管住那些：标点符号简述

Many of the basic rules of punctuation are probably second nature to you, and so you know the common uses of periods, question marks, and other marks. In this chapter, we’ll discuss others, including many we use every day, about which you may not be certain. If you need help with the grammatical terms, see the glossary or the index. 标点的大多数基本规则对你来说或许已习以为常，因此你知道句号、问号及其他符号的常见用法。在本章中，我们将讨论其他一些规则，包括许多我们每天使用、但你或许并不确定的规则。如果你需要语法术语方面的帮助，请参阅术语表或索引。

We won’t* attempt to explain the various and conflicting rules of punctuation in the several different systems for documenting research: MLA, APA, Chicago, and others. For those, consult the relevant guidebooks and websites. In this chapter, when we use quotations in examples, we omit citations. 我们不会 *试图解释几种不同研究文献体系（MLA、APA、Chicago 等）中各种相互冲突的标点规则。关于那些，请查阅相关的指南和网站。在本章中，我们在例子里使用引文时省略出处。

We’ll start with an easy one. 我们从一个简单的开始。

ADDRESSING ENVELOPES

信封上的地址

The U. S. Postal Service now requests all capital letters and no punctuation in addresses on envelopes: 美国邮政总局现在要求信封地址全部使用大写字母且不加标点：

MR VERBAL MORTON 2244 PROPERNOUN ST CONJUNCTION JUNCTION MA 01001 MR VERBAL MORTON 2244 PROPERNOUN ST CONJUNCTION JUNCTION MA 01001

Addresses like this are easier for their mechanized sorters to read (http://pe.usps.com/BusinessMail101?ViewName=DeliveryAddress). 这样的地址更便于他们的机械化分拣机读取（http://pe.usps.com/BusinessMail101?ViewName=DeliveryAddress）。

APOSTROPHES

撇号（所有格与缩略）

Many people are confused by the uses of apostrophes showing possession. One reason for the confusion is that possessive apos- trophes are often omitted in signs: e.g., McDonalds. 许多人对表示所有格的撇号用法感到困惑。造成困惑的一个原因是，所有格撇号在标牌上常被省略：例如 McDonalds.

The rules are, with one exception, easy: 这些规则——除一个例外——都很简单：

1. Apostrophes show contraction of personal pronouns and verbs; of verbs and not; and of nouns and verbs:
2. 撇号表示人称代词与动词的缩合；动词与 not 的缩合；以及名词与动词的缩合：

Heather’s car—it**’s gone, isn’t it? Heather’s car—it’s gone, isn’**t it?

Heather’s upset, isn’t she? Heather’s upset, isn’t she?

2. Possessive pronouns (like his, hers, its, yours, and theirs) never contain apostrophes. We are particularly likely to forget this when we’re using its (the possessive pronoun) and it’s (the contraction for it is).

3. 物主代词（如 his、hers、its、yours 和 theirs）从不包含撇号。我们在使用 its（物主代词）和 it’s（it is 的缩合）时尤其容易忘记这一点。

4. Plural possessives that end in –s take an apostrophe and no additional s: supervisors’, librarians’, soldiers’.

5. 以 –s 结尾的复数所有格只加撇号、不再加 s：supervisors’、librarians’、soldiers’。

Plurals that don’t end in –s take both the apostrophe and –s to show possession: media’s, criteria’s. 不以 –s 结尾的复数所有格则同时加撇号和 –s 来表示所有格：media’s、criteria’s。

4. There is no consensus on punctuating some possessives. Some authorities (like the Modern Language Association, and Strunk and White) call for –’s after all singular nouns to form possessives, including nouns that end in –s: *Clemens’s, * Dickens’s, Jesus’s.
5. 对某些所有格的标点用法尚无共识。一些权威机构（如现代语言协会，以及斯特伦克与怀特）主张在所有单数名词后加 –’s 构成所有格，包括以 –s 结尾的名词：Clemens’s、Dickens’s、Jesus’s。

Other authorities (like the Associated Press Stylebook and the American Psychological Association) omit the final –s in 其他权威机构（如美联社文体手册和美国心理学会）则在这些所有格中省略末尾的 –s：

those possessives: *Clemens’, Dickens’, Jesus’. *Find out which style you’re required to use and learn it. Clemens’、Dickens’、Jesus’。弄清楚你被要求使用哪种体例并掌握它。

5. Similarly, some authorities call for apostrophes to make certain unusual plurals:
6. 同样地，一些权威机构主张用撇号构成某些特殊的复数：

He wants to earn all A’s and B’s this semester. He prefers the jazz from the 1940’s. He wants to earn all A’s and B’s this semester. He prefers the jazz from the 1940’s.

More and more, it has become acceptable to omit the apostrophes here: He earned As and Bs; the 1940s. But used carelessly, the omission can be momentarily confusing. For example, the plural* As* could be confused with the conjunction as. Follow your teachers’ (or supervisors’) preferences on these. 越来越多的人接受在这里省略撇号：He earned As and Bs; the 1940s. 但若粗心使用，省略可能会造成一时的混淆。例如，复数 As 可能与连词 as 混淆。在这些问题上请遵从你的老师（或主管）的偏好。

COMMAS

逗号

The Parenthetical Commas

括号式逗号

Commas often come in pairs, like parentheses, and these pairs have a good many uses. In general, we can use them where we might use a pair of parentheses (or a pair of dashes). 逗号常成对出现，如同括号，这些逗号对有许多用途。一般来说，在可以使用一对括号（或一对破折号）的地方，我们都可以用它们。

With parenthetical commas, the most common and serious error is forgetting the second comma. Don’t do that. 使用括号式逗号时，最常见也最严重的错误是忘记第二个逗号。不要那样做。

1. Put a pair of commas where you could put parentheses. For example, put a pair of commas around an appositive:
2. 在可以使用括号的地方加一对逗号。例如，在同位语前后加一对逗号：

Mr. Smith (the principal) went to talk to the family. Mr. Smith**,** the principal**,** has returned. Mr. Smith (the principal) went to talk to the family. Mr. Smith**,** the principal**,** has returned.

2. Put a pair of commas around a parenthetical comment (one that interrupts the sentence):
3. 在一句插入性评论（打断句子的评论）前后加一对逗号：

That Bliebermeier boy (whom I’ve pointed out before) is a curious kid. That Bliebermeier boy (whom I’ve pointed out before) is a curious kid.

That Bliebermeier boy**, the one I mentioned previously,** has been staring at me. That Bliebermeier boy**, the one I mentioned previously,** has been staring at me.

3. Place commas around states (in city-state phrases) and years (in month-day-year phrases):
4. 在州名（城市—州短语中）和年份（月—日—年短语中）前后加逗号：

Salem**,** Massachusetts**,** is my favorite city. Salem**,** Massachusetts**,** USA**, is my favorite city. Salem,** Massachusetts**,** is my favorite city. Salem**,** Massachusetts**,** USA**, **is my favorite city.

October 1939 is when my grandfather was born. [No commas are necessary.] 1939年10月是我祖父出生的月份。[不需要逗号。]

October 31**,** 1938**,** is the day the Martians landed in Grover’s Mill**, New Jersey,** and abducted Orson Welles. October 31**,** 1938**,** is the day the Martians landed in Grover’s Mill**, New Jersey,** and abducted Orson Welles.

4. A pair of commas typically encloses adjectives that follow a noun:
5. 一对逗号通常把位于名词之后的形容词括起来：

The audience**,** skeptical and snide**,** refused to believe my story about Orson Welles. The audience**,** skeptical and snide**,** refused to believe my story about Orson Welles.

Single Commas

单个逗号

For several reasons, it’s easy to be confused about single commas. Unlike most punctuation, commas have a variety of uses, and some of those uses are optional. Different professions and disciplines (like journalism) have their own rules about some uses. 出于几个原因，人们很容易对单个逗号感到困惑。与大多数标点不同，逗号用途多样，且其中一些用法是可选的。不同的职业和学科（如新闻业）对某些用法有自己的规则。

We’ll explain a set of common uses. 我们将解释一组常见用法。

1. Use a comma after a coordinating conjunction that* *joins two independent clauses:
2. 在连接两个独立从句的并列连词之后使用逗号*：

He got the job at the bookstore**,** and he means to keep it. He intended to keep the job**,** but then he found a better one. He got the job at the bookstore**,** and he means to keep it. He intended to keep the job**,** but then he found a better one.

We’re allowed to omit the comma if the clauses are short and easy to understand without it: 如果从句简短且不加逗号也易于理解，我们可以省略逗号：

He’s employed and he means to stay employed. He’s employed and he means to stay employed.

2. In a sentence that begins with a subordinate clause, add a comma at the end of the subordinate clause:
3. 在以从属从句开头的句子中，在从属从句末尾加逗号：

Because Mortimer was late**,** the boss docked his pay. Before he docked Mortimer’s pay**, the boss spoke with him. Because Mortimer was late,** the boss docked his pay. Before he docked Mortimer’s pay**, **the boss spoke with him.

If the subordinate clause is short (no more than three or four words long), the comma may be omitted. If we write the sentences above with the independent clause first, no comma is necessary. 如果从属从句很短（不超过三四个词），逗号可以省略。如果我们把上面句子写成以独立从句开头，则不需要逗号。

The boss docked Mortimer’s pay because he was late. The boss spoke with Mortimer after he docked his pay. The boss docked Mortimer’s pay because he was late. The boss spoke with Mortimer after he docked his pay.

3. Use a comma whenever you need one for clarity.** **Consider this sentence:
4. 只要为了清晰需要，就使用逗号。** 考虑这个句子：

WRONG: Some authorities (like the Modern Language Association and Strunk and White) call for –’s after all singular nouns to form possessives. WRONG: Some authorities (like the Modern Language Association and Strunk and White) call for –’s after all singular nouns to form possessives.

The phrase the Modern Language Association and Strunk * and White is momentarily confusing: Strunk and White might be read as one authority or two.* The comma prevents confusion: 短语 the Modern Language Association and Strunk and White 会让人一时困惑：Strunk and White 可能被理解为一个或两个权威机构。 逗号可防止这种混淆：

RIGHT: Some authorities (like the Modern Language Association, and Strunk and White) call for –’s after all singular nouns to form possessives. RIGHT: Some authorities (like the Modern Language Association, and Strunk and White) call for –’s after all singular nouns to form possessives.

4. Here’s a general rule for single commas that’s helpful: Never place just one comma between the subject and verb of the sentence:
5. 下面这条关于单个逗号的一般规则很有用：绝不要在句子的主语和动词之间只放一个逗号：

WRONG: Nancy**,** is the best treasurer we’ve ever had. [Nancy is the subject, so no comma is needed.] WRONG: Nancy**,** is the best treasurer we’ve ever had. [Nancy 是主语，因此不需要逗号。]

WRONG: Nancy**,** the treasurer is not here today. [Two commas are needed around the treasurer, which is an appositive.] WRONG: Nancy**,** the treasurer is not here today. [在 the treasurer（同位语）前后需要两个逗号。]

RIGHT: Ed**,** did you know that Nancy is the treasurer? [This is correct because Ed is a noun of direct address, not the subject.] RIGHT: Ed,** did you know that Nancy is the treasurer? [这正确，因为 Ed 是呼语，而非主语。]

5. We use commas to separate items in a series:
6. 我们用逗号分隔列举项（系列）中的各个成分：

His favorite necktie is blue**,** green**,** red**,** and gray. His favorite necktie is blue**,** green**,** red**,** and gray.

But there is disagreement about that last comma (the one before and), which is known as the serial comma (and also as the Oxford comma and that infernal comma). Some authorities leave it out unless it’s necessary for clarity. Others prefer to use it consistently. Learn which style your teacher or editor prefers. 但关于最后一个逗号（and 之前的那个）——即所谓的系列逗号（也称为牛津逗号和那个该死的逗号）——存在分歧。一些权威机构会省略它，除非为了清晰而必须保留。另一些则倾向于始终使用它。弄清楚你的老师或编辑偏好哪种体例。

Commas and Non-restrictive Modifiers

逗号与非限定性修饰语

Use commas around non-restrictive modifiers**,** including clauses. This point may call for a bit of review: 在非限定性修饰语（包括从句）前后加逗号。这一点可能需要稍作回顾：

Restrictive clauses (you’ll recall) are adjectivals that contain necessary information that helps to define the noun; they restrict (or narrow down) the meaning of the modified noun to something more specific. They are never enclosed in commas. 限定性从句（你会记得）是含有必要信息的定语成分，有助于界定该名词；它们限定（或缩小）被修饰名词的含义，使之更具体。它们绝不用逗号括起。

Non-restrictive clauses don’t narrow down, or restrict, the meaning of the noun; they simply provide supplementary information. They are always enclosed by commas. 非限定性从句并不缩小或限定名词的含义；它们只是提供补充信息。它们总是用逗号括起。

Restrictive: All politicians who are crooks should be jailed. 限定性：All politicians who are crooks should be jailed.

Non-restrictive: All politicians, who are crooks, should be jailed. 非限定性：All politicians, who are crooks, should be jailed.

The first example above says something about only those specific politicians who are crooks. The second says that all politicans should be jailed because they are all crooks. 上面的第一个例子只针对那些特定的、是骗子的政客说了些什么。第二个例子则说所有政客都应入狱，因为他们全都是骗子。

The commas mark the difference in meaning. (Notice that you could also use a pair of parentheses in the second sentence, instead of commas.) 逗号标明了意义上的差别。（注意，在第二个句子中你也可以用一对括号来代替逗号。）

SEMI-COLONS

分号

These are generally easier than commas: We use them in only a few cases. 这些通常比逗号简单：我们只在少数几种情况下使用它们。

1. Use a semi-colon—and no coordinating conjunction—to join two independent clauses into one sentence:
2. 使用分号——不加并列连词——把两个独立从句连接成一个句子：

Jill likes the human anatomy class**;** she doesn’t need it for her major, however. Jill likes the human anatomy class**;** she doesn’t need it for her major, however.

If both clauses are simple and brief, and neither contains commas, you are allowed to join them with a comma: 如果两个从句都简单而简短，且都不含逗号，你可以用逗号连接它们：

It’s not the heat**,** it’s the humidity. It’s not the heat**,** it’s the humidity.

2. Use semi-colons to join two or more groups of words if at least one of the groups contains commas:
3. 如果至少有一组词包含逗号，就用分号连接两组或多组词：

Your supervisor, Mr. Smith, will be here Tuesday**; Ms. Jones, his assistant, will be here Wednesday; and you, Bob, should be here every day. Your supervisor, Mr. Smith, will be here Tuesday; Ms. Jones, his assistant, will be here Wednesday; **and you, Bob, should be here every day.

The hideous creature had fangs, tentacles, and a drooling maw**; wings, claws, and piercing eyes; and blond, wavy hair. The hideous creature had fangs, tentacles, and a drooling maw; wings, claws, and piercing eyes; **and blond, wavy hair.

COLONS

冒号

As with semi-colons, we use colons in only a few cases: 与分号一样，我们只在少数几种情况下使用冒号：

1. Use a colon after a complete sentence to introduce a list, a clause, or a quotation:
2. 在完整句子之后使用冒号，引出列表、从句或引文：

Successful students have certain traits**: ** patience, determination, ambition. Successful students have certain traits**: ** patience, determination, ambition.

Successful students have certain habits**: they plan their work, they organize carefully, and they look for ways to improve their plans and organization. Successful students have certain habits: **they plan their work, they organize carefully, and they look for ways to improve their plans and organization.

Steve quoted Mark Twain**:** “Perfect grammar—persistent, continuous, sustained—is the fourth dimension, so to speak; many have sought it, but none has found it.” Steve quoted Mark Twain**:** “Perfect grammar—persistent, continuous, sustained—is the fourth dimension, so to speak; many have sought it, but none has found it.”

Notice that in each example above, a word before the colon (traits, habits, quoted) announces or anticipates the words that follow it. 注意，在上面每个例子中，冒号前的某个词（traits、habits、quoted）都预告或表明了它后面的内容。

We are also allowed to place the list or phrase first, and then follow it with a colon and complete sentence: 我们也允许先把列表或短语放在前面，然后跟上冒号和完整句子：

Patience, determination, ambition**:** These are the qualities of a successful student. Patience, determination, ambition**:** These are the qualities of a successful student.

In other words, a complete sentence must appear to the left or the right of a colon, or in both positions. 换言之，冒号的左侧或右侧（或两侧）必须出现一个完整句子。

2. A colon never follows words like include, such as, or like:
3. 冒号绝不跟在 include、such as 或 like 这类词之后：

WRONG: A successful student’s qualities include**: patience, determination, ambition. WRONG: A successful student’s qualities include: **patience, determination, ambition.

RIGHT: A successful student’s qualities include patience, determination, ambition. RIGHT: A successful student’s qualities include patience, determination, ambition.

WRONG: I want to take courses such as**: biology, astrono- my, and physics. WRONG: I want to take courses such as: **biology, astrono- my, and physics.

RIGHT: I want to take courses such as biology, astronomy, and physics. RIGHT: I want to take courses such as biology, astronomy, and physics.

3. A colon should appear at the end of a sentence that introduces a block quotation. (See the example in the section on ellipses and square brackets.)

4. 冒号应出现在一个引出块引文的句子末尾。（参见“省略号与方括号”一节中的例子。）

5. When you introduce examples, with or without a colon, punctuate carefully. Both of these are correct:

6. 当你引出例子时，无论是否使用冒号，都要仔细标点。下面两种写法都正确：

He used many odd words (for example, flabbergast, discombobulate, and others). He used many odd words (for example, flabbergast, discombobulate, and others).

He used many odd words: for example, flabbergast, discombobulate, and others. He used many odd words: for example, flabbergast, discombobulate, and others.

If you wanted to use e.g. instead of for example in either of the sentences, the punctuation would not change: 如果你想在两句中的任何一句用 e.g. 代替 for example，标点不会改变：

He used many odd words (e.g., flabbergast, discombobu- late, and others). He used many odd words (e.g., flabbergast, discombobu- late, and others).

QUOTATION MARKS

引号

It’s easy for Americans to be confused about quotation marks because British books, periodicals, and websites use them differ- ently. (The British are wrong, but don’t tell them we said so.) 美国人很容易在引号用法上感到困惑，因为英国的书籍、期刊和网站用法不同。（英国人是错的，但别告诉他们我们这么说。）

1. You never put quotation marks around the title of your own short story or essay, although you may put it in boldface type if you like. If you refer to your own work after it’s published, then you include the quotation marks.

2. 你绝不会在自己短篇故事或文章的标题上加引号，不过如果你愿意，可以用粗体。如果在作品发表后提及自己的作品，那么你就加上引号。

3. When referring to the short works of others (e.g., short stories and poems, articles, songs, or a web page within a larger site), enclose them in quotation marks: “The Raven,” “The Star- Spangled Banner,” “Frequently Asked Questions.”

4. 当提及他人的短篇作品时（如短篇小说、诗歌、文章、歌曲，或大型网站中的一个网页），用引号把它们括起来：“The Raven,” “The Star- Spangled Banner,” “Frequently Asked Questions.”

5. Titles of long works (books, newspapers, magazines, movies, plays, or entire websites) should be italicized: *The Lord of the * Rings, The New York Times, The Best Years of Our Lives.

6. 长篇作品的标题（书籍、报纸、杂志、电影、戏剧或整个网站）应使用斜体：The Lord of the Rings、The New York Times、The Best Years of Our Lives。

Before word processing and the personal computer, writers using typewriters underlined titles of long works—The Lord of the Rings—and some writers continue to do this. But now computers make italics so easy that we can leave this old- fashioned practice behind. Underlining is now usually reserved for graphic design purposes, as in some résumé formats. 在文字处理和个人电脑出现之前，使用打字机的写作者会用下划线标示长篇作品的标题——The Lord of the Rings——一些写作者至今仍这样做。但现在电脑让斜体变得如此容易，我们可以抛弃这种老式做法了。下划线现在通常保留用于图形设计目的，例如某些简历格式。

Many publications and websites still follow the old journalistic practice of enclosing titles of long works in quotation marks: “The Lord of the Rings.” (In the long-ago past, when newspaper compositors set type by hand or with machines like Linotypes, switching from roman type to italics 许多出版物和网站仍沿用旧式新闻做法，把长篇作品标题用引号括起：“The Lord of the Rings.”（在久远的过去，当报纸排版工人用手工或 Linotype 之类的机器排版时，从正体字切换到斜体

and back was uneconomically time-consuming.) If you’re writing for one of those outlets, follow their rules. 再切换回来在经济上很费时。）如果你为这类媒体撰稿，请遵循他们的规则。

4. Commas and periods always go to the immediate left of quotation marks**—,” .”—**and never to the immediate right. Colons and semi-colons never go to the immediate left of the final quotation marks.
5. 逗号和句号总是位于引号标记的直接左侧**—，” .”—**而绝不在其直接右侧。冒号和分号绝不在末尾引号标记的直接左侧。

Question marks and exclamation points go to the left only if they are part of the quotation or title: 问号和感叹号只有在属于引文或标题的一部分时才放在左侧：

Louis Jordan wrote the song “Is You Is or Is You Ain’t My Baby?” Louis Jordan wrote the song “Is You Is or Is You Ain’t My Baby?”

Didn’t he also write “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”? Didn’t he also write “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”?

Notice that the first example above is a declarative sentence, but it has no period at the end. Only one final punctuation mark is required. 注意，上面第一个例子是陈述句，但句末没有句号。只需一个末标点即可。

5. After an attribution of a quotation (e.g., Paine wrote), commas and quotation marks follow the verb (wrote, stated, observed, and others) unless one or more words follow the verb. Notice how the punctuation changes as the attribution or its placement changes:
6. 在引文的归属说明之后（如 Paine wrote），逗号与引号跟在动词（wrote、stated、observed 等）之后，除非动词后还跟有一个或多个词。请注意标点如何随归属说明及其位置的变化而变化：

Thomas Paine wrote**, “These are the times that try men’s souls.”** Thomas Paine wrote**, “These are the times that try men’s souls.”**

Paine wrote that** “These are the times that try men’s souls.”** Paine wrote that** “These are the times that try men’s souls.”**

“These are the times,” Paine wrote, “that try men’s souls.” “These are the times,” Paine wrote, “that try men’s souls.”

“These are the times that try men’s souls,” as Thomas Paine wrote. “These are the times that try men’s souls,” as Thomas Paine wrote.

Did Paine write “These are the times that try men’s souls”? Did Paine write “These are the times that try men’s souls”?

6. Single quotes are used inside double quotes. Commas and periods are placed inside single quotes:
7. 单引号用在双引号内部。逗号和句号放在单引号内部：

Irving Berlin wrote “God Bless America.” Irving Berlin wrote “God Bless America.”

The announcer said**, “Irving Berlin wrote such popular songs as ‘White Christmas,’ ‘There’s No Business like Show Business,’ and ‘God Bless America.’” The announcer said, “**Irving Berlin wrote such popular songs as ‘White Christmas,’ ‘There’s No Business like Show Business,’ and ‘God Bless America.’”

Notice the three quotation marks after the period above. 注意上面句号后的三个引号标记。

See the example of block quotations in the section on ellipses and square brackets. 参见“省略号与方括号”一节中块引文的例子。

ELLIPSES AND SQUARE BRACKETS

省略号与方括号

We are permitted to delete words from direct quotations if we use ellipses (three spaced periods) to tell our readers (1) that words have been deleted and (2) where the deleted words were. 如果我们使用省略号（三个间隔的句点）来告诉读者（1）有词语被删去以及（2）被删词语的位置，我们就被允许从直接引文中删除词语。

Similarly, we can add words to quotations by enclosing the additions in square brackets. 同样，我们可以通过把增补内容放在方括号中来为引文添加词语。

The following sentence, which contains a quotation, uses both ellipses and brackets: 下面这句包含引文的句子同时使用了省略号和方括号：

In his book The Great Movies, film critic Roger Ebert writes that The Maltese Falcon is “[a]mong the movies we not only love but treasure. . . .” In his book The Great Movies, film critic Roger Ebert writes that The Maltese Falcon is “[a]mong the movies we not only love but treasure. . . .”

In the original text by Ebert, the quoted words were at the beginning of a sentence, so the writer has used brackets to make the first letter of among lowercase. (The brackets for changing the capital are not always required, depending on the style guide you’re using.) 在埃伯特的原文中，被引的词位于句首，因此写作者用方括号把 among 的首字母改为小写。（改变大写所用的方括号并非总是必需，取决于你使用的体例指南。）

Also notice that after the three ellipses, there is a fourth period to end the sentence. 还要注意，在三个省略号之后，有第四个句点用来结束句子。

Here’s a second example, using a block quotation from Garry Wills’s book Certain Trumpets: The Nature of Leadership. A block quotation is typically four or more lines long. 下面是第二个例子，使用了加里·威尔斯《Certain Trumpets: The Nature of Leadership》一书中的块引文。块引文通常长为四行或更多。

Here, the writer introduces the quotation from Wills with a complete sentence (*Wills explains . . . *) that ends in a colon. In the block quotation, the writer has deleted words with ellipses and inserted a comment in square brackets: 这里，写作者用一个以冒号结尾的完整句子（*Wills explains . . . *）引出威尔斯的引文。在块引文中，写作者用省略号删去了词语，并插入了一条方括号里的评论：

Wills explains why radicals of the 1930’s and 1940’s objected to moderate leaders like Eleanor Roosevelt: Wills explains why radicals of the 1930’s and 1940’s objected to moderate leaders like Eleanor Roosevelt:

Those who reject the moderate leader because only a radical protest is “authentic” [a term describing protest that is believed to be sincere and effective] will never understand the need more ordinary people have for help to meet life’s daily problems. Nor do they see how moderates alter power by making it more responsible . . . . Eleanor Roosevelt was “naïve” in the eyes of ideologues . . . who did not understand her extraordinary appeal. Those who reject the moderate leader because only a radical protest is “authentic” [一个用来描述被认为真诚而有效的抗议的词语] will never understand the need more ordinary people have for help to meet life’s daily problems. Nor do they see how moderates alter power by making it more responsible . . . . Eleanor Roosevelt was “naïve” in the eyes of ideologues . . . who did not understand her extraordinary appeal.

As this example illustrates, block quotations have a wider left margin and are not enclosed in quotation marks. Within block quotations, use double quotations, as above. 如本例所示，块引文有更宽的左边距，且不用引号括起。在块引文内部，如上面那样使用双引号。

ITALICS AND WRITING ABOUT LANGUAGE

斜体与谈论语言

When we write about words as words* (i.e., as examples of language),* those words should be italicized, although quotation marks are often used and are also correct. 当我们把词语作为词语来谈论时*（即作为语言的例子），这些词应当用斜体*，尽管引号也常被使用且同样正确。

When you speak of carrying something from one point to another, do you ever say tote, lug, or schlep? When you speak of carrying something from one point to another, do you ever say tote, lug, or schlep?

You can use quotation marks in this sentence, but it complicates the punctuation: 你可以在这句中使用引号，但会使标点变得更复杂：

Do you ever say “tote,” “lug,” or “schlep”? Do you ever say “tote,” “lug,” or “schlep”?

PERIODS AND ABBREVIATIONS

句号与缩写

It was long the rule to place a period after every initial letter in abbreviations like these: U.S.A., U.K., U.N., N.A.S.A. 长期以来，规则是在 U.S.A.、U.K.、U.N.、N.A.S.A. 这类缩写中每个首字母后加点。

Today in most (but not all) publications and contexts, we omit the periods: USA, UK, UN, NASA are now widely acceptable. 如今在大多数（但并非全部）出版物和语境中，我们省略这些点：USA、UK、UN、NASA 现在被广泛接受。

We still put periods after abbreviations that include the first letter and later letters in the same word:* Mr., Mrs., Ms., Dr., Sen.* (The British omit the periods in some of these, but we’ve already warned you about them.) 我们仍然在包含同一词中首字母及后续字母的缩写后加点：Mr.、Mrs.、Ms.、Dr.、Sen.（英国人会省略其中部分缩写的点，但我们已经提醒过你关于他们的事。）

CAPITAL OFFENSES

大小写问题（Capital Offenses）

You know most of the rules already, but here are a couple that may be new to you. 大多数规则你已经知道，但这里有几个可能是你还不熟悉的。

Capitalize The in the titles of books, newspapers, and other publications only if the word is part of the title. Thus we write *The New York Times, *but the Chicago Tribune and *the New York * Daily News. 只有在 The 是书名、报名及其他出版物标题的一部分时，才将其大写。因此我们写 The New York Times，但写 the Chicago Tribune 和 the New York Daily News。

In titles, it’s usual to capitalize the first word, all nouns and verbs, and all adjectives and adverbs, but practices vary consider- ably. You’ll have to consult the relevant style guide. 在标题中，通常要将首词、所有名词和动词，以及所有形容词和副词大写，但具体做法差异很大。你必须查阅相关的体例指南。

And do we write earth or Earth? Do we write sun and moon, or Sun and Moon? Internet or internet? Not even a dictionary can help with some words. Again, consult your style guide. Or make up your own mind and be consistent about it. 那么我们写 earth 还是 Earth？写 sun and moon 还是 Sun and Moon？Internet 还是 internet？有些词连词典也帮不上忙。再次强调，请查阅你的体例指南。或者自己拿定主意并保持前后一致。

EXERCISES

练习

**21a. **In the following sentences, place a comma wherever necessary. 21a. 在下面的句子中，凡有必要之处加上逗号。

1. Stephen Colbert the irreverent late-night host often pokes fun at political leaders.

2. Stephen Colbert 那位不拘小节的深夜脱口秀主持人常常拿政治领袖开玩笑。

3. Ralph Ellison’s only completed novel Invisible Man won the National Book Award.

4. Ralph Ellison 唯一完成的小说《隐形人》获得了国家图书奖。

5. The rescue workers exhausted and discouraged stared at the rubble without speaking.

6. 救援人员筋疲力尽、垂头丧气，一言不发地盯着瓦砾。

7. You can go when you are finished or you can stay and ask questions.

8. 你做完后可以走，或者你可以留下来提问。

9. When you are finished you can go or you can stay and ask questions.

10. 你做完后，你可以走，或者你可以留下来提问。

11. “He has plundered our seas ravaged our coasts burnt our towns and destroyed the lives of our people.” (*The * Declaration of Independence.)

12. “He has plundered our seas ravaged our coasts burnt our towns and destroyed the lives of our people.”（《独立宣言》。）

13. The long twisting and muddy road led to an abandoned car.

14. 那条漫长、蜿蜒而泥泞的道路通向一辆被遗弃的汽车。

15. That movie which I’ve seen before is too violent for me.

16. 那部电影——我以前看过——对我来说太暴力了。

17. He thought New York City New York was the greatest city on earth.

18. 他认为纽约市（纽约州）是地球上最伟大的城市。

19. I have been working hard on my writing and I hope to do better in my next English class.

20. 我一直在努力写作，我希望在下个英语课上做得更好。

21. November 22 1963 is a day most Baby Boomers remember clearly.

22. 1963年11月22日是一个大多数婴儿潮一代都清晰记得的日子。

**21b. **Which sentence below is unfair to teenaged drivers? 21b. 下面哪一句对青少年驾驶者不公平？

Restrictive: Teenaged drivers who drive like maniacs should lose their licenses. 限定性：像疯子一样开车的青少年驾驶者应当吊销驾照。

Non-restrictive: Teenaged drivers, who drive like maniacs, should lose their licenses. 非限定性：青少年驾驶者——他们像疯子一样开车——应当吊销驾照。

Which sentence below is unfair to grammarians? 下面哪一句对语法学家不公平？

Restrictive: Grammarians who are always correcting other people’s grammar should be thrown out a second-story window. 限定性：总是纠正别人语法的语法学家应当被扔出二楼窗户。

Non-restrictive: Grammarians, who are always correcting other people’s grammar, should be thrown out a second-story window. 非限定性：语法学家——他们总是纠正别人的语法——应当被扔出二楼窗户。

**21c. **Insert a colon or semi-colon where necessary or correct a mistake. 21c. 在必要处插入冒号或分号，或改正错误。

1. He was fired yesterday he simply wasn’t doing his job.

2. 他昨天被解雇了；他根本没在干活。

3. The boss offered only one explanation he simply wasn’t doing his job.

4. 老板只给出了一个解释：他根本没在干活。

5. A main clause contains a subject and a predicate it can stand alone as a complete sentence.

6. 主句包含主语和谓语；它可以独立作为完整句子存在。

7. A main clause is easy to define it contains a subject and a predicate and can stand alone as a complete sentence.

8. 主句很容易定义：它包含主语和谓语，并能独立作为完整句子存在。

9. Some interesting Southern expressions include: tote, y’all, * and schlimozel*.

10. 一些有趣的南方表达包括 tote、y’all 和 schlimozel。（冒号使用不当，应去掉。）

6. Tote, y’all, and schlimozel, I’m not sure those are all Southern expressions. 6. Tote、y’all 和 schlimozel，我不确定这些都算南方表达。

**21d. **Correct punctuation as necessary in the following quotations. The first two are one sentence long; the third is two sentences. 21d. 在下面的引文中必要时改正标点。前两句各为一句；第三句为两句。

1. My mother had a great deal of trouble with me wrote Mark Twain but I think she enjoyed it.

2. “My mother had a great deal of trouble with me,” wrote Mark Twain, “but I think she enjoyed it.”

3. Elbert Hubbard wrote “Your friend is the man who knows all about you and still likes you.

4. Elbert Hubbard wrote, “Your friend is the man who knows all about you and still likes you.”

5. [All of the following is a quotation from Jones, with a brief attribution in the middle of the quotation.]

6. [以下全部为琼斯的一段引文，引文中间夹有一句简短的归属说明。]

Senator Phogbound has an evasive word for everything Jones wrote. When he was caught tapping into his campaign funds, he called it “a possible error.” 参议员 Phogbound 对每件事都有一个搪塞之词，琼斯写道。当他被抓到挪用竞选资金时，他称之为“一个可能的错误”。

**21e. **Add or correct punctuation wherever necessary. 21e. 在必要处添加或改正标点。

1. When theres a snow day we typically dont have to make it up unless weve had many of them.

2. When there’s a snow day, we typically don’t have to make it up unless we’ve had many of them.

3. Its always a relief after youve finished a research paper and turned it in.

4. It’s always a relief after you’ve finished a research paper and turned it in.

5. St. Louis Missouri is Charles home and he returns there whenever he can

6. St. Louis, Missouri, is Charles’s home, and he returns there whenever he can.

7. You can write one independent clause and its possible to add a second with a coordinating conjunction.

8. You can write one independent clause, and it’s possible to add a second with a coordinating conjunction.

9. This is one independent clause this is another independent clause.

10. This is one independent clause; this is another independent clause.

11. These are the steps in the writing process prewriting drafting revision and exhaustion.

12. These are the steps in the writing process: prewriting, drafting, revision, and exhaustion.

13. Because its my grandmothers home Atlanta Georgia is my favorite city and Orlando Florida which is not that far from Atlanta is my favorite vacation spot.

14. Because it’s my grandmother’s home, Atlanta, Georgia, is my favorite city, and Orlando, Florida, which is not that far from Atlanta, is my favorite vacation spot.

15. My Aunt Hepatica still believes that Orson Welles drama the War of the Worlds was real. [Hint: It was a radio dramatization of a novel by H. G. Wells.]

16. My Aunt Hepatica still believes that Orson Welles’s drama The War of the Worlds was real. [提示：那是 H. G. Wells 一部小说的广播剧改编。]