In a series consisting of three or more elements, separate the elements by commas. This userfriendly resource includes simple explanations of grammar, punctuation, and usage. The blue book of grammar and punctuation by jane straus. Here are eight tips that will help you write and punctuate dialogue tags well, so that your book will be. The blue book of grammar and punctuation, tenth edition designed to answer the most pressing grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and usage questions.
The james madison memorial building, built in 1981 houses the folger shakespeare library. Topics include subject and verb agreement, pronouns, modifying parts of speech, problems with prepositions, fragments, commas, semicolons, parentheses, hyphens, dashes, capitalization, writing numbers, and much morebasically all the grammar rules you need. What sets this great book apart is the 40 pages of quizzes. All it takes is the blue book of grammar and punctuation. For additional reference or confirmation, i check in with these websites regularly. For each of the following, choose the sentence with the. The blue book of grammar and punctuation is a concise, entertaining workbook and guide to english grammar, punctuation, and usage. Using commas, semicolons, and colons within sentences.
Commas quiz 1 the blue book of grammar and punctuation. Do you use too many ly adverbs that drive readers crazy. In this revised and updated tenth edition of her bestselling book, jane straus adds a new section on confusing words and homonyms with hundreds of the trickiest words defined and explained. To avoid confusion, use commas to separate words and word groups with a series of three or more. The blue book of grammar and punctuation will amuse you while demystifying the rules of grammar and punctuation. The blue book of grammar and punctuation 11th edition. When the last comma in a series comes before and or or after daughterinlaw in theabove example, it is known as the oxford comma.
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. 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. Answers to quizzes this book is a concise, entertaining workbook and guide to english grammar, punctuation, and usage. Which sentence correctly uses commas to separate the nonessential element. Blue book of grammar and punctuation 11th ed jane straus. 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.
The james madison memorial building built in 1981, houses the folger shakespeare library. Use a period at the end of a complete sentence that is a statement. 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. A revised and updated new edition of the bestselling workbook and grammar guide. Rule 1 to avoid confusion, use commas to separate words and word groups with a series of three or more. The blue book of grammar and punctuation jane straus on. With few exceptions, a comma should not separate a subject from its verb. Among such rare grammar books is the one written by jane straus, named as the blue book of grammar and punctuation. Thanks again to lester and tom, who recently released a new edition of the blue book of grammar and punctuation. Use commas to separate words and word groups in a simple series of three or more items. Answers to quizzes an easytouse guide with clear rules. The blue book of grammar and punctuation, eleventh edition. In the second sentence, however, the comma is used to punctuate the main sentence specifically, to separate the dependent and independent clauses.
Grammar and punctuation the blue book of grammar and. The james madison memorial building, built in 1981, houses the folger shakespeare library. The blue book of grammar and punctuation, an easytouse. The blue book of grammar and punctuation is filled with easytounderstand rules,realworld examples, dozens of reproducible exercises, and pre and posttests. An easytouse guide with clear rules, realworld examples, and reproducible quizzes, 11th edition book. The first 60 pages of the book contain the most common rules of grammar and punctuation. With over 200,000 copies sold, this is one of the most highly trusted english language resources available.
Commas and periods are the most frequently used punctuation marks. But in writing, the comma only makes the sentence seem stilted. The blue book of grammar and punctuation commas rule 1. It doesnt take a lifetime to master english grammar and punctuation. The blue book of grammar and punctuation is filled with easytounderstand rules, realworld examples, dozens of reproducible exercises, and pre and posttests. Every generation of english scholars despairs because the language appears to. This article is about serialcomma rule red, white, and blue enjoy your reading.
Otherwise, writers have considerable leeway in the use of commas. Place a check mark in front of sentences that are correct. Do you get sick of writing he saidshe said or are you unsure how to punctuate dialogue tags. 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.
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. This book lists the rules of grammar, punctuation and capitalization. Rule 2 selection from the blue book of grammar and punctuation. Use a comma to separate contrasting parts of a sentence. 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. Similarly, the essential blue book of grammar and punctuation simplifies rules as well and agrees that commas customarily indicate a brief pause. The blue book takes the guesswork out of editing, writing and grammar in general.
Or, how about the rule, use commas to set off expressions that interrupt the folow. The blue book of grammar and punctuation the blue book of grammar and punctuation. You dont have to be an english master to understand punctuation and sentence structure. My estate goes to my husband, son, daughterinlaw, and nephew. This handy workbook is ideal for teachers, students in middle school through college, esl students, homeschoolers, and professionals. Construction of the transalaska oil pipeline had to address issues caused by permafrost. Omitting the comma after son would indicate that the son and nephew would have to split onethird of. Most newspapers and magazines drop the oxford comma in a simple series, apparently.