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Free learning resource on English grammar, punctuation, usage, and style.

187 articles. Page 5 of 19

Apostrophe in Mother’s Day and Father’s DayApostrophe in Mother’s Day

Place an apostrophe before “s” in Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Also capitalize the two words that make up the name of the holiday.

“One in Five Is” or “Are”? Is “One in . . .” Singular or Plural?One in Five Is or Are?

“One in” followed by a number (e.g., “one in five”) is grammatically singular. However, such phrases refer not to one person or thing but to a proportion, and the use of plural verbs is acceptable, although singular verbs are preferred in formal usage.

Four Uses of Quotation Marks (They’re Not Just for Quotations)Quotation Marks

Place quotation marks around direct speech or a quotation. Quotes may also enclose a word or a phrase used ironically or as itself. Quotation marks set off titles of shorter works (like a chapter, article, or poem).

Smart (or Curly) vs. Straight Quotation MarksSmart vs. Straight Quotes

Smart (or curly) quotes are paired quotation marks that curve toward the text they enclose, indicating clearly whether they start or end a quote. Straight quotes are nondirectional.

Can “That” Be Used for People? Who vs. ThatWho or That for People?

Both “who” and “that” can refer to people. “Who” is preferred in formal usage.

Brackets: American vs. BritishBrackets: American vs. British

Round brackets are called “parentheses” in American English but referred to simply as “brackets” in British English. In American writing, square brackets are used within parentheses, while the British use round within round brackets (nested parentheses).

Commas vs. Parentheses vs. DashesCommas vs. Parentheses vs. Dashes

Use commas to integrate closely related information into the flow of the sentence. Use parentheses to set off supplementary information or an afterthought from surrounding text. Use dashes to be emphatic or dramatic and make additional information or an aside stand out.

Does Punctuation Go Within or Outside Parentheses and Brackets?Punctuation with Brackets

Place punctuation inside parentheses if it belongs to the parenthetical text, and outside if it belongs to the larger sentence. Periods, question marks, exclamation points, and quotation marks go inside if they are meant to punctuate the parenthetical text, while commas, dashes, colons, and semicolons always appear after a closing parenthesis.

Do Periods Go Inside Parentheses and Brackets?Periods with Parentheses and Brackets

Place a period within parentheses if the entire sentence is contained in the parentheses. Place the period outside if the parenthetical phrase appears within a larger sentence.

Types of Brackets – Parentheses, Braces, Square & Angle BracketsTypes of Brackets

Parentheses (round brackets) are the most commonly used brackets in English, followed by square brackets. The other two types of brackets are braces and angle brackets. Each type serves a different purpose.

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