Punctuation
Q. I frequently edit indexes for heavily illustrated books. The indexer has been instructed to index the photographs. The result can be somewhat strange: Answer »
Q. When a plural possessive ends a sentence, where does CMOS recommend that the apostrophe fall—before or after the period? For example: Because UAVs fly relatively close to the ground, their surveillance “footprints” are smaller than the satellites’. Is there a rule in CMOS 15 that covers this? Answer »
Q. It’s probably in the book somewhere, but I cannot find it. Can you tell me the preferred way to place an asterisk when it appears adjacent to a period, or any other punctuation (especially colon and comma)? Inside or outside the punctuation mark? Thanks. Answer »
Q. Hi—I seem to remember in an earlier edition of the CMOS that, if parenthetical material ended in a period, the final period of the sentence should be omitted, even if the rules would otherwise require it. Here’s an example: Answer »
Q. If I have a sentence that includes a parenthesis (say I’m talking about a 401[k] plan), do I really have to change the (k) to brackets? It seems wrong to be messing with the government like that :). But then again, if the sentence had a parenthesis that ended with 401(k), I’d have a double parenthesis. Answer »
Q. Dear CMOS, I am puzzled by what appears to me as an inconsistency in your demonstration of footnote style with author-date system (15th ed.). On page 624, entry 16.120 demonstrates a footnote that is clearly indented. However, the text sample on page 630 (fig. 16.6) shows a footnote whose first line is not indented. Can you please tell me what is correct format for this issue? Answer »
Q. To emphasize a word in the narrative (not dialog), is it acceptable to use italics or should I use “quotation marks”? Also, can a question mark and an exclamation point be combined (?!) to emphasize the question, i.e., “Are you calling me a liar?!” Thanks! Answer »
Q. What is the rule about using quotation marks to signal an unusual use of a word? I’m editing a writer who employs this device overmuch, it seems to me. But I don’t want to be a fuddy-duddy. Any advice? Answer »
Q. Although periods go inside quotation marks in text, is it acceptable to put the period outside the quote when the quote is part of a string of computer code? Following the rule for text would distort the string of code, causing confusion. Example: Include the type identifier: type=“text/JavaScript”. Answer »
Q. In typing a single quotation mark within a double quotation mark, does one add a space for clarity, as in “ ‘, or are they printed without a space, as in “‘? Answer »
Q. I know the period or comma goes inside both single and double quotation marks, but is an apostrophe treated the same as a single quotation mark, or does it stay with its word? For example: “That ain’t nothin’,” Joe replied. Answer »
Q. Are the commas in the following placed correctly? (The sentence cannot be recast.) “She took a workshop titled, ‘Writer’s Workshop,’ several years ago.” Thank you. Answer »
Q. With the author-date system, I know that punctuation is supposed to follow the reference—for example, “And his other misfortune” (Brown 2001, 1a). But does this still hold true for questions? It just plain looks wrong to me. For example: Answer »
Q. This may be impossible to answer, but I feel it’s important, so I’m gonna give it my best shot. This is how I would punctuate the following: Answer »
Q. Realizing that every style guide I have read states that periods always go inside quotation marks, I argue that, if a quote is only a part of a sentence, the period at the end applies to the entire sentence, and not just to the quoted part; therefore, it should be placed outside the closing quotation mark. Does this reasoning “hold any water” at all? Answer »
Q.Hi, CMOS people. You answered a question for me a few days ago, about using a comma or a colon to introduce dialogue in a book project we are doing. We took your advice and are using commas. My friend, though, would still like to use a colon to introduce internal dialogue. (Michael thought: if I go home now, Mother will know I forgot something). Would that be OK, or should we stick to commas for everything? Thanks!! Answer »
Q.How should the sentence “Guess what” be punctuated? I realize that it’s technically an imperative sentence, which should end with a period (or exclamation point), but in many contexts it’s used as if it were interrogatory, and thus it’s often punctuated with a question mark rather than a period. Is this simply incorrect? Answer »
Q. Please tell me if it’s permissible to use a comma rather than a semicolon in the following sentence: “The idea isn’t to use the test to get people in trouble, it’s to help them avoid decisions they’ll regret later.” The rules seem to suggest that a semicolon is preferred but not absolutely required; a semicolon feels to me like it separates the thoughts more than I’d like. Answer »
Q. Is it “Hello Mr. Doe” or “Hello, Mr. Doe”? Answer »
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