COLONS, DASHES, PARENTHESES, AND BRACKETS

COLONS, DASHES, PARENTHESES, AND BRACKETS SEPARATE AND ENCLOSE, THERBY CLARIFYING RELATIONSHIPS AMONG THE VARIOUS PARTS OF A SENTENCE.

Colons

Colons introduce explanations and anticipated lists following words that could stand alone as a complete sentence.

His aim in life is tremendous: to corner the market in wheat. (explanation)

Three students have been selected to attend the conference: Lucille Perkins, Dan Blakely, and Frank Napolis. (list)

Three factors can cause financial problems for farmers: (1) high interest rates, (2) falling land values, and (3) a strong dollar, which makes it difficult to sell crops abroad. (numbered list)

Colons also frequently introduce formal quotations that extend beyond a single sentence.

The speaker stepped to the lectern and said: “I am here to ask for your assistance. Today several African nations face a food crisis because drought has ruined their harvests. Unless we provide help quickly, thousands of people will die of starvation.”

In such situations, the material preceding the quotation need not be a complete sentence.

Colons also separate hours from minutes (8:20 A.M.), salutations of business letters from the body of the letters (Dear Ms. Stanley:), titles of publications from subtitles (The Careful Writer: A Guide to English Usage), numbers indication ratios (a 3:2:2 ratio), and chapter from verse in biblical references (Luke 6:20-49).

Dashes

Like colons, dashes set off appositives, lists, and explanations but are used in less formal writing. A dash emphasizes the material it sets off.

Only one candidate showed up at the political rally--Jerry Manders. (appositive)

The closet held only three garments--an out-at-the-elbows sportscoat, a pair of blue jeans, and a tattered shirt. (list)

I know what little Billy’s problem is--a soiled diaper. (explanation)

Dashes set off material that interrupts the flow of thoughts within a sentence.

Her new car--didn’t she get it just three months ago?--has broken down twice.

Similarly, dashes are used to mark an interrupted segment of dialogue.

“I’d like to live in England when I retire.”

“In England? But what will your wife--?”

“My wife likes the idea and can hardly wait for us to make the move.”

Dashes set off parenthetical elements containing commas, and a dash can set off comments that follow a list.

The comedian--short, fat, and squeaky-voiced--soon had everyone roaring with laughter. (parenthetical element with commas)

A brag, a blow, a tank of air--that’s what Senator Conwell is. (comment following a list)

Type a dash as two spaced hyphens and leave no space between it and the words on either side of it.

Parentheses

Parentheses are used to enclose numbers or letters that designate the items in a formal list and to set off incidental material within sentences. Except in the kind of list shown in the first example below, a comma does not usually precede a parenthesis.

Each paper should contain (1) and introduction, (2) several paragraphs developing the thesis statement, and (3) a conclusion.

Some occupations (computer programming, for example) may be overcrowded in ten years.

If the material in parentheses appears within a sentence, don’t use a capital letter or period, even if the material is itself a complete sentence.

The use of industrial robots (one cannot foresee their consequences) worries some people today.

If the material in parentheses is written as a separate sentence, however, then punctuate it as you would a separate sentence.

Paula’s angry outburst surprised everyone. (She had seemed such a placid person.)

If the material in parentheses comes at the end of a sentence, put the final punctuation after the closing parenthesis.

This company was founded by Willard Manley (1876-1951).

In contrast to dashes, parentheses de-emphasize the material they enclose.

Brackets

In quoted brackets [] enclose words or phrases that have been added to make the message clearer. They are also used with the word sic (Latin for ‘thus’) to point out errors in quoted material.

“This particular company [Zorn Enterprises, Inc.] pioneered in the safe disposal of toxic wastes,” the report noted. (the bracketed name is added to the original)

“[Carl Sagan’s] expertise in science has made him a popular figure on the lecture circuit,” his friend stated. (the bracketed name replaces his in the original)

“The principle [sic] cause of lung cancer is cigarette smoking,” the article declared. (the word principal is misspelled ‘principle’ in the original)

To call attention to an error, follow it immediately with the bracketed sic. The reader will then know that the blame rests with the original writer, not with you.

 

QUOTATION MARKS

Quotation marks set off direct quotations, titles of short written or broadcast works, subdivisions of books, and expressions singled out for special attention.

Direct quotations

A direct quotation repeats a speaker’s or writer’s exact words.

“Tell me about the movie,” said Debbie. “If you liked it, I may go myself.”

The placement director said, “The recruiter for Procter and Gamble will be on campus next Thursday to interview students for marketing jobs.”(spoken comment)

“The U.S. trade deficit is expected to reach record levels this year,” The Wall Street Journal noted. (written comment)

Jackie said the party was “a total flop.”

As these sentences show, a comma or period that follows a direct quotation goes inside the quotation marks. When a quotation is a sentence fragment, the comma preceding it is omitted.

When an expression like ‘he said’ interrupts a quoted sentence, use commas to set off the expression. When the expression comes between two complete quoted sentences, use a period after the expression and capitalize the first word of the second sentence.

“Hop in,” said Jim. “Let me give you a ride to school.”

“Thank you,” replied Kelly, opening the car door and sliding into the front seat.

“I can’t remember,” said Jim, “when we’ve had a worse winter.”

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