it's (it is) the spirit of '76 M'LEAN (c omitted in small capitals) (b) To form the plurals of letters, figures, and symbols. 101. The brace is used to show the relation of one line or group of lines to another group of lines. The point is placed toward the fewer number of lines, or, if the number of lines is the same, toward the single group. District 11 District 711⁄2 hours' travel time--` (District 2) Brackets District 41 hour's travel time...- 3-hour jobs District 3 2 hours' travel time... District 5) 102. Brackets, in pairs, are used (a) To indicate a correction, a supplied omission, or an inter polation. Our party will always serve the people [applause], in spite of the opposition [loud applause]. (If more than one bracketed interpolation, both are included within the sentence.) I do not know. [Continues reading:] The WITNESS. He did it that way [indicating]. Q. (By Mr. SMITH.) Do you know these men [handing witness a list]? (b) In bills, contracts, etc., to indicate matter that is to be omitted. 103. A single bracket may be used in poetry and indexes before overrun words or figures. [of all. Till one man's weakness grows the strength Colon 104. The colon is used (a) To introduce a clause that supplements the preceding clause. (See Capitalization, rule 186.) Railroading is not a variety of outdoor sport: it is service. (b) After a complimentary address. MY DEAR SIR: Ladies and Gentlemen: (flush) (c) To introduce formally any matter that follows. The following question came up for discussion: What policy should be adopted? He said: [if direct quotation of more than a few words follows]. (See rule 1056.) (d) In expressing clock time. 2:40 p.m. (equal space each side of colon) (e) In Biblical citations. Luke 1:3 (equal space each side of colon) I Corinthians xiii: 13 (equal space each side of colon) (f) In proportions. Concrete mixed 1:3:5 (equal space each side of colons) (g) After introductory lines in lists, tables, and leader work, if indented subentries follow. Comma Seward Peninsula: Council district: Northern Light Mining Co. Fairhaven district: Alaska Dredging Association. 105. The comma is used (a) To separate two words or figures that might otherwise be misunderstood. Instead of hundreds, thousands came. Instead of 20, 50 came. February 10, 1929. In 1930, 400 men were dismissed. To John, Smith was very kind. but To John he was very kind. In 1930 there were 400 men dismissed. (b) Before a direct quotation of only a few words following an introductory phrase. (See rule 104c.) He said, "Now or never." (c) To indicate the omission of a word or words. Then we had much; now, nothing. (d) After each of a series of coordinate qualifying words. short, swift streams; but short tributary streams. (e) Between an introductory modifying phrase and the subject modified. Beset by the enemy, they retreated. (g) To set off parenthetical words, phrases, or clauses. but: Mr. Jefferson, who was then Secretary of State, favored the location of the National Capital at Washington. Mr. Jones, attorney for the defendant, signed the petition. I should add, moreover, that the conditions are quite different. It must be remembered, however, that the Government had no guaranty. The man who fell [restrictive clause] broke his back. The dam which gave way [restrictive clause] was poorly constructed. He therefore gave up the search. (h) To separate thousands, millions, etc., in numbers of four or more digits, except in serial numbers. (See rule 1066.) (i) After each member within a series of three or more words, phrases, letters, or figures. horses, mules, and cattle Cloth is sold by the bolt, by the yard, or in remnants. a, b, and c 6, 7, and 8 6) Before the conjunction in a compound sentence if the second clause is complete with subject and predicate. Fish, mollusks, and crustaceans were plentiful in the lakes, and turtles frequented the shores. The boy went home alone, but his sister remained with the crowd. (k) After a noun or phrase in direct address. Senator, will the measure be defeated? Mr. Chairman, I will reply to the gentleman later. 106. The comma is omitted— (a) Between month and year in dates. June 1917; but June 2, 1917 (rule 105a) (b) In serial numbers. (c) Between superior letters or figures in footnote references. Numerous instances may be cited.1 2 (d) Wherever possible without danger of ambiguity. General Order No. 12; but General Orders, No. 12 Public Law 37; Public Law No. 37; but (in text) Public, No. 37 June last My age is 30 years 6 months 12 days. colonel Seventh Cavalry (only one colonel); but captain, Seventh Cavalry (more than one captain) Dash Walsh of Massachusetts; Walsh of Montana (duplicate names of Senators or Representatives in United States Congress). Carroll of Carrollton; Henry of Navarre (places closely identified with the persons); but John Anstruther, of New York; President Hadley, of Yale University. 107. The dash is used (a) To mark a sudden break or abrupt change in thought. He said-and no one contradicted him- "The battle is lost." If the bill should pass-which God forbid! -the service will be wrecked. The auditor-shall we call him a knave or a fool?-approved an inaccurate statement. (b) To indicate an interruption or an unfinished word or sentence (2-em dash). (c) Instead of commas or parentheses, if the meaning may thus be clarified. These are shore deposits-gravel, sand, and clay-but marine sediments underlie them. (d) After a word or phrase set in a separate line, if followed by elements at the beginning of each line of which the word or phrase is implied. I recommend That we accept the rules. That we also publish them. (e) With a preceding question mark, in lieu of a colon. How can you explain this?"Fee paid, $5." (f) Sometimes, in lieu of opening quotation marks, in French, Spanish, and Italian dialog. (g) To precede a credit line or a run-in credit or signature. Still achieving, still pursuing, Every man's work shall be made manifest.—I Corinthians 3:13. (h) After a period following a run-in side head. (See rule 114e.) (2) To separate run-in questions and answers in testimony. Q. Did he go?—A. No. 108. The dash is not used (a) At the beginning of any line of type, except as indicated in rules 107f and 107g. (b) With any other mark of punctuation except as indicated in rules 107a, 107e, 107g, 107h, and 107i. Ellipsis 109. Marks of ellipsis (asterisks or periods, according to the nature of the text) are used to indicate the omission of part of a quotation. Three asterisks, separated by an em quad, are used to denote an ellipsis in text; if periods are used instead of asterisks, they are separated by an en quad. Neither asterisks nor periods are overrun at the end of a paragraph. In document measure, "line of stars" means seven asterisks indented 2 ems at each end of the line, with the remaining space divided evenly between the asterisks. If two or more sizes of type are used on a page, 10-point asterisks are indented 2 ems; 8-point, 2% ems; and 6-point, 31⁄2 ems. An extra indention is added in indented matter. For the use of marks of ellipsis within quotations, see rule 119. Exclamation point 110. The exclamation point is used to mark surprise, incredulity, admiration, or appeal, which may be expressed even in a declarative or interrogative sentence. He acknowledged the error! How beautiful! "Great!" he shouted. What! Who shouted, "All aboard!" (Note omission of question mark.) (a) In direct address, either to a person or a personified object, O is used without an exclamation point, but if strong feeling is expressed an exclamation point is placed at the end of the expression. O my friend, let us consider this subject impartially. O Lord, save Thy people! (b) In exclamations without direct address or appeal oh is used instead of O, and the exclamation point is omitted. Hyphen Oh, but the gentleman is mistaken. Oh dear; the time is so short. 111. The hyphen is used (a) To connect the elements of certain compound words. (See Compound Words.) (b) To indicate the continuation of a word divided at the end of a line. (See rules 290–296.) Parentheses 112. Parentheses are used (a) To set off matter not intended to be part of the main argument of the text, yet important enough to be included. |