Chapter 15

=The Dash=

=94a. The dash may be used instead of the marks of parenthesis, especially where informality is desired.=

Right: She fell asleep--would you believe it?--in the middle of the lecture.

Right: That fellow actually--of course this is between you and me--stole money from his father.

=b. Insert a dash when a sentence is broken off abruptly.=

Right: The next morning--let's see, what happened the next morning?

=c. The dash may be used near the end of a sentence, before a summarizing statement or an afterthought.=

Right: When you have carried in the wood and the water, and milked the cows, and fed all the stock and the poultry, and mended the harness--when you have done these things, you may consider the rest of the evening your own.

Right: Barnes played a mischievous trick one day--in fact, Barnes was always into mischief.

=d. The use of the dash to end sentences is childish.=

Childish: At dawn I went on deck--far off to the left was a cloud, I thought, on the edge of the water--it grew more distinct as we angled toward it--it was land--before noon we had sailed into harbor.

Right: At dawn I went on deck. Far off to the left was a cloud, I thought, on the edge of the water. It grew more distinct as we angled toward it. It was land. Before noon we had sailed into harbor.

=e. A dash should be made about three times as long as a hyphen; otherwise it may be mistaken as the sign of a compound word.=

Exercise:

1. The boy left the package on the where did that boy leave the package?

2. She was haughty independent as a queen in fact and she told him no.

3. The clatter of the other typewriters, the relentless movement of the hands of the clock, the calls from the press room for more copy, these made Sears write like mad.

4. He made her acquaintance what do you think of this by scribbling his name and address on some eggs he sold to a grocer.

5. He obtained a position in a big department store--his good taste was quickly recognized--within a month he was dressing the windows.

=Parenthesis Marks and Brackets=

=95a.= Parenthesis marks may be used to enclose matter foreign to the main thought of the sentence. (But see also 94a and 91e.)

Right: His testimony is conclusive (unless, to be sure, we find that he has perjured himself).

=b. A comma or a semicolon used at the end of a parenthesis should as a rule follow the mark of parenthesis rather than precede it.=

Right: If there is snow on the ground (and I am sure there will be), we shall have plenty of sleighing.

=c. When confirmatory symbols or figures are enclosed within parenthesis marks, they should follow rather than precede the words they confirm.=

Wrong: They earn (3) dollars a day.

Right: They earn three (3) dollars a day. [Or] They earn three dollars ($3) a day.

=d. Do not use parenthesis marks to cancel a word or passage.= Draw a horizontal line through whatever is to be omitted.

=e. Brackets are used to insert explanatory matter in a quotation which one gives from another writer.= Explanatory matter inserted by the original writer is enclosed within parenthesis marks.

Right: "Bunyan's masterpiece (_The Pilgrim's Progress_)," declared the lecturer, "is out of harmony with the spirit of the age that produced it [the age of the Restoration]." (Here the explanatory words _the age of the Restoration_ are inserted by the person who is quoting the lecturer.)

Exercise:

1. The supremacy of the horse-drawn vehicle is unless a miracle happens now gone forever.

2. My count shows (41) forty-one bales of cotton in the mill yard.

3. [Insert _the Marne_ as your explanation]: "It was this battle," said the lecturer, "that made the name of Joffre immortal."

4. [Insert _Florida_ as the explanation of the person you are quoting]: "In that state oranges are plentiful."

5. It was the opinion of Bailey and events proved him right that the government must assume control of the railroads.

=Quotation Marks=

=96a. Quotation marks should be used to enclose a direct, but not an indirect, quotation.=

Right: "I am thirsty," he said.

Wrong: He said "that he was thirsty."

Right: He said that he was thirsty.

=b. A quotation of several paragraphs should have quotation marks at the beginning of each paragraph and at the end of the last paragraph.=

=c. In narrative each separate speech, however short, should be enclosed within quotation marks=; but a single speech of several sentences should have only one set of quotation marks.

Wrong: "Will you come? she pleaded.

Certainly."

Right: "Will you come," she pleaded.

"Certainly."

Wrong: He replied, "It was not for my own sake that I did this." "There were others whom I had to consider." "I can mention no names."

Right: He replied, "It was not for my own sake that I did this. There were others whom I had to consider. I can mention no names."

=d. Quotation marks may be used with technical terms, with slang introduced into formal writing, or with nicknames=; but not with merely elevated diction, with good English that resembles slang, with nicknames that have practically become proper names, or with fictitious names from literature.

Permissible: The rime is called a "feminine rime". He is really "a corker". Their name for my friend was "Sissy".

Better without the quotation marks: He was awed by "the grandeur of the mountains". "A humbug". "Fetch". "Stonewall" Jackson. He was a true "Rip Van Winkle".

=e. Either quotation marks or italics may be used with words to which special attention is called.= (See the examples under 91e, Exception, 3.) Quotation marks are used with the titles of articles, of chapters in books, of individual short poems, and the like. Italics are used with the titles of books or of periodicals, with the names of ships, and with foreign words which are still felt to be emphatically foreign.

=f. A quotation within a quotation should be enclosed in single quotation marks; a quotation within that, in double marks.=

Right: "It required courage," the speaker said, "for a man to affirm in those days: 'I endorse every word of Patrick Henry's sentiment, "Give me liberty, or give me death!"'"

=g. When a word is followed by both a quotation mark and a question mark or an exclamation point, the question mark or the exclamation point should come first if it applies to the quotation; last, if it applies to the main sentence.=

Wrong: He shouted but one command, "Give them the bayonet"!

Right: He shouted but one command, "Give them the bayonet!"

Wrong: Did Savonarola say, "I recant?"

Right: Did Savonarola say, "I recant"?

Note.--Regarding the position of a comma, semicolon, or period at the end of a quotation, usage differs. Printers ordinarily place commas and periods inside the quotation marks, and semicolons outside, from considerations of spacing. But logic, not spacing, should determine the order, and all three marks should be treated alike. They should be placed within the quotation marks if they were a part of the original quotation; otherwise outside. In quoting manuscript, the quotation marks should enclose exactly what is in the original. In quoting oral discourse, a certain liberty is necessarily allowed.

Correct: He said calmly, "It is I."

Also correct, but not commonly used: He said calmly, "It is I".

Correct, and in common use, but slightly illogical: He began, "Our Father which art in heaven." [The period should follow the quotation mark, since there is no period in the original quotation.]

Correct, and in common use, but slightly illogical: Can you tell me the difference between "apt," "likely," and "liable"; between "noted" and "notorious"?

Also correct: Can you tell me the difference between "apt", "likely", and "liable"; between "noted" and "notorious"?

=h. When a quotation is interrupted by such an expression as _he said,_=

=1. An extra set of quotation marks is employed, and the interpolated words are normally set off by commas.=

Wrong: "I rise said he to second the motion."

Right: "I rise," said he, "to second the motion."

=2. A question mark or exclamation point should precede the interpolated expression if it would be used were the expression omitted.=

Right: "'May I go?'" complained father, "is all that boy can ask."

Right: "Merciful heavens!" he cried, "we are lost."

=3. The expression should be followed by a semicolon if the semicolon would follow the preceding words in case the expression were omitted.=

Right: "I admit it", he said; "it is true."

=4. Neither the expression nor the words following it should begin with a capital.=

Wrong: "We must be quiet", Said the old man, "If we expect to catch sight of a squirrel."

Right: "We must be quiet", said the old man, "if we expect to catch sight of a squirrel."

=i. An omission from a quotation is indicated by dots.=

Right: "When a word is followed by both a quotation mark and ... an exclamation point, ... the exclamation point should come ... last, if it applies to the main sentence." [Abridged citation of g above.]

=j. Do not use superfluous quotation marks:=

1. Around the title at the head of a theme (unless it is a quoted title);

2. As a label for humor or irony.

Superfluous: The "abstemious" Mr. Crew ate an enormous dinner.

Better: The abstemious Mr. Crew ate an enormous dinner.

Exercise:

1. Carew says, "that the profit comes from selling knickknacks."

2. What's the matter with that horse? asked Williams. He's as frisky as if he had been shut up a week.

3. "Who's your favorite character in the play?, persisted Laura. Is it "Brutus"? No, answered Howard; I admire his wife "Portia".

4. "It's amazing, said Mrs. Phelps, how children love playthings. Helen Locke said yesterday, Hughie always tells me when I am putting him to bed, I want my Teddy bear".

5. "You see, said Daugherty, the two offices across the corridor from each ether." "One is the county clerk's." "The other is the county collector's."

=The Apostrophe=

=97a. In contracted words place the apostrophe where letters are omitted, and do not place it elsewhere.=

Wrong: does'nt, theyr'e, oclock.

Right: doesn't, they're, o'clock.

=b. To form the possessive of a noun, singular or plural, that does not end in _s_, add '_s_.=

Right: A hunter's gun, children's games, the cannon's mouth.

=c. To form the possessive of a noun, singular or plural, that ends in _s_, place an apostrophe after (not before) the _s_ if there is no new syllable in pronunciation. If there is a new syllable in pronunciation, add _'s_.=

Wrong: Moses's mandates, Keat's poems, Dicken's novels, those hunter's guns.

Right: Moses' mandates, Keats's poems (or Keats' poems), Dickens' (or Dickens's) novels, those hunters' guns.

=d. Do not use an apostrophe with the possessive adjectives _its_, _his_, _hers_, _ours_, _yours_, and _theirs_. But _one's_, _other's_, _either's_ take the apostrophe.=

=e. Add _'s_ to form the plural of letters of the alphabet, of words spoken of as words, and sometimes numbers.= But do not form the regular plural of a word by adding _'s_ (See 77).

Right: His _B's_, _8's_ (or _8s_), and _it's_ look much alike.

Wrong: The Jones's, the Smith's, and the Brown's.

Right: The Joneses, the Smiths, and the Browns.

Exercise:

1. We don't know theyr'e dishonest.

2. The soldier's heads showed above the trenches.

3. Five 8es, three 7es, and two 12es make 85.

4. Pierce told the Keslers that Jones hogs were fatter than their's.

5. Its three oclock by his watch; five minutes past three by her's.

=The Question Mark and the Exclamation Point=

=98a. Place a question mark after a direct question, but not after an indirect question.=

Wrong: What of it. What does it matter.

Right: What of it? What does it matter?

Wrong: He asked whether I belonged to the glee club?

Right: He asked whether I belonged to the glee club.

Note.--When the main sentence which introduces an indirect question is itself interrogatory, a question mark follows.

Right: Did she inquire whether you had met her aunt?

=b. A question mark is often used within a sentence, but should not be followed by a comma, semicolon, or period.=

Wrong: "What shall I do?," he asked.

Right: "What shall I do?" he asked.

Wrong: But where are the stocks?, the bonds?, the evidences of prosperity?

Right: But where are the stocks? the bonds? the evidences of prosperity?

=c. A question mark within parentheses may be used to express uncertainty as to the correctness of an assertion.=

Right: Shakespeare was born April 23 (?), 1564.

Right: In 1340 (?) was born Geoffrey Chaucer.

=d. The use of a question mark as a label for humor or irony is childish.=

Superfluous: Immediately the social lion (?) rose to his feet.

Better: Immediately the social lion rose to his feet.

=e. The exclamation point is used after words, expressions, or sentences to show strong emotion.=

Right: Hark! I hear horses. Give us a light there, ho!

Note.--The lavish use of the exclamation point is not in good taste. Unless the emotion to be conveyed is strong, a comma will suffice. See 91e.

Exercise:

1. What is my temperature, doctor.

2. "Shall we go by the old mill?", asked Newcomb?

3. Did Wu Ting Fang say, "The Chinese Republic will survive."

4. He inquired whether Lorado Taft is the greatest living American sculptor.

5. Farewell. Othello's occupation's gone.

=99.= EXERCISE IN PUNCTUATION

=A.=

Punctuate the following sentences:

1. Why its ten oclock

2. It was a rainy foggy morning

3. Arthurs cousin said Lets go

4. I begged her to stay but she refused

5. His parents you know were wealthy

6. Near by the children were playing house

7. Ever since John has driven carefully

8. I smell something burning Etta

9. Well Harry are you ready for a tramp

10. I well remember a trip which I once took

11. When the day has ended the twilight comes

12. She was a poor lonely defenseless old woman

13. Trout bass and pickerel are often caught there

14. Lees army was defeated at Gettysburg Pennsylvania on July 3 1863

15. Students who are poor appreciate the value of an education

16. Clem Rogers who is poor as Jobs turkey has bought a phonograph

17. He had no resentment against the man who had injured him

18. He spoke to his father who sat on the veranda

19. The rifle which he used on this trip was the best he had

20. His long beard sticking out at an angle from his chin and his tall silk hat looked ridiculous

=B.=

Punctuate the following sentences:

1. I found the work difficult did you find it so

2. If they had agreed to buy things would have been different but they didn't

3. I could satisfy myself if need be with dreams and imaginary delights she must have realities

4. Well Im not disappointed its just what I expected

5. Hard roads are not only an advantage they are almost indispensable

6. The man who hesitates is lost the woman who hesitates is won

7. The nihilists accept no principle or creed they reject government and religion and all institutions which cramp the individuals desires

8. No longer are women considered weaklings although not so strong as man physically they are now assumed to have will and courage of their own

9. The Pilgrims wished to thank God so they prepared a feast

10. Our country roads are full of chuck holes consequently one must drive with caution

11. The first player advances ten paces the second eight the third six and so on

12. I told her it was her own fault she was too reticent and held herself aloof

13. He had complained of weariness therefore we left him in camp

14. The Panama Canal consists of four sections the Atlantic Level the Lake the Cut and the Pacific Level

15. There are three reasons why I do not like Ford cars first they rattle second they bump and third they never wear out

16. Protoplasm has been found to contain four elements carbon hydrogen oxygen and nitrogen but by no artificial combination can these be made into the living substance

17. Phlox mignonette sweet peas cannas all these yield flowers until late in the fall.

18. He asked for hot water the mollycoddle as if this were a hotel

19. Is this seat occupied sir asked Brown who stood in the aisle

20. There are two types of democracy 1 a pure democracy and 2 a representative democracy

=C.=

Punctuate the following sentences:

1. And Harvey waiting all this time mind you sprang for the door

2. I want to go to Memphis Tennessee to the old house if it is still standing where I was born

3. My bill amounted to exactly counting the car fare nine dollars and ninety five cents

4. I do not believe it he cried then turning to the others in the group he asked nervously do you

5. Which is better to borrow money for ones school expenses or to work ones way

6. He swore swore like a pirate and lashed the horses

7. Dickens novel Martin Chuzzlewit is satirical

8. But what of the Dakotas of Minnesota of Wisconsin are they to give us no political support

9. The grain is then run into a bin called the weighing bin from this it is let down on to the scales

10. Lincoln showed very plainly what the phrase All men are created equal means and what its application was to the anti-slavery movement.

11. His name was lets see what was the fellows name.

12. He looks sharply for little points passed over by the average person are important to him

13. How uncomfortable I feel in a room whose windows are not covered by curtains I cannot describe

14. Some time ago he moved away I was sorry because he was a fine young man

15. I went to the lawyers office to hear the reading of my uncles will

16. Well well I havent seen you for years But youre the same stub nosed freckle faced good natured Tom

17. I did not stop long to consider the football togs were nearest at hand so in they went cleated shoes trousers sweater pads headgear and the rest

18. Today I shall outline explain and argue the subject which has already been announced to you namely The Distribution of Taxes in Illinois

19. His piping voice his long crooked nose his white hair falling over the shoulders of his faded blue coat his shuffling shambling gait as he hobbled up to Carletons Grocery with his basket all this I shall remember as long as I live

20. We hold these truths to be self evident that all men are created equal that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights that among these rights are life liberty and the pursuit of happiness

100. GENERAL EXERCISE

Improve the following sentences, making as many changes as are necessary to express the thought clearly and accurately.

=A.=

1. It don't sound right.

2. Us fellows hadn't ought to complain.

3. The decision effects my brother and I alike.

4. Following his breakfast he went up to the office.

5. One finds that beginning on a pipe organ is much more complicated than the piano.

6. She married before she was eighteen, she had never taken much interest in school work

7. New Year's Eve, a young lady who I was calling upon, and myself decided to fool the old folks.

8. Williams drove across town at full speed, this was against the ordinances.

9. Mr. Black, who had been laying on the sofa, rose and set down by myself.

10. The agricultural course is a study which every person should have a great deal of knowledge along that line.

11. Swinging around the curve, the open switch was seen in time, and directly the train stopped we rushed off of the cars.

12. I can say a little in regard to my expectations in connection with the next four years of my life, however. Expectations of work, pleasure, and perhaps a little sorrow.

13. An interesting experience of mine was a collection of insects made when I studied biology.

14. A man can talk to an animal, and he learns to obey him by repeating certain commands.

15. The life of a princess as well as a hermit are made happy by a little child, as illustrated in the stories of Pharaoh's daughter and Silas Marner.

=B.=

1. Every one in the office were busy invoicing.

2. Their unconscious pranks and laughter is very amusing.

3. The tiger is a beautiful animal, it is also very ferocious.

4. Either he or she are good companions for you.

5. Again, take a student who has been forced to make his own way, the question may be harder to decide.

6. As for the proposition which is before you, if it was me, I would not even consider it.

7. The fly is the insect that causes more fatal deaths in a year than any other insect.

8. The success of a sponge cake depends upon two things. The beating of the eggs and the mixing of the flour in lightly.

9. James, a youth of such energy, and who is attractive in many ways, failed in his exams.

10. Fish are only found in the deep holes, and they are hard to get at.

11. Besides cigarettes, there are other forms of using tobacco, such as cigars, and in pipes, and chewing tobacco, making the total consumption very great.

12. I am endeavoring to secure for this position a man not only with ability as a manager, but one who is capable of understanding and sympathizing with rural community conditions.

13. Any one having any question to ask or who has trouble with their camera, may write to this department.

14. When I hear oatmeal it nauseates me. I can see a mental picture of the breakfast table where I sat nearly all last summer.

15. In ones second year in high school the books to be read are Burns poems, Miltons paradise Lost; Bunyans Pilgrims Progress, and several of Shakespeares plays.

=C.=

1. He promised to on no consideration delay.

2. I heard a voice at the door which was familiar.

3. The most important part of a book is often to read the preface.

4. Observing carefully, a number of errors are seen to exist.

5. Unless one is very wealthy they cannot afford to own a car.

6. These kind of fellows usually make good athletes.

7. It was the custom of we campers to ride into town and back on freight cars, when in need of supplies.

8. As I was sitting near a radiator so I moved as I decided it was too warm there.

9. To thine own self be true is the advice Polonius gave to his son.

10. In order that Otto should not regain his political power back again, Sarphina put him in jail.

11. For every action there is an opposite and equal reaction is the idea which Emerson's essay on compensation begins.

12. To consult a Bible encyclopedia and read it concerning Easter, one learns quite a little about that religious holiday.

13. Never try to shoot a rabbit or any animal when they are not moving, for among hunters it is very poor sportsmanship to kill any animal before they have had a chance to get away.

14. We find that many of Whittier's poems were concerned with slavery, which he considered a very great moral wrong, and determined to do all in his power to eradicate this evil.

15. Rhetoric is required in order that a person may learn how to express their thoughts so as to be readily understood, and the ability to do this greatly increases the value of your knowledge.

=D.=

1. Socialism is different than anarchy.

2. He ate the lunch instead of his sister.

3. The Volga is the longest of any river in Europe.

4. I come over to see if you will leave Tilly go on a picnic with us tomorrow.