Grammar Grammar Presentation:Presentation:PunctuationPunctuation

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OutlineOutline

The commaThe comma

The semicolonThe semicolon

The colonThe colon

The apostropheThe apostrophe

PunctuationPunctuation

Verbal English has many pausesVerbal English has many pauses

Punctuation indicates when to pause in Punctuation indicates when to pause in written textwritten text

Errors in grammar can obscure meaningErrors in grammar can obscure meaning

The panda eats, shoots, and leaves.The panda eats, shoots, and leaves.

The panda eats shoots and leaves.The panda eats shoots and leaves.

The Comma ( , )The Comma ( , )

Short pauseShort pause

I err on the side of taking commas outI err on the side of taking commas out

Comma: 1Comma: 1

Joining independent clauses with Joining independent clauses with coordinating conjunctions (and, or, coordinating conjunctions (and, or, but...)but...)

Example: Example:

The feedback improved, and the module The feedback improved, and the module had a stronger output.had a stronger output.

Comma: 2Comma: 2

Joining an independent clause and a Joining an independent clause and a dependent clausedependent clause

Example:Example:

Although I had difficulty, I still Although I had difficulty, I still prevailed. prevailed.

Comma: 3Comma: 3

Separating items in a seriesSeparating items in a series

Example:Example:

I have the most trouble with I have the most trouble with spelling, grammar and punctuation.spelling, grammar and punctuation.

Comma: 3Comma: 3

Comma before ‘and’ is optional, unless Comma before ‘and’ is optional, unless needed for clarityneeded for clarity

Example:Example:

Snakes and ladders, hide and seek, Snakes and ladders, hide and seek, and tag are Jim’s favourite games.and tag are Jim’s favourite games.

Comma: 4Comma: 4

Setting off non-restrictive elementsSetting off non-restrictive elements

Example:Example:

The sample, which contained The sample, which contained sulfur, did not react.sulfur, did not react.

To begin, the fundamental argument To begin, the fundamental argument of Freud...of Freud...

Exception for short sentences:Exception for short sentences:

Then it started.Then it started.

The Semicolon ( ; )The Semicolon ( ; )

A longer pauseA longer pause

Rule of thumb, only use when a period Rule of thumb, only use when a period would also sufficewould also suffice

The Semicolon: 1The Semicolon: 1

Joining independent clauses, with or Joining independent clauses, with or without a subordinating conjunction without a subordinating conjunction (‘however, although, on the other (‘however, although, on the other hand...’)hand...’)

Example:Example:

The sample was tainted; it had no The sample was tainted; it had no effect.effect.

We completed the circuit; however, the We completed the circuit; however, the light would not turn on.light would not turn on.

The Semicolon: 2The Semicolon: 2

Separating items in a series that Separating items in a series that contain commascontain commas

Example:Example:

Henry's mother believes three Henry's mother believes three things: that every situation, no things: that every situation, no matter how grim, will be happily matter how grim, will be happily resolved; that no one knows more resolved; that no one knows more about human nature than she; and about human nature than she; and that Henry, who is thirty-five that Henry, who is thirty-five years old, will never be able to years old, will never be able to do his own laundry.do his own laundry.

The Colon ( : )The Colon ( : )

Big pauseBig pause

Completely different than the semicolonCompletely different than the semicolon

The Colon: 1The Colon: 1

Introduce a list or phrase after an Introduce a list or phrase after an independent clauseindependent clause

Example:Example:

Henry's mother believes three things: Henry's mother believes three things: that every situation, no matter how that every situation, no matter how grim, will be happily resolved; that no grim, will be happily resolved; that no one knows more about human nature than one knows more about human nature than she; and that Henry, who is thirty-five she; and that Henry, who is thirty-five years old, will never be able to do his years old, will never be able to do his own laundry.own laundry.

The Colon: 1The Colon: 1

If what follows the colon is a complete If what follows the colon is a complete sentence, you may capitalize the first sentence, you may capitalize the first letterletter

Examples:Examples:

Also note that some people like to Also note that some people like to capitalize the first letter of the capitalize the first letter of the first word after the colon: They first word after the colon: They believe it is more stylistically believe it is more stylistically appropriate.appropriate.

The Colon: 2The Colon: 2

Displayed equations must be introduced Displayed equations must be introduced with an independent clause followed by with an independent clause followed by a colona colon

Then, double space, write out equation, Then, double space, write out equation, double space, start new paragraphdouble space, start new paragraph

The Colon: 2The Colon: 2

Example:Example:

• The following equation details the The following equation details the expression:expression:

• (1)(1)

• a = bc + 2da = bc + 2d

• The application of this...The application of this...

The Colon: 2The Colon: 2

Equations within a text do not require Equations within a text do not require a colona colon

Example: Example:

““The equation 2a = b + c showed...”The equation 2a = b + c showed...”

The Apostrophe: 1The Apostrophe: 1

Used in contractionsUsed in contractions

Generally, contractions are Generally, contractions are inappropriate in academic writinginappropriate in academic writing

Example:Example:

Temperature didn’t affect the Temperature didn’t affect the reaction.reaction.

Temperature did not affect the Temperature did not affect the reaction.reaction.

The Apostrophe: 2The Apostrophe: 2

Indicates possessionIndicates possession

Example: Freud’s argument states Example: Freud’s argument states that...that...

Apostrophe: 2Apostrophe: 2

Rule of thumb: Rule of thumb:

If you pronounce the If you pronounce the ss add add ’s’s

If not, add If not, add ’’

Examples:Examples:

The boy’s room (one boy)The boy’s room (one boy)

The boys’ room (two boys)The boys’ room (two boys)

Jess’s dog used to be Rex’sJess’s dog used to be Rex’s