Punctuation and Mechanics

For further explanation, visit our online handouts: Comma Rules, Quotation Marks and Italics, and Punctuation Rules.

 
    1.   Natasha asked, "Are you going to the concert without me?"
    2.   Natasha asked, "are you going to the concert without me?"
    3.   Natasha asked, "Are you going to the concert without me"?
    1.   New Orleans, Louisiana is a fascinating city, with its French Quarter, its marvelous food, and its jazz musicians.
    2.   New Orleans Louisiana is a fascinating city, with its French Quarter, its marvelous food, and its jazz musicians.
    3.   New Orleans, Louisiana, is a fascinating city, with its French Quarter, its marvelous food, and its jazz musicians.
    1.   To be honest, I do not think that your plan is advisable, Frank.
    2.   To be honest I do not think that your plan is advisable Frank.
    3.   To be honest I do not think that your plan is advisable, Frank.
    1.   On January 25, 1985 the University of Georgia celebrated its bicentennial.
    2.   On January 25, 1985, the University of Georgia celebrated its bicentennial.
    3.   On January 25, 1985, the University of Georgia, celebrated its bicentennial.
    1.   The following chapters in your text will be covered on the midterm test: One, Two, Three, Six, and Seven.
    2.   The following chapters in your text will be covered on the midterm test, One, Two, Three, Six, and Seven.
    3.   The following chapters in your text will be covered on the midterm test; One, Two, Three, Six, and Seven.
    1.   I am sure Dorothy, that you will enjoy going to the British Isles on tour next summer.
    2.   I am sure, Dorothy, that you will enjoy going to the British Isles on tour next summer.
    3.   I am sure Dorothy that you will enjoy going to the British Isles on tour next summer.
    1.   The big delegation of political leaders included representatives from St. Louis Missouri, Atlanta Georgia, Chicago Illinois, San Francisco California, and Wilmington Delaware.
    2.   The big delegation of political leaders included representatives from St. Louis, Missouri, Atlanta, Georgia, Chicago, Illinois, San Francisco, California, and Wilmington, Delaware.
    3.   The big delegation of political leaders included representatives from St. Louis, Missouri; Atlanta, Georgia; Chicago, Illinois; San Francisco, California; and Wilmington, Delaware.
    1.   In Henry Mitchell had found a good friend and a wise counselor.
    2.   In Henry, Mitchell had found a good friend and a wise counselor.
    3.   In Henry, Mitchell had found a good friend, and a wise counselor.
    1.   I was however, too tired to make the trip.
    2.   I was, however, too tired to make the trip.
    3.   I was; however, too tired to make the trip.
    1.   He said, "that I was old enough to know better."
    2.   He said, "That I was old enough to know better."
    3.   He said that I was old enough to know better.
    1.   Today many of us are eating vegetables, fruits, and spices that our parents have scarcely even heard of.
    2.   Today many of us are eating: vegetables, fruits, and spices that our parents have scarcely even heard of.
    3.   Today many of us are eating, vegetables, fruits, and spices that our parents have scarcely even heard of.
    1.   Sally, you should walk; not run; up that steep hill.
    2.   Sally you should walk not run up that steep hill.
    3.   Sally, you should walk, not run, up that steep hill.
    1.   An interesting book, titled The Story of English, lists a variety of slang that the authors call "preppy talk."
    2.   An interesting book, titled "The Story of English," lists a variety of slang that the authors call "preppy talk."
    3.   An interesting book, titled The Story of English, lists a variety of slang that the authors call "preppy talk."
    1.   I believe that it was the Scottish poet Robert Burns who wrote "To a Field Mouse."
    2.   I believe that it was the Scottish poet Robert Burns who wrote To a Field Mouse.
    3.   I believe that it was the Scottish poet Robert Burns who wrote To a Field Mouse.
    1.   Rembrandt's famous painting Man with a Gilt Helmet is housed in Berlin.
    2.   Rembrandt's famous painting "Man with a Gilt Helmet" is housed in Berlin.
    3.   Rembrandt's famous painting Man with a Gilt Helmet is housed in Berlin.
    1.   Patricia's dream was at last coming true: to travel aboard the Orient Express from Paris to Istanbul.
    2.   Patricia's dream was at last coming true: to travel aboard the "Orient Express" from Paris to Istanbul.
    3.   Patricia's dream was at last coming true: to travel aboard the Orient Express from Paris to Istanbul.
    1.   The publishers of "The New Yorker" boast that theirs is the "best magazine there ever was."
    2.   The publishers of The New Yorker boast that theirs is the "best magazine there ever was."
    3.   The publishers of The New Yorker boast that theirs is the "best magazine there ever was."
    1.   Mr. Barron says that his success with the basketball team lies in his ability to establish a strong esprit de corps in the boys.
    2.   Mr. Barron says that his success with the basketball team lies in his ability to establish a strong esprit de corps in the boys.
    3.   Mr. Barron says that his success with the basketball team lies in his ability to establish a strong "esprit de corps" in the boys.
    1.   His favorite song is Sail Along Silvery Moon.
    2.   His favorite song is "Sail Along Silvery Moon."
    3.   His favorite song is Sail Along Silvery Moon.
    1.   I wonder who will play Maria in our local production of The Sound of Music.
    2.   I wonder who will play Maria in our local production of "The Sound of Music."
    3.   I wonder who will play Maria in our local production of The Sound of Music.

 Last Updated 6/18/07