PUNCTUATION

MODULE 1

General Objective

To be able to express meaning clearly through the use of proper

punctuation in writing

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Activity 1: You think punctuation doesn't matter?

Instructions: Punctuate the sentences below:

a. All-male group: Gloria loves John
b. All-female group: Gloria despises John

Question: How did punctuation change the meaning of your passages?

Think of punctuation and mechanics in terms of driving your car. Punctuation and mechanics provide
direction and signal the information to which you need to pay attention. Without punctuation and
mechanics, phrases and sentences would run into each other and would be unclear, and your writing
would go virtually nowhere. The purpose of punctuation and mechanics is to make your meaning clear
by telling the reader when to pause, when to stop, when to take notice, etc.

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Period
Use a period to end a complete sentence. A sentence is a group of words containing a subject and
predicate. In British English a period is called a 'full stop'.

Examples:

He went to Detroit last week.

They are going to visit.

Comma
There are a number of different uses for commas in English. Commas are used to:

● Separate a list of items. This is one of the most common uses of a comma. Notice that a comma is
included before the conjunction 'and' which comes before the final element of a list.

Examples:

I like reading, listening to music, taking long walks, and visiting with my friends.
They would like books, magazines, DVDs, video cassettes, and other learning materials for their
library.

Separate phrases (clauses). This is especially true after a beginning dependent clause or a long
prepositional phrase.

Examples:

In order to qualify for your certificate, you will need to take the TOEFL exam.
Although he wanted to come, he wasn't able to attend the course.

● Separate two independent clauses that are connected by a conjunction such as 'but'.

Examples:

They wanted to purchase a new car, but their financial situation would not allow it.
I'd really enjoy seeing a film this evening, and I'd like to go out for a drink.

● Introduce a direct quote (as opposed to indirect speech i.e. He said he wanted to come ...).

Examples:

The boy said, "My father is often away during the week on business trips."
His doctor replied, "If you don't stop smoking, you run the risk of a heart attack."

● Separate appositives (a noun, or noun phrase) or non-defining relative clauses.

Examples:

Bill Gates, the richest man in the world, comes from Seattle.
My only sister, who is a fantastic tennis player, is in great shape.

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Question Mark

The question mark is used at the end of a question.

Examples:

Where do you live?

How long have they been studying?

Exclamation Point
The exclamation point is used at the end of a sentence to indicate great surprise. It is also used for
emphasis when making a point. Be careful not to use an exclamation point too often.

Examples:

That ride was fantastic!

I can't believe he is going to marry her!

Semicolon
There are two uses for a semicolon:

● To separate two independent clauses. One or both of the clauses are short and the ideas
expressed are usually very similar.

Examples:

He loves studying; He can't get enough of school.

What an incredible situation; it must make you nervous.

● To separate groups of words that are themselves separated by commas.

Examples:

I took a holiday and played golf, which I love; read a lot, which I needed to do; and slept late,
which I hadn't done for quite a while.
They plan to study German, for their travels; chemistry, for their work; and literature, for their
own enjoyment.

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Colon
A colon can be used for two purposes:
● To provide additional details and explanation.

Examples:

He had many reasons for joining the club: to get in shape, to make new friends, to lose some
weight, and to get out of the house.
She gave notice for the following reasons: bad pay, horrible hours, poor relations with colleagues,
and her boss.

● To introduce a direct quote (a comma can also be used in this situation).

Examples:

He announced to his friends: "I'm getting married!"

She cried out: "I never want to see you again!"

Exercise 1

Encircle the letter of the correctly punctuated sentence in this group.

1. a. Ms. Espinoza has offered to coach the team this year, however, the competition for the job is
intense.
b. Ms. Espinoza has offered to coach the team this year, however the competition for the job is
intense.
c. Ms. Espinoza has offered to coach the team this year; however, the competition for the job is
intense.

2. a. The team's major concerns this year, however, are staying healthy, finding a good shooting
guard, and maintaining good relations with the public.
b. The team's major concerns this year, however, are: staying healthy, finding a good shooting
guard, and maintaining good relations with the public.
c. The team's major concerns this year; however, are -- staying healthy, finding a good shooting
guard, and maintaining good relations with the public.

3. a. My favorite pizza combinations are sausage peppers and onions mushrooms extra cheese and
anchovies and hamburger sun-dried tomatoes pepperoni and sliced red potatoes.
b. My favorite pizza combinations are: sausage, peppers, and onions, mushrooms, extra cheese,
and anchovies, and hamburger, sun-dried tomatoes, pepperoni, and sliced red potatoes.
c. My favorite pizza combinations are sausage, peppers, and onions; mushrooms, extra cheese,
and anchovies; and hamburger, sun-dried tomatoes, pepperoni, and sliced red potatoes.

4. a. Three major cities Hartford Bridgeport and Stamford make up the crucial voting blocks of
Connecticut.
b. Three major cities, Hartford, Bridgeport, and Stamford, make up the crucial voting blocks of
Connecticut.
c. Three major cities -- Hartford, Bridgeport, and Stamford -- make up the crucial voting blocks of
Connecticut.

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5. a. My favorite teacher, who just happens to be my uncle, retired from the university last summer.
b. My favorite teacher who just happens to be my uncle, retired from the university last summer.
c. My favorite teacher, who just happens to be my uncle retired from the university last summer.

Exercise 2

Remove or add commas where necessary. Some sentences are correct.

1. Many, times, honest, open speakers create an impression of shiftiness and dishonesty due to a

lack of content.

2. The program featured several, new bands.

3. Section 4.102-1(d) of RR 07-95 dated December, 9, 1995 provides that the reinsurance of

business is subject to 10% VAT and, that the VAT due on a foreign reinsurance company must be

withheld by the local insurance company.

4. Farming which is a major source of food production may not always be dependent on the weather.

5. However, in RMC 11-96 it was clarified that reinsurance premiums shall be subject to VAT if

received by a reinsurer from a company that has paid the VAT on insurance premium.

6. In 1988 the BIR issued VAT ruling no. 231-88 stating that as provider of medical services an HMO

is exempt from VAT coverage.

7. If you have further questions please ask Ms. Figueroa Director of the Tax Advisory and Compliance

Division of Punongbayan & Araullo.

8. Car fumes, industrial smoke, and jet aircraft exhaust, contribute to urban air pollution.

9. To answer the demands of its clients P&A has created a new department that will concentrate on

communication skills.

10. Everybody, has a piece of relevant information, which means everyone can be a teacher and a

learner.

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Exercise 3

Instructions: Punctuate the passage to make it meaningful. Apply capitalization.

The Passage

Chapter One from 1984, by George Orwell

it was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen
Winston Smith, his chin nuzzled into his breast in an effort to escape the vile
wind, slipped quickly through the glass doors of Victory Mansions, though
not quickly enough to prevent a swirl of gritty dust from entering along with
him

the hallway smelt of boiled cabbage and old rag mats at one end of it a
coloured poster, too large for indoor display, had been tacked to the wall it
depicted simply an enormous face, more than a metre wide: the face of a
man of about forty-five, with a heavy black moustache and ruggedly
handsome features Winston made for the stairs it was no use trying the lift
even at the best of times it was seldom working, and at present the electric
current was cut off during daylight hours it was part of the economy drive in
preparation for Hate Week the flat was seven flights up, and Winston, who
was thirty-nine and had a varicose ulcer above his right ankle, went slowly,
resting several times on the way on each landing, opposite the lift-shaft, the
poster with the enormous face gazed from the wall it was one of those
pictures which are so contrived that the eyes follow you about when you
move BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU, the caption beneath it ran

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Punctuation Matters; in Emails Too

By Heinz Tschabitscher

How you say a sentence can carry a lot of its meaning. Which words you emphasize and when you
briefly stop often alters the message expressed completely.

In writing, punctuation carries much of this suggested interpretation of the mere words. If you omit it
completely, alter it or place punctuation marks sloppily, the reader can be puzzled or, without much
pondering, misinterpret what you write all too easily.

Of course, mistakes can happen; there's nothing dramatic about that. The absence of rules should just
be the exception, not itself the rule.

So, together with avoiding too much slang in your emails,

Try to follow the rules of punctuation

For both your and the reader's benefit and understanding.

No Punctuation Mark Reduplication

Nothing is classier, of course, than the skillful hyperbole, say in exclamation marks!!!!!!

There is also a proper place for every form of art, however — and professional emails are usually not
the right place for many exclamation or question marks. Strive for very few exclamation marks, and
don't reduplicate other punctuation marks, even if they are in their proper place.

Fanboys
When do you use a comma to separate two thoughts in a sentence, and when don't you? The quick
answer is "FANBOYS." This is an acronym which stands for the words:
● For
● And
● Nor
● But
● Or
● Yet
● So

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