The Century Handbook of Writing Part 51

PUNCTUATION

Punctuation is not used for its own sake. It is used in writing as gestures, pauses, and changes of voice are used in speaking--to add force or to reveal the precise relations.h.i.+p of thoughts. The tendency at present is against the lavish use of punctuation. This does not mean, however, that one may do as he pleases. In minor details of punctuation there is room for individual preference, but in essential principles all trustworthy writers agree.

=The Period=

=90a. Place a period after a complete declarative or imperative sentence.=

=b. Do not separate part of a sentence from the rest of the sentence by means of a period. (See 1.)=

Wrong: He denied the accusation. As every one expected him to do.

Right: He denied the accusation, as every one expected him to do.

Wrong: Anderson wrote good editorials. The best that appeared in any paper in the city.

Right: Anderson wrote good editorials, the best that appeared in any paper in the city. [Or] Anderson wrote good editorials--the best that appeared in any paper in the city.

Exception.--Condensed or elliptical phrases established by long and frequent use may be written as separate sentences. They should be followed by appropriate punctuation--usually by a period.

Examples: Yes. Of course. Really? By all means!

Note.--The student should distinguish clearly between a subordinate clause and a main clause. A subordinate clause is introduced by a subordinate conjunction (_when_, _while_, _if_, _as_, _since_, _although_, _that_, _lest_, _because_, _in order that_, etc.), or by a relative p.r.o.noun (_who_, _which_, _that_, etc.). Since a subordinate clause does not express a complete thought, it cannot stand alone, but must be joined to a main clause to form a sentence.

=c. Place a period after an abbreviation.=

Bros. Mr. e. g. Ph.D. LL.D. etc.

If an abbreviation falls at the end of a sentence, one period may serve two functions.

Exercise:

1. The hen clucks to her chickens. When she scratches up a worm.

2. Before my brother could forewarn me. I had touched my tongue against the cold iron. On which it stuck.

3. The commission had the services of two men of international reputation. Charles Newman, Esq. and Gifford Bailey, Ph D.

4. Since Hugh had fished only in creeks. He was surprised that the lines were let down a hundred feet or more. The right distance for codfish.

5. Between 1775 and 1825 Virginia furnished the nation its leaders. Such as the author of the Declaration of Independence.

The orator of the Revolution. The leader of the Revolutionary army. The chief maker of the Const.i.tution. Four of our first five Presidents. And our greatest Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

=The Comma=

There are five princ.i.p.al uses of the comma:

to separate clauses (a-d) to set off a parenthetical element (e) to mark a series (f-g) to introduce a quotation (h) to compel a pause for the sake of clearness (i)

=91a. A comma is used between clauses joined by _but_, _for_, _and_, or any other coordinating conjunction.=

Right: The hour arrived, but Forbes did not appear. [The comma emphasizes the contrast.]

Right: She was glad she had looked, for a man was approaching the house. [The comma prevents the combination _looked for a man_.]

Right: He gave the money to Burke, and Reynolds received nothing. [The comma prevents confusion.]

Exception.--If the clauses are short and closely linked in thought, the comma may be omitted (She came and she was gone in a moment. McCoy talked and the rest of us listened.) If the clauses are long and complicated, a semicolon may be used (See 92b).

Note.--No comma should follow the conjunction. Wrong: He was enthusiastic but, inexperienced. Wrong: They went before the committee but, not one of them would answer a question.

=b. Do _not_ use a comma between independent clauses which are _not_ joined by a conjunction. Use a period or a semicolon.= (This error, the "comma splice," betrays ignorance of what const.i.tutes a unified sentence. See 18.)

Wrong: The circus had just come to town, every one wanted to see it.

Right: The circus had just come to town. Every one wanted to see it.

Wrong: The story deals with the life of a youth, Don Juan, his mother desired to make an angel of him.

Right: The story deals with the life of a youth, Don Juan. His mother desired to make an angel of him.

Wrong: My courses required very hard study, did yours?

Right: My courses required very hard study. Did yours? [Or] My courses required very hard study; did yours?

Wrong: He will a.s.sist you without the slightest hesitation, indeed he will do so with alacrity.

Right: He will a.s.sist you without the slightest hesitation.

Indeed he will do so with alacrity. [Or] He will a.s.sist you without the slightest hesitation; indeed he will do so with alacrity.

Exception.--Short coordinate clauses which are not joined by conjunctions, but which are parallel in structure and leave a unified impression, may be joined by commas.

Right: He sowed, he reaped, he repented.

=c. An adverbial clause which precedes a main clause is usually set off by a comma.=

When long:

Right: While I have much confidence in his sincerity, I cannot approve his decision. [The comma marks the meeting point of clauses too long to be easily read together. Brief clauses do not require the comma. Right: Where thou goest I will go.]

When ending in words that link themselves with words in the main clause:

Right: If Jacob finds time to plow, the garden can be planted tomorrow. [The comma prevents _plow the garden_ from being read as verb and object.]

When not closely connected with the main clause in meaning: