With few exceptions, a comma should not separate a subject from its verb. What sets this great book apart is the 40 pages of quizzes. 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. With over 200,000 copies sold, this is one of the most highly trusted english language resources available. The blue book of grammar and punctuation jane straus. Blue book of grammar and punctuation 11th ed jane straus. Otherwise, writers have considerable leeway in the use of commas. To avoid confusion, use commas to separate words and word groups with a series of three or more.
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. In a series consisting of three or more elements, separate the elements by commas. The blue book of grammar and punctuation, an easytouse. Use commas to separate words and word groups in a simple series of three or more items. No one writing handbook or grammar guide should suffice for careful writers, and though jane strauss the blue book of grammar and punctuation is less comprehensive than some other resources, its largeformat workbook approach provides a readerfriendly introduction to the intricacies of proper prose straus was still a college student when she began her career as a writing consultant for. For additional reference or confirmation, i check in with these websites regularly. Rule 2 selection from the blue book of grammar and punctuation. The blue book of grammar and punctuation by jane straus. You dont have to be an english master to understand punctuation and sentence structure. Answers to quizzes an easytouse guide with clear rules. 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. The blue book of grammar and punctuation commas rule 1.
Among such rare grammar books is the one written by jane straus, named as the blue book of 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. Use a comma to separate contrasting parts of a sentence. This book lists the rules of grammar, punctuation and capitalization. Omitting the comma after son would indicate that the son and nephew would have to split onethird of. The blue book of grammar and punctuation, tenth edition designed to answer the most pressing grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and usage questions. When the last comma in a series comes before and or or after daughterinlaw in theabove example, it is known as the oxford comma. 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. The blue book of grammar and punctuation the blue book of grammar and punctuation. The blue book of grammar and punctuation 11th edition. The james madison memorial building, built in 1981 houses the folger shakespeare library. The james madison memorial building, built in 1981, houses the folger shakespeare library. This handy workbook is ideal for teachers, students in middle school through college, esl students, homeschoolers, and professionals.
This article is about serialcomma rule red, white, and blue enjoy your reading. A revised and updated new edition of the bestselling workbook and grammar guide. Do you use too many ly adverbs that drive readers crazy. Or, how about the rule, use commas to set off expressions that interrupt the folow. The blue book of grammar and punctuation jane straus on. Rule 1 to avoid confusion, use commas to separate words and word groups with a series of three or more. But in writing, the comma only makes the sentence seem stilted. All it takes is the blue book of grammar and punctuation. My estate goes to my husband, son, daughterinlaw, and nephew.
The blue book of grammar and punctuation, eleventh edition. Answers to quizzes this book is a concise, entertaining workbook and guide to english grammar, punctuation, and usage. 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. In the second sentence, however, the comma is used to punctuate the main sentence specifically, to separate the dependent and independent clauses. The first 60 pages of the book contain the most common rules of grammar and punctuation. 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 is a concise, entertaining workbook and guide to english grammar, punctuation, and usage. Which sentence correctly uses commas to separate the nonessential element. The blue book takes the guesswork out of editing, writing and grammar in general. Most newspapers and magazines drop theoxford comma in a simple. It doesnt take a lifetime to master english grammar and punctuation.
Place a check mark in front of sentences that are correct. 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. Grammar and punctuation the blue book of grammar and. Thanks again to lester and tom, who recently released a new edition of the blue book of grammar and punctuation. Every generation of english scholars despairs because the language appears to. An easytouse guide with clear rules, realworld examples, and reproducible quizzes, 11th edition book. Do you get sick of writing he saidshe said or are you unsure how to punctuate dialogue tags. This userfriendly resource includes simple explanations of grammar, punctuation, and usage. 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. An easytouse guide with clear rules, realworld examples, and reproducible quizzes 11th edition a revised and an updated new edition of the bestselling over 200,000 copies sold workbook and grammar guide. Commas quiz 1 the blue book of grammar and punctuation.
Using commas, semicolons, and colons within sentences. 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. Use a period at the end of a complete sentence that is a statement. For each of the following, choose the sentence with the.
Most newspapers and magazines drop the oxford comma in a simple series, apparently. Here are eight tips that will help you write and punctuate dialogue tags well, so that your book will be. 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. Similarly, the essential blue book of grammar and punctuation simplifies rules as well and agrees that commas customarily indicate a brief pause.
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