英语标点符号正确应用.doc

PunctuationThe PERIOD . is used to end a sentence that contains only one idea. to end an indirect question. We then ask ourselves whether or not the decision is fair.The COMMA , marks a slight pause or break in a sentence. A comma is generally used to separate items in a series. before the conjunctions and, but, for, or, not, so, yet when they connect two independent clauses. after transitional clauses, phrases, or words such as for example, however, in most situations, etc. to separate a direct quotation from the rest of the sentence. According to Richard Stewart, interest rates will affect the companys budget. to separate coordinate adjectives: The huge, restless crowd to set off non-restrictive appositions (a group of words adding precision or an explanation, and that could be omitted without changing the meaning of the sentence): Paris, the city of lights, was even more whimsical than I had imagined. Where there is an ellipsis (when we delete words that are understood or established): Tom is gardening in the backyard, and Sarah, in the front yard.A comma should not be used between a subject and its verb. between a verb and its object. between a verb and its adverb. between a noun and its adjective. before and when it separates two elements of the same nature. The SEMI-COLON ; is used to mark a break between two complete thoughts or two complete propositions that are nevertheless closely related. to separate the elements in an enumeration when they are too long to be simply separated by a comma. The COLON : is used to introduce a quotation. to announce an enumeration. to separate clauses in a sentence when the second expands or illustrates the first: Mary was looking into buying a car: she had visited three dealerships already.The QUESTION MARK ? is used to indicate the end of a direct question. with a series of questions which are not complete sentences. A question mark should not be used with any other punctuation mark. at the end of an indirect question. The EXCLAMATION POINT ! is used to end either a strong command, or a surprising or shocking statement. should not be combined with any other punctuation mark. The APOSTROPHE is used +s to show possession Robs breakfastThe players bat in words that are in the plural, only add an apostrophe to show possession The boys ballThe athletes courageAn apostrophe should not be used in the possessive form of pronouns: his, hers, its. I like your new coat. Its colour really suits you.PUNCTUATION AND QUOTATIONSQUOTATION MARKS . are generally used to enclose direct quotations. indicate a borrowed word or element. indicate a dialog. highlight a word or a group of words. 1. The only punctuation marks that can be used at the end of a quotation, inside the quotation marks are the period, the question mark, and the exclamation point. 2. When the quotation is an independent sentence, situated at the end of a sentence in our text, and that the end punctuation mark is the same as that of our sentence, the latter is placed inside the quotation marks; Heather made it clear, I never want to see Jim again.3. When the quotation is not an independent sentence, the end punctuation mark is placed outside the quotation marks: Jones stated that he was innocent of the crime.4. If there is a period outside the quotation marks, the only end punctuation marks allowed at the end of the quotation, inside the quotation marks are: the exclamation point !, the question mark ?, and the ellipsis points .: Peter declared, I cant believe Carla could say such a thing!.It is important to note that If a quotation requires a reference and ends with a period, the period appears after the reference: Sara held a bold view