2. Apostrophe The two main uses of apostrophes are To show the omission of one or more letters in a contraction (it is usually best to avoid contractions in formal writing) To show ownership or possession
3. Apostrophe in Contractions A contraction is formed when 2 words are combined to make 1 word. An apostrophe is used to show where letters are omitted. Some common contractions: I + am= I’m it + is= it’s it + not= isn’t I + have= I’ve I + had= I’d who + is= who’s Could + not= couldn’t do + not= don’t they + are= they’re * Will + not has an unusual contraction, won’t.
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5. Apostrophe versus Possessive Pronouns Do not use an apostrophe with possessive pronouns (his, hers, its, yours, ours, theirs). They already show ownership. Incorrect: The store lost its’ lease. Correct: The store lost its lease.
6. Quotation Marks The two main uses of quotation marks are To set off the exact words of a speaker or writer To set off the titles of short works
7. Quotation of Exact Words Use quotations to show exact words. Ex. “Say something tender,” whispered Lola. Every quotation begins with a capital letter. If it is split, the 2nd part doesn’t start with a capital. Ex. “I love you so much,” she said, “that it hurts.” Commas are used to separate the quoted part of the sentence from the rest. Commas & periods that come at the end of the quotation go inside the quotation marks.
8. Title of Short Works Use quotations when mentioning the titles of short works: Articles in books, newspapers, magazines Chapters in a book Titles of short stories Titles of poems Titles of songs Titles of essays
9. Commas Commas are used as follows: To separate items in a series To set off introductory material Before & after words that interrupt the flow of thought in a sentence Before 2 complete thoughts connected by and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet To set off a quotation from the rest of a sentence Certain everyday material * Commas often mark a slight pause or break.
10. Items in a Series Use commas to separate items in a series. Ex. Do you drink tea with milk, lemon, or honey? The last comma in a series is optional, but often used.
11. Comma After Introductory Material Use a comma to set off introductory material. Ex. After punching the alarm clock with his fist, Bill went back to sleep. Ex. In addition, he held a broom in his hand. A comma is also used to set off extra material at the end of a sentence. Ex. A sudden breeze came in, driving out the stuffiness.
12. Interrupting Flow of Thought Use commas before & after words or phrases that interrupt the flow of thought. Ex. That reality show, at long last, has been canceled. You can usually “hear” words that interrupt. Not sure? Remove the words. If it still makes sense, those words are interrupters.
13. Between Complete Thoughts Use a comma between two complete thoughts connected by and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet. Ex. Rick works Monday nights, so he records the game. The comma is optional when the complete thoughts are short. Ex. Grace has a headache and Mark has a fever.
14. Everyday Material Use commas with everyday material, such as Persons spoken to. Ex. Tina, where are my shoes? Dates. Ex. March 4, 2007, is when Sam was born. Addresses. Ex. He lives at 8 Tan St., Tampa, Florida. Openings & Closings of letters. Ex. Dear Santa, Numbers. Ex. The charity raised $10,000.
