English 1 (Accelerated)

  • Capitals
  •  End Marks
  •  Semicolons
  •  Italics
  •  Apostrophes
  •  Other Marks

Chapter 20

End Marks and Commas

Rules:

End Marks

  • 20a. A statement is followed by a period.
  • 20b. A question Is followed by a question mark.
  • 20c. An exclamation Is followed by an exclamation point.
  • 20d. An Imperative sentence [an order or command] is followed by either a period or an exclamation point.
  • 20e. An abbreviation is followed by a period.

Commas

  • 20f. Use commas to separate Items In a series.
  • 20g. Use a comma to separate two or more adjectives preceding a noun.
  • 20h. Use a comma before and, but, or, nor, for, and yet when they join Independent clauses.
  • 20i. Use a comma to set off nonessential clauses and nonessential participial phrases.
  • 20j. Use a comma after certain introductory elements.
    1. after words such as well, yes, no, why, etc., when they begin a sentence,
    2. after an introductory participial phrase,
    3. after a succession of introductory prepositional phrases,
    4. after an introductory adverb clause.
  • 20k. Use commas to set off elements that interrupt the sentence.
  • 20l. Use a comma in certain conventional situations.
    1. to separate items in dates and addresses,
    2. after the salutation of a friendly letter and after the closing of any letter.
    3. after a name followed by Jr., Sr., M.D., etc.
  • 20m. Do not use unnecessary commas.

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