PUNCTUATION OF THE COMPLEX SENTENCE. THE COMMA. Rule 16.-The Noun clause seldom needs to be set off except when long, or when resembling in form a quotation: 1. That you have wronged me doth appear in this. 2. Keats says, that truth is beauty and beauty truth. Exercise 12.-Punctuate, and give reasons; describe the use of each noun clause. 1. They eagerly inquired what bird it was. 2. It is an old saying that open admonition is open disgrace. 3. That the earth is round is now well known. 4. How he came by it I cannot imagine. 5. Who was the author of Junius's letters is still a mystery. 6. 'Tis good you know not that you are his heirs. 7. Whatever is is right. Exercise 13.-Form complex sentences by the addition of noun clauses; describe the use of each clause. 1. Can you tell me -? 2. I could almost have declared ? 4. When shall you learn 3. How shall I know? 5. It was no such expectation mystery to all his friends. 7. He insisted Rule 17. The Adjective clause, when additional or parenthetical, must be set off by commas: as— I thrice presented him a kingly crown, which he did thrice refuse. The Adjective clause, when restrictive, is too closely connected to admit of the comma: as He that leans on his own strength leans on a broken reed. Sometimes a clause may be punctuated as either additional or restrictive, but with a different meaning for each case. If the clause is additional (that is, if it merely adds a thought without limiting the meaning of the antecedent), it may, without change of sense, be converted into an independent clause, a co-ordinate conjunction and a personal pronoun being put in the place of the relative: as— I thrice presented him a kingly crown, and he did thrice refuse it. Who relates to persons, which to things, that to either persons or things. In restrictive clauses, that is generally to be preferred, if euphony allows. NOTE.-That is used in preference to who or which especially after the superlative degree, after who, same, every, no, all, any, each, every, and frequently after the personal pronouns.-KERL'S GRAMMAR. Exercise 14.-Explain the punctuation. 1. Thou art the ruins of the noblest man that ever lived in the tide of times. 2. Age, that lessens the enjoyments of life, increases the desire of living. 3. The man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward. 4. I, that denied thee gold, will give my heart. Exercise 15.-Punctuate, and give reasons. 1. His entrance was unheard by the officer who sat gazing at the fire. 2. Curses always recoil on the head of him who imprecates them. 3. We naturally look with strong emotion to the spot where the ashes of those whom we love repose. 4. Woe to the hands that shed this costly blood. 5. He pointed silently to the fire toward which the figure advanced. 6. There are men living who could say that my life was nothing to me compared to my love for you. 7. I did send to you for certain sums of gold which you denied me. 8. Selfrespect is the noblest garment with which a man may clothe himself. 9. Ichabod who had no relish for this strange midnight companion now quickened his steed. 10. The rich accepted gout and apoplexy as things that ran mysteriously in respectable families. Exercise 16.—Fill out the blanks with adjective clauses; justify your punctuation. 1. They could find only one apartment 2. My children appeared transported with joy. 3. Show me the room satisfied with those pleasures precepts 8. Have you forgotten the -? 9. Only those books come down to us They all joined in lamenting the exile of the man 10. Rule 18.-Adverb clauses must be set off from the rest of the sentence by the comma unless the connection is close. The comma is especially necessary if the clause stands parenthetically between the parts of the principal clause, or if by inversion it stands first: as 1. As they walked along the bank of the river, they saw at a little distance an old man. 2. The ship heaved so that her keel stood in air. Exercise 17.-Punctuate, and give reasons. 1. When Phemy entered the cave the laird was nowhere to be found. 2. We heard a terrific noise as if torrents of water were rolling down the mountain. 3. How much kinder Heaven is to us than we are to each other! 4. Though He slay me yet will I trust in Him. 5. If you would not be known to do a thing never do it. 6. If He but touch the mountains they smoke. 7. Language was given us that we might say pleasant things to each other. 8. The little one slumbered on as gently as if it had been rocked in a lacetrimmed cradle. Exercise 18.-Fill out the blanks with adverb clauses, describe their use, and justify your punctuation. 1. The stranger heard some one cry for help gladly returned home 3. How are you so unhappy 2. He -? 4. Not one of them had brought the crowns for his ransom 6. They resolved to detain him 5. I will obey them in this 7. She was considered so wise a princess diligence was so remarkable avail 8. His 9. Great talent will be of little 10. The king reigned but a short time PUNCTUATION OF THE COMPOUND COMMA, SEMICOLON, AND COLON. Rule 19.-A comma takes the place of an omitted noun or verb, particularly if without the comma the meaning is not clear: as— Homer was the greater genius; Virgil, the better artist. Rule 20. The parts of a compound predicate, especially if long and differently modified, must be separated from each other by the comma: as In the best books great men talk to us, give us their most precious thoughts, and pour their souls into ours. Rule 21.-If the clauses of the compound sentence are short, or if they are closely connected, the comma is generally sufficient: as The Normans rallied, and the day was lost. Rule 22.-If the clauses of the compound sentence are long, or not closely connected, the semicolon, or even a colon should be used: as 1. Bolts and bars are not the best of our institutions; nor is shrewdness in trade a mark of wisdom. 2. In every work of genius we recognize our own rejected thoughts: they come back to us with a sort of alienated majesty. Rule 23. The clauses of a compound sentence, if they contain commas within themselves, are commonly separated from each other by the semicolon; if they contain semicolons, they are commonly separated from each other by colons: as Then shook the hills, with thunder riven; then rushed the steed to battle driven. Exercise 19.-Punctuate and give reasons. (Study also the punctuation of "Cleon and I," page 159.) 1. It is excellent to have a giant's strength but it is tyrannous to use it as a giant. 2. Economy is no disgrace it is better to live on a little than to outlive a great deal. 3. A wise man seeks to outshine himself a fool to outshine others. 4. He doth nothing but talk of his horse and he makes it a great appropriation to his own good parts that he can shoe him himself. 5. His knife is still in his hand and strength in his sinews and a new created aspiration in his heart. 6. Time went on and at last here in this hand of mine I held the wedding license. 7. There is nothing more universally commended than a fine day the reason is that people can commend it without envy. 8. An egotist always speaks of himself either in praise or censure but a modest man shuns making himself the subject of his conversation. 9. Knavery is supple and can bend but honesty is firm and upright and yields not. 10. Beware of little expenses a small leak will sink a great ship. 11. She walks beside the silent shore The tide is high the breeze is still The sunshine sleeps upon the hill. Exercise 20.- Complete these compound sentences by the addition of one or more independent clauses. Attend carefully to the punctuation. 1. Experience keeps a dear school less desired to deal justly receiving bribes together 2. The count doubt 3. Lord Bacon was convicted of 4. The next morning we all set forward 5. Columbus conceived the world to be round 6. I was not content with my situation king himself was thought to be among the slain palace was raised by single stones in wandering among the mountains either squander your wealth by negligence will always predominate over ignorance 7. The 8. Yonder 9. He spent some time 10. You will doubtless 11. Knowledge |