8/14/2019 Book 01 Chapter 31 End Marks

1/4

31.1 USING THE PERIOD

1. Use a period to mark the end of a declarative sentence, a mild com-

mand, or an indirect question:

The days are growing shorter, and the nights are becoming cool.

On some mornings a hint of frost chills the air.

Nature is proceeding at her accustomed pace.

Note her ways closely.

I wonder what she will do next.

When typing on a computer, skip one space after the period before begin-

ning the next sentence. (On a typewriter, skip two spaces.)

2. Use a period to mark the end of some abbreviations:

Dr. Boyle

500 Fifth Ave.

Kate Fansler, Ph.D.

Mr. G. H. Johnson

Mrs. L. S. Allingham

Ms. N. A. Stephens

3:28 P.M.

350 B.C.

(NOTE: MLA recommends not using periods in abbreviations that include

capital letters, such as PhD and BC.)

31

470

End Marks

8/14/2019 Book 01 Chapter 31 End Marks

2/4

Generally, you dont need periods with acronyms (words formed from the

initials of a multiword title), with capital-letter abbreviations of technical

terms, or with abbreviated names of states, agencies, and organizations:

CBS ROTC IBM

NATO TVA IQ

FM ID KP

NY CIA VISTA

But you do need periods with abbreviations standing for the names of

political entities:

U.S.A. U.K. C.I.S.

For guidance, see your dictionary.

3. Use a period to mark letters or numerals used in vertical lists:

Woven into the history of the world is the history of its four great

religions:

1. Buddhism

2. Judaism

3. Christianity

4. Islam

If you give the information in a sentence, enclose the letters or numbers

within parentheses and omit the periods:

Woven into the history of the world is the history of its four great

religions: (1) Buddhism, (2) Judaism, (3) Christianity, and (4) Islam.

31.2 MISUSING THE PERIOD

1. In formal writing, do not use a period to separate the different parts ofa sentence. If you do, you will create a sentence fragment:

Customers should be treated courteously. Even if they are extremely

rude.

End Marks period

471

even

^

8/14/2019 Book 01 Chapter 31 End Marks

3/4

For more on sentence fragments,see chapter 19.

2. Do not use a period after another period or other end mark:

To please our customers, we have ordered scarce materials from Home

Supplies Company, Inc..

We dont want customers saying, Why dont you have what I want?.

31.3 USING THE QUESTION MARK

Use a question mark

1. To mark the end of a direct question:

Must the problems of farmers be ignored?

To what agency can they go for legal aid?

2. To indicate uncertainty within a statement:

Some exotic dishpheasant under glass?was served at the banquet.

The host must have paid a lot of money (fifty dollars?) for each meal.

31.4 MISUSING THE QUESTION MARK

Do not use a question mark at the end of a question reported indirectly:

I wonder who wrote this song?

She asked if I wanted more cheese?

For more on this topic,see 26.4.

End Marks31.4 ques

472

.^

.^

http://ch19.pdf/http://ch19.pdf/http://ch19.pdf/http://ch26.pdf/http://ch26.pdf/http://ch26.pdf/http://ch26.pdf/http://ch19.pdf/

8/14/2019 Book 01 Chapter 31 End Marks

4/4

31.5 USING THE EXCLAMATION POINT

Use the exclamation point to mark an expression of strong feeling:

What a spectacular view!

Impossible!

Because exclamation points make a special appeal to the reader, you

should use them sparingly.

End Marks excla

473

nexback 30 32

PopopQuizQuiz

http://ch32.pdf/http://ch30.pdf/http://ch30.pdf/http://ch32.pdf/http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/write/waor/ch31.htmhttp://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/write/waor/ch31.htmhttp://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/write/waor/ch31.htmhttp://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/write/waor/ch31.htmhttp://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/write/waor/ch31.htmhttp://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/write/waor/ch31.htmhttp://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/write/waor/ch31.htmhttp://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/write/waor/ch31.htmhttp://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/write/waor/ch31.htmhttp://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/write/waor/ch31.htmhttp://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/write/waor/ch31.htmhttp://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/write/waor/ch31.htmhttp://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/write/waor/ch31.htmhttp://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/write/waor/ch31.htmhttp://ch32.pdf/http://ch30.pdf/