V. The exclamation point stands at the end of a sentence, or of a group of words within the sentence, to strengthen the expression of strong feeling. Let not a traitor live! God pity her! Begone! What nonsense! "The fool!" he muttered. "That bullet was better aimed than common!" exclaimed Duncan, involuntarily shrinking from a shot which struck the rock at his side with a smart rebound. EXERCISES 99. Write a paragraph about some exciting experience of yours. Before copying your work, see that every sentence (a) has a subject and a predicate, and (b) begins with a capital and ends with the proper punctuation mark. (Remember the caution not to crowd too much into one sentence.) 100. (1) Exchange papers and correct with the following questions in mind: 1. Does every sentence end where it should? If not, put a neat S in the margin. 2. Is every declarative sentence followed by a period? If not, put a P in the margin unless the sentence is exclamatory. 3. Are interrogative or exclamatory sentences followed by the proper marks? (2) Revise your theme, and if there is sufficient reason, rewrite it. 36. The Comma. We must not only separate our sentences, but must also make use of whatever marks will help us so to group the words within a sentence that they will be most readily understood.1 Of such marks the most important are the comma, the colon, and the semicolon. We shall consider first the comma, which is the slightest mark of separation that may be put between words. VI. The comma sets off expressions obviously parenthetical, including words, phrases, or clauses used in apposition. You can see, I think, and we can hear perfectly. I caught a glimpse of Edith, his sister. NOTE. The appositive words, "his sister," have no close grammatical connection with the rest of the sentence. If, however, we say, “His sister Edith came yesterday," the connection between the noun and its appositive is too close for a comma to come between them. VII. When a dependent clause precedes the main clause, a comma should separate the two. When a dependent clause follows the main clause, the comma is frequently unnecessary. In either position the dependent clause is often too closely connected with the rest of the sentence, or is too short, to require the comma. If you knew him, you would like him. I will come when you say. Before the doctor had time to collect himself or to heed the warning given him, his horse bolted. Usually a comma is unnecessary between and and if, but and when, and all similar combinations of coördinate and subordinate conjunctions. Mr. Burns, the detective, spoke for three hours, and when he sat down, his audience gave him a tremendous ovation. 1 The plan of marking the end of the sentence first is only a temporary device. As soon as we can trust ourselves to mark the end of the sentence, we should form the habit of inserting the other marks while writing the sentence. 2 For a definition of a phrase, see section 102. John fell down the cellar stairs, but when the doctor examined him, he found no bones broken. The pupil who studies faithfully, even if he is not brilliant, is likely to succeed. VIII. A relative clause which is explanatory, or gives an additional thought, should be set off by commas. But a relative clause which is restrictive-which limits the meaning of the antecedentis too closely connected with it to be separated by a comma. The older brother, whom you have met, was here. The brother whom you have met was here yesterday. IX. The comma sets apart words used in direct address. John, your mother is calling you. Hearken, Phæacian captains and councilors, and let me tell you what the heart within me bids. X. The comma usually separates two coördinate clauses which are connected by "and," " but," " or." Mary ran up the road, but John reached the house first. The tavern was much frequented by the gallants of the reign of Elizabeth, and it was looked into now and then by the wits of Charles the Second's reign. XI. The comma sometimes sets apart introductory expressions which are not closely related to the rest of the sentence. Well, you may be right. In the first place, a student is not necessarily a scholar. On the one hand,. .; on the other, . . . XII. The comma sets apart the case absolute. The time having come, he called the meeting to order. XIII. The comma sets apart words, phrases, or clauses in the same construction in a series. He sells dry goods, groceries, hardware, and drugs. He is an honest, upright man. NOTE. When "and" could not be substituted for the comma in a sentence like the last, the comma should be omitted. For example: His horse was a big black thoroughbred. XIV. In a series of words or phrases the comma should be inserted before the "and" which connects the last two members of the series. Some writers omit it, but such an omission might cause an awkward sentence if not a misunderstanding. For instance, in the following sentence an omission of the last comma would mean that the same dress was partly red and partly blue. Her dresses were black, white, red, and blue. XV. The comma sets apart words or phrases in pairs. Sink or swim, live or die, survive or perish, I give my hand and my heart to this vote. XVI. The comma takes the place of omitted words. 1. It frequently takes the place of an omitted verb. The first train was an hour late; the second, thirty minutes; and the third, ten minutes. John is the elder son; Charles, the younger. 2. It takes the place of omitted words in the date and the address of a letter. Exeter, N.H., April 5, 1905. Mr. J. A. Walker, Melrose, Mass. XVII. The comma is used to set apart a short quotation or an expression similar to a quotation. Before a long quotation the colon is used (see sect. 38). I heard him say, "A soft answer turneth away wrath." "I hope you will come soon," was his reply. What I wish to know is, When did you see him? NOTE 1. This rule does not mean that a comma must always be used before quotation marks. I have enjoyed reading "The Man Without a Country." NOTE 2. Of course the comma is not used with an exclamation point or an interrogation point. 66 Follow me!" he shouted. "Are you coming?" was all he said. XVIII. Commas separate from the rest of the sentence words that come between the parts of a quotation. Come early," he said, "or not at all." XIX. The salutation in a familiar letter may be followed by the comma. Dear John, Come to-night if you possibly can. EXERCISES 101. Be ready to explain the following expressions in section 36, and any others that require explanation: (1) obviously parenthetical; (2) apposition (see sects. 71, 3 and 72, 4); (3) phrase (see sect. 102); (4) clause (see sects. 31 and 103); (5) dependent clause (see sect. 103); (6) relative clause (see example in sect. 78); (7) direct address (see sect. 71, 4); (8) case absolute (see sect. 71, 5); (9) the same construction. 102. Point out two rules in section 36 that contain in themselves illustrations of their own use. 103. Account for every comma in the following passage: A college stands for learning, for culture, and for power; in particular, it stands for the recognition of an aim higher than money getting. It is a place where our young men shall see visions; where even the idlest and lowest man of all must catch glimpses of ideals which, if he could see them steadily, would transfigure life. The Bachelor of Arts is seldom, on his Commencement Day, a scholar either polished or profound; but he may be, in the full sense of the word, a man. |