466. The principal stops are the following:

The Comma (, ) the semicolon ( ;) the colon ( : ) the period, or full stop ( . ) the note of interrogation (?) the note of exclamation (!)

467. The comma represents the shortest pause; the semicolon, a pause double that of the comma; the colon, double that of the semicolon; and the period, double that of the colon.

468. The duration of the pauses must be left to the taste of the reader or speaker.

RULES FOR, THE PROPER PUNCTUATION OF A COMPOSITION.

THE COMMA.

469. The comma usually separates those parts of a sentence which, though very closely connected in sense and construction, require a pause between them.

470. RULE 1. A simple sentence, when it is a short one, admits only a period at the end; as, "No state of life is exempt from

trouble."

471. When a simple sentence is a long one, and the nominative case is accompanied by inseparable adjuncts, a comma must be inserted before the verb; as, "A steady and undivided attention to one object, is a sure mark of superior genius. The necessity of an early acquaintance with history has always been acknowledged." 472. NOTE. By the term adjunct is meant any number of words added by way of modifying or qualifying the principal words; thus, Cicero, the eloquent Cicero suffered an ignominious death :" the phrase, the eloquent Cicero, is the adjunct of Cicero (484).

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473. RULE 2. The simple members of a compound sentence are separated by commas; as, "When the graces of novelty are worn off, admiration is succeeded by indifference." Crafty men contemn studies, simple men admire them, and wise men use them.” 474. But when the members are closely connected, the comma is unnecessary; as, "Revelation tells us how we may obtain happiness."

475. RULE 3. Two words of the same part of speech, whether nouns, adjectives, vcrbs, participles, or adverbs, do not admit a comma between them when connected by a conjunction; as, "The

"Time brings a gentle and "The man of order catches

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earth and the moon are planets.” powerful opiate to all misfortunes." and arrests the hours as they fly." mating him, he became active." acting prudently and vigorously." "We must either live virtuously or viciously."

By encouraging and ani"Success generally depends on

476. But when the conjunction is not expressed, a comma is inserted between the words; as, 66 Reason, passion answer one great end." "He is a plain, honest man.'

477. RULE 4. Three or more nouns, adjectives, verbs, participles, or adverbs, with or without a conjunction, are separated by commas; as, "Poetry, music, and painting, are fine arts." "David was a brave, wise, and prudent prince." "The sight, the hearing, the feeling, the taste, the smell, are the five natural senses." 478. When words follow each other in pairs, there is a comma between each pair; as, Anarchy and confusion, poverty and distress, desolation and ruin, are the consequences of civil war.” 479. RULE 5. The words used in a direct address, the case absolute, a short expression in the manner of a quotation, and the infinitive mood absolute when it is not used as a nominative case, should be separated from the rest of the sentence by commas; as, "My son, hear the counsels of thy father." "I remain, Sir, your obedient servant. 99 "The time of youth being precious, we should devote it to the purposes of improvement." "Plutarch calls lying, the vice of slaves." "To enjoy present pleasure, he sacrificed future ease and reputation."

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480. RULE 6. A single name in apposition is not separated by a comma; as, "The apostle Peter;" "The emperor Antoninus.” But when such name is accompanied with an adjunct, the adjunct should have a comma before and after it; as "Augustus, the Roman emperor, was a patron of the fine arts." "Paul, the apostle of the Gentiles, was eminent for his zeal and knowledge." 481. RULE 7. Simple members of sentences connected by comparatives, and phrases placed in opposition to, or in contrast with, each other, are separated by commas; thus, "As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so doth my soul after thee." They are sometimes in union with, and sometimes in opposition to, the views of each other."

"Though deep, yet clear; though gentle, yet not dull;

Strong, without rage; without o'erflowing, full."

482. When one word follows the last preposition as its object, a comma must not be inserted before it; as, He was much attached to, and concerned for John."

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483. When the members of comparative sentences are short, the comma is omitted; as, "How much better is wisdom than gold.” 484. RULE 8. All adjuncts or explanatory phrases, either at the beginning, middle, or end of a simple sentence, are separated from it by commas; as, "With gratitude, I remember his goodness to me." "I remember, with gratitude, his goodness to me." "His talents, formed for great enterprizes, could not fail of rendering him conspicuous." Vices, like shadows, towards the evening of life, grow great and monstrous." "I saw the captain, as he is called."

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485. A comma must also be inserted between the two parts of a sentence, which have their natural order inverted; as, "To God, nothing is impossible; that is, "Nothing is impossible to God."

486. RULE 9. A comma must be inserted before the relative, when the clause immediately after it is used as explanatory of the antecedent clause; as, "He, who disregards the good opinion of the world, must be utterly abandoned;" or, "He must be utterly abandoned, who disregards the good opinion of the world."

487. But when the relative is so closely connected with its antecedent, that it can not be transposed, a comma must not be inserted before it; as, "Self-denial is the sacrifice which virtue must make." "I have carefully perused the book which you lent me." 488. RULE 10. When any tense of the verb to be is followed by a verb in the infinitive mood, which, by transposition, might be made the nominative case to it, the former is generally separated from the latter verb by a comma; as, "The best preservative of health is, to be temperate in all our gratifications." "To be temperate in all our gratifications, is the best preservative of health."

489. RULE 11. When a verb is understood, a comma must be inserted; as," Reading makes a full man; conference, a ready man; and writing, an exact man.

490. RULE 12. The word that, used as a conjunction, is preceded by a comma; as, “Be virtuous, that you may be happy.”

491. Adverbs, prepositions, or conjunctions, used to connect or introduce a new member, must be separated from the preceding part of the sentence by a comma; as, "The instructions of ad

versity may be wholesome, though unpleasing." "The wise man seeketh wisdom, but the fool despiseth understanding."

492. RULE 13. The words nay, so, hence, again, first, secondly, formerly, now, lastly, in fact, therefore, wherefore, however, besides, indeed, and all other words and phrases of the same kind, must, when considered of importance, be separated from the context by a comma, according to rule 8th; as, "Besides, our reputation does not depend on the caprice of man, but on our own good actions." Lastly, strive to preserve a conscience void of offence towards God and man." "If the spring put forth no blossoms, in summer there will be no beauty, and in autumn, no fruit; so, if youth be trifled away without improvement, riper years may be contemptible, and old age miserable."

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493. When, however, these phrases are not considered important, and particularly in short sentences, the comma is not inserted; as, "There is surely a pleasure in acting kindly." "Idleness certainly is the mother of all vices." "He was at last convinced of his error."

494. The foregoing rules will, it is hoped, be found comprehensive; yet there may be some cases in which the student must rely on his own judgment. In composing works for the press, many authors merely insert a period at the end of each sentence, and leave the rest to be pointed by the printers, who, from their constant practice, are supposed to have acquired a uniform mode of punctuation.

THE SEMICOLON.

495. The semicolon is used to separate the parts of a sentence, which are less closely connected than those which are separated by a comma.

"The orator

496. RULE 1. When the first division of a sentence contains a complete proposition, but is followed by a clause which is added as an inference, or to give some explanation, the two parts must be separated by a semicolon; as, "Perform your duty faithfully; for this will procure you the blessing of heaven." makes the truth plain to his hearers; he awakens them; he excites them to action; he shews them their impending danger." "Be in peace with many; nevertheless, have but one counsellor of a thousand."

497. RULE 2. When several short sentences follow each other, having merely a slight connection in idea, though in other respects complete in themselves, they may be separated by a semicolon; as, Every thing grows old; every thing passes away; every

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thing disappears." "The epic poem recites the exploits of a hero; tragedy represents a disastrous event; comedy ridicules the vices and follies of mankind; pastoral poetry describes rural life; and elegy displays the tender emotions of the heart.

THE COLON.

498. The colon is used to divide a sentence into two or more parts, less connected than those which are separated by a semicolon, but not so independent as to require a period.

499. RULE 1. A colon is used when a member of a sentence is complete in itself, both in sense and construction, but is followed by some additional remark or illustration, depending upon it in sense, though not in syntax; as, "A brute arrives at a point of perfection that he can never pass: in a few years he has all the endowments he is capable of, and were he to live ten thousand more, would be the same thing he is at present." "Study to acquire a habit of thinking: no study is more important."

500. RULE 2. When a sentence contains several perfect members separated by semicolons, the concluding member requires a colon before it; as, "A Divine Legislator, uttering his voice from heaven; an Almighty Governor stretching forth his arm to punish or reward; informing us of perpetual rest prepared hereafter for the righteous, and of indignation and wrath awaiting the wicked: these are the considerations which overawe the world, which support integrity and check guilt."

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501. RULE 3. Either the colon or semicolon may be used when an example, a quotation, or a speech is introduced; as, “Always remember this ancient maxim; "Know thyself." The scriptures give us an amiable representation of the Deity, in these words: God is love.""

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502. RULE 4. The insertion or omission of a conjunction before the concluding member of a sentence, frequently determines the use of the colon or semicolon. When the conjunction is not expressed before the concluding member, the colon is to be used; but when it is expressed, the semicolon is used; as, "Apply yourself to learning: it will redound to your honor." Apply yourself to learning; for it will redound to your honor."