CAPITALIZATION AND PUNCTUATION
RULES FOR CAPITALIZATION
95. Capitalize all proper nouns and adjectives derived from proper
nouns.
France, French, Paris, Parisian, John, etc.
96. Capitalize all titles when used with proper nouns. Capitalize,
also, the titles of governmental officers of high rank even when
used separately. Do not capitalize other titles when used separately.
Uncle Sam, Bishop Anselm, Professor Morton, the Postmaster General,
Postmaster Smith of Kelley Cross Roads, the postmaster of Kelley
Cross Roads.
97. Capitalize the important words in titles of books.
The Master of Ballantrae, The Trail of the Lonesome Pine, The Discovery
of America.
98. Capitalize the first word of every sentence, of every line of
poetry, and of every complete sentence that is quoted.
He said, "Is it I whom you seek?"
He said she was a "perfect woman, nobly planned."
99. Capitalize the words, _mother, father_, etc., when used with
proper names of persons, or when used without a possessive pronoun
to refer to some definite person. Capitalize also, common nouns
in phrases used as proper nouns.
Father John, my Uncle John, my uncle, if Uncle writes, if my uncle
writes, along the river, along the Hudson River, Madison Square.
100. Capitalize the names, _North, South, East_, and _West_, when
referring to parts of the country; words used to name the Deity;
the words, _Bible_ and _Scriptures_; and the words _I_ and _O_,
but not _oh_ unless it is at the beginning of a sentence.
EXERCISE 72
_Secure five examples under each of the above rules, except the
last._
RULES FOR PUNCTUATION
101. Punctuation should not be done for its own sake, but simply
to make the meaning clearer; never punctuate where no punctuation
is needed.
The following rules of punctuation are generally accepted:
_The Period_ (.)
102. Use the period after (1) every complete sentence that is not
interrogative nor exclamatory; (2) after every abbreviation; and
(3) after _Yes_ and _No_ when used alone.
_The Interrogation Point_ (?)
103. Use the interrogation point after every direct question.
_The Exclamation Point_ (!)
104. Use the exclamation point after every exclamatory sentence
or expression.
Alas! It is too late.
Fire if you dare!
_The Comma_ (,)
105. Use the comma after each word of a series of words that all
have the same grammatical relation to the rest of the sentence,
unless conjunctions are used between all of those words.
Ours is a red, white, and blue flag.
He talked, smoked, and read.
He talked and smoked and read.
Do not, however, precede the series by a comma.
Wrong: He lectures on, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.
Right: He lectures on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.
106. Use the comma to separate two adjectives modifying the same
noun, but not if one modifies both the other adjective and the
noun.
An honest, upright man.
An old colored man.
A soiled red dress.
107. Use the comma to set off non-emphatic introductory words or
phrases, and participial phrases.
John, come here.
By the way, did you see Mary?
After having done this, Cæsar crossed the Rubicon.
Cæsar crossed the Rubicon, thus taking a decisive step.
108. Use the comma to set off appositive expression (see §29, Note
1), or a geographical name that limits a preceding name.
He was told to see Dr. Morton, the principal of the school.
Muncy, Pennsylvania, is not spelled the same as Muncie, Indiana.
109. Use the comma to set off any sentence element that is placed
out of its natural order.
If it is possible, he will do it.
To most people, this will seem absurd.
110. Use the comma to set off slightly parenthetical remarks that
are thrown into the sentence. If the break is very marked, use
the dash or parenthesis.
That, if you will permit me to explain, cannot be done without
permission from the police.
Two men, Chase and Arnold, were injured.
He, himself, said it.
111. Use the comma to set off explanatory or non-restrictive clauses,
but not to set off restrictive clauses. (See §§ 25 and 26.)
Mr. Gardner, who has been working in the bank, sang at the church.
But: The Mr. Gardner whom you know is his brother.
112. Use the comma to separate coördinate clauses that are united
by a simple conjunction.
He can sing well, but he seldom will sing in public.
He doesn't wish to sing, and I do not like to urge him.
113. Use the comma to separate the members of a compound sentence
when those members are short and closely connected in their thought.
John carried the suit-case, I the hat box, and William the umbrella.
114. Use the comma to separate dependent and conditional clauses
introduced by such words as _if, when, though,_ unless the connection
be close.
He did not stop, though I called repeatedly.
Your solution is right in method, even if you have made a mistake
in the work.
But: You are wrong when you say that.
115. Use the comma to set off short, informal quotations, unless
such quotation is a word or phrase closely woven into the sentence.
William said, "Good morning"; but, "Hello," was Henry's greeting.
But: He introduced the man as "my distinguished friend."
116. Use the comma to set off adverbs and adverbial phrases; such
as, _however, then, also, for example, so to speak,_ etc.
Such a man, however, can seldom be found.
This sentence, for example, can be improved by changing the order.
117. Use the comma whenever for any reason there is any distinct
pause in the sentence that is not otherwise indicated by punctuation,
or whenever something clearly is omitted.
We want students, not boys who simply come to school.
Cæsar had his Brutus; Charles the First, his Cromwell; ...
_The Semicolon_ (;)
118. Use the semicolon to separate the clauses of a compound sentence
that are long or that are not joined by conjunctions.
He says that he shall teach for two more years; then he shall probably
return to college.
119. Use a semicolon to separate the clauses of a compound sentence
that are joined by a conjunction, only when it is desirable to
indicate a very definite pause.
I have told you of the theft; but I have yet to tell you of the
reason for it.
120. Use a semicolon to separate the parts of a compound or a complex
sentence, when some of those parts are punctuated by commas.
As men, we admire the man that succeeds; but, as honest men, we
cannot admire the man that succeeds by dishonesty.
Wrong: He spends his money for theatres, and dinners, and wine,
and for his family he has not a cent.
Right: He spends his money for theatres, and dinners, and wine;
and for his family he has not a cent.
121. Use a semicolon before certain adverbs and adverbial expressions,
when they occur in the body of the sentence and are used conjunctively;
such as, _accordingly, besides, hence, thus, therefore_, etc.
I do not care to see the game; besides, it is too cold.
John is sick; however, I think he will be here.
122. Use the semicolon before the expressions, _namely, as, that
is_, etc., or before their abbreviations, _viz., i.e.,_ etc., when
they are used to introduce a series of particular terms, simple
in form, which are in apposition with a general term.
At present there are four prominent political parties; namely, the
Republican, the Democratic, the Prohibition, and the Socialist.
_The Colon_ (:)
123. Use the colon after an introduction to a long or formal quotation,
before an enumeration, or after a word, phrase, or sentence that
constitutes an introduction to something that follows.
Mr. Royer says in his letter: "You will remember that I promised
to send you a copy of my latest musical composition. I am mailing
it to you to-day."
There are four essentials of a legal contract: competent parties,
consideration, agreement, and legal subject matter.
124. Use the colon after the salutation of a formal letter. (See
§161.)
_The Dash_ (--)
125. Use the dash to indicate any sudden break in thought or
construction.
I am pleased to meet you, Captain--what did you say your name is?
The man I met--I refer to Captain Jones--was in the naval service.
126. Use the dash in the place of the comma to set off more definitely
some part of a sentence.
I was always lacking what I needed most--money.
127. Use the dash preceded by a comma before a word which sums up
the preceding part of a sentence.
Democrats, Republicans, Prohibitionists, Socialists, and
Populists,--_all_ were there.
128. Do not use dashes where not required or in place of some other
mark of punctuation.
_The Parenthesis Marks_ ( )
129. Use the parenthesis marks only to enclose a statement that
is thrown into the sentence, but is grammatically independent of
it.
He belongs (at least so it is said) to every secret society in town.
130. Do not use a comma or other punctuation mark with the parenthesis
marks unless it would be required even if there were no parenthesis.
When other punctuation is used it should follow the parenthesis.
They sent us (as they had agreed to do) all the papers in the case.
We expect John to bring his roommate home with him (he has been
very anxious to do so); but we expect no one else.
Modern usage is to avoid entirely the use of the parentheses.
_The Bracket_ [ ]
131. Use the bracket to enclose some statement or word of the writer
that is thrown into a quotation by way of explanation or otherwise.
His letter reads: "We have decided to get Mr. Howard [his cousin]
to deliver the address..."
_The Quotation Marks_ (" ")
132. Use quotation marks to enclose quotations of the exact language
of another.
The Bible says, "Charity suffereth long."
133. Use single quotation marks (' ') to enclose a quotation within
a quotation.
The speaker in closing said: "I can imagine no more inspiring words
than those of Nelson at Trafalgar, 'England expects every man to
do his duty.'"
134. If a quotation consists of several paragraphs, quotation marks
should precede each paragraph and follow the last.
135. Do not use quotation marks to enclose each separate sentence
of a single continuous quotation.
136. Do not use quotation marks to enclose well-known nicknames,
titles of books, proverbial phrases, or to indicate one's own literary
invention.
137. Examine the location of quotation marks and other punctuation
in the following sentences:
Wrong: "You may do as you wish, he said, if you only wish to do
right."
Right: "You may do as you wish," he said, "if you only wish to do
right."
Wrong: "Can you come," she asked?
Right: "Can you come?" she asked.
_The Apostrophe_ (')
138. Use the apostrophe to mark certain plurals and possessives.
See §§ 13 and 15.
Use the apostrophe to indicate the omission of letters.
Doesn't, Can't, What's the matter?
_The Hyphen_ (-)
139. Use the hyphen when a word must be divided at the end of a
line.
Never divide words of one syllable, nor short words; such as, _though,
through, also, besides, over_, etc.
Never divide words except at the end of a syllable, and always
put the hyphen at the end of the first line, not at the beginning
of the second.
Wrong division: _int-end, prop-ose, superint-endent, expre-ssion_.
Proper division: _in-tend, pro-pose, superin-tendent, expres-sion_.
In writing it is good usage not to divide a word like _expression_
by placing _ex_ on one line and the rest of the word on the next
line.
140. Use the hyphen to divide certain compound words. No rule can
be given by which to determine when compounded words demand the
hyphen. Only custom determines.
Always use a hyphen with _to-day, to-morrow_, and _to-night_.
EXERCISE 73
_Punctuate and capitalize the following selections. For instructions
as to paragraphing and the arrangement of conversation, see_ §§
143 _and_ 144:
1. however father had told us not to expect good accommodations
because it is a very small town
2. tomorrow if it is a clear day we will go to pittsburgh
3. will that be satisfactory was his question
4. it doesnt make any difference said she whether you come or not
5. whats the matter with you john
6. john replied i mean that poem that begins the curfew tolls the
knell of parting day
7. and that day i was only a child then I travelled all alone to
new york city
8. he is a member at least he claims to be of the presbyterian church
9. the author says that the hero of waterloo wellington was a general
of great military training
10. buddhist brahmin mohammedan christian jewish every religion
was represented
11. his letter will tell what he wants or will attempt to do so
12. you will please hand in the following sentences one three seven
and nine
13. four presidents have been unitarians namely the two adams fillmore
and taft
14. the verse to which you refer is as follows
the boast of heraldry the pomp of power
all that beauty all that wealth eer gave
await alike the inevitable hour
the paths of glory lead but to the grave
15. a noun is the name of something as william france book cat
16. the train leaves at eight therefore we shall have to rise at
seven at latest
17. the different points discussed are these first the history of
the divine right theory second the exponents of the theory and
third the result of the theory
18. in the first problem divide in the second multiply
19. if the break is slight use a comma if it is more perceptible
use a semicolon if it is very sharp use a period
20. william if you gear me answer
21. he told mother that he must go home at least that is what she
understood
22. as noise it is an undoubted success as music it is a flat failure
23. that may be true but i still doubt it
24. separate the clauses by a comma unless the connection be close
25. even though that be true it does not prove what we want proved
26. mary said yes but helen said no
27. he is called the peerless leader
28. such a man for example was lincoln
29. if as you say it ought to be done why dont you do it
30. that too is a mistake
31. that is wool not cotton as you seem to think
32. the english are stolid the french lively
33. in that case let us have war
34. such an opinion i may say is absurd
35. alas when i had noticed my mistake it was too late
36. the house which was built by smith is on the corner of a large lot
37. he means the house that has green shutters
38. those are all good books but none of them will do
39. dickens wrote nicholas nickleby hugo les miserables thackeray
henry esmond
40. he is a good student and also a great athlete
41. he gave me a red silk handkerchief
42. having assigned the lesson he left the room
43. royers address is danville illinois
44. you will find it discussed in paragraphs one two and three
45. i had classes under the president dr harris
46. moreover naxon the cashier has fled
47. oh that is what you mean is it
48. for this you will need a piece of clean white paper
49. the bible says the lord thy god is a jealous god
50. the boundary of uncle sams lands is the rio grande river
51. theodore roosevelt is not the only strenuous man in history
52. the north quickly recovered from the civil war
53. he told mother to write to my uncle about it
54. he said then why are you here
55. in that army old young and middle aged men served for their
country could no longer raise a picked army
56. he was told to ask the principal professor morton
57. in the same town muncy lives smith now a respected man
58. a peasant named ali according to a good old oriental story
needing badly a donkey for some urgent work decided to apply to
his neighbor mehmed whose donkey ali knew to be idle in the stable
that day i am sorry my dear neighbor said mehmed in reply to alis
request but i cannot please you my son took the donkey this morning
to the next village i assure you insisted ali i shall take the
very best care of him my dear neighbor can you not take my word
demanded mehmed with a show of anger i tell you the donkey is out
but at this point the donkey began to bray loudly there that is
the donkey braying now well said the justly indignant mehmed if you
would rather take my donkeys word than my word we can be friends
no longer and under no circumstances can i lend you anything.
59. a coroner was called upon to hold an inquest over the body of
an italian the only witness was a small boy of the same nationality
who spoke no english the examination proceeded thus where do you
live my boy the boy shook his head do you speak english another
shake of the head do you speak french another shake do you speak
german still no answer how old are you no reply have you father
and mother no reply do you speak italian the boy gave no sign well
said the coroner i have questioned the witness in four languages and
can get no answer it is useless to proceed the court is adjourned.
NOTE. Further exercise in punctuation may be had by copying without
the marks of punctuation selections from books, and afterwards
inserting the proper marks.