5 The GPTA and the A G F A attended the convention 6 Ind, Jan, State St, Messrs, etc, inst, ult, prox 7 Tom Brown, Fred Jones, Jno Smith, and Jos Thomas were classmates at Yale When may I expect the shipment of books that I ordered on the 25th ult? I hope to hear from you soon Yours truly, Wm T James, Pres LESSON XXXII 1. Direct Questions THE INTERROGATION POINT The interrogation point marks the end of a direct question; that is, a question that requires an answer; as, 1. Are these the best apples that you have? 2. What price would you ask us a dozen? 3. Why ask the teacher or some classmate to solve that hard problem? 2. Indirect Questions The interrogation point should not be used after an indirect question; that is, one that does not require an answer; as, 1. He asked me if I would call at his office to-morrow. 2. The question, Will I, is seldom used. 3. He was asked the question, Who goes there, but received no answer. 3. Sentences Partly Interrogative The interrogation point should be used after a question occurring within a declarative or imperative sentence; as, 1. "What have you to say?" he demanded. 2. "Is he not able to pay the money?" asked Portia. 3. Can we trust him?-knowing that he has twice refused to pay for goods bought of us, and that at present his financial standing is not the best. 4. Series of Questions The interrogation point is placed after each separate question in a compound interrogative sentence; as, 1. Can the property be exchanged for Lake Forest acres? or can it be exchanged at all? 2. Has the company made any report on this item yet? and will you kindly advise us over what road you returned it? 3. Was the bruise in the flesh? or did it extend to the bone? Was it on the heel? or on the toes? or on the instep? Observation.-When the sentences are complete in themselves, each should begin with a capital letter. 5. Questions Not Complete until End of Sentence When a sentence is not complete until the end of the sentence is reached, the interrogation point is placed at the end of the sentence; as, 1. Which do you prefer, the brown or the green binding? 2. Which order shall I ship first, the books or the furniture? 3. When shall we come, to-day or to-morrow? THE EXCLAMATION POINT 1. Interjections and Exclamatory Expressions The exclamation point is placed after exclamatory expressions that indicate emotion, and after interjections when they express strong emotion; but if the emotion expressed belongs to the whole sentence, the point of exclamation is placed after the entire expression rather than after the interjection; as, 1. Wait! you are angry, and you are forgetting yourself. 2. Oh, stop that! you are ill-mannered. 3. O wise young judge, how I do honor you! 2. Exclamatory Sentences in the Form of Questions The exclamation point is placed after sentences that are interrogative in form but exclamatory in spirit; as, 1. But what awak'st thou in the heart, O spring! 2. Oh, where can rest be found! Observation. When words are required to complete the thought the first word following the exclamation point does not begin with a capital letter. 3. O and Oh The vocative "O" is properly prefixed to an expression in a direct address and is sometimes followed by a comma, but should never be immediately followed by an exclamation point. "Oh" is used to express surprise, delight, fear, grief, pain, or aspiration, and may be followed by either a comma or an exclamation point; as, 1. O my countrymen! 2. O, stay! (Indicates a wish.) 3. O John! come here. 4. Oh! where did you see him? 5. Oh, how glad I am to see you! 6. Oh, what a tangled web we weave When first we practice to deceive!-Scott. 7. Now she is in her grave, and oh! The difference to me!-Wordsworth. 4. Repetition of Exclamation Point The exclamation point is most effective when used sparingly. It is, however, sometimes repeated for emphasis; as, 1. Fire Fire!! Fire!!! 2. Ha, ha, ha! Tell that again! 3. "Farewell!" she sobbed, "farewell! farewell! farewell!" |