Like commas, semicolons indicate an audible pauseslightly longer than a commas, but short of a periods full stop. The blue book of grammar and punctuation by jane straus. The blue book grammar and punctuation pdf download in its 11th version right now, the blue book of punctuation and sentence structure will assist you create and talk with disadvantage. L1l2 resource adapted from comma quizzes in the blue book of grammar. An appositive is a word or phrase that refers to the same thing as another noun in the same sentence. In the second sentence, however, the comma is used to punctuate the main sentence specifically, to separate the dependent and independent clauses.
For each of the following, choose the sentence with the correct comma placement. Jul 27, 2019 the blue book of grammar and punctuation. Most newspapers and magazines drop theoxford comma in a simple series, apparently feeling its unnecessary. When the last comma in a series comes before and or or after daughterinlaw in the above example, it is known as the oxford comma. Among such rare grammar books is the one written by jane straus, named as the blue book of grammar and punctuation. Apr 02, 20 in the current edition of the blue book of grammar and punctuation and on the website, we have stated a preference for use of the serial, or oxford, comma. But in writing, the comma only makes the sentence seem stilted. For additional reference or confirmation, i check in with these websites regularly.
You dont have to be an english master to understand punctuation and sentence structure. These owl resources will help you use correct grammar in your writing. An unparalleled letdown quick and dirty tips thanks again to lester and tom, who recently released a new edition of the blue book of grammar and punctuation. With over 200,000 copies sold, this is one of the most highly trusted english language resources available. In the first sentence, the commas within the parentheses are necessary because they separate items in a series, and this series makes up the information within the parentheses. The blue book of grammar and punctuation leans towards usage rules in cms along with other authoritative texts and does not attempt to conform to the ap. The blue book of grammar and punctuation 11th edition pages. An easytouse guide with clear rules, realworld examples, and reproducible quizzes 11th edition a revised and an updated new edition of the bestselling over 200,000 copies sold workbook and grammar guide.
Answers to quizzes this book is a concise, entertaining workbook and guide to english grammar, punctuation, and usage. That last comma before the and is called a serial comma, oxford comma, or harvard comma. With few exceptions, a comma should not separate a subject from its verb. Semicolons the blue book of grammar and punctuation. Commas make sentences easier to read by adding breaks separation or by grouping information setting off.
My estate goes to my husband, son, daughterinlaw, and nephew. My girlfriend eats healthy foods such as oranges, yogurt, vegetables, and rice. Grammar speaks bettys talking heads whats a talking head. The blue book of grammar and punctuation is filled with easytounderstand rules, realworld examples, dozens of reproducible exercises, and pre and posttests. Often, the appositive provides additional information about the noun or helps to distinguish it in some way. A, i took angie, the one with the freckles to the movie last night. However, you will find that in english there are many other ways to use the comma to add to the meaning of a sentence or to emphasise an item, point, or meaning. The blue book of grammar and punctuation, eleventh edition english usage rules explained in plain english it doesnt take a lifetime to master english grammar and punctuation. This handy workbook is ideal for teachers, students in middle school through college, esl students, homeschoolers, and professionals. The talking heads were originally developed to introduce grammar charts on the cdroms that accompany understanding and using english grammar blue book and fundamentals of english grammar black book. Most newspapers and magazines drop the oxford comma in a simple series, apparently. Place a check mark in front of sentences that are correct. Otherwise, writers have considerable leeway in the use of commas.
The last item is usually joined by a conjunction like and, or, or nor. Ap style thats the associated press stylebook, which many. A dependent or weak clause has a subject and verb but does not express a complete thought rule use a comma to separate two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunctionand, or, but, for, nor. For those in need of a grammar rules refresh, heres why an extra comma matters. Grammar books disagree on whether or not the comma is necessary after the final item in a list. I wanted to find a way to speak directly to students who were using a computer program. Commas quiz 2 from the blue book of grammar and punctuation.
Most newspapers and magazines drop the oxford comma in a. Commas and periods are the most frequently used punctuation marks. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Jan 14, 20 in the latest editions of two leading grammar reference books, i can only find the following two rules. To avoid confusion, use commas to separate words and word groups with a series of three or more. Its no accident that a semicolon is a period atop a comma. Similarly, the essential blue book of grammar and punctuation simplifies rules as well and agrees that commas customarily indicate a brief pause. In the current edition of the blue book of grammar and punctuation and on the website, we have stated a preference for use of the serial, or oxford, comma. All it takes is the blue book of grammar and punctuation.
Rule 1to avoid confusion, use commas to separate words and word groups with a series of three or more however, we will be issuing an eleventh edition of the blue book in february, where we will loosen up a bit, and allow for omission of. Construction of the transalaska oil pipeline had to address issues caused by permafrost. Writers are often tempted to insert a comma between a subject and verb this way because speakers sometimes pause at that point in a sentence. The blue book of grammar and punctuation 11th edition. However, formatting rules can vary widely between applications and fields of interest or study. The serial comma is the comma before the last and in a series. An easytouse guide with clear rules, realworld examples, and reproducible quizzes, 11th edition book. A pause or break is marked by a single comma and grouping setting off is marked by a pair of commas before and after the text. A subreddit for questions and discussions about grammar, language, style, conventions, and punctuation. Omitting the comma after son would indicate that the son and nephew would have to split onethird of. Quotation marks are used for components, such as chapter titles in a book, individual episodes of a tv series, songs from a broadway show or a music album, titles of articles or essays in print or online, and shorter works such as short stories and poems. Quotation marks the blue book of grammar and punctuation. The blue book of grammar and punctuation will amuse you while demystifying the rules of grammar and punctuation.
Heres an overview of how the serial comma works and why its important for. Use a period at the end of a complete sentence that is a statement. This article is about serialcomma rule red, white, and blue enjoy your reading. Some people say to always use it and other people say to only use it when leaving it out. The blue book of grammar and punctuation, eleventh edition. For example, the associated press ap stylebook is a guide specific for news media and journalists while the chicago manual of style cms is used by many book publishers and writers. An easytouse guide with clear rules, realworld examples, and reproducible quizzes by jane straus. For instance, older, more traditional grammar books suggest the following sentence is correct. They pulled their boats from the water, sandbagged the retaining walls, and boarded up the windows. A i took angie, the one with the freckles to the movie last night. The blue book of grammar and punctuation jane straus. Every generation of english scholars despairs because the language appears to.
Written without jargon for all of us who need simple answers to our everyday questions, this new, updated version has 50% more materialrules, exercises, tests, and answersand a new cover that is both sleek and durable. Rule 1to avoid confusion, use commas to separate words and word groups with a series of three or more however, we will be issuing an eleventh edition of the blue book in february, where we will. A shepherd tends, feeds, and guards his flock of sheep. Like the rule for joining sentences, the comma goes right before the conjunction. There are some general rules which you can apply when using the comma. This area includes resources on grammar topics, such as count and noncount nouns, articles a versus an, subjectverb agreement, and prepositions. Jan 01, 1997 the blue book of grammar and punctuation is filled with easytounderstand rules, realworld examples, dozens of reproducible exercises, and pre and posttests. What sets this great book apart is the 40 pages of quizzes.
When the last comma in a series comes before and or or after daughterinlaw in theabove example, it is known as the oxford comma. Grammar for writing, level blue grade 9, student edition. Commas can also be used to separate three or more items in a list. The rules about serial commas are an example of such guidelines. Use commas to separate words and word groups in a simple series of three or more items. Although we are often taught that commas are used to help us add breathing spaces to sentences they are, in fact, more accurately used to. Thanks again to lester and tom, who recently released a new edition of the blue book of grammar and punctuation. Although we are often taught that commas are used to help us add breathing spaces to sentences they are, in fact, more accurately used to organise blocks of thought or. Provides an online resource for grammar and punctuation usage with lessons, quizzes, and an optional test to evaluate the understanding of the material. Commas quiz 2 the blue book of grammar and punctuation. Answers to quizzes an easytouse guide with clear rules. English rules the blue book of grammar and punctuation. Commas quiz 1 the blue book of grammar and punctuation. Commas quiz 1 from the blue book of grammar and punctuation.
Grammar rules the blue book of grammar and punctuation. Rule 2 selection from the blue book of grammar and punctuation. Ap stylebooks rule states, if a coordinating conjunction is present, use a semicolon before it only if extensive punctuation also is required in one or more of the individual clauses. In a series consisting of three or more elements, separate the elements by commas. A revised and updated new edition of the bestselling workbook and grammar guide.
It doesnt take a lifetime to master english grammar and punctuation. An independent or strong clause is a simple sentence with a subject, verb, and a complete thought. The comma however, you will find that in english there are many other ways to use the comma to add to the meaning of a sentence or to emphasise an item, point, or meaning. The blue book of grammar and punctuation commas rule 1. Grammar and punctuation the blue book of grammar and. The comma is probably the most commonly used punctuation mark. This userfriendly resource includes simple explanations of grammar, punctuation, and usage. The blue book of grammar and punctuation is a concise, entertaining workbook and guide to english grammar, punctuation, and usage.