Questions tagged [punctuation]
Use this tag for questions about the correct use of punctuation marks, or about using a punctuation mark instead of another one.
917
questions
4
votes
2
answers
391
views
Can a colon lists out multiple incomplete sentences?
I raised a similar question here, but the bulleted list example in the only answer to that question confused me, just like this case, as below, I encountered here:
A user agent may terminate service ...
- 3,481
2
votes
1
answer
29
views
Is the semicolon in this sentence used correctly?
I suspect that the semicolon in this sentence below seems wrong, because only two independent clauses can be stringed together by a semicolon. Adverbial phrases are not independent clauses.
You ...
- 3,481
0
votes
1
answer
43
views
A questionable use of colon in this context
I encountered the following strange sentence on this page:
Traditionally, websites are less like "something the user has" and more like "somewhere the user visits". Typically, a ...
- 3,481
1
vote
1
answer
39
views
He almost drowned(,) when he swam across the river(,) because of the bees
What is the difference in meaning between
He almost drowned when he swam across the river because of the bees.
He almost drowned, when he swam across the river because of the bees.
He almost drowned ...
- 11
0
votes
1
answer
29
views
What is the correct way to punctuate direct questions that are not quotes? [duplicate]
What is the correct way to punctuate direct questions that are NOT quotes in a sentence in APA style?
Examples:
End of sentence:
A lot of people wonder, How do judges get appointed?
or
A lot of ...
Ben
0
votes
2
answers
36
views
Joining without Punctuation or Conjunction
There are sentences where two clauses are not joined by conjunction or punctuation. Notice the position of asterisk in below sentences where I "feel" empty/lack of conjunction or punctuation:...
- 119
0
votes
0
answers
24
views
Comma omission in a specific case
I went, waving my hand, to my friend.
Can I omit the two commas?
I went waving my hand to my friend.
This is what I want to write.
user183211
0
votes
0
answers
38
views
the merciless lord of death
a. The merciless lord of death in the underworld is waiting for me.
b. The merciless lord of death, in the underworld, is waiting for me.
c. The merciless lord of death who is in the underworld is ...
- 2,927
0
votes
1
answer
27
views
Punctuation: I miss them too, they’re adorable. or (too; they’re adorable.) or (too. They’re adorable.)
What is the right punctuation for the last sentence?
There were two parks in my old neighborhood, where kids used to ride their bicycles. I miss the park kids too; they’re adorable.
I miss the park ...
2
votes
1
answer
221
views
Which punctuation marks would you choose for an IELTS test when giving extra information?
I wonder which are viable and perfectly safe to use in this case, which is in an IELTS test. Please suggest all viable versions if you can. Thank you so much!!
The proportion of people who didn’t ...
- 805
6
votes
2
answers
10k
views
Should a full stop punctuation be used in Abbreviations?
I've noticed a full stop (period) after "UTC" on the Enthusiast badge page. In my understanding, the presence or absence of the period after the abbreviation doesn't seem to affect the ...
- 792
0
votes
1
answer
32
views
After I said bad things about him, he got angry(,) and I got scared from looking at his angry face. - meaning differences?
Example 1
After I said bad things about him, he got angry and I got scared from looking at his angry face.
Example 2
After I said bad things about him, he got angry, and I got scared from looking ...
- 2,245
3
votes
2
answers
43
views
Comma or colon or nothing
I am having a bit of trouble understanding when to use a colon, or not.
I heard her whisper "I'm cold."
I heard her whisper: "I'm cold."
I think the first one is correct, but why?
- 31
1
vote
1
answer
48
views
There are just two people left who can speak it fluently
There are just two people left who can speak it fluently – but they refuse to talk to each other.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/apr/13/mexico-language-ayapaneco-dying-out
I think ...
- 423
0
votes
1
answer
75
views
Rules of punctuation [closed]
In the following sentence, I am not sure about the punctuation, nor am I too sure about the general shape and structure of it. It feels clumsy and poorly constructed sentence. Can anyone offer an ...
0
votes
2
answers
310
views
A sentence that contains all punctuations
I am trying to teach punctuations to my little daughter. For that I am looking for a way to memories the punctuations and their correct usage. Particularly, I am looking for one or two sentences that ...
- 150
0
votes
2
answers
58
views
a man riding a horse
He was a man tall and strong, riding a horse like a knight, humming a tune.
He was a man tall and strong, riding a horse, like a knight, humming a tune.
Is he like a knight or is he riding a horse ...
- 2,927
0
votes
1
answer
87
views
Can 'that is' introduce a clause?
From Cambridge Dictionary:
I'll meet you in the city, that is, I will if the trains are running.
Is the sentence grammatically correct? In my knowledge, only FANBOYS(for,and,but...) can lead ...
- 864
8
votes
3
answers
3k
views
What is the " - " character on my keyboard?
There are 2 places I can type this character from my keyboard, and I don't know if they are the same character. These are the characters: - and -
I would like to know which one of these options this ...
- 1,289
0
votes
1
answer
91
views
Why is "while" incorrect in "The tone of the interview varied: (while) one video showed the teacher acting cordial"?
While solving this SAT question, I didn't understand why the answer is c. Would anyone elaborate on this please?
In a psychological experiment investigating the halo effect, two groups of college ...
- 11
0
votes
1
answer
34
views
How to use English Punctuations?
Comma
Colon
Semicolon
Brackets
After useing comma should we use space between comma and next word or not?
E.g:
When I saw him, he was reading book.
When I saw him,he was reading book.
After useing ...
user175480
0
votes
1
answer
47
views
Can you use a colon in a question?
Here is my sentence:
Can you roll-back the fix: is that a possible option?
I feel like this follows the rules for a colon, since the first half could be a sentence by itself, and the second half can'...
- 17
0
votes
0
answers
43
views
Comma before "before" and "after"
I have the following table:
Troy, apothecaries' and avoirdupois weights
| - Troy | - Avoirdupois
| - Apothecaries' before 1864 | - Apothecaries' after 1864
-------...
- 171
0
votes
1
answer
29
views
When I write a update log in a document, do I need to add a period after a sentence if it's followed by a dash sign and a Date?
I have a document, it can be any topic. And after a while, I have updated the document and I want to let my readers know which part is changed.
So I added something like:
Added more description text ...
- 2,125
0
votes
1
answer
165
views
comma in definitions
I'm wondering if the comma is used in definitions to separate a component of a definition from an alternative to that component. This is often done in German dictionaries, but I am not sure how things ...
- 5,986
4
votes
1
answer
683
views
"played the violin as/like my brother did"
a. My sister played the violin as my brother did.
b. My sister played the violin like my brother (did).
Do those only mean
My sister played the violin in the same manner my brother did.
or could ...
- 2,927
1
vote
1
answer
373
views
How to punctuate multiple associated questions?
I wrote this earlier, and it seems like the second sentence is a fragment. Do you I need to combine the sentences?
Just so we're clear, were all the files sent, now? Including any files from 4/26 ...
- 17
-2
votes
2
answers
51
views
Comma usage: I put something, into my mouth [closed]
I put something, into my mouth.
I want to know commas can be used in this way.
Of course, the comma is not necessary, but I want to know some possibility.
Sometimes, I put it, into my mouth, but ...
0
votes
1
answer
30
views
Is there anything to signify that something which may very understandable and easily be seen as an error actually isn’t?
For example, “the rationale which the omission was justified by by the director” contains a consecutive repetition of the word “by,” which is of course intended.
What is meant is to refer to “the ...
- 101
0
votes
2
answers
794
views
Is it advisable to use quotation marks for emphasis?
The following is an extract from CNN. I'm wondering if it's advisable to keep the quotation marks around the word "only" for emphasis.
For the holidays, McDonald’s is giving away free meals ...
- 5,986
0
votes
0
answers
25
views
Comma after "so" when meaning therefore
When you use "so" as in therefore at the beginning of a sentence, should you put a comma after it?
They are wearing helmets and uniforms adorned with badges. So, they must be soldiers.
- 1
4
votes
1
answer
67
views
Should we use a/an before a bracket starting with a vowel?
I want to say "It's being discussed because there is a (almost certainly fake) rumour about it."
I learned that we should put "an" if the next word starts with a vowel, but in this ...
- 141
0
votes
1
answer
53
views
Use of the comma in this phrase
Is the use of the comma before "in light of" necessary, optional or extra?
"This book focuses on this procedure from the perspective of the right to effective judicial protection, in ...
- 249
0
votes
1
answer
18
views
Punctuation before quoted speech after transitive speech verb
Which is the more correct way to write this:
"I heard you don't like noodles." He suggested, "you should get the soup."
"I heard you don't like noodles." He suggested: &...
- 2,088
0
votes
1
answer
26
views
Adj.-s/Adjs/Adj.s - Adjective
If I wanted to shorten the plural form of adjective, which would be the right way to do that?
Adj.-s
Adjs
Adj.s
- 35
0
votes
0
answers
28
views
cooked it well as you wanted
a. I cooked the pie in a clay dish as you wanted.
b. I cooked the pie in a clay dish, as you wanted.
Is there a difference in the meanings of the above sentences?
Does the comma change anything?
I ...
- 2,927
0
votes
1
answer
128
views
UK punctuation rule and oxford comma doubt in a nested list
I need to buy ingredients for the party; bananas, apples[,] and oranges for fruit salad; chips and crackers for snacking[;] and soda, water[,] and cola for drinks.
UK punctuation rules state ...
- 31
3
votes
1
answer
34
views
Punctuating 'though' when it follows a main clause
Can someone give me the reasons why this comma cannot be skipped?
I am not sure where to go, though.
I find it natural to write this without a pause, but the word processor insists I use this comma.
- 31
1
vote
1
answer
81
views
Should there be a possessive in "like that of a peacock('s)"?
She has great charm, even like that of a peacock's
She has great charm, even like that of a peacock
The comparison is not between the lady and the peacock. It is between the charms of the lady and ...
- 543
10
votes
8
answers
3k
views
Do how-to questions end with a question mark?
Example:
How to display the value of the bar on each bar
More examples: https://i.stack.imgur.com/eIAI7.png
Is adding a question mark at the end of the sentence compulsory, optional or incorrect?
- 5,899
1
vote
2
answers
49
views
One comma or two commas for a specialization?
Must I add one more comma (before "will") in this sentence?
Funds send to this address on any other chain, including main Ethereum chain will be irreversibly lost!
- 645
0
votes
1
answer
131
views
Can exclamations like "oh" be written without exclamation points?
Exclamatory sentences are the ones that express sudden or strong emotions and feelings, but I saw some sentences expressing feelings without exclamation marks. Why is that?
For example:
"Oh, is ...
- 137
0
votes
2
answers
47
views
How to punctuate a sentence which ends with a question in a dependent clause? [closed]
How to punctuate a sentence which ends with a question in a dependent clause? Should I use "?" or "." at the end?
1 One of the biggest questions of my life is that are we just ...
- 1,060
-1
votes
2
answers
70
views
Punctuation with embedded questions
Is it grammatical? You either put a period or use inverted order, don't you?
Tell us how you would try to understand the people at the heart of the problem that you care about?
Mind! I'm not asking ...
- 3,506
0
votes
0
answers
446
views
Comma after time expressions
Should a comma be put after time expressions when they are used at the beginning of a sentence? Is there any particular rule to follow?
Last Sunday(,) all members of the Brown family were at home.
- 365
0
votes
0
answers
116
views
How to punctuate the phrase "and more than that"?
How should I punctuate the following sentence? I think I should use comma before and after "and more than that".
Being accepted in your job position helps me to achieve my goals more ...
- 1,060
0
votes
2
answers
88
views
How can I use different punctuations in the same clauses?
Are the punctuation and grammar correct in all these variations?
A: The boss, Mike, is a bully; the way that he talks to you, and the way that he talks to his employees, it’s not right.
B: Mick, the ...
- 155
0
votes
1
answer
228
views
Bachelor's degree and Master's degree, but why PhD degree?
Why do we say PhD degree instead of PhD's degree?
Are there any apostrophe forms available for PhD degree, like can we say doctor's degree?
- 674
-1
votes
1
answer
33
views
Why is a comma used in this sentence instead of a semicolon?
LONDON—The U.K. government announced sweeping tax increases and spending cuts on Thursday**,** becoming the first major Western economy to start sharply limiting its spending growth after years of ...
- 385
1
vote
1
answer
22
views
colon/semicolon in "they are more than just places to shop: they are also where people socialize"
Does either a colon or a semicolon work? Does the use of the punctuation affect the relationship between the two clauses?
Physical stores are more than just places to shop: they are also where
people ...
- 1,177