{"id":1911,"date":"2019-12-15T20:10:51","date_gmt":"2019-12-16T02:10:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/bookofdreams.us\/?page_id=1911"},"modified":"2019-12-15T20:10:51","modified_gmt":"2019-12-16T02:10:51","slug":"tcmos-punctuation-chapter-6","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/bookofdreams.us\/writing\/my-blogs-on-chicago-manual-of-style\/tcmos-punctuation-chapter-6\/","title":{"rendered":"TCMOS – Punctuation – Chapter 6"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Sunday, December 15th<\/sup>,\n2019
\nBlog #6 of my learning from #TheChicagoManualOfStyle.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Punctuation is like a road sign for a reader; it shows you what the writer intended to say, what his thoughts were and where his story is going. Without the punctuation mark, you will fail to see or interpret incorrectly a lot of the information and perhaps miss totally what was originally conveyed.” <\/p> Colette J. <\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

In the previous blogs, we learned about parts of speech. Today we\u2019ll place the cherry on the cake of writing with punctuation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Periods<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A long pause. But where? Known as \u201ca full stop,\u201d a \u201cdot,\u201d or a \u201cperiod,\u201d it appears inside quotation marks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(When an entire sentence is inside the parenthesis, a period is on the inside.<\/strong>) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But when a clause, even if independent, delivers additional information within the parent sentence, place the period outside the parenthesis (Unless this sentence ends in etc., the period belongs with the outside sentence, not here).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the following, always omit a period at the end of these lines:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Chapter title<\/li>
  2. Subhead<\/li>
  3. Running head<\/li>
  4. List<\/li>
  5. Signature (especially the letters in my book)<\/li>
  6. Address<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Commas<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    A small break. Sometimes used to distance parts of a sentence. Always place a comma inside quotation marks, but it varies when used with parentheses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Commas in pairs<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Don\u2019t skip this. If writing dates, or a city, a state,<\/strong> a comma appears twice. See the bolded and highlighted below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    September 1st, 1980,<\/strong> was a Monday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Kapurthala, Punjab,<\/strong> is a small town most people haven\u2019t heard about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Skip the last comma only if it\u2019s a title of a book; else use commas in pairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Use the Oxford<\/strong> commas as follows: I love roses, lilies, <\/strong>and tulips. But if there\u2019s an & symbol instead of \u201cand,\u201d omit the last comma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Use a comma with independent clauses (sentences) connected by and<\/em>, but<\/em>, or,<\/em> yet<\/em>, so<\/em>, or any other conjunction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If a predicate precedes the noun,<\/strong> use a comma. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Omit the comma if the predicate follows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    But I can use this example,<\/strong> if I like. This comma fits because \u201cif I like\u201d is non-restrictive and doesn\u2019t modify the meaning of the rest of the sentence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    My only daughter, Dua, loves to play with dolls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    But . . . <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    My son Sahir doesn\u2019t like dolls at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    No commas are used in the second sentence because I may have over one son. But I have only one daughter, clear by the adjective \u201conly\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    But . . .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cSahir, my son, doesn\u2019t like dolls at all\u201d takes the commas as \u201cmy son\u201d is non-essential. Order matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Tip:<\/strong> Use \u201cthat\u201d with restrictive clauses and \u201cwhich\u201d with non-restrictive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    With participial and adverbial phrases:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Having lost the canvases,<\/strong> the artist had to forfeit his commission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    But the artist losing their canvas incurs great losses.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In the second line, not all artists but only the one who has lost something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Note: no comma between \u201ccaretakers and \u201cwas\u201d: Losing her faith in her caretakers was her only option. Because \u201ccaretakers\u201d isn\u2019t the subject, but the entire phrase preceding \u201cwas\u201d is the subject with a linking verb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Small phrases don’t require a comma unless used in a nonrestrictive sense. In 1980 I was born. I was born, over three decades ago, in 1980.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The most important rule to remember about comma is whether the clause changes the meaning of the rest of the sentence. <\/strong>This rule applies to all situations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Yes, no, like, oh, ah take a comma unless they fit with the rest of the short clause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cOh, you are wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cOh God!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cNo, I don\u2019t want any donuts.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cNo you will not!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    When multiple (coordinate) adjectives<\/strong> describe the same noun, the decision to use a comma rests firmly on:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    1. If you can change the order of the adjectives, separate with commas <\/li>
    2. If you can join the adjectives by \u201cand,\u201d separate with commas<\/li>
    3. Any other case, omit commas <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      I have had several lovely experiences<\/strong> in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      I have had one faithful, steadfast companion <\/strong>in my life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Repeated adjectives need a comma: Many, many people have crossed this road before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      With dates<\/strong>, remember the rules of commas in pairs. An exception to the double commas are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      1. Only a month and year: My registration expires in November 2022.<\/li>
      2. Name of the day and ordinal: We consider Friday the thirteenth a bad omen.<\/li>
      3. Named day: On Thanksgiving 2010 we went to the Bahamas.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        With Addresses: <\/strong>Use commas to separate elements except for state and zip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        The following are correct<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        She wondered, Have I made a mistake?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Have I made a mistake? she wondered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        He wants her, not you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Remember, a comma separates parts of sentences. Occasionally, use a comma to increase the distance; especially for sentences where a phrase\/modifier modifies the sentence instead of the word immediately preceding it. To increase the separation, even more, use em dashes or parentheses. Here is an example straight out of TCMOS, 6.23: the last comma is not needed grammatically but added to prevent misreading. “She recognized the man who entered the room,<\/strong> and gasped.” Room didn’t gasp. She did. Note the extra comma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        For \u201cHowever,\u201d \u201ctherefore,\u201d \u201cindeed,\u201d and \u201cthe like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        1. Use commas when they start a sentence <\/li>
        2. Enclose in commas when they appear in the middle of a sentence non-essentially<\/li>
        3. Omit commas when they appear restrictively.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

          She therefore couldn\u2019t commit to his proposal. However, she loved him dearly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \u201cThat is<\/strong>\u201d takes a comma after it. With too: I love you too. She, too, loves you. Comma aids comprehension in the later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          When you omit a preposition in a series, use a comma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          In math he scored one hundred; In English, eighty; in Science, fifty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Finally, avoid two verbs back to back but if unavoidable, use a comma. \u201cWhatever is, is good.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Semicolons<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Parts of a sentence are independent but closer to\neach other to reckon a period\u2014use a semicolon. When using the following: \u201cHowever,\u201d \u201cthus,\u201d \u201chence,\u201d \u201cindeed,\u201d \u201caccordingly,\u201d \u201cbesides,\u201d and \u201ctherefore,\u201d use a semicolon between\nindependent clauses (instead of a comma).
          <\/p>\n\n\n\n

          I fear rain while hiking; however, without\nrain, there are no rainbows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Colons<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Introduce elements of a sentence with a colon. The first word\nfollowing a colon is lowercase unless:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          1. Colon introduces two or more sentences\u00a0<\/li>
          2. Colon introduces speech\/dialogue\/quotation\/question<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

            \u201cFor example<\/em>\u201d takes a comma, not a colon just like \u201cnamely\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Accurate use of a\u00a0colon depends on the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            1. Omit in\u00a0front of \u201cfor example\u201d and \u201cnamely\u201d<\/li>
            2. In front of a\u00a0series that serves as an\u00a0object of a verb: \u201cThe party included singing, dancing, and painting\u201d is correct; inserting the colon after included is wrong<\/li>
            3. To merit a colon, the clause that introduces the series must form a grammatically complete sentence
              1. The rules are\u00a0as follows: . . . <\/li>
              2. \u201cWhen in doubt, apply the test: . . .\u201d (TCMOS, 6.67)<\/li><\/ol><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                Question Mark<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Direct questions take a question mark. Does that\nsound circular? Indirect questions don\u2019t take the question mark. How she agreed\nto go out with him was bothering her. No question mark for rhetoric statements,\na polite request disguised as a question: Would you kindly not swear. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Exclamation Mark<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Express shock with this punctuation, but when abused, it feels unnatural,\narrogant, even contemptuous. So use it sparsely for emphasis. Exclamation mark goes inside a quotation mark,\nparenthesis, or brackets only when part of the quoted material, but it goes\noutside if it belongs with the outside sentence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                He shouted, \u201cGo to hell!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                She actually believes that \u201cshe sees ghosts\u201d!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Hyphens<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Thankfully, a keyboard key exists for this one. Use\nthis, as described in TCMOS\u2019s chapter 7, to combine certain adjectives as\nfollows: ever-ready Sue Miller. The Chapter 1 table contains all the hyphen rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                En Dashes<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                En dash is used to connect numbers and is not blessed\nwith a key on your keyboard. To make an en dash, hit <space><hyphen><space><word><space>, and MS Word will make the hyphen little longer; enter en dash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Usage<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                The years 1980\u20132000 were . . . (note the difference\nbetween word-separating hyphen, “-” and “\u2013”)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                I want to be on the London\u2013Paris train. Someday!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                If date range is ongoing, say something like this: (2000\u2013)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Em Dashes<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                The most commonly used dash, used to separate parts\nof a sentence like a comma but used to mark the abruptness of thought and make a\ngreater separation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                If my voice is trailing . . .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                I use ellipses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                But if my train of thought is switching\nabruptly, I use an em dash. \u201cI love him\u2014which is an understatement\u2014but what does\nhe know of love.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Set off the following with em dashes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                1. Amplifications<\/li>
                2. Explanations<\/li>
                3. Use an em dash as an alternative to parenthesis, commas, colon when an abrupt break in thought occurs<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                  A question mark or exclamation can appear next to an\nem dash but never a comma, a colon, or a semicolon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  2-Em Dashes and 3-Em Dashes<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  Now things get interesting. Missing word or part of a\nword? Use 2-em dashes. When whole word is missing, surround by a space, else no\nspaces. As far as 3 em-dashes go, leave it for your publisher to decide\u2014typically\nrefers to the same author or editor as in the preceding entry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  Parenthesis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  They represent separation similar to a dash. If you must nest parenthesis, TCMOS prefers using brackets inside parentheses. Comma, a semicolon, or a colon never precede a closing parenthesis unless after an enumeration. Same rules apply to brackets and braces. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  Use brackets to specify material not added by\nthe original writer (added by someone else). Use brackets to enclose editorial\ninterpolations, explanations, translation from other languages, or corrections.\n(TCMOS, 6.99)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  Lists and outline Styles<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  Use the rules of indentation as described in\nTCMOS with one consideration of omitting the period at the end of each sentence\nunless the numbered list forms one sentence. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  My Takeaway<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGrammar and punctuation\ndown. Next week, it will be titles and names. Until next time, signing off.\nStay warm, safe, and happy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  Source: The Chicago Manual of Style<\/em>, SEVENTEEN\nEDITION.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                  Sunday, December 15th, 2019 Blog #6 of my learning from #TheChicagoManualOfStyle. “Punctuation is like a road sign for a reader; it shows you what the writer intended to say, what his thoughts were and where his story is going. Without the punctuation mark, you will fail to see or interpret incorrectly a lot of the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1809,"parent":1807,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/P6kaFb-uP","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookofdreams.us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1911"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookofdreams.us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookofdreams.us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookofdreams.us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookofdreams.us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1911"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/bookofdreams.us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1911\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1916,"href":"https:\/\/bookofdreams.us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1911\/revisions\/1916"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookofdreams.us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1807"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookofdreams.us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1809"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookofdreams.us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1911"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}