EXAMPLES

1. What a terrible sight!

2. Alas for such as he!

3. If I could only once see him!

4. Alas, poor souls!

EXERCISE

328b. Insert appropriate interjections in the blank spaces below and punctuate the sentences properly.

6.

7.

8.

9.

- A victory A victory

do you imagine you can make him believe such a story

he shouted; I will have none of you

here comes Bob, I do believe

10. The captain shouted

II. it is but too true

and

or it will soon be too late.

went the cannons

CHAPTER XVII

PUNCTUATION

PERIOD, QUESTION MARK, AND EXCLAMATION POINT

329. Period.-A period should be placed after the following:

1. Declarative sentences.

Example: The violet is one of the spring flowers.

2. Abbreviations.

Example: The train Dr. Brown will come on arrives at 5 P.M.

3. Numerals, or letters used as numerals, introducing topics, sentences, paragraphs, etc.

For examples, see numerals at the beginnings of paragraphs in this book.

329a. Question Mark.-An interrogation point should be used after,

1. Every interrogative sentence, except strongly exclamatory questions.

Example: When are you going?

Exception: When can their glory fade!

2. A direct question within a sentence. Example: He said, "Why were you late?"

3. Each member of a series of short direct questions. Example: What is the capital of Ohio? of Vermont? of Oregon?

EXERCISE A

330. Give reasons for the use of periods, question marks, and exclamation points in the following sentences:

1. There are several reasons why the P. O. Dept. is not selfsupporting.

2. The question now arises, What was his motive?

3. Hark! Did ye not hear it?

4. Do you know the Rev. Dr. James Lindsey?

5. 1427 Grand Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y.

6. What a piece of work is man!

7. Where be your gibes now? your gambols? your songs? your flashes of merriment that were wont to set the table on roar?

8. Soldier, rest, thy warfare o'er;

Sleep the sleep that knows not breaking!

9. Send me on Aug. 4th 3 bu. of potatoes.

10. He was given the degree of Ph. D. by Columbia Univ.

EXERCISE B

331. Place periods, question marks, and exclamation points where they are needed in the following sentences:

1. Oh how sorry I am

2. The question is, are you willing to do it

3. What is the population of Greater New York of Chicago of Philadelphia

4. I have sent my MS to Dr J W Thomas

5. O mighty Cæsar dost thou lie so low
6. The accident occurred at 6 P M Oct 3rd

7. Oh for one hour of youthful joy

8. Send me I doz pencils, and 1⁄2 doz note bks Sept 1st 9. Ah truest soul of woman kind

Without thee what were life

10. You will find the reference in Chap. VI p 95

THE COMMA

332. Introductory and Connective Expressions. Adverbs and adverbial phrases that have introductory or connective force should be cut off from the rest of the sentence by commas.

EXAMPLES

I. Now, if that is the case, I will not go.

2. His taste in music, also, was excellent.

333. Intermediate Expressions.-Expressions which make a break between important parts of the sentence, should be cut off by commas.

EXAMPLES

I. "I had no idea," he said, "that the distance was so great." 2. This rule, I believe, is the most important of all.

334. Expressions

in

Apposition.—All

words,

phrases, and clauses in apposition with nouns or pronouns should be cut off from the rest of the sentence by commas.

EXAMPLES

1. J. E. Brown, the president of the Club, introduced the speaker.

2. I, John, saw these things.

335. Independent Nouns.-Nouns independent by address should be cut off from the rest of the sentence

by commas.

EXAMPLES

1. Comrades, leave me here a little. 2. Turn, gentle hermit of the dale, And guide my lonely way.

336. Pairs of Words.-Each pair of words or phrases in a series should be followed by a comma.

EXAMPLES

1. High and low, rich and poor, united to do him honor. 2. Up and down, in and out, round and about, through fields and woods, the dogs followed the fox.

337. Contrasted Words.-Contrasted words or phrases should be separated by commas.

EXAMPLES

1. It is a day of victory, not defeat. 2. Look up, not down.

338. Words in a Series.-Words or phrases in a series not connected by conjunctions are separated by commas. When the final words of the series are connected by a conjunction, the comma usually precedes the conjunction.

EXAMPLES

1. Then I, and you, and all of us fell down. 2. Bring me books, slates, and pencils.