Common Punctuation Problems

Additions will be made from time to time.

1. Placement of double quotes. In quotations, the double quote (") follow the period (.) and the comma (,). That is for esthetic grounds; the period and comma are so small, they look strange floating out in space beyond the quotation marks. On the other hand, the colon (:) and and the question mark (?) are so strong, they can be placed where ever logic dictates. For example, if the question mark is part of the quotation it is inside the quotes. But if the question is being raised about the quote, the question mark would be outside the quotation marks.

   The proposal was rated as "excellent," even though one referee rated it "very good."
   Did the student say "I need a better grade"?
   Or did the student say "Can I have better grade?"
   Read "Dazzle 'em with Style"; it will help improve your talk.

2. Apostrophe. Use when figures have been omitted.
        In the '90's, progress ... (for the the nineteen nineties)
   Use for possessives
        Noun not ending in in s: humanity's need
        Plural nouns ending in s: students' rights
        Double possessives: a book of my professor's
   Use for plurals
        Mind your p's and q's.
        The use grew every year during the 1990's.
   For an alternate view, see Miss Hyphen's advice on use of apostrophe.