Semantic Canons

Question 1

punctuation rule

Answer 1

punctuation can be a last-resort option to aid interpretation of a statute

Question 2

rule of the last antecedent

Answer 2

referential or qualifying words refer only to the last antecedent, unless that reading is contrary to apparent legislative intent

Question 3

noscitur a sociis

Answer 3

when 2+ words are grouped together, and ordinarily have a similar meaning, but are not equally comprehensive, the general word will be limited and qualified by the more specific words

Question 4

ejusdem generis

Answer 4

when a statutory list is concluded with a general catch-all phrase, the meaning of that phrase is defined in light of the other items on the list

Question 5

expressio unius

Answer 5

enumeration of certain things = exclusion of what is not included in that list

Question 6

rule against absurity

Answer 6

plain meaning and grammatical construction should be followed when interpreting a statute, unless doing so would lead to absurd results

Question 7

Scrivener’s error

Answer 7

obvious mistakes, typos, or cutting and pasting errors in the transcription of statutes