PunctuatioPunctuationn

Full stops and ellipsesFull stops and ellipses The great saxophonist John Coltrane was The great saxophonist John Coltrane was

troubled because his solos were running troubled because his solos were running way too long. He couldn’t figure out how way too long. He couldn’t figure out how to end his improvisations. His friend Miles to end his improvisations. His friend Miles Davies had a suggestion. “John” he said, Davies had a suggestion. “John” he said, “put the horn down”.“put the horn down”.

Patricia O’ConnerPatricia O’Conner

Occasionally, full stops are Occasionally, full stops are replaced by exclamation marks replaced by exclamation marks or by question marks. Because or by question marks. Because all three punctuation marks all three punctuation marks fulfil the same role of ending fulfil the same role of ending the sentence, only one is used the sentence, only one is used at a time.at a time.

Full stops are not needed Full stops are not needed after: after: titlestitles, , in people’s namesin people’s names, , in abbreviations or acronymsin abbreviations or acronyms. . Full stops can certainly be Full stops can certainly be omitted from the following: Dr omitted from the following: Dr D Brown, DNA, 7 am, 160 cm, D Brown, DNA, 7 am, 160 cm, etc. etc.

Ellipses are a series of full Ellipses are a series of full stops that are used to indicate stops that are used to indicate the omission of quoted text. the omission of quoted text. For example, in the sentence For example, in the sentence The patient had a stroke …but The patient had a stroke …but after many months of treatment after many months of treatment ……

returned to work, the ellipses returned to work, the ellipses replace omitted text. Such replace omitted text. Such constructions would rarely be constructions would rarely be used in a journal article but used in a journal article but may be used for quotations in may be used for quotations in reviews, letters, and other reviews, letters, and other documents.documents.

Question and exclamation Question and exclamation marksmarks

However, a question mark is not However, a question mark is not used to end indirect questions used to end indirect questions such as The patients were asked such as The patients were asked how they felt.how they felt.

An exclamation mark is used An exclamation mark is used to indicate surprise and is to indicate surprise and is almost never used in the non – almost never used in the non – emotive word of scientific emotive word of scientific writing. Because question writing. Because question marks and exclamations marks and exclamations replace a full stop, they are replace a full stop, they are never followed by a full stop. never followed by a full stop.

Colons and semicolonsColons and semicolons

The main purpose of using a The main purpose of using a colon is to introduce a list, as for colon is to introduce a list, as for example in We collected data example in We collected data from the following four centres: from the following four centres: Lismore, Belmont, Sydney, and Lismore, Belmont, Sydney, and Broken Hill.Broken Hill.

Colons are sometimes used in Colons are sometimes used in a title to introduce the study a title to introduce the study design or setting without design or setting without introducing a full stop.introducing a full stop.

Semicolons are used even less Semicolons are used even less often than colons. Semicolons often than colons. Semicolons are a watered down full stop are a watered down full stop but are stronger than a comma but are stronger than a comma and, as such, command a and, as such, command a longer pause in thought. In longer pause in thought. In practice, it is usually better to practice, it is usually better to use a full stop and delineateuse a full stop and delineate

ideas into sentences rather ideas into sentences rather than use semicolons that tend than use semicolons that tend to perpetuate long, snaky to perpetuate long, snaky sentences.sentences.

CommasCommas Commas are used to separate Commas are used to separate

parts of a sentence that can’t parts of a sentence that can’t run together.run together.

A Comma, cordon off A Comma, cordon off information that is additional information that is additional to the main message of the to the main message of the sentences and that is therefore sentences and that is therefore non – essential.non – essential.

It is not a good idea to use It is not a good idea to use “comma splices”, that is a “comma splices”, that is a comma to join together two comma to join together two separate sentences.separate sentences.

Either use two short Either use two short sentences or join the sentences sentences or join the sentences together with a conjunction together with a conjunction rather than a comma. rather than a comma.

Commas are also used to Commas are also used to separate adjectives when they separate adjectives when they appear as a list before a noun, appear as a list before a noun, for example : for example : smallsmall,,unrepresentative samples unrepresentative samples of women.of women.

Commas are not used in Commas are not used in word clusters to describe a word clusters to describe a disease or in word clusters that disease or in word clusters that form a proper noun, for form a proper noun, for example non –insulin example non –insulin dependent diabetes or National dependent diabetes or National Nutrition Survey.Nutrition Survey.

One rule is to never use a One rule is to never use a comma after but, and or or comma after but, and or or when this word occurs mid – when this word occurs mid – sentence.sentence.

The most noticeable The most noticeable international difference is that international difference is that Americans consistently use Americans consistently use commas both between commas both between independent clauses and before independent clauses and before the final item in a list. A the final item in a list. A comma before the final item in comma before the final item in a list, which is called ana list, which is called an

““Oxford comma”, is used by Oxford comma”, is used by some English journals also, some English journals also, including the BMJ.including the BMJ.

CommaComma 1. Use a comma after every item in a series 1. Use a comma after every item in a series

except the last item.except the last item.

Example: The ethics of contemporary surgery Example: The ethics of contemporary surgery are often a problem for the patient, the doctor, are often a problem for the patient, the doctor, and patient’s family.and patient’s family.

2. Use a comma before a coordinating 2. Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction that joins two independent conjunction that joins two independent clauses. (IC, CC IC). clauses. (IC, CC IC).

ICIC

CCCC

Example: I never liked parsnips, but Example: I never liked parsnips, but

ICIC

my mother made me eat them.my mother made me eat them.

3. Use a comma after a dependent clause that 3. Use a comma after a dependent clause that begins a sentence. (DC, IC).begins a sentence. (DC, IC).

Example: DCExample: DC

Although Harriet tried as hard as she could, Although Harriet tried as hard as she could,

ICIC

she could not win even a fun – runshe could not win even a fun – run ..

4. Use a comma after a long phrase that begins 4. Use a comma after a long phrase that begins a sentence. (Long phrase, IC.) The word long a sentence. (Long phrase, IC.) The word long is rather vague, of course, but usually you will is rather vague, of course, but usually you will wish to place a comma after an introductory wish to place a comma after an introductory phrase of three or more words.phrase of three or more words.

Long phraseLong phrase

Example: Even after a grueling night of writing, Example: Even after a grueling night of writing, I didn’t get the paper entirely finishedI didn’t get the paper entirely finished ..

5. Use commas to set off any word, phrase, or 5. Use commas to set off any word, phrase, or clause that interrupts the flow of the sentence. clause that interrupts the flow of the sentence. In other words, if you could set of a word or In other words, if you could set of a word or group of words with parentheses but do not group of words with parentheses but do not wish to, then set off that word or group of wish to, then set off that word or group of words with commas.words with commas.

Example: John, who has the seat next to mine, Example: John, who has the seat next to mine, laughed at me as I sat down.laughed at me as I sat down.

6. Use commas to set off nonrestrictive 6. Use commas to set off nonrestrictive clauses.clauses.

My brother who is wearing a red motorcycle My brother who is wearing a red motorcycle helmet is meaner than I am.helmet is meaner than I am.

My brother, who is wearing a red motorcycle My brother, who is wearing a red motorcycle helmet, is meaner than I am.helmet, is meaner than I am.

7. Use a comma after a conjunctive adverb 7. Use a comma after a conjunctive adverb unless it is the last word in the sentence.unless it is the last word in the sentence.

8. Use a comma between coordinate adjectives 8. Use a comma between coordinate adjectives unless they are joined by “and”. Coordinate unless they are joined by “and”. Coordinate adjectives are sets of adjectives that adjectives are sets of adjectives that independently modify a noun.independently modify a noun.

Example: The bulldog is noted for its wrinkled, Example: The bulldog is noted for its wrinkled, flattened face.flattened face.

9. Use a comma to set off words in direct 9. Use a comma to set off words in direct address. Words in direct address normally are address. Words in direct address normally are names but can be phrases used in place of names but can be phrases used in place of names.names.

Example: Kristina, have you washed the dishes?Example: Kristina, have you washed the dishes?

10. When two phrases with the same meaning 10. When two phrases with the same meaning are used side by sideare used side by side

Example: Professor Brown, the vice chancellor, Example: Professor Brown, the vice chancellor, will attend the meetingwill attend the meeting

ApostrophesApostrophes

Nouns and pronouns only Nouns and pronouns only have an apostrophe before the have an apostrophe before the final “s” when they indicate final “s” when they indicate possession.possession.

The other most common use of The other most common use of an apostrophe is when you need an apostrophe is when you need to signal that some letters are to signal that some letters are missing. missing.

When the equipment is When the equipment is overloaded, overloaded, its its instrumentation instrumentation signals that signals that it’sit’s not recording not recording information.information.

Clear writing is easy on the Clear writing is easy on the reader’s mind or clear reader’s mind or clear paragraphs are easy on paragraphs are easy on readers’ minds.readers’ minds.

Possessive pronouns do not Possessive pronouns do not have an apostrophe so that you have an apostrophe so that you write write hershers not not her’s.her’s.

Parentheses and square Parentheses and square bracketsbrackets

Parentheses, or round brackets, Parentheses, or round brackets, are used to contain an are used to contain an

abbreviation or acronym when it abbreviation or acronym when it is first explained, for example In is first explained, for example In this study, we measured systolic this study, we measured systolic

blood pressure (SBP).blood pressure (SBP).

If you are only using a term If you are only using a term occasionally, it should always occasionally, it should always be used in full. It is not worth be used in full. It is not worth creating alphabet soup by creating alphabet soup by using abbreviations that have using abbreviations that have to be remembered but that are to be remembered but that are only used once or twice. only used once or twice.

In the following sentences , In the following sentences , parentheses are correctly used parentheses are correctly used to define the size of the study to define the size of the study centers and to contain the centers and to contain the abbreviations:abbreviations:

The rural towns chosen were The rural towns chosen were Wagga Wagga (population Wagga Wagga (population 40000) and Belmont 40000) and Belmont (population 20000) or In this (population 20000) or In this study, we measured the study, we measured the prevalence of airway prevalence of airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), hyperresponsiveness (AHR), recent wheeze (wheeze in therecent wheeze (wheeze in the

12 months prior to study) and 12 months prior to study) and atopy (a positive skin prick test atopy (a positive skin prick test to one or more inhaled to one or more inhaled allergens).allergens).

Square brackets are rarely used Square brackets are rarely used in scientific writing. in scientific writing. Occasionally, they may be used Occasionally, they may be used to include words or phrases that to include words or phrases that are added by someone other than are added by someone other than the author of the text. For the author of the text. For example, a copy editor may add example, a copy editor may add information as follows: information as follows:

The pilot study was carried The pilot study was carried out in Newcastle [Australia] out in Newcastle [Australia] and the results show that there and the results show that there has been a significant decrease has been a significant decrease in infant mortality [turn to p. in infant mortality [turn to p. 46].46].

Slashes, dashes, and Slashes, dashes, and hyphenshyphens

Slashes are far too common Slashes are far too common and almost always betray a and almost always betray a lazy thinker.lazy thinker.

Jack Lynch (www)Jack Lynch (www)

A slash is often used when A slash is often used when two words are related and the two words are related and the write does not know how they write does not know how they are related, or when two words are related, or when two words can be used alternatively. In can be used alternatively. In most cases, a slash can be most cases, a slash can be replaced by the word or. For replaced by the word or. For example, in the sentences Weexample, in the sentences We

need to measure whether the need to measure whether the prevalence of this illness has prevalence of this illness has increased / decreasedincreased / decreased in the in the last five years, the slash could last five years, the slash could be replaced by be replaced by oror, or the , or the cluster increased / decreased cluster increased / decreased could be replaced by could be replaced by changedchanged..

Dashes and hyphens are Dashes and hyphens are described in the language of described in the language of typographers as the em rule, typographers as the em rule, the two – em rule and the en the two – em rule and the en rule.rule.

A dash is known as an “em A dash is known as an “em rule” because it is the width of rule” because it is the width of an “m” and a long dash is an “m” and a long dash is known as a “two – em rule” known as a “two – em rule” because it is twice as long.because it is twice as long.

The “en rule” is shorter or The “en rule” is shorter or about half the length of an em about half the length of an em rule rule

A dash is usually used to A dash is usually used to replace a parenthesis or to replace a parenthesis or to interrupt the flow of text.interrupt the flow of text.

If you use dashes the copy If you use dashes the copy editor may decide to replace editor may decide to replace them with commas or to use a them with commas or to use a spaced en rule, whichever is the spaced en rule, whichever is the publisher’s house style.publisher’s house style.

The en rule is a short dash The en rule is a short dash used to join words or to mean used to join words or to mean to when joining numbers, for to when joining numbers, for example as in 1972 – 1992 or example as in 1972 – 1992 or May – July. May – July.

Hyphens can be used safely Hyphens can be used safely when a word begins with when a word begins with “non” - such as :“non” - such as :

non-essential, non-clinicalnon-essential, non-clinical

In some journals, there is a In some journals, there is a trend towards using as few trend towards using as few hyphens as possible so that re – hyphens as possible so that re – write is spelt rewrite, pre – write is spelt rewrite, pre – school is spelt preschool and school is spelt preschool and follow – up is spelt followup. follow – up is spelt followup.

NotesNotes

advadv1. I played football when I was 1. I played football when I was

a childa child2. When I was a child, I played 2. When I was a child, I played

footballfootball

NotesNotes

adjadj1. My brother, who lives in 1. My brother, who lives in

England is a then dentist. England is a then dentist. 2. My brother who lives in 2. My brother who lives in

England is a then dentist. England is a then dentist.

NotesNotes He left Iran.He left Iran.After he graduated from university, After he graduated from university,

he, a skillful doctor, who was he, a skillful doctor, who was praised all over the country, left, praised all over the country, left, which he was crying, Iran, where which he was crying, Iran, where he had always loved. he had always loved.

NotesNotes

1. Hamid, a young doctor, is my 1. Hamid, a young doctor, is my friend. friend.

2. Hamid-- a young doctor-- is my 2. Hamid-- a young doctor-- is my friend. friend.

3. Hamid (a young doctor) is my 3. Hamid (a young doctor) is my friend. friend.

NotesNotes

1. Joined by punctuation alone: 1. Joined by punctuation alone: John was sick; he didn’t come John was sick; he didn’t come to school.to school.

2. Joined by a punctuation 2. Joined by a punctuation conjunction: John was sick, so conjunction: John was sick, so he didn’t come to school.he didn’t come to school.

FAN BOYSFAN BOYS (for, and, nor, but, (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)or, yet, so)

3. Joined by a conjunctive: 3. Joined by a conjunctive: John was sick; therefore, he John was sick; therefore, he didn’t come to school.didn’t come to school.

AdditionAddition Moreover, in addition, Moreover, in addition, besidesbesides

ConditionCondition OtherwiseOtherwise

ConcessionConcession However, still, However, still, neverthelessnevertheless

ResultResult Therefore, Therefore, consequently, consequently, accordinglyaccordingly

ReferencesReferences 1. Jennifer Peat, Elizabeth Elliott, Louise 1. Jennifer Peat, Elizabeth Elliott, Louise

Baur and Victoria Keena. Scientific Baur and Victoria Keena. Scientific Writing Easy when you know how. Writing Easy when you know how. London: BMJ Books; 2002: 261 – 273. London: BMJ Books; 2002: 261 – 273.

2. Marcella Frank. Modern English. 2. Marcella Frank. Modern English. United of America: Prentice – Hall; Part I United of America: Prentice – Hall; Part I & Part II& Part II

3.3.