Практикум по стилистике деловой переписки на английском языке. Пунктуация. Учебное пособие
.pdfFor a period of six months, a new employee is on probation.
Introductory phrases of fewer than five words require no commas.
In August that stock reached its highest price.
In some instances employees are required to work alternate hours.
Prepositional phrases in other positions do not require commas when they are essential and do not interrupt the flow of the sentence.
We have installed in our Chicago office a centralized telecommunications system. (No commas needed around the prepositional phrase because it answers the question where? and does not interrupt the flow of the sentence)
You may at your convenience complete the Adams project. (No commas needed because the prepositional phrase answers the question when? and does not interrupt the flow of the sentence)
Independent Clauses
When a coordinating conjunction joins independent clauses, use a comma before the coordinating conjunction, unless the clauses are very short (fewer than six words in each clause)
In Japan the wireless Internet has become wildly successful, and companies are pushing for even more sophisticated services.
James uses his cell phone and Jan prefers her ipad. (No comma is needed since both clauses are short)
Introductory Clauses
Dependent clauses that precede independent clauses are followed by commas.
When you have finished, please return the manual.
If you need help, just call me in the afternoon.
Since we rely on email, we have cut back on voice mail.
Introductory Clauses
Whether to use a comma to separate a dependent clause at the end of a sentence depends on whether the added information is essential. Generally, terminal clauses add information that answers questions such as when?
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why? how? Such information is essential; thus no comma is necessary. A comma should be used only when a terminal clause adds unnecessary information.
Please return the style manual when you have finished. (No comma is needed because the terminal clause provides essential information and answers the question when?)
Just call me in the afternoon if you need help. (No comma is needed because the terminal clause provides essential information and answers the question why?)
I plan to leave at 3:30, although I could stay if you need me. (A comma is needed because the terminal clause provides additional unnecessary information)
Nonessential Clauses
Use commas to set off clauses that are used parenthetically or that supply information unneeded for the grammatical completeness of a sentence.
An increase in employee benefits, as you can well understand, must be postponed until profits improve. (Commas are needed because the italicized clause adds unnecessary information)
We received a letter from Anne Diga, who is now living in Anchorage, Alaska. (Commas are necessary because the italicized clause adds unnecessary information)
Do not use commas to set off clauses that contain essential information.
A student who is studying English certainly needs an up-to-date dictionary. (No commas are needed because the italicized clause is essential; it tells what student needs an up-to-date dictionary.)
TASK: Now complete the Reinforcement Exercises for Part I Level II.
LEVEL III.
ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES FOR USING COMMAS
The last guidelines for commas include suggestions for punctuating degrees, abbreviations, numerals, omitted words, contrasting statements, and short quotations.
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Degrees and Abbreviations
Except for Jr. (Junior) And Sr. (Senior), degrees, personal titles, and professional designations following individuals’ names are set off by commas.
John T. O’Dell Jr. Is frequently confused with John T. O’Dell Sr.
Diane Rolling, M.D., has flourishing practice in Tempe, Arizona.
Jacob Nordstrom, Ph.D., discussed degree requirements with the college president.
We have retained Judy Cittenden, Esq., to represent us.
The abbreviations Inc. and Ltd. are set off by commas only if the company’s legal name includes the commas.
Blackstone and Smythe, Inc., exports goods worldwide. (Company’s legal name includes comma)
Shoes Inc. operates at three locations in Tampa, FLa. (Legal name does not include comma before Inc.)
Numerals
Unrelated figures appearing side by side should be separated by commas.
By 2010, 4.3 billion subscribers will be using wireless devices worldwide.
On page 10, two illustrations show the diagram under discussion.
Numbers of more than three digits require commas.
1,860 56,4307,800,000
However, calendar years and zip codes are written without commas within the numerals.
Calendar Years: 18861945 2013
Zip Codes: 02116 45327 94553
Telephone numbers, house numbers, decimals, page numbers, serial numbers, and contract numbers are also written without commas within the numerals.
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Telephone Number: (212) 564-3245
House Number: 3440 Howe Road
Decimal Number: .89156, .0040
Page Number: Page 1388
Serial Number: 54-9912-2693286536
Contract Number: NO. 77904303
Omitted Words
A comma is used to show the omission of words that are understood.
Last summer we hired 12 employees; this summer, only 3 employees. (Comma shows omission of we hired after summer)
Contrasting Statements
Commas are used to set off contrasting statements or opposing expressions. These expressions are often introduced by such words as not, never, but, yet.
The nominating committee selected Mr. Caldwell, not Mr. Monroe, as its representative. (Two commas set off contrasting statement that appears in the middle of a sentence)
Our budget for equipment this year is reduced, yet quite adequately.
Clarity
Commas are used to separate words repeated for emphasis and words that may be misread if not separated.
Judy Klein said that it was a very, very complex contract.
Whoever goes, goes at his or her own expense.
No matter what, you know you have our support.
In business, time is money.
Short Quotations
A comma is used to separate a short quotation from the rest of a sentence. If the quotation is divided into two parts, two commas are used.
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Alice Beasley said, “The first product to use a bar code was Wrigley’s gum.”
“The first product to use a bar code,” said Alice Beasley, “was Wrigley’s gum.”
TASK: Now complete the Reinforcement Exercises for Part 1 Level III.
REINFORCEMENT EXERCISES
Part I. COMMA
LEVEL I.
A. Insert necessary commas. In the space provided indicate briefly the reason for the comma (for example, series, parenthetical, direct address, date, address, essential appositive, etc.) Write C if the sentence is correct.
Example: We believe, on the contrary, that we are underfunded.
Parenthetical______
1.Tuesday September 11 2001 is a day that cannot be forgotten.___________
2.Hong Kong is on the other hand one of the most densely populated areas in the world.________
3.The Small Business Administration named Alaska South Dakota and New Hampshire as the states most friendly to entrepreneurs.________________
4.Sheila lived in Palm Springs California before she began working in Seattle Washington._______
5.Your co-worker Tim Hardy called this morning.____________________
6.Susan Whiley your accounting manager also called.__________________
7.In the winter we always hire additional personnel in the warehouse and in the office._________
8.Your car Mr. Yoshiki i is not properly insured.________________________
9.We have no doubt that such practices are widespread.__________________
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10. Organize your thoughts and jot down some notes and then keyboard the message from your notes._____________________________
B. Insert necessary commas. In the space provided indicate briefly the reason for the comma (e.g. series, parenthetical, direct address, date, address, essential appositive, etc.) Write C if the sentence is correct.
1.As a matter of fact we will send the refund by banker’s draft._________________
2.Please send your catalog to Ms. Allison Dickinson 2334 Vista Oaks Drive Rochester NY 14623 as soon as possible._____________________
3.Ryan Mansfield our warehouse manager says that the current stock range from $200,000-$500,000.______________________________
4.Since June 15 1991 Disney business has more than trippled.__________
5.Hotels and resorts around the world of course are capitalizing on this fast-growing trend in the wedding industry._______________________
6.Small weddings generally feature music cake champagne flowers for the bride and a four-night hotel stay.____________________________
7.David Miller who is a professor of sociology will retire at the end of this year.________________________
8.My brother Gary and his wife Liz traveled to the Caribbean for the wedding of friends.___________________________
9.For this reason more and more hotels are specializing in providing accomodations for businesspeople.______________________________
10.In 1995 Disney World which is the busiest wedding and honeymoon destination built a pavilion to accommodate as many as five weddings a day. ______________________________
C.Insert necessary commas. In the space provided for each sentence, write the number of commas that you inserted. If the sentence is correct, write C. Be prepared to explain each comma.
1.I wonder Ms. Bedford when it is best to visit the San Antonio Texas resort hotels.___________
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2.Pat calculated employee benefits Jennifer managed the payroll and Todd processed all accounts receivable and payable._____________________
3.My cousin George will arrive Tuesday July 17 from Venice California.__________________
4.Dan Riley the chief sevurity officer responded to disturbance that awoke nearly everyone in the building at 1:30 a.m._________________________
5.With your assistance we should be able to finish the report by Friday May 5.________________
6.Send the software to Ms. Jill MacMahon 13500 State Street Holland Illinois 60473 before February 1._____________________
7.For that reason our next sales letter of course must target key decision makers.____________
8.In the meantime our sales letter must include more than facts testimonials and guarantees.__________
9.Employees may choose from aerobics ballroom dancing and yoga classes offered at the company gym.___________________
10.I have no doubt in my mind about his competency and intergrity._________
11.Incidentally we have shipped your wood sample to our designers in Portland Oregon and Tampa Florida for their inspection.____________________
12.Our anaysis Mr. and Mrs. Ortega shows that you owe additional taxes for 2010 2011 2012
13.More than two thirds of moviegoers by the way do not object to the ads that now precede the main attraction.____________________
14.Lee Fillips the eminent East Coast architect studied our needs developed a plan and designed our office complex.______________________
15.The architect Lee Fillips was recently featured in Architectural Digest._________________
LEVEL II.
A. Insert necessary commas. In the space provided indicate briefly the reason for the comma (for example, independent adjectives,
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introductory verbal phrase, independent clauses, etc.) Write C if the sentence is correct.
Example: Jeremy made several constructive, imaginative suggestions. Independent adjective_
1.To succeed in life you must be willing to fail._________________________
2.At the end of each fiscal year we prepare a progress report._____________
3.By November we are able to predict with considerable accuracy the year’s profits.____________
4.If the telephone is not answered by the third ring we risk lost sales._______________________
5.The work in this office is striclty confidential as I am sure you are well aware._______________
6.The person who answers the telephone sounds alert and responsive._______
7.Dr. Fisher plans to attend the conference in London and later he expects to vacation in Europe.______________________________________
8.We risk lost sales if the telephone is not answered by the third ring._______
9.It takes 43 facial muscles to frown but it takes only 17 muscles to smile.___________________
10.When you have completed this exercise you are to check your answers.___________________
B.Insert necessary commas. In the space provided indicate briefly the reason for the comma (for example, independent adjectives, introductory verbal phrase, independent clauses, etc.) Write C if the sentence is correct.
1.Cell phone users are looking for reliable long-lasting batteries.___________
2.If I were you I would take a part-time job and continue school.___________
3.Agreeing to serve as our leader Douglas Mills worked with students and faculty to devise an outline learning program.________________________
4.In 2010 Dr. Frills traveled to Africa and in 2012 she visited Asia to inspect educational institutions.__________________________________
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5.If you work in an office with open cubicles it is rude to listen to Web radio or streaming audio without headphones.__________________________
6.Susan Hall who founded a chain of computer stores addressed the audience._______________
7.A businessperson who founded a chain of computer stores addressed the audience.__________
8.Since your wife shares your checking account she doesn’t need to sign the credit application.____________________________
9.Your wife doesn’t need to sign the credit application since she shares your checking account._________________________
10.The firm has been in business 12 years and its principal offices and warehouses are in Ashland.____________________________
11.Any increase in salaries as you might have expected is presently impossible because of declining profits.__________________
12.For a period of at least six months we cannot increase sales.____________
13.In two months we may be able to expand health benefits._______________
14.Clearing the papers from his desk he finally located the contract._________
15.The sportswriter charged that professional football players are overpaid overpriviledged athletes.______________________________
C.Insert necessary commas. For each sentence write, in the space provided, the number of commas that you inserted. If the sentence is correct, write C. Be prepared to explain each comma.
1.If scientists are correct the Earth’s surface is composed of a number of shifting plates that move a few inches each year.______________________
2.Our current liability insurance in view of the new law that went into effect September 1 needs to be increased.______________________________
3.Starting as a file clerk I moved to Accounts Payable as an accountant._____
4.We are looking for a trustworthy experienced individual who is interested in growing with our organization._____________________________
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5.By the spring of next year we hope to have completed our telecommunications network.____________________
6.In the winter Melanie Stone who was recently hired away from CyberVision will join the executive staff as chief information officer._______________
7.The happy and carefree students celebrated the completion of their examinations although many had to leave immediately for their jobs._____
8.Some companies have excellent voice mail systems but others use impersonal systems that frustrate and irritate callers._________________
9.Having misplaced her keys Mila had to retrace her day’s activities.________
10.Although it represents a small share of our total sales the loss of the Phoenix territory would negatively affect our profits._________________________
11.We do not at this time see any reason for continuing this inefficient profitless practice._____________________
12.When you send and email message remember that it may be forwarded to someone else.___________________________
13.As Professor Braun predicted the resourceful well-trained graduate was hired immediately.________________________________
14.We hope that the new year will be prosperous for you and that we may have many more opportunities to serve you.______________________________
15.You were probably concerned about your increased insurance rates but you didn’t know where to find adequate economical coverage._______________
LEVEL III.
A. Insert neceassary commas. In the space provided indicate briefly the reason for the comma (for example, omitted words, contrasting statement, clarity, short quotation, etc.) Write C if the sentence is correct.
1.What it is is a matter of principle._______________________
2.The first loan was made on September 3; the second May 1._____________
3.“Those who cannot remember the past” said George Santayana “are condemned to repeat it.”______________________________________
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