Punctuation

1. Punctuation Dr Gehan M. AnwarLecturer of EnglishOctober 6 University

2. Punctuation Punctuation is the system of symbols that we use to separate sentences and parts of sentences, and to make their meaning clear. Each symbol is called a "punctuation mark".

3. The Value of Punctuation If you are asked to punctuate the following sentence correctly, what punctuation marks you have to use to illustrate your idea? Think of it: woman without her man is nothing Punctuation

4. Punctuation If you are a man, you may write: Woman, without her man, is nothing. If you are a woman, you may write: Woman! Without her, man is nothing.

6. Shangri-La is a fictional place described in the 1933 novel Lost Horizon by British author James Hilton. • Shangri-La has become synonymous with any earthly paradise a mythical Himalayan utopia a permanently happy land, isolated from the outside world, of complete bliss, delight and peace. • The term Shangri-La is frequently cited as a modern reference to Shambhala, a mythical kingdom in Tibetan Buddhist tradition, which was sought by Eastern and Western explorers.

8. 1- Colons [:] Colons are used [:]: 1. To introduce a strong pause within a sentence. 2. After a complete statement to introduce a series or list of items. e.g. Vitamins are divided into six kinds: A, B, C, D, E and folic acid. Complete Statement list of items • The colon replaces the relative pronoun (which/that) and the verb ‘to be’. • The word ‘kinds’ here is a noun, so a colon is used. • Use the colon when introductory words such as “namely, for example, that is” do not appear.

9. Colons [:] (continued) 3. It separates clauses which could be separate sentences, but which are linked by some relationship in meaning. He was not given a choice: he had to do the assignment. 4. Before a comment explaining the previous statement. The circulatory system has two main structures: the heart and the blood vessels. (explanation) • Before a long and formal quotation or a speech When he spoke from the Mount of Olives, Jesus declared:  “Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth” (Mt 5:5).

10. “quotation -- words that are quoted directly from someone else and not "paraphrased" or put into your own words.”

11. 2- Comma [ , ] (The lightest mark of punctuation inside sentences) Commas are used: • To show a slight pause in a sentence and separate its parts into logical elements. • To separate different items in a series or a list. • coffee, tea, sugar, milk, eggs, butter and salt. • He had a headache, dizziness and pain in his lower back. • My favourite sports are football, swimming, boxing and golf. • Amgad was wearing blue jeans, black shoes, his brand new white shirt, and a brown and green cap. The last two items are usually separated by "and". But if one or both of the last two items are long, a comma may be useful with “and”.

12. Comma [ , ] (continued) Do not use a comma between two items; use ‘and’ instead. • You should wash fruits and vegetables before eating them. Use a comma between three or more adjectives or adverbs or where you could use "and". • I like the old, brown, wooden table. • He ran quickly, quietly and effortlessly. • It was a short, simple film. (It was a short and simple film.) • I have a big, black dog. (I have a big and black dog.)

13. Comma [ , ] (continued) 3. Use a comma for numbers over 999. (Commas separate thousands and periods separate decimals.) • 1,000 (one thousand) • 1,569 • 2,000,000 • 10.5 (ten and a half) - note the use of the period, not comma.

14. Comma [ , ] (continued) 4. Use a comma for some dates: • To separate a day from a date: on Monday, 26 August. • To separate a date from a year: on 15 June, 1995. • After a year that follows a date: July 3, 1995, was the date of my graduation. N.B.: Do not use a comma between a month and a year: In November 2010, five staff nurses graduated from the nursing programme.

15. Comma [ , ] (continued) 5. Use a comma for addresses, place names and titles following a name: • 40, Sefton Road, Manchester • Los Angeles, California • Cairo, Egypt • Dina Ali, Professor of English.

16. Comma [ , ] (continued) 6. Use a comma before or after direct speech. • He said, "I love you." • "I love you," he said. Do not use a comma for reported speech: • He told her that he loved her. (reported speech)

17. Comma [ , ] (continued) 7. Use a comma after clauses, phrases, or words that come before the main clause: A. (DC) (MC) After you finish eating, brush your teeth. B. (MC) (DC) Brush your teethafteryou finish eating.

18. Comma [ , ] (continued) 7. Use a comma to separate two independent clauses (sentences) when they are joined by a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so). • He didn't want to go, but he went anyway. • I want to work as an interpreter, so I am studying Russian at university. • If the independent clauses are short and well-balanced, a comma is optional. • She is kind so she helps people.

19. Comma [ , ] (continued) 8. Use commas to set off clauses, phrases and words with appositives, parenthetical elements, or an interrupter. • Mona Naser, a pathologist at our hospital, had an accident. • John Dick, who is Chairman of the company, is quite old. • Andrew, my wife's brother, cannot come. • Andrew (my wife's brother) cannot come. • The objective, to find peace in both countries, is hard to reach.

20. Interrupter - a part of a sentence that can be removed without changing the real meaning of the sentence.

21. Comma [ , ] (continued) 9. Use a comma after an introductory element. • Rushing to catch the flight, he forgot to take his phone. • As the year came to an end, he realized the days were getting shorter. • By evening we were getting worried. (optional) • After a hefty meal cooked by his host's wife, he went to sleep. • After a snack he went to sleep. (optional) A comma is optional for short, simple introductory elements.

22. Comma [ , ] (continued) 10. Sentence adverbs (however, unfortunately, surprisingly) often require one or two commas, depending on their position in the sentence. • However, Maged did arrive. • Maged, however, did arrive. • I wanted to go to visit them; however, I did not have the time. • We were, unfortunately, too late. • He had, surprisingly, lost his temper.

23. Comma [ , ] (continued) 11. An adverbial clause needs a comma when it comes at the beginning of a sentence but not at its end. Here is a list of the words that give you an adverbial clause: [When – While – Where – As – Since – If – Although] • If I win the lottery, I will buy a castle. • I will buy a castle if I win the lottery.

24. Comma [ , ] (continued) 12. Put a space after a comma. Do not put a space before a comma.

25. Comma [ , ] (continued) 13. Do not use a comma to separate two complete sentences; use a full stop or semi-colon instead. • Ram wants to go out. Anthony wants to stay home. • Ram wants to go out, Anthony wants to stay home.

26. 3- Semicolons [ ; ] 1. instead of a full stop - weaker as it cannot be used at the end of a sentence - separate two contrasting sentences closely connected in meaning. Josef likes coffee; Mary likes tea. Ram wants to go out; Anthony wants to stay home.  I wanted a cup of coffee, not a glass of milk. (A comma separates contrasting parts of a sentence.)

27. (continued) Semicolons [ ; ] 2. To separate 2 clauses, when a second clause explains the first. 3. To mark a long pause in a sentence. 2. Tara is a good speaker; she speaks very clearly. 3. You did your best; now let's hope you pass the exam. It is not correct to use a comma instead of the semi-colon.

28. (continued) Semicolons [ ; ] 4. Use a semi-colon as a kind of "super comma" to punctuate mixed and complicated lists of items (words, clauses or phrases). It may combine a series that has commas inside the parts of the series to prevent confusion. • To deal with the problem, I talked to my advisor, the chairman and the dean; wrote a petition; and met with the advisory committee. • I have been to Cairo, Egypt; Dubai, UAE; Amman, Jordan; and Jedda, KSA. • Rental cars must be returned on time; with a full tank of petrol; in undamaged condition; and at the same location as they were collected from.

29. Full stop [ . ]: Full stops are used [ . ]: 1. To indicate a strong pause. 2. At the end of a complete sentence. The only common exception when the sentence is a question or an exclamation. 3. After abbreviations (in an abbreviation the last letter of the word and of the abbreviation are not the same): 4. It is not necessary after the initial capital letters ‘with contractions’ (in a contraction the last letter of the word and of the contraction are the same) (The man arrived. He sat down.) Co. (Company) etc. (et cetera) M.P. (Member of Parliament) Ltd (Limited) Dr (Doctor) St (Saint)

30. Application 1: Put a comma where necessary in the following sentences:

31. Answers 1: • In March 1997, Dr Noura became a specialist at the Military Hospital. • Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and other countries found a society for skin specialists in Alexandria, Egypt, on 7 October, 1996. • A home care service was introduced on 26 May, 1986, at this hospital. • Ibn Sina, a famous Arab scholar, wrote more than 200 books during his life time. • Red blood cells carry oxygen. However, white cells fight bacteria.

32. Application 2 Correct 1. I cannot promise to win the race but I will do my best. 2. She who eats a lot is fat. 3. Being very busy he did not have time to talk to me. 4. If you are not going to help don't promise to. 5. Since he arrived late from work he did not have time to cook. 6. Carmen my dearest friend was here yesterday. 7. I wanted to go to visit them however I did not have the time. 8. When I miss class I borrow notes from another student. 9. Standing on the beach John could feel the wind blow. 10. To deal with the problem I talked to my advisor.

33. Answers 2 1. I cannot promise to win the race, but I will do my best. 2. She, who eats a lot, is fat. 3. Being very busy, he did not have time to talk to me. 4. If you are not going to help, don't promise to. 5. Since he arrived late from work, he did not have time to cook. 6. Carmen, my dearest friend, was here yesterday. 7. I wanted to go to visit them; however, I did not have the time. 8. When I miss class, I borrow notes from another student. 9. Standing on the beach, John could feel the wind blow. 10. To deal with the problem, I talked to my advisor.

34. Application 3 Choose the sentence with the correct punctuation. 1. A) You asked for forgiveness, he granted it to you.   B) You asked for forgiveness; he granted it to you.   C) You asked for forgiveness: he granted it to you.   D) You asked for forgiveness he granted it to you. 2.  A) We ask; therefore, that you keep this matter confidential.   B) We ask, therefore; that you keep this matter confidential.   C) We ask, therefore, that you keep this matter confidential.   D) We ask: therefore, that you keep this matter confidential. Answers Next

35. Answers 3 1. B) You asked for forgiveness; he granted it to you.   Explanation: Use a semicolon in place of a period to separate two sentences where the conjunction has been left out. 2.  C) We ask, therefore, that you keep this matter confidential.   Explanation: In this sentence, "therefore" is is an interrupter. Use commas to surround interrupters.

36. 3. A) The order was requested six weeks ago; therefore, I expected the shipment to arrive by now.   B) The order was requested six weeks ago, therefore I expected the shipment to arrive by now.   C) The order was requested six weeks ago, therefore, I expected the shipment to arrive by now.   D) The order was requested six weeks ago: therefore, I expected the shipment to arrive by now. 4.  A) Clothes are often made from synthetic material; for instance, rayon.   B) Clothes are often made from synthetic material, for instance, rayon.   C) Clothes are often made from synthetic material, for instance: rayon.   D) Clothes are often made from synthetic material, for instance; rayon. Answers Next

37. 3. A) The order was requested six weeks ago; therefore, I expected the shipment to arrive by now.   Explanation: Use a semicolon in place of a period to separate two sentences where the conjunction has been left out. 4.  B) Clothes are often made from synthetic material, for instance, rayon.   Explanation: Use a comma before introductory words such as “namely, that is, i.e., for example, e.g., for instance” when they are followed by only one item. Use a comma after the introductory word.

38. 5. Choose the sentence with the correct punctuation. 6. Choose the sentence with the correct punctuation. Answers Next

39. 5. C) If you believe in magic, magical things will happen; but if you do not believe in magic, you will discover nothing to be magical. Explanation: Use the semicolon between two sentences that are joined by a conjunction but already have one or more commas within the first sentence. 6.  A)  The orchestra, excluding the violin section, was not up to par. Explanation: Use commas to surround an interrupting expression.

40. Application 2 Choose the sentence with the correct punctuation. 7. A) I have been to San Francisco, California, Reno, Nevada, and Seattle, Washington.   B) I have been to San Francisco California; Reno Nevada; and Seattle Washington.   C) I have been to San Francisco California, Reno Nevada, and Seattle Washington.  D) I have been to San Francisco, California; Reno, Nevada; and Seattle, Washington. 8.  A) I need a few items at the store, clothespins, a bottle opener, and napkins.   B) I need a few items at the store; clothespins, a bottle opener, and napkins.   C) I need a few items at the store: clothespins, a bottle opener, and napkins.   D) I need a few items at the store clothespins, a bottle opener, and napkins. Answers Next

41. 7. D) I have been to San Francisco, California; Reno, Nevada; and Seattle, Washington. Explanation: Use the semicolon to separate units of a series when one or more of the units contain commas. 8.  C) I need a few items at the store: clothespins, a bottle opener, and napkins. Explanation: Use the colon after a complete sentence to introduce a list of items when introductory words such as “namely, for example, that is” do not appear.

42. Application 2 Choose the sentence with the correct punctuation. 9.  A) I answered the phone; but no one seemed to be on the other end of the line.   B) I answered the phone: but no one seemed to be on the other end of the line.   C) I answered the phone, but no one seemed to be on the other end of the line.   D) I answered the phone but no one seemed to be on the other end of the line. 10.  A) I wanted a cup of coffee; not a glass of milk.  B) I wanted a cup of coffee, not a glass of milk.  C) I wanted a cup of coffee: not a glass of milk.  D) I wanted a cup of coffee not a glass of milk. Answers Next

43. 9. C) I answered the phone, but no one seemed to be on the other end of the line. Explanation: Use a comma to separate two sentences joined by a coordinating conjunction ("and, but, or, for, nor, yet"). 10. B) I wanted a cup of coffee, not a glass of milk.  Explanation: Use a comma to separate contrasting parts of a sentence.