PUNCTUATION MARKS

PROF. JOHN CARLOS S. ADVERSARIO

 PUNCTUATION MARKS

Punctuation is a device used to assist the

reader. It takes the place of changes in tone,
inflection, and volume, and of pauses, facial
expressions, etc., by which a speaker makes his
meaning clear.
 THE PERIOD ( . )

The principal use of the period is to indicate the

end of a sentence that is not a question or an
exclamation.

The president was elected. [statement]

I asked if she would see me. [indirect question]
Please shut the door. [request or command]
 The period is often used for terminal purposes
when a sentence is not involved, as after numbers in
a list.

1. The President
2. The Council
3. The Board of Trustees
It is also used in abbreviations.

e.g.
i.e.
St.
Mr. Mt.
Ms. Mla.
Rev.
 ELLIPSIS ( . . . )

The three periods or better known as

ellipsis/ellipses are used to indicate omission of one or
more words or even sentences in a quotation.

I pledge allegiance . . . to the republic . . .

however,

Shakespeare was born in 1564. . . . He married

Anne Hathaway in 1582.
 COMMA ( , )

Perhaps the most frequently used and most abused

punctuation by writers is the comma.

The comma separates, introduces, and shows omission.

The common use of comma:

1. independent (main) clause
2. introductory elements
3. items in a series and coordinate adjectives
4. nonessential, parenthetical, and contrasting
elements
5. dates, degrees, places, names, and long
numbers
 COMMA FOR
INDEPENDENT MAIN CLAUSES

Use commas to separate independent (main)

clauses when they are joined by (FANBOYS).

e.g.
I find the study of the English language
interesting, but I do not understand confusing spelling
rules.

Mr. Mark Gomez is a lawyer, and his son is

an accountant.
 INTRODUCTORY ELEMENTS

Use commas to set off long (one-half line or

more) introductory elements.
(ADVERB CLAUSE)
ex.
Although the weather was ideal, Tom
wouldnt leave the house.

If the council would only act, the problem

would be resolved.
 (VERBAL PHRASES)

ex.
Plying his trade expertly, the salesman
sold the woman a car she couldnt afford.

To be perfectly honest, Gerald Gonzales

cannot handle his team.
 (PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES)

ex.
After eating the twenty-four inch pizza,
Joshua was still hungry.

Through the muddy trail, Jamela and her

friends walked almost endlessly to reach the falls.
 Use commas to set off nouns of direct address

ex.
Patrick, did you go to the party last night?

Jamela, please pick up the phone when

it rings.

James, are you sure about it?

 use commas for mild interjections

ex.

Well, I guess I have said enough for the

day.

Aha, it seems that you are right for now.

 use commas for yes or no answers followed by
an explanation.

ex.

Yes, she was here earlier.

No, I dont think that that is the only

solution we could have for this issue.
 use commas after conjunctive adverbs.

ex.

Nevertheless, Patrick is still the best one for

the job.

On the contrary, I do believe in her

capacity to represent us for the competition.
 use commas for introductory phrases to avoid
misreading.

ex.

A few days ago, Gil went here to give me

the invites.

In 1984, a star was born.

 use commas to introduce short quotations

ex.

Tim said, In order for us to survive, we

have to unite and work hard.

The young quarterback whispered to the

coach, Whos that gorgeous girl looking at me?
 COMMAS TO SEPARATE ITEMS IN A
SERIES AND COORDINATE ADJECTIVES
use commas to separate words, phrases, and
clauses in a series.

ex.

I like apples, oranges, bananas, and

pears.

He likes watermelon shake, macaroni and

cheese, ham sandwich, and caramel cookies.
 use commas for coordinate adjectives

ex.

Walden is an interesting, thought-

provoking book.

Mary Jean is a beautiful, Filipina woman.

 use commas with direct quotations to set off
expressions such as he said, she replied, and I
shouted.

ex.

The main problem, he said, is with her.

The lens is made in Japan, the

photographer said, and it should be replaced with
something from the same manufacturer.
 use commas to set off contrasted elements

ex.
Give the job to Prof. Chua, not Prof.
Flores.

Misty could give up junk foods, but not

soft drinks.
 use commas to set off the items in a date

ex.

On January 5, 2015, John will be here to

visit us.

In June 1898 the Philippine Independence

was declared.
 use commas to set off titles and degrees after
proper names.

ex.

N. P. Acumen, C.P.A.

Dr. Paul M. Torres, Dean of Graduate Studies

Prof. Jim P. Brickman, Chairperson

 use commas for geographical expressions and
addresses

ex.
Amy moved to Paris, France last year to
continue her studies.

Ross lives at 13705 Renton Road,

Battlecreek, Michigan.
 APOSTROPHE ( )

use the apostrophe to show possession.

common confusion in the use of apostrophe

Mothers Day or Mothers Day

Valentines Day or Valentines Day
 QUOTATION MARKS

place the question mark and the exclamation

mark depending on the meaning of the sentence.

ex.

Rodney asked, How are you?

Did Rodney ask, How are you?

 UNDERLINING, QUOTATION MARKS,
AND ITALICS
underline or italicize the titles of long written
works.

BOOK The Picture of Dorian Gray

PLAY Oedipus the King
LONG POEM Paradise Lost
MAGAZINE TESOL Quarterly
NEWSPAPER Philippine Daily Inquirer
 underline or italicize artistic works

MOVIE Sleepless in Seattle

TELEVISION SERIES Days of our Lives
COMPACT DISC Whitney Houstons Greatest
Hits
PAINTING Spoliarium
SCULPTURE Venus de Milo
 quotation marks titles of short written works

SHORT STORY Dead Stars

CHAPTER FROM A BOOK The Fall and Rise
SHORT POEM I Never Saw a Moor
ARTICLE He says, she says
 HYPHEN

use hyphen for numbers twenty-one to ninety-

nine.