Punctuation.

Question 1

Certain connecting words do require a semicolon. What are they?

Answer 1

However, therefore, hence, thus, consequently, nevertheless, and meanwhile.

Question 2

Describe how an apostrophe is essential when describing the plural form of a letter from the alphabet.

Answer 2

An apostrophe is used as such:

Mind your p’s and q’s.

Question 3

There are two criteria in relation to fractions. State both of them.

Answer 3

1st. Fractions are always written with hyphens:
Almost three-fourths of the earth’s surface is water.

2nd. In formal writing, a fraction is always written out.

Question 4

An apostrophe is used in possessive from. Describe what this means.

Answer 4

When someone has possession of something then an apostrophe is used such as:
Gary’s computer.

Question 5

Describe the application of the listing comma.

Answer 5

Put in a listing comma where you could use the words: and & or.

Question 6

There are three cases in which a hyphen is absolutely required after a prefix. What are the three cases?

Answer 6

1. If a capital letter or numeral follows.
2. If the prefix is added to a word which already contains a hyphen.
3. If the prefix is added to a compound word containing a white space.

Question 7

There are five criteria in relation to numerals. State them all.

Answer 7

1. Compound numerals from twenty-one to ninety-nine are written with hyphens.
2. No hyphens are used when writing numbers larger than ninety-nine.
3. In formal writing the numbers one to twenty are written out.
4. Four digits, when written in digit form, does not require a comma, but five digits upwards do.
5. Never start a sentence with a numeral.

Question 8

Describe the application of the joining comma.

Answer 8

Used to join two complete sentences, using a suitable connecting word such as: and, or, but, yet & while.

Question 9

Describe the application of the gapping comma.

Answer 9

Used to show that one or more words have been left out when the missing words would simply repeat the words already used earlier in the same sentence.

Question 10

State the three minor uses of parentheses ().

Answer 10

1. To set of an interruption which merely provides additional information or a brief explanation of an unfamiliar term.
2. Can be used to represent options such as name(s).
3. Can be used too enclose numerals or letters in an enumeration included in the body of a text.

Question 11

Describe the application of the bracketing comma.

Answer 11

Used to mark off a weak interruption in a sentence which does not disturb the flow of the sentence.

Question 12

What is the secondary use of a dash?

Answer 12

The dash can also be used to represent ranges of numbers.

Question 13

Name the six uses of the slash.

Answer 13

1. Used to separate alternative.
2. Separate a period of time.
3. Represent the word per in units.
4. Used in writing fractions.
5. Used in writing certain abbreviations.
6. Separate lines of poetry when a poem is written solid.

Question 14

The ellipsis has two uses. Name them.

Answer 14

1. Used to show material has been omitted from the middle of a direct quotation.
2. Can also be used to show that a sentence has been left unfinished.

Question 15

What is the main use of parentheses()? When are they preferred?

Answer 15

The main use is to set off a weak or strong interruption. They are preferred when the interruption is best considered as a kind of ‘aside’ from the writer to the reader.

Question 16

State the joining words that cannot be used with a joining comma.

Answer 16

However, therefore, hence, consequently, nevertheless & thus.

Question 17

There are three minor uses of colons. State them.

Answer 17

1. For a book with a title and subtitle.
2. Citing passages from the bible.
3. Ratios in math.

Question 18

State the basic principle of using a semicolon.

Answer 18

It is used to join two complete sentences into a single written sentence.

Question 19

Should a colon be placed at the end of a new heading in a document?

Answer 19

No, in fact no marks should be placed at the end of a new heading.

Question 20

Quotation marks are used when inserting direct quotes. There are however 3 other uses, name them.

Answer 20

1. Scare quotes.
2. Talking about words (but italics are preferred).
3. When providing brief translation for foreign (or English) words.

Question 21

Italics have five different uses. Name them.

Answer 21

1. Emphasis or contrast.
2. Cite complete works.
3. Cite foreign words when talking about them.
4. Cite foreign words when talking about them.
5. Used in biology and naming of legal cases.

Question 22

A colon is nearly always preceded by a complete sentence. Does a complete sentence always follow after a colon?

Answer 22

No, what follows the colon may or may not be a complete sentence, and maybe a mere list or even a single word.

Question 23

Explain how the word it’s is written when used in possessive terminology.

Answer 23

The spelling becomes its. In this context its never takes on the apostrophe.

Question 24

Boldface gas four different uses. Name them.

Answer 24

1. Used for chapter titles and section headings.
2. Used for captions, tables and graphs.
3. Provide strong emphasis.
4. Introduce important new terms.

Question 25

Describe the application of the colon.

Answer 25

The colon is used to indicate that what follows it is an explanation or elaboration of what preceded it.

Question 26

Square brackets have one use, what is it?

Answer 26

There is only one use and this is setting off an interruption within a direct quotation.

Question 27

What is the main purpose of using a dash in a sentence.

Answer 27

A pair of dashes separate a strong interruption from the rest of the sentence.

Question 28

There are four types of commas. What are their names?

Answer 28

1. Listing 2. Joining 3. Gapping 4. Bracketing

Question 29

State the 3 conditions that must be met for the semicolon to be used.

Answer 29

1. The two sentences are too closely related to be separated by a full stop. 2. There is no adequate connecting word. 3. A colon is not required.

Question 30

The apostrophe is never used in which situation? State three things that this applies too.

Answer 30

We never use an apostrophe in writing plural forms (a plural form is one that denotes more than one of something). This applies to: 1. Items. 2. Peoples names. 3. Dates (in British English).

Question 31

When are hyphens generally used.

Answer 31

They are used in writing compound words, which without them would be ambiguous, hard to read or overly long.

Question 32

State the one situation where bracketing commas cannot be used.

Answer 32

In a restrictive clause were the interruption in fact contains critical information to make the sentence complete.

Question 33

Provide a basic snapshot of how a colon works.

Answer 33

More general: more specific.

Question 34

State the two possible checks after the semicolon is used.

Answer 34

1. The semicolon can be replaced by a full stop. | 2. The semicolon can be replaced by the word: and.