Grammar and style at your fingertips

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CONTENTS
Dedicated to the ones I love …
Merry and Jerry Bush, for their constant love and support, and a place to call
Home in Missouri.
Gail and Phil Rector, for always counting me as family.
Christie and Dan Brinkman, for our enduring friendship as we continue to grow
up together, and for a loving place to escape to in Hawaii. Mahalo.
Renee and David Harney, for two of the world’s three greatest nieces: Madeline
and Annabelle.
And Chelsea Peterson, for being the first of the world’s greatest nieces!
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CONTENTS
Chapter 1 Nouns and Pronouns 1
1.1 Nouns 2
1.2 Compounds 8
1.3 Pronouns 11
1.4 Noun and Pronoun Properties 17
Chapter 2 Verbs 21
2.1 Verbs 22
2.2 Verb Forms 31
2.3 Verb Properties 34
2.4 Subject and Verb Agreement 42
Chapter 3 Modifiers 45
3.1 Adjectives 46
3.2 Adverbs 50
3.3 Modifiers: Regular, Dangling, and Misplaced 52
Chapter 4 Prepositions and Conjunctions 55
4.1 Prepositions 56
4.2 Prepositional Phrases 59
4.3 Conjunctions 61
Chapter 5 Sentence Structure 67
5.1 Basic Sentence Structure 68
5.2 Types of Sentences 71
5.3 Parallelism 80
5.4 Figures of Speech 82
5.5 Stylistic Devices 88
Chapter 6 Punctuation 93
6.1 Use of Punctuation 94
6.2 Periods 95
6.3 Commas 98
6.4 Question and Exclamation Marks 105
6.5 Ellipses 106
6.6 Colons and Semicolons 107
6.7 Quotation Marks 109
6.8 Apostrophes 111
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GRAMMAR & STYLE AT YOUR FINGERTIPS
6.9 Hyphens, Dashes, and Slashes 113
6.10 Parentheses and Brackets 117
Chapter 7 Plurals and Possessives 119
7.1 Plurals 120
7.2 Possessives 126
Chapter 8 Capitalization 133
8.1 Personal Names and Titles 134
8.2 Proper Nouns 141
Chapter 9 Special Type Treatment 147
9.1 Italics 148
9.2 Boldface 159
9.3 Small Capitals 160
9.4 Serif versus Sans Serif 162
9.5 Underlining 164
Chapter 10 Spelling and Abbreviations 165
10.1 Spelling 166
10.2 Word Choices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .181
10.3 Abbreviations 186
Chapter 11 Numbers, Signs, and Symbols 199
11.1 Numbers 200
11.2 Signs and Symbols 207
Chapter 12 Trademarks, Copyrights, Permissions, and Fair Use 211
12.1 Trademarks 212
12.2 Copyright Information 216
12.3 Permissions 221
Chapter 13 Citation 227
13.1 Source Citation 228
Chapter 14 Documentation and Reference 237
14.1 Footnotes 238
14.2 Endnotes 242
14.3 Glossaries 245
14.4 Bibliographies 246
14.5 Indexes 252
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CONTENTS
Appendix A Words to Go Glossary 261
Appendix B Reference and Resource Bibliography 275
Index 281
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ix
INTRODUCTION
The difference between the almost-right word & the right word is really a large
matter—it’s the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.
—Mark Twain
Words are the foundation of everything. All societies (civilized and otherwise),
relationships, and actions begin with words—whether thought, spoken, or writ-
ten. Words and their considered and selective use are the keys to conveying and
comprehending all manner of ideas, plans, hopes, and desires.
Words are my business and a personal passion. As senior managing editor for the
Berkley Publishing Group, it is important for me to know how to use words and
punctuation both correctly and to greatest effect. These are not always one and
the same. When I am working with the words of The New York Times bestselling
authors such as Nora Roberts, Tom Clancy, or Patricia Cornwell, it is imperative
that I get it right. The same is true when I review the copy that will be used on a
book’s cover. Hundreds of thousands of people purchase the novels and self-help,
inspirational, and historical titles I work on each year. I must get it right.
Here’s the rub: Although I’m a good speller, I’m not a great speller. In my
seventh-grade spelling bee, I only made it to third place. I was done in by the
word illustration. Many would say it is important to know one’s strengths—I say
it is more important to know the weaknesses and to use them as opportunities
for growth. I learned from early spelling mistakes and now make quick use of all
manner of reference books—I keep online, CD, and hardback copies of Merriam-
Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 11th edition, close at hand both at work and at
home. I use them every day.
If you’re like me, the correct application of grammar and punctuation rules might
come rather naturally. Perhaps for you, as for me, the flipside of such a lucky
coin has been that it hasn’t always been easy to explain the “how” of it to others.
I liken my abilities with word usage and style to my driving skills: I always get
where I am going, but I rarely know the street names. This proves to be less than
helpful when providing driving directions to others.
Still, it is not necessary to be the most talented student of word usage. What you
might lack in natural ability, you can obtain by disciplined study. This is possible
for everyone. When I began in publishing fourteen years ago as a temping
receptionist, I knew I had to learn the rules. So I studied and I practiced and
then I practiced some more.
x
Now, in my capacity as the senior managing editor for a major publishing house,
I am called upon daily to provide grammar and punctuation directives that are
both correct and easily understood. With driving directions, I can grab a map
and simply highlight the way for someone. Providing guidance with grammar
and punctuation is a bit more challenging. It has been and continues to be cru-
cial that I understand the rules governing language usage and style.
Many style and reference guides were consulted for confirmation of the rules I’ve
presented in this book. The Chicago Manual of Style is one of the style guides
that was consulted; however, the most-recent edition (fifteenth) asserts some
changes to traditional rules that I do not support. Although there are many
schools of thought regarding writing styles, it is my assertion that the governing
grammar and punctuation rules are universal. Grammar and Style at Your Finger-
tips provides the tools you need to navigate your writing or reading journey.
How This Book Is Organized
The purpose of this book is to assist writers and readers in pursuit of both expres-
sion and understanding through the use of words and punctuation. The rules in
the following pages provide easy access for a greater understanding of the tradi-
tional bricks-and-mortar grammar and punctuation rules. These are the founda-
tion of written communication. Each step builds upon the step before.
First up are chapters identifying the parts of speech: nouns, pronouns, verbs,
adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, and conjunctions. Next is a chapter concerning
spelling issues. A sentence structure chapter brings together the parts of speech.
Punctuation chapters follow, presenting usage rules and examples for periods,
commas, colons, semicolons, etc. The next chapters progress through the gov-
erning plural, capitalization, italicization, and other special-treatment rules. A
vast listing of correct newspaper, magazine, and online titles, and the proper
treatment of each, is also provided. A chapter follows with rules regarding the
treatment of numbers, signs/symbols, and trademarks. A complete listing of
proofreader’s marks is included in that chapter. I’ve also included chapters on
permissions issues and documentation matters. Wrapping it all up is a glossary
and a resources appendix.
Throughout this book, you’ll notice SEE ALSOs. These are included to provide
cross-references to other areas in the book that relate directly to what’s discussed
in the text or provide more information on a related topic.
GRAMMAR & STYLE AT YOUR FINGERTIPS
xi
Acknowledgments
The creation of this book required the help of many. First, I would like to thank
my agent and dear friend, Jacky Sach, for suggesting I take on this project in the
fi rst place. It was my fi rst foray into life on this side of the page, and a truly scary
journey, but I’m ever so glad to have had the opportunity.
I must also thank my editor, Randy Ladenheim-Gil, for her kind patience. After
so many years chasing down late manuscripts in my role as managing editor, it
was a less-than-comfy position to fi nd myself looking at the wrong side of a due
date. I’m so happy we made it! And much appreciation goes to Christy Wagner,
who has been such a kind editorial guide through the development stage of the
book.
I most defi nitely want to acknowledge Jennifer Eck, who provided me with
invaluable research, aid, and assistance toward the completion of this book. I
cannot guarantee my sanity would have held together without Jennifer’s calm
and capable approach to each task set before her. This will come as no surprise
to those who have worked with Jennifer for lo these many years. She is a pro
through and through and a true expert in this fi eld.
There are many others who have contributed in positive ways to the person and
writer I am today—and many continue to affect the person and writer I hope to
be in the future. I must mention a few: Merry and Jerry Bush, who gave me a true
home and sense of self when I was on my own at fi fteen. Mrs. (Blanche) Kelly,
who was my favorite English/drama teacher and helped me fi nd my voice on-
stage and basically forced me to write my fi rst story. Mr. (Douglas) MacRae, who
was my favorite guitar-playin’ history teacher/basketball coach and taught me to
love to learn. Leonard Walls, wherever you are, who taught me to take chances.
There are many others, so … to the rest of you-who-know-who-you-are: Thank
you!
Words to Go are quick defi nitions of grammar and punctuation terms discussed
within the chapter. These defi nitions are provided to enhance your understand-
ing of the material covered.
WORDS TO GO . . .WORDS TO GO . . .WORDS TO GO . . .
INTRODUCTION
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GRAMMAR & STYLE AT YOUR FINGERTIPS
Special Thanks to the Technical Editor
Grammar and Style at Your Fingertips was reviewed by an expert who double-
checked the accuracy of what you’ll learn here, to help us ensure that this book
gives you everything you need to know about grammar and style. Special thanks
are extended to David A. Salomon, Ph.D.
David A. Salomon is associate professor of English and chair of the Department
of English and Modern Languages at The Sage Colleges in Troy and Albany,
New York. He has published scholarly work in medieval and Renaissance Eng-
lish literature and religion, and has been teaching writing and literature at the
college level for twenty years.
Trademarks
All terms mentioned in this book that are known to be or are suspected of being
trademarks or service marks have been appropriately capitalized. Alpha Books
and Penguin Group (USA) Inc. cannot attest to the accuracy of this informa-
tion. Use of a term in this book should not be regarded as affecting the validity
of any trademark or service mark.