Punctuations - Introduction and Rules, Part 1, Verbal Aptitude | Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) - CAT PDF Download

Spacing With Punctuation

Rule 1

When typing on a computer, use only one space after periods, commas, semicolons, colons, exclamation points, question marks, and quotation marks. The spacing after these punctuation marks is adjusted automatically.

Rule 2

Do not use spaces on either side of a hyphen.

Example:
We borrowed twenty-three sheets of paper.

Periods

Rule 1

Use a period at the end of a complete declarative sentence.

Example: I know him well.

Rule 2

If the last item in a sentence is an abbreviation ending with a period, do not add another period.

Incorrect: This is Alice Smith, M.D..
Correct: This is Alice Smith, M.D.
Correct: Please shop, cook, etc. We will do the laundry.

Rule 3

Question marks and exclamation points replace and remove periods at the end of a sentence.

Commas

Commas and periods are the most commonly used punctuation marks. Commas indicate brief pauses and are less final than periods.

Rule 1

Use commas to separate words and word groups in a simple series of three or more items.

Example: My estate goes to my husband, son, daughter-in-law, and nephew.

Note: The last comma in a series before and or or (after daughter-in-law in the example) is called the Oxford comma. While many newspapers omit it, its absence can cause confusion.

Example: We had coffee, cheese and crackers and grapes.

Adding a comma after crackers clarifies that cheese and crackers is one dish. Clarity demands the Oxford comma here.

We had coffee, cheese and crackers, and grapes.

Fiction and nonfiction usually prefer the Oxford comma. Writers should consistently use or omit it, except when omission causes confusion.

Rule 2

Use a comma to separate two adjectives when their order can be switched.

Example: He is a strong, healthy man.
We could also say healthy, strong man.

Example: We stayed at an expensive summer resort.
We would not say summer expensive resort, so no comma is needed.

Another way to decide if a comma is needed is to mentally add and between the adjectives. If the phrase still makes sense, use a comma. In these examples, a strong and healthy man makes sense, but an expensive and summer resort does not.

Rule 3a

Many writers mistakenly join two independent clauses with only a comma, resulting in a run-on sentence or comma splice.

Incorrect: He walked all the way home, he shut the door.

Simple corrections are:

Correct: He walked all the way home. He shut the door.
Correct: After he walked all the way home, he shut the door.
Correct: He walked all the way home, and he shut the door.

Rule 3b

When two independent clauses are joined by connectors such as and, or, but, place a comma before the conjunction.

Incorrect: He walked all the way home and he shut the door.
Correct: He walked all the way home, and he shut the door.

Some writers omit the comma when both clauses are short:

Example: I paint and he writes.

Rule 3c

If the subject is not repeated before the second verb, a comma is generally unnecessary.

Example: He thought quickly but still did not answer correctly.

However, sometimes a comma is needed here to avoid confusion.

Confusing: I saw that she was busy and prepared to leave.
Clearer with comma: I saw that she was busy, and prepared to leave.

Without the comma, the reader might think "she" was the one prepared to leave.

Rule 4a

When a sentence begins with a dependent clause, use a comma after it.

Example: If you are not sure about this, let me know now.

Use the same rule for introductory phrases.

Example: Having finally arrived in town, we went shopping.

If the introductory phrase is short (three or four words), the comma is optional.

Example: When in town we go shopping.

However, always add a comma if it prevents confusion.

Example: Last Sunday, evening classes were cancelled. (The comma prevents misreading.)

When an introductory phrase starts with a preposition, a comma may not be necessary even if it is longer than three or four words.

Example: Into the sparkling crystal ball he gazed.

If such a phrase contains more than one preposition, a comma may be used unless. verb immediately follows the phrase.

Examples:
Between your house on Main Street and my house on Grand Avenue, the mayor's mansion stands proudly.
Between your house on Main Street and my house on Grand Avenue is the mayor's mansion.

Rule 4b

Usually no comma is needed when a sentence starts with an independent clause followed by a dependent clause.

Example: Let me know now if you are not sure about this.

Rule 5

Use commas to set off nonessential words, clauses, and phrases (see Who, That, Which, Rule 2b).

Incorrect: Jill who is my sister shut the door.
Correct: Jill, who is my sister, shut the door.

Incorrect: The man knowing it was late hurried home.
Correct: The man, knowing it was late, hurried home.

Note the comma after sister and late. Nonessential mid-sentence words, phrases, or clauses must be enclosed by commas. The closing comma is called an appositive comma. Many writers neglect this important comma. Below are two examples requiring an appositive comma with one or more nouns.

Incorrect: My best friend, Joe arrived.
Correct: My best friend, Joe, arrived.

Incorrect: The three items, a book, a pen, and paper were on the table.
Correct: The three items, a book, a pen, and paper, were on the table.

Rule 6

If a person or thing is clearly identified, the following description is nonessential and should be enclosed in commas.

Examples:
Freddy, who has a limp, was in an auto accident.
We already know which Freddy is meant, so the description is nonessential.
The boy who has a limp was in an auto accident.
We do not know which boy is meant, so no commas are used.

This causes frequent confusion. Consider:

Example: My brother Bill is here.

Now add the commas and see the change:

Example: My brother, Bill, is here.

Careful writers and readers understand the first sentence means there is more than one brother. The commas in the second mean Bill is the only brother.

Why? In the first sentence, Bill is essential to identify which brother, so no commas are used.

In the second, Bill is nonessential — only Bill could be meant — hence the commas.

Misusing commas can cause confusion, like this:

Example: Mark Twain's book, Tom Sawyer, is a delight.

The commas imply Twain wrote only one book, while he actually wrote more than twenty-five.

Rule 7a

Use a comma after certain words that introduce a sentence, such as well, yes, why, hello, hey, etc.

Examples:
Why, I can’t believe this!
No, you can’t have a dollar.

Rule 7b

Use commas to set off expressions that interrupt the sentence flow (nevertheless, after all, by the way, on the other hand, however, etc.).

Example: I am, by the way, very nervous about this.

Rule 8

Use commas to set off the name, nickname, term of endearment, or title of the person being directly addressed.

Examples:
Will you, Aisha, do that assignment for me?
Yes, old friend, I will.
Good day, Captain.

Rule 9

Use a comma to separate the day of the month from the year, and—what many forget—also place a comma after the year.

Example: It was in the Sun's June 5, 2003, edition.

No comma is needed for just month and year.

Example: It was in a June 2003 article.

Rule 10

Use a comma to separate a city from its state, and remember to place one after the state also.

Example: I'm from the Akron, Ohio, area.

Rule 11

Traditionally, when a name is followed by Sr. or Jr., a comma follows the last name: Martin Luther King, Jr. This comma is optional. However, if used, a second comma must follow the entire name when used mid-sentence.

Correct: Al Mooney Sr. is here.
Correct: Al Mooney, Sr., is here.
Incorrect: Al Mooney, Sr. is here.

Rule 12

Similarly, use commas to enclose degrees or titles attached to names.

Example: Al Mooney, M.D., is here.

Rule 13a

Use commas to introduce or interrupt direct quotations.

Examples:
He said, "I don't care."
"Why," I asked, "don't you care?"

This rule is optional with single-word quotations.

Example: He said "Stop."

Rule 13b

If the quotation precedes attributions like he said, she wrote, they reported, Dana insisted, end the quote with a comma, even if one word.

Examples:
"I don't care," he said.
"Stop," he said.

Rule 13c

If a quotation functions as a subject or object, a comma may not be necessary.

Examples:
Is "I don't care" all you can say to me?
Saying "Stop the car" was a mistake.

Rule 13d

If a quoted question ends mid-sentence, the question mark replaces a comma.

Example: "Will you still be my friend?" she asked.

Rule 14

Use a comma to separate a statement from a question.

Example: I can go, can't I?

Rule 15

Use a comma to separate contrasting parts of a sentence.

Example: That is my money, not yours.

Rule 16a

Use a comma before and after certain introductory words or terms such as namely, that is, i.e., e.g., and for instance when followed by a series of items.

Example: You may be required to bring many items, e.g., sleeping bags, pans, and warm clothing.

Rule 16b

Place a comma before the term etc. Many experts also recommend a comma after etc. when it occurs mid-sentence.

Example: Sleeping bags, pans, warm clothing, etc., are in the tent.