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Punctuation Hierarchies and Sentence Patterns

 

Hierarchy

Functional Mark Degree of Separation Job
. ? !
Sentence Final
Maximum Separate independent clauses
;
Semicolon
Medium ["and"] Separate independent clauses, OR non-independent elements from independent clauses

Dash
Medium (emphatic)  
,
Comma
Minimum Separates non-indepenent clause elements from independent clauses
No Punctuation None (completely Connected  
 
     
Patterns
   
  1. [word/phrase/clause] + punctuation? + David laughed aloud.

  2. David laughed aloud + punctuation? + [word/phrase/clause].

  3. David + punctuation? + [word/phrase/clause] + punctuation? + laughed aloud.
   
   
Choices
   
  1. (for Pattern 1) Only zero, comma, dash, or colon are permissible.

  2. (for Pattern 2) All marks are permissible.

  3. (for Pattern 3) Only paired marks (commas, dashes, zeros, and parentheses) are permissible.