Quotations & Commas Helps

Quotations  

Rule 1. Use quotation marks with direct quotations but not with indirect speech, which usually begins with that. 

“It’s no wonder that child has turned out so blemished,” clucked Lady Constance.

What Arthur failed to disclose was that only one demonstrated any gratitude for the kindness.

Rule 2. Commas and periods always go inside closing quotations (unless they are followed by parentheses, in which case they go after the parentheses).

“It’s gold, you know.”

Rule 3. Exclamation marks and question marks go inside closing quotations when they are part of the material quoted; otherwise, they go outside. Also, use only one ending mark of punctuation—the stronger—with quotation marks, em-dashes excepted.

“If only I could have my ball back, I would bestow a handsome reward on my benefactor!”

“Dorinda, who was at the door?” King Morton inquired. (No comma in addition to the question mark.)

Rule 4. Use single quotation marks only for quotations within quotations.

“She also insisted on stripping the top coverlets from all the mattresses because, as she put it, ‘They might be

unclean.’”

Rule 5. When a quotation is interrupted, close the first part and begin the second with quotation marks. Do not capitalize the first letter of the continuation.

“At about midnight,” he continued confidingly, “you take your cat to the graveyard.”

Rule 6. Use italics or place quotation marks around words referred to as words. Trick: Insert “the word(s)” before the word in question to tell if this rule applies.

He would have none of this recent drivel of dropping “Sir” and “Madam” when addressing one’s elders. (dropping the words “Sir” and “Madam”) 

Commas

Rule 1.

Usually use commas to separate two or more adjectives before a noun.

Advanced: Use commas with coordinate adjectives, in which each adjective separately modifies the noun. Do not use commas with cumulative adjectives, in which the first adjective modifies the next adjective plus noun. The adjectives are cumulative if the last one deals with time, age, or color or if it forms a noun phrase with the noun. Trick to tell the difference: If you can insert the word and between the adjectives or if you can switch their order, they are probably coordinate adjectives and need a comma.

Huck followed him to the old haunted house just outside St. Petersburg. (“haunted house” --> noun phrase)

“I have dishwater blond hair and wear thick, black-framed glasses.” (“blond” --> color; “thick and black-framed” and

“black-framed, thick glasses” both work, so comma)

Rule 2.

Use commas with three or more items in a series, which can involve any part of speech except conjunctions. Some grammar handbooks consider the comma before the final and optional, but since it can cause confusion to omit it, it is easier to include it always.

Muff Potter, Injun Joe, and young Doc Robinson tramped right up to the grave with a lantern, shovels, and a wheelbarrow.

Rule 3. 
Use commas after introductory prepositional phrases (#2 Sentence Openers) of five or more words. The comma is usually optional with fewer than five words. Let the pause test be your guide.

During the weeks of preparation, Mel had been shuffled off to the hunting lodge. On his journey north(,) Gawain encountered few obstacles. (comma optional)

Rule 4. 
Use a comma after introductory transitional expressions and interjections. Also use commas on both sides of transitional or interrupting words or phrases that appear elsewhere in a sentence.

Moreover, didn’t they realize cell phones were intended for emergencies only?

As grown-up girls, however, they could go when they pleased.

“Fellow, in faith, you have found the king.” (Here, “in faith” means “indeed” or “in truth.”)

Rule 5. 
Use commas after introductory adverb clauses (#5 Sentence Openers), even if they are short. 

If any one of the young knights here is truly valiant, let him take up my ax.

Rule 6.
Use commas after introductory –ing phrases (#4 sentence openers), even if they are short. 

Excusing herself from the table, Dorinda hastened away.

Rule 7. 
Use a comma with a verb of speaking that introduces a direct quotation, whether the verb comes before or after the quotation.

“King Mel loathes courtly balls,” Lord Ashton protested. Lord Ashton protested, “King Mel loathes courtly balls.”

Commas!

For a quick and easy to understand guide to using commas in American English, see the The Owl at Purdue, a writing guide for students:

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/607/02 

Common Errors in English

A good source for keeping your students’ compositions error-free.

http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/errors.html