Questions tagged [punctuation]
The correct and appropriate usage of punctuation.
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How do I punctuate a sentence that contains a quotation with a question mark?
What is the correct punctuation surrounding the quoted question in this example:
When a neighbor asks, "When are we getting together?" that is the beginning of building community.
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Do I need the comma before "not" in "X, not Y"? What about when they're quotes?
Unable to find this from googling.
The trees seemed to be shouting "I'm dead!" not "I'm alive!"
The trees seemed to be shouting "I'm dead," not "I'm alive!"
...
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Should I use a dash or a comma here?
I googled this and found nothing.
This is silly, and silly literally.
Word editor tells me the comma use is wrong here, but I don't want to use a dash because I don't want to "overdash" in ...
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Spacing around (and types of) dashes in American English
I'm not a native English speaker, and the way American English texts typically use em-dashes without spaces to separate sentence parts seems very strange and even disruptive for me. For example:
&...
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How do I write dialogue separated with 'said' in the middle? [duplicate]
I'm studying for a test and don't know which one of the two following bits of dialogue is correct, and I haven't been able to find the answer online since I don't know what it is called.
"Hello,&...
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Spoken lists in dialogue
A character is speaking to another and calling out a number of items listed in their notes.
How can that dialogue be formatted to reflect a steady stream of speech? Not a bullet list or assigning a ...
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How to punctuate an interrupted question?
I have a convoluted sentence that I am struggling to get punctuated correctly.
Sam is talking with Perkins.
"This is costing me money," Perkins retorted. "And Triple A doesn't pay ...
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What is the best or most common way to include web search terms within a complete sentence?
I am looking for a good or common way to include search terms and phrases in complete sentences with clarity when the term/phrase begins and ends. I do not want to include punctuation near the terms ...
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Should I use commas when providing one location in a sentence [closed]
I am having trouble finding information on whether or not I should use commas in this sentence. I'm hoping someone on here can help me.
Your physical permit can be picked up from the Transportation ...
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Should you respect Japanese punctuation rules when citing something using Japanese characters?
From the Wikipedia page on Japanese punctuation:
Double quotation marks (二重鉤括弧, nijūkagikakko) are used to mark quotes within quotes: 「...『...』...」 as well as to mark book titles (Japanese does not ...
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How do I punctuate two immediate interruptions with em dashes?
The following contains incomplete sentences:
One day, I’m going to become a car designer. Or maybe a cop. Or maybe the president.
As a result, I'd like to replace them with em dashes. My guess is ...
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Can you switch from past to present tense to expound on an action?
If the text is primarily past tense, can you briefly switch to present tense to expound on an action? An example is as follows.
She took one step before the brass bell above her door echoed a sharp ...
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How does one punctuate narration that references such things as door numbers or street names?
How does one punctuate narration that references such things as door numbers or street names?
For example:
Aaron slips through an unremarkable timber door, noteworthy only for the unlucky 13 painted ...
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Do I always need a comma after a person's name?
This is a big issue between my husband and me. He says always put a comma after a name, I say only when a break is needed. Example:
A review of the complaint filed by Andrew, shows that Linnea, and ...
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Use of unconventional punctuation
https://www.thepunctuationguide.com/ellipses.html
I thought it was an ellipses, but ellipses only typically have three dots. Are there good use cases or is there a good justification to using four ...
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How to use parentheses with parenthesis inside
For example,
The model shows a great divergence at zero momentum (see Fig. 5(c))
I am not sure if the last two "))" appear cluttered. I have seen suggestions of using [] on the outside but ...
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Should a question mark be used after an em dash that abruptly ends a sentence?
I looked through a number of the site's questions to find an answer to my problem. The closest thing I could find was this:
Is it acceptable to place a dash after a question mark?
However, my question ...
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What's the word for shortened speech?
I've seen it everywhere where a character uses shortened words often with this single punctuation mark: '.
Like G'day, G'night.
I've seen it in some TV shows too.
Like "'Bout time someone hit him....
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Listing quotes in a sentence
Wondering if I could get an opinion on this sentence in which the author lists some of his father's favorite quotes (apologies for crudeness):
A greatest hits list of those would include: “flatter ...
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What would the dialogue be when a character is not listening to another character?
Like a son tuning out his mother's scolding. Or a character being distracted as their friend blabs on about something.
Would it be like:
"Isn't he dreamy? I mean, look at the size of those ...
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Should ending punctuation be put before or after an ellipsis? Compare ?..., ...?, !... and ...!
Through reading some self-published novels, I have noticed some writers in their character dialogue put an exclamation mark or question mark before an ellipsis and sometimes after. However I am not ...
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Semicolon and period in software instructions
I'm writing a software manual and I worry about my semicolon usage. I believe I'm using them correctly, but it's not that I have to.
My project is a software manual.
People scan for the information ...
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Is an ellipsis after an em dash unusual?
In my writing, I’ve found that (in dialogue) I use the em dash to show a sudden break from dialogue, and I use an ellipsis for trailing off, often coupled with a pause.
I’ve run into the situation ...
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Right single quotation mark for shortened word (e.g., ’roo for kangaroo)?
For shortened words, e.g., ’roo for kangaroo, ’Canes for the Carolina Hurricanes (a professional ice hockey team), is a right single quotation mark the only proper punctuation or is a left one also ...
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Do quotation marks used to name something go inside or outside commas in Chicago style? [duplicate]
I am using quotation marks like this:
Joshua Abraham Norton, who liked to call himself "Emperor", dressed in elaborate clothing.
The strange fish, which scientists call a "coelacanth&...
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Capitalising after punctuation within speech?
I've notices that Emily Bronte does not always capitalise in dialogue after exclamation marks or question marks, for example (light spoilers):
"Be with me always - take any form - drive me mad! ...
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Should there be a comma between an independent clause followed by "intent on" + -ing (ex. intent on helping...)
If there's a sentence beginning with an independent clause and ending with something like "intent on seeing the good in others," how would I punctuate it midway (if at all)?
Ex. We are ...
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Comma between two independent clauses subordinate to another clause
I have learned that I need a comma between two independent clauses, e.g.,
The tram service was disrupted, and the bus was too crowded.
What if the clause pair is subordinate to another clause, e.g.,
I ...
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Punctuation in a dialogue where a character says their nickname, followed by their full name
I've been wondering about this rule for a while now, and I haven't seem to get what the 'correct' answer is.
For example, there are times where I want a character (let's say the full name is Chris ...
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Comma after colon, or just use hyphens instead?
Please read the following sentence:
My interest in learning and thirst to seek out information whenever I can: my curiosity, is what I would consider my greatest talent.
In this situation, is the ...
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When is a colon recommended or more grammatically correct than a comma or semicolon when used mid sentence?
Please note I am posting as a UK English writer, I point this out as I know there are differences between American and UK grammar guidelines or accepted practices. I would also add that I am asking ...
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Can I link a dialogue tag to dialogue using a colon
Can I introduce dialogue as follows -
The headmaster entered the room: "Everybody sit down now!"
or -
"Everybody sit down now": The headmaster had entered the room
I know I could ...
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Trying to decide on writing style and format for dialogue. Looking for Grammatical advice and suggestions. Native British English spearker
I am new to this forum and writing and I am trying to decide on my preferred writing style. I am currently working on dialogue and looking for ideas and suggestions for grammatically correct and 'good ...
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Action between dialogue
I've noticed I've been putting lots of action between someone's dialogue and have many inconsistencies and wanted to know if there was a difference between different ways of punctuating it or if it ...
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Best method to separate complex/multiple nouns and the verb? Semi-colon?
Would a semi-colon be appropriate separating a list of nouns all affected by a verb/or are all the agents responsible for said action? If not what do you all suggest without altering the structure of ...
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Punctuating consecutive usage of "and"
What should a transcriptionist do if the speakers utters,
"You need to accept the consequences and deal with the problem and focus more on growth."
Be informed that transcription ...
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A question on comma usage
I was proofreading an article when I stumbled upon the following sentence:
"The truth is, basically we haven't laid the foundation of the medical infrastructure in our country."
I know that ...
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Period in list of numbers?
A319: 200km
B737: 400km
vs
A319: 200km.
B737: 400km.
Which is correct? Period or no period in a bullet point list of numbers?
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How do you format a song when it's part of a larger spoken piece?
I'm editing a children's book which includes songs. I usually format the songs as a block quote in a slightly smaller type size and centred on the longest line. However, I've just come to a song that ...
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When does a comma before "and" apply? [closed]
Should there be a comma before "and" in this sentence?
I look forward to visiting with you and thank you for your consideration.
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When a character is mentally recalling prior dialog verbatim, how should it be quoted?
When a character is mentally recalling prior dialog verbatim, should the dialog be surrounded by double-quotes or single-quotes, be italicized, or get no special treatment at all?
For example:
O'...
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Is this question mark placement correct: "You've never heard 'Dancing Queen'?"
Would the question mark come after the single quotation mark and before the double quotation mark? Like this:
"You've never heard 'Dancing Queen'?"
This is dialogue in fiction, so the ...
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Overuse of commas?
I've noticed I have a thing for commas, but I don't know if it's a big enough deal. I do try to sparse my longer sentences, but it leaves these lingering ones with probably an overuse of commas? I ...
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How to punctuate quotes in paragraphs and multiple quotes used in succession
How would you punctuate quotes for multiple people talking simultaneously in the same paragraph? I.e.,
They lined up and waited for the last bell of the day and cheered with their tiny voices, "...
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Usage of comma vs dash
Which sentence works best in regards to ',' or '-'?
If you don't, the track record will become diluted
or
If you don't - the track record will become diluted
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How to give the voice expression of shouting as well as rhetorical question
While writing dialogue, I came across this confusion. There are some moments when the characters are deep in their thoughts (past troubling thoughts), and something happens that makes them flip-out. ...
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Comma punctuation
The bold in the following sentence is where I am confused - is it punctuated properly?
It will be necessary to either return this money to the government if possible or, if not, give it to the poor ...
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Hyphen, Comma or Brackets? What should I use?
Which would be the proper style for a scientific publication:
It is required that a, b, and, depending on a and b, c is given.
It is required that a, b, and - depending on a and b - c is given.
It ...
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Using an em dash in a sentence spanning over multiple lines
When using em dash in a sentence that runs to multiple lines, especially in poetry, can it be the last word of the continuous sentence? For example, let us consider the following Wordsworth poetry. (I ...
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Em dash with other punctuation
Proofreading my book:
I've consulted the Chicago Manual of Style and do not find this question answered directly.
Using em dashes to set off parenthetical material:
Within a clause an em dash is ...
