Punctuation.

Comma, Colon and Semicolon

Obligatory Comma

> non-restrictive relative clause (WH- pronoun)

> preposed long dependent clause/minor clause/adverbial

> parenthesis

> number

> sequence of similar elements

Optional Comma

> co-ordinating sentence

> full date

NO Comma

> restrictive relative clause (that, WH- pronoun)

> sequence of unlike elements (and cannot be inserted)

> clause with ‘silent’ subject > multiple predicate

> object clause

Semicolon

> co-ordinating sentences without conjunction

Colon

> co-ordinating sentences without conjunction

> explanation

E x e r c i s e :

I have painted the entire house(,) but he is still working on sanding the doors.

- co-ordinating sentence > optional comma

He left the scene of the accident and tried to forget that it had happened.

- multiple predicate > no comma x CZ: co-ordinating sentence

Because her alarm clock was broken, she was late for class.

- preposed long dependent clause > comma

She was late for class because her alarm clock was broken.

- no comma

Having finished the test, he left the room.

- preposed long minor clause > comma

On February 14 many couples give each other chocolate and roses.

- preposed ADV x but: short enough > no comma

To George, Harrison had been a sort of idol.

- preposed ADV x but: short x but: confusing wrt the meaning > comma

To me Harrison had been a sort of idol.

- preposed ADV x but: short, not confusing wrt the meaning > no comma

I am, as you have probably noticed, very nervous about this.

- parenthesis > commas

This restaurant has an exciting atmosphere. The food, on the other hand, is rather bland.

- parenthesis > commas

I appreciate your hard work. In this case, however, you seem to have over-exerted yourself.

- parenthesis > commas

She also said that she would ask her parents whether they would be happy about her going to a youth club with her best friend.

- a sequence of object clauses > no comma

I asked if she needed a ride.

- object clause > no comma

BrE: The closet contained worn clothes, old shoes and dirty hats.

- sequence of similar elements > NO comma preceding and

AmE: The closet contained worn clothes, old shoes, and dirty hats.

- sequence of similar elements > comma preceding and

My $10,000,000 estate is to be split among my husband, daughter, son, and nephew.

- number > comma; sequence of similar elements > comma

- BUT: son and nephew divided by a comma to ensure each of them an individual share

He is a strong, healthy man.

- sequence of similar elements > comma

We stayed at an expensive summer resort.

- sequence of unlike elements > no comma

That is my money, not yours.

- emphasis > comma

I met my husband on December 5(,) 1985(,) in San Francisco, California.

- full date > comma

We met in December 1985 in Sacramento.

- no full date > no comma

The baby wearing a yellow jumpsuit is my niece.

- restrictive minor clause > no comma

The book that I borrowed from you is excellent.

- restrictive clause > no comma

Pamela found out about two local youth clubs, one of which seemed particularly suitable for her.

- comma

Apples, which are my favourite fruit, are the main ingredient in this recipe.

- parenthesis > commas

Secluded rear doors are especially vulnerable: they are often forced open with a simple well-aimed kick.

- co-ordinating sentences without conjunction; explanation > colon

 

Inverted Commas

British English: single inverted commas ‘ ‘  and punctuation outside

American English: double inverted commas “ “  and punctuation inside

Czech: double inverted commas „ ” and punctuation inside

BrE: ‘Citation’. x AmE: “Citation.”

AmE

At the lake we stop and stretch and mingle affably with the small crowd of tourists holding cameras and children, yelling, “Don’t go too close!” and see cars and campers with all different license plates, and see the Crater Lake with a feeling of “Well, there it is,” just as the pictures show.

BrE

At the lake we stop and stretch and mingle affably with the small crowd of tourists holding cameras and children, yelling, ‘Don’t go too close’! and see cars and campers with all different license plates, and see the Crater Lake with a feeling of ‘Well, there it is’, just as the pictures show.

 

End-of-line Division

Czech: syllabically x English: morphologically

- driv-er, know-ledge, illustrat-ing, sit-ting, seat-ing