Grammar - Periods, Question Marks, and Exclamation Marks - Quick Guides

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Study GuideGrammar–Periods, Question Marks, and ExclamationMarks1. Uses of the PeriodTheperiodis one of the most common punctuation marks in English. It has several important uses,and learning them will help your writing sound clear and complete.1.1. Ending Complete SentencesUse a period at the end ofcomplete sentencesthat make a statement, give a command, make arequest, or show a mild feeling.Examples:•He spends winters in Florida and summers on Cape Cod.•Please open your books to the third chapter.•How odd it is to see Robert sitting in his father’s place.Each example is acomplete thought, so it ends with a period.1.2. Avoiding Sentence FragmentsDonotuse a period after aphraseor adependent clause. These are not complete sentences.Ending them with a period creates asentence fragment, which is an error.Correct:•When she visits cities in the East, Tracey expects bad weather.Incorrect:•When she visits cities in the East.•Tracey expects bad weather.The first part depends on the second to make sense, so they must stay together.

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Study Guide1.3. Courtesy QuestionsSometimes a sentence looks like a question but is really a polite request. These are calledcourtesyquestions.You can end them with either:•aperiod(more general and routine), or•aquestion mark(more direct and personal).Examples:•Would you please take your seat before the bell.•Would you please take your seat before the bell?Both are correct—the punctuation just changes the tone slightly.1.4. Periods in AbbreviationsMany abbreviations use periods, but some do not. Here are the main rules to remember:Abbreviations that usually do use periods:•Titles and common terms:Mr., Dr., a.m., Tues., Sept.•Abbreviations ending in lowercase letters:yr., mo.Abbreviations that usually do not use periods:•Capital-letter abbreviations that don’t form another word:FBI, CIA, CNN, IOU•State abbreviations:AZ, CA, NY, WY•Measurement abbreviations:mph, rpm, ml, cm, gmSpecial case:•Use periods if the abbreviation could be confused with another word.oM.A.needs periods becausemais also a word.oUSAdoes not need periods.If you’re ever unsure, it’s best to check adictionary or style guide.

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Study Guide1.5. Periods with Quotation MarksAlways place theperiod inside quotation marks, even if the quoted words do not end with a periodthemselves.Examples:•Katie said, “I didn’t take the money.”•Aunt Francine insisted on calling her puppy “my little tootsie wootsie.”In the first sentence, the period belongs to the quotation.In the second sentence, the phrase itself doesn’t need a period—but the sentence does, so the periodstill goes inside the quotation marks.1.6. Periods with Abbreviations at the End of a SentenceWhen a sentence ends with an abbreviation, useonly one period, not two.Example:•Twyla told her mother, “I won’t be satisfied until I earn my Ph.D.”The period inPh.D.also serves as the period for the sentence.2.Quiz: Uses of the PeriodQuestion 1Choose theCORRECTLY punctuatedsentence.Answer Choices• My neighbor was eager to meet the newest condo owner, Corben Wilson, M.D..•My neighbor was eager to meet the newest condo owner, Corben Wilson, M.D.• My neighbor was eager to meet the newest condo owner, Corben Wilson, M.DCorrect AnswerMy neighbor was eager to meet the newest condo owner, Corben Wilson, M.D.

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Study GuideWhy This Is Correct•M.D.already ends with a period.• An extra period is not added after abbreviations that end a sentence.Question 2Choose the example that showsCORRECT use of the period(s).Answer Choices• Before the fire department arrived. She had extinguished the fire on the stove.•Before the fire department arrived, she had extinguished the fire on the stove.• Both a and bCorrect AnswerBefore the fire department arrived, she had extinguished the fire on the stove.Why This Is Correct• Choice a incorrectly places a period after a dependent clause.• Choice b correctly uses a comma and forms a complete sentence.Question 3Choose the sentence that showsCORRECT placement of the period(s).Answer Choices•James said, “I'm caught in traffic and can't pick up the children at school.”• James said, “I'm caught in traffic and can't pick up the children at school”.• James said. “I'm caught in traffic and can't pick up the children at school.”

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Study GuideCorrect AnswerJames said, “I'm caught in traffic and can't pick up the children at school.”Why This Is Correct• In American English, periods are placedinsidequotation marks.• The dialogue tag is punctuated correctly.Question 4Choose the sentence that showsINCORRECT placement of the period(s).Answer Choices• “But I don't want to go with you,” the child whined. “I want to stay here and play.”•“But I don't want to go with you,” the child whined. “I want to stay here and play”.• Both a and b are correct.Correct Answer“But I don't want to go with you,” the child whined. “I want to stay here and play”.Why This Is Correct• The period is placedoutsidethe quotation marks, which is incorrect in American English.• The first option is punctuated correctly.Question 5Choose theTRUEstatement.Answer Choices•Always place the period inside quotation marks, whether or not it is part of the quotation.• Always place the period outside quotation marks to close the entire sentence.• Place the period outside the quotation marks when the sentence is a direct request.

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Study GuideCorrect AnswerAlways place the period inside quotation marks, whether or not it is part of the quotation.Why This Is Correct• This is the standard rule in American English punctuation.Question 6Complete the statement.Periods are used to end complete sentences that are ________Answer Choices•statements, commands, requests, or mild exclamations.• statements, interjections, dependent clauses, or requests.• statements, requests, appositives, or exclamations.Correct Answerstatements, commands, requests, or mild exclamations.Why This Is Correct• Periods are used for most sentence types that are not questions or strong exclamations.Question 7Which of the following sentences should end with aperiod?Answer Choices• All players must turn in their equipment before tomorrow• Players, please turn in your equipment before tomorrow•Both a and b

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Study GuideCorrect AnswerBoth a and bWhy This Is Correct• Both sentences are statements or polite requests.• Neither requires a question mark or exclamation point.3.Uses of the Question MarkThe role of the question mark is to end a question, even when one question interrupts or comes aftera statement.3.1. Ending a QuestionUse a question mark at the end ofany direct question, even when the question appears in themiddle of a sentence or comes after a statement.Examples:•Who knows?•I spoke to her—don’t you remember?—and she still refused to come.•No doubt Mailani thought she was doing the right thing, but don’t you agree she was wrong?In each case, a question is being asked, so a question mark is required.3.2. Questions with Modifying Phrases or ClausesSometimes a question is followed by a phrase or clause that adds extra information. When thishappens, place thequestion mark at the very end of the sentence, not right after the questionitself.Example:•How could the mother be so certain of the driver’s identity, considering the shock she musthave felt at seeing her daughter lying in the road?Even though the question begins earlier, the entire sentence is still one question.

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