Punctuation worksheets capitalization, commas, quotation. Combining independent clauses word groups that can stand alone as separate sentences. Use commas before andor after directly addressing someone. Not only do you have to follow different rules depending on what other punctuation marks you mix with your quotation marks, but people in different countries also follow different rules, so you may see quotation marks handled differently in high. In addition, the rules for using other punctuation with quotation marks differ between the two systems periods and commas go. Punctuation english grammar today a reference to written and spoken english grammar and usage cambridge dictionary. Notice that the first comma is after the word know. Comma goes inside you when the context calls for a comma at the end of material enclosed in quotation marks, the comma should be placed inside the quotation marks. The only exception, according to the chicago manual of style, involves the use of single. Punctuation commas, semicolons, quotation marks, and dashes commas the basic rule of thumb for commas use is where there is a natural pause, use a comma. Free worksheets on quotation marks for elementary grades.
Periods and commas go inside the quotation marks in american writing the brits have slightly different rules. This can vary between different citation styles, so double check your style guide for accuracy. The rules about using double and single quotation marks in american english are the exact opposite of the rules for using them in british english. Elsewhere, quotations usually follow a logical rule instead, putting commas and periods outside the quotation marks unless theyre part of the quotation. She reported that the boss was, in her words, miffed.
Quotation marks quotation examples and rules ginger. With only one exception, the period always comes inside closing quotation marks. When to use italics, underlining, and quotation marks. There are many different types of animals at the zoo said mrs. When using quotation marks, certain rules apply regarding punctuation and capitalization. Use a pair of commas in the middle of a sentence to set off clauses, phrases, and words that are not essential to the meaning of the sentence. Quotation marks rules youll never forget everything. There are lots of rules about comma usage, and often the factors that determine whether you should use one are quite subtle. For the location of a comma in relation to closing quotation marks, see 6.
Do not use quotation marks around indirect quotations. The mla handbook notes, by convention, commas and periods that directly follow quotations go inside the closing quotation marks 88. By clicking on the title, you can see the particulars of the worksheet and download the pdf for printing. Add the correct punctuation and capitalization to the following sentences 1. It is even harder to remember which type of title requires which type of punctuation. Quotation marks can include multiple marks and sentences, in a single pair. Punctuation commas, semicolons, colons, quotation marks. I would like to go to the beach this weekend, she told him as they left the apartment. Use commas to set of an interruption in the flow of the sentence. A for the first half of the quotation, put the comma inside the quotation marks.
Below is a variety of free worksheets on punctuation, including commas, periods, and exclamation points. Learn the rules of punctuating dialogue correctly in. Also, as an oxford dictionaries article notes, british english usually uses single quotation marks. Always put periods and commas inside quotation marks. Of all the punctuation marks in english, this one is perhaps the most abused and misused. Quotation marks are used to frame words that represent spoken language. Quotations are usually introduced with a comma, but in some cases, they may. Using free worksheets on quotation marks for elementary grades will help your students to better understand how to use quotation marks, while also preventing you from breaking your budget. The rules provided here are those found in traditional handbooks. Quotation marks set off the titles of smaller works within larger works. The colon, semicolon, dash, question mark, and exclamation point fall inside quotation marks if they belong with the quoted matter i. Below, youll find guidance for the trickiest comma questions. Wartime inventions b now name the types of sentences used in the paragraph above. See a style manual or your teacher for specific queries.
Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction and, but, yet, so, or nor, for when it. Punctuating dialogue and direct quotations dozen rules. When the last comma in a series comes before and or or after daughterinlaw in the above example, it is known as the oxford comma. Do not use a comma if the quotation is already set off with a question mark or an exclamation mark. For further information on this, see the quotation mark rules sheet. Quotation marks enclose the exact words of a person. Though not necessarily logical, the american rules for multiple punctuation with quotation.
Here are some clues to help you decide whether the sentence element is essential. Separate the quoted material from the dialogue tag by commas. Use commas to separate words and word groups in a simple series of three or more items. Set off the quotation from the rest of the sentence with a comma. Use a lowercase letter, however, for the second part of a quotation that divides a. Did you know, asked the teacher, that salamanders are amphibians. Use a comma to separate a dependent clause from an independent clause. Tip sheet quotation marks quotation marks are used primarily. Usage basic punctuation rules utah valley state college writing center quotation marks quotation marks are used to show the beginning and end of a quotation or a title of a short work. Always capitalize the first word in a complete quotation, even midsentence. Lamarr said that the case was far from over and that we will win. My estate goes to my husband, son, daughterinlaw, and nephew. Why do periods and commas go inside quotation marks in mla. Lamarr said, the case is far from over, and we will win.
When using quotation marks without using parenthetical documentation, the normal rule for mla guidelines is to place the comma inside the final punctuation. Here is a brief guide to using quotation marks correctly. We should study the report on discrimination in the workplace, which was written by the personnel office. In the text, words such as greenbacks, ironclads, and blockade were used. Thus, in the following sentence, the comma is placed after taught. The same rule applies whether attribution precedes or follows the quote. In british usage, the period and the comma go outside the quotation mark. Do not use a capital letter for the second part of a quotation that divides a sentence. When citing, the quotation and punctuation rules change. British style more sensibly places unquoted periods and commas outside the quotation marks. Quotation marks are primarily used to indicate material that is being reproduced word for word, as well as some other important uses. Use quotation marks to begin and end a direct quotation. Quotations are separated from the speaker tag with commas. Use one comma before to indicate the beginning of the pause and one at the end to indicate the end of the pause.
Youve got to be carefully taught, wrote oscar hammerstein ii. Use commas to separate three or more items in a series. Use a comma between the dialogue and the tagline the words used to identify the speaker, or he saidshe said. This rule applies even if only one quoted word ends the sentence.
Practice exercises for the rules of punctuation below are some practice exercises for the rules of punctuation in english. If a plural noun does not end in s, add an apostrophe and s. Set fullsentence quotes off from said or other attributive verbs with a comma. Do not capitalize quoted material that continues a sentence. Below are grammar and punctuation rules to help you integrate those quotes into your essay successfully. B for the second half of the quotation, put the comma after the speaker tag. Its easy for students to forget that different types of titles require different typographical features. Always put semicolons and colons outside quotation marks. Begin every quotation with a capital letter if the quotation marks the beginning of a sentence.
Dash, slash, ellipses, brackets practice exercises. Of all punctuation marks, the comma, inverted comma speech marks, question marks and sign of exclamation are widely used in direct speech. Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction and, but, yet, so, or nor, for when it joins two complete ideas independent clauses. Most newspapers and magazines drop the oxford comma in a simple series, apparently. Do not use quotation marks to set off an indirect quotation. In short, when deciding what punctuation to use when introducing a quotation, follow the rules we just describedand then use your best judgement. If youre quoting a written source, you should still put the quote between quotation marks unless you plan to paraphrase it. However, there are other instances where commas should be used as well.
Punctuation english grammar today cambridge dictionary. Commas and periods always go inside quotation marks. Shared possessives possession is shared by more than one noun take an apostrophe and s on the last noun only, unless the nouns do not share. For all other punctuation, the british and american styles are in agreement.
Quotation marks are also called quote marks, quotes or speech marks. Though not often used in business writing or correspondence, quotation marks are often indispensable for works of fiction as well as many types of academic writing. The sixth edition of the apa publication manual directs writers to. I said, the fable by james thurber will surprise you. Use quotation marks, capital letters, and any other punctuation necessary to rewrite the following sentences correctly. The comma is a valuable, useful punctuation device because it separates the structural elements of sentences into manageable segments. However, there is a modern trend not to use full stops in abbreviations, eg mr and pty ltd. Write correct if the sentence does not need any additional punctuation. The rules about using double and single quotation marks in american. British versus american style the punctuation guide. Periods and commas always go inside quotation marks. Lets have a brief look over the function and role of punctuation marks in direct speech with examples. Do not use quotation marks around a paraphrase or summary. These worksheets give additional practice in using commas and quotation marks to punctuate dialogue.
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