-husbandex-husband



WhenWhen nonnon, , overover, , underunder, , semisemi,, oror subsub is a prefix, write the word without a is a prefix, write the word without a space orspace or hyphenhyphen: : nonfat, nonfat, overestimated, underachieved, overestimated, underachieved, semiconductor, subcontractorsemiconductor, subcontractor

If a proper noun follows a prefix, use aIf a proper noun follows a prefix, use a hyphenhyphen:: un-Americanun-American

Most Most pre, repre, re, and , and dede words do not words do not require hyphens, except sometimes if require hyphens, except sometimes if the main word begins with the main word begins with ee: : preheat, preheat, replay, re-elect, deselectreplay, re-elect, deselect



If a prefix If a prefix ending in ending in ee (such as (such as re, dere, de, or , or prepre) ) might be might be confusing, use a confusing, use a hyphenhyphen..

RecoverRecover (to get better)(to get better)

Re-cover Re-cover (to cover (to cover again)again)



If an adjective is more than one If an adjective is more than one word (compound), it has a word (compound), it has a hyphenhyphen if shown in the dictionary OR if it if shown in the dictionary OR if it

precedes the noun being modified.precedes the noun being modified.

What’s the difference between a small What’s the difference between a small business owner and abusiness owner and a small-businesssmall-business owner?owner?

hard-working, up-to-date, hard-working, up-to-date, government-owned, tax-exemptgovernment-owned, tax-exempt



If the first word of the compound If the first word of the compound expression ends with expression ends with lyly, , the the hyphenhyphen is usually not required. If the is usually not required. If the lyly word word is an is an adjectiveadjective, , dodo use the use the hyphenhyphen: :

friendly-lookingfriendly-looking girlgirl fashionably dressed manfashionably dressed man

No No hyphenhyphen is required when the word is required when the word is a well-established compound noun is a well-established compound noun functioning as an adjective: functioning as an adjective:

A A high schoolhigh school student found the student found the social securitysocial security check. check.



Use a Use a hyphenhyphen to divide words at to divide words at the end of a line. Divide words the end of a line. Divide words between syllables. Avoid between syllables. Avoid distracting the reader with distracting the reader with amusing or confusing divisions:amusing or confusing divisions:

Please send me your cat-Please send me your cat- alog. Just over the horizon-alog. Just over the horizon-

tal line, you’ll find a number.tal line, you’ll find a number.

Finally, he abandoned his pet-Finally, he abandoned his pet-ulant attitude.ulant attitude.

Remember the rules for showing possession.Remember the rules for showing possession.• According to Kim report, Mr. Atkins According to Kim report, Mr. Atkins

sisters had several years experience sisters had several years experience making children clothes for Mrs. making children clothes for Mrs. Kentfield children.Kentfield children.

• Ms. Hendrix letter is in Dr. Jacobs Ms. Hendrix letter is in Dr. Jacobs office.office.

’’ss ’’’’

’’’’ss

ss

’’ ’’





A A dashdash – or – or emdash emdash – emphasizes – emphasizes nonessential expressions ordinarily nonessential expressions ordinarily enclosed with commas. enclosed with commas.

The movie star was living in Brooklyn The movie star was living in Brooklyn with his wife, his sweetheart of many with his wife, his sweetheart of many years, and two children.years, and two children.

Hmmm. Now replace the commas with dashes.Hmmm. Now replace the commas with dashes.

The movie star was living in Brooklyn The movie star was living in Brooklyn with his wifewith his wife – – his sweetheart of many his sweetheart of many yearsyears – – and two children.and two children.

Isn’t that better and much clearer?Isn’t that better and much clearer?



A A dashdash is required after a word or is required after a word or word group preceding an word group preceding an independent clause.independent clause.

Honesty, creativity, and humorHonesty, creativity, and humor –– those qualities help in the workplace.those qualities help in the workplace.

Use Use parenthesesparentheses to enclose to enclose directions.directions.

The game The game ((see map on page 7see map on page 7)) will be will be at McCormack Stadium.at McCormack Stadium.

DashesDashes emphasizeemphasize and and parenthesesparentheses de-emphasizede-emphasize. .



Good – really good – work!Good – really good – work!You have now seen how toYou have now seen how touse punctuation marks with precision use punctuation marks with precision (including the semicolon, colon, (including the semicolon, colon, hyphen, dash, quotation, and hyphen, dash, quotation, and parentheses).parentheses).

Chapter 12 PUNCTUATION POTPOURRI ENGLISH FOR CAREERS, 9th Edition Business, Professional, and Technical by Leila R. Smith Presentation design by Barbara.

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