1. Comma (,)
Comma may
express a slight break in the though expressed.
Comma has several uses
A.
Use a comma to set off an
appositive, that is, an expression that explains or gives additional
information about a preceding expression.
*
Lieutenant Jay John, the epitome of an officer and a
gentleman, is a very caring leader.
B.
Use a comma to separate the name of
a city from the name of a province or state, or to separate the day of the
month from the year.
*
My baby was born on July 29, 2013, at Ruiz Hospital,
Sta. Rosa Philippines.
C. Use a comma to separate the independent clause of a compound sentence.
*
I was elated after reading your letter, but I would
rather see you.
D. Use a comma to separate words or phrases that express contrast.
*
The Americans, not the China, gained their trust.
E. Use a comma to indicate that one or more words that are easily understood have been omitted.
*
We received
1,000 donated can goods from the students of Manila High School; from Quezon
City High School, 1,500.
F. Use a comma to separate an introductory of word from the rest of the sentence.
*
Yes, I will be coming tomorrow.
G. Use a comma after the salutation in an informal letter.
*
Dearest Maricor,
H. Use a comma to separate words that indicate direct address.
*
Sha-Sha, Observe the classroom very carefully.
I. Use a comma to separate words and phrases in a series.
* The books include those written by such authors as Reyes, Signo, Andrade and Abello.
J. Use a comma to separate adjectives which modify the same noun if the word and can be substituted for the comma.
*
The greedy, fearsome beast was slain by the hero. (The greedy and
fearsome beast was slain by the hero)
K. Use a comma to separate a declarative clause and an interrogative clause that follows it.
* She is now allowed to travel by her boyfriend, will she?
L. Use a comma to separate a name from the words Inc., Jr., Sr., etc.
*
Michael Garcia, Jr.
is conducting the survey in our office.
*
GMA 7, Inc. is a reputable company.
M. Use a comma when writing figures in thousands, but not in street, room, post office box, and telephone numbers.
* $
1,000,000.00
*
130 Kaylangis St.
*
123-4567 (a telephone number)
*
Room 143
* P.O. Box 5254
N. Use a comma to separate two sets of figures or two identical words.
*
Please hand me 5, 2's and 9, 6's.
*
Where it is, is not
known.
O. Use a comma to separate a proper name from an academic degree or honorary title. Additional, use a comma between two or more degree or titles.
*
Erich Ilare, D.B.A., C.P.A.
*
Kim De Torres, M.D.,
Ph.D., Chief of clinics.
P. Use a comma to set off direct quotations.
* "Watch the first movie," Ken-ken told me.
2.
Colon (:)
Colon has
several uses
A.
Use a colon after a word, phrase,
or sentence that introduces a list, a series, tabulation, extracts, texts and
explanations to the introductory words.
*
The prerequisites for enrollment are: High school
diploma and school clearance.
B. Use a colon to indicate clock time, unless the time indicated is exactly on the hour.
* 12:01 pm
* 12 p.m.
C. Use a colon in
biblical references to separate the chapter from the verse.
D. Use a colon after a salutation in a business latter. Use a comma after a salutation in an informal letter.
*
Dear Captain Don-don:
*
To whom it may concern:
3. Semicolon (;)
Semicolon has
several uses
A. Use a semicolon to separate two long independent clauses that are punctuated internally by commas.
* He used to be a varsity player in basketball, and swimming; but, he now seemed lethargic, and always drowsy.
B. Use a semicolon to separate independent coordinate (equivalent) clauses that are related in meaning when no coordinate conjunction is used.
*
They decided to help the farmer with her medical
bills; they collected donations for her.
C. Use a semicolon before words such as for example, for instance, namely, or that is which introduce an example, enumeration, or items in a series.
*
There were two incorporators
present in the meeting; namely, Mrs.
Violy Atienza, Mrs. April, and Mr. Bienbenido.
D.
Use a semicolon to clarify listings
where a comma is insufficient to separate the items clearly.
*
The Cooperative meeting was
attended by Dr. Rico, Principal; Mr. Flacido, President; and Mrs. Silvia.
E. Avoid the over use of the semicolon in a paragraph.
4. Parenthesis ()
Parenthesis has several uses
A. Use parenthesis to separate words, phrases, clauses, or sentences which enclose materials that explains, translates or comments.
*
The yacht sailed for five nautical
miles more (a nautical mile is about 6000 feet) before it sank.
B. Use parenthesis to enclose letters, numbers, or a symbols when referring to an appositive.
*
There are three (3) lots left.
5. Dash (-)
Dash has several
uses
A. Use dash to set off explanatory clauses and to indicate abrupt changes in the continuity of expression.
*
I feel happy- even jubilant- to see you married at last.
B. Use dash to mark limits between dates, number, places, and times.
*
The bar is open from 6 p.m. - 6 a. m.
C. Use dash before or after a clause that summarizes a series of words or phrases, instead of a colon.
* Love, joy, peace, kindness- these are the fruits of the Holy Spirit.
D. Use dash to give emphasis.
*
She deposits the money- our money- in our joint bank account.
Capitalization
A. Capitalize the
first letter in the sentence.
*
The parched, hungry earth drank up the rain.
B. Capitalize the beginning letter of days and months.
*
Sunday
* September
C. Capitalize the beginning letter of proper nouns.
*
Philippines
* Cherry Aquin
D. Always capitalize the pronoun I.
*
After one hour, I reached the peak of Mt. Apo.
E. Capitalize names of the seasons if there are personified.
*
Summer's vacation.
F.
Capitalize words that show family relationships
when there are used with a person's name or when they stand unmodified as a
substitute for a person's name.
G. Capitalize names of historical events, historical periods and historical documents.
*
World War II
*
Edsa Revolution
H. Capitalize languages but not other school unless they are names of specific courses.
*
English, Geometry,
Physics.
* English, geometry, physics.
I. Capitalize titles of people if they are followed by a name.
*
General Luna.
*
The good general.
J. Capitalize sections of a country but do not capitalize directions.
*
I live in Southern Luzon which is situated south of Manila.
K. Capitalize
references to the Deity and to the titles of religious holy books.
Almighty Bible Creator Lord God IDBCJ
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