The Century Handbook of Writing Part 57

Exercise:

1. We don't know theyr'e dishonest.

2. The soldier's heads showed above the trenches.

3. Five 8es, three 7es, and two 12es make 85.

4. Pierce told the Keslers that Jones hogs were fatter than their's.

 

5. Its three oclock by his watch; five minutes past three by her's.

=The Question Mark and the Exclamation Point=

=98a. Place a question mark after a direct question, but not after an indirect question.=

Wrong: What of it. What does it matter.

Right: What of it? What does it matter?

Wrong: He asked whether I belonged to the glee club?

Right: He asked whether I belonged to the glee club.

Note.--When the main sentence which introduces an indirect question is itself interrogatory, a question mark follows.

Right: Did she inquire whether you had met her aunt?

=b. A question mark is often used within a sentence, but should not be followed by a comma, semicolon, or period.=

Wrong: "What shall I do?," he asked.

Right: "What shall I do?" he asked.

Wrong: But where are the stocks?, the bonds?, the evidences of prosperity?

Right: But where are the stocks? the bonds? the evidences of prosperity?

=c. A question mark within parentheses may be used to express uncertainty as to the correctness of an a.s.sertion.=

Right: Shakespeare was born April 23 (?), 1564.

Right: In 1340 (?) was born Geoffrey Chaucer.

=d. The use of a question mark as a label for humor or irony is childish.=

Superfluous: Immediately the social lion (?) rose to his feet.

Better: Immediately the social lion rose to his feet.

=e. The exclamation point is used after words, expressions, or sentences to show strong emotion.=

Right: Hark! I hear horses. Give us a light there, ho!

Note.--The lavish use of the exclamation point is not in good taste.

Unless the emotion to be conveyed is strong, a comma will suffice. See 91e.

Exercise:

1. What is my temperature, doctor.

2. "Shall we go by the old mill?", asked Newcomb?

3. Did Wu Ting Fang say, "The Chinese Republic will survive."

4. He inquired whether Lorado Taft is the greatest living American sculptor.

5. Farewell. Oth.e.l.lo's occupation's gone.

=99.= EXERCISE IN PUNCTUATION

=A.=

Punctuate the following sentences:

1. Why its ten oclock

2. It was a rainy foggy morning

3. Arthurs cousin said Lets go

4. I begged her to stay but she refused

5. His parents you know were wealthy

6. Near by the children were playing house

7. Ever since John has driven carefully

8. I smell something burning Etta

9. Well Harry are you ready for a tramp

10. I well remember a trip which I once took

11. When the day has ended the twilight comes

12. She was a poor lonely defenseless old woman