Commas & Quotation Marks

Commas & Quotation Marks Below are rules for the proper use of commas and quotation marks. Commas 1. Commas separate two independent clauses joined by a conjunction. example:

 Rudy has to finish his economics homework, and then he needs to wash my car. 2. Commas set off introductory subordinate clauses and long phrases. example:

 As if she didn't already have enough to worry about, she realized that she had forgotten all about her Spanish essay.

3. Commas set off nonessential clauses and phrases following a specific noun (a proper name of particular person, place, or thing). example:

 Eloise Burton, who is from Texas, will speak at the ceremony tomorrow.

4. Commas separate consecutive words and separate items in a series of three or more. example:

 For dinner tonight, I would like to eat steak, mashed potatoes, peas, and a garden salad.

5. Commas separate two adjectives that modify a single noun (not each other). (If you could place "and" between them, they need a comma.) example:

 Her small, adorable cat doesn't meow often. 6. Commas separate parts of dates and addresses. example:

 Mr. Goddard says that he was in Dallas, Texas on March 12, 1994 during that historical basketball game.

7. Commas mark interrupters and enclose parenthetical expressions. example:  I really believe, by the way, that it truly is darkest before dawn. 8. Commas mark the omission of words. example:

 From my father I received cash, and from my brother, a model train set.

9. Commas set off "yes" and "no," tag questions, words of direct address, and mild interjections. examples:

 No, I'm not interested in your limited-time offer.

 This is the fourth time that you've visited my house, correct?

 Ma'am, I don't believe we've met before.  Man, I've just been sitting here this whole time!

Quotation Marks 1. Periods and commas always go inside quotation marks, even inside single quotes. examples:  Wesley told me, "That new seafood restaurant has terrible service," and then he recommended that we skip dinner.  Marcia said, "I'm extremely tired today.'"

2. The placement of question marks with quotes depends on the sentence. If a question is in quotation marks, the question mark should be placed inside the quote. examples:  Mrs. Smythe asked him, "Have you turned in your assignment yet?"  Did Terry just say, "I really like that painting"? o Here the question is outside the quote. o NOTE: Only one ending punctuation mark is used with quotation marks. Also, the stronger punctuation mark wins. Therefore, no period after "painting" is used.

3. When you have a question outside AND inside a quote, use only one question mark and place it inside the quotation mark. example:  Did she just ask me, "How often do you visit this town?"

4. Use single quotation marks for quotes within quotes. Note that the period goes inside all quote marks. example:  Rebekah said with a sigh, "From what I can remember, she told me, 'You are required to wear a dress to the dance.'"

5. Use quotation marks to set off a direct quotation only. example:  "I really hate to drink beverages that have caffeine," Mr. Lawrence said. He said that he really hates to drink beverages that have caffeine.