A few days ago
Camaren

Couple GRAMMAR Questions (Grammar Knowledgable Please Help)?

Hey guys,

I’m writing an essay for an intensive writing course, and had a few sentences I myself couldn’t resolve, regarding whether they were correct “as standing” or not. Any help is appreciated

Sentence #1

On the dawn of the 17th Century, a man named Jonathan Edwards preached a sermon that would forever be recognized as the “father of all sermons”.

Is there any chance that period would be placed inside the quotation marks?

Sentence #2 (right after sentence 1)

Entitled “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”, the Princeton theologian almost single handedly thrust American Society into what historians refer to as “The Great Awakening”.

I worry that this could be a fragment, as the my beginning doesn’t quite relate to the sentence exactly. Does this look proper?

and finally Sentence #3

All truth be told, it seems emergent has been hidden from society at large for quite some time.

Would “all truth be told” be seperated by a comma?

Thanks so much!

Top 7 Answers
A few days ago
buz

Favorite Answer

1) Period stays outside the quotes

2) Replace “the Princeton theologian” with “it” (with “it” referring to “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”. Also, I think ‘singlehandedly’ is one word, not two.

3) The comma should stay after “All truth be told”… but the rest of the sentence doesn’t make sense (?)

0

A few days ago
Anonymous
Sentence #1: Periods (and other punctuation marks) go inside a quotation mark. And, you didn’t ask, but “century” should not be capitalized.

Sentence #2: A participle phrase at the beginning of a sentence (such as “Entitled….”) should always refer to the subject… in this case “the Princeton theologian”). If you want to say that the sermon thrust society, then I suggest rephrasing. Since you have already mentioned the sermon in Sentence #1, it would be a natural progression (if Sentence #2 does indeed follow Sentence #1). For example, here’s a suggestion. –On the dawn of the 17th century, a man named Jonathan Edwards preached a sermon that would forever be recognized as the “father of all sermons.” With his “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” the Princeton theologian almost single-handedly thrust American society into what historians refer to as “The Great Awakening.”

NOTE: “single-handedly” is hyponated, “society” does not need capitalization, punctuation marks inside quotations

Sentence #3: I’m sorry but I don’t understand this sentence. However, just structurally, “all truth be told” would be separated from the remainder of the sentence by a comma.

Hope this helps.

0

A few days ago
igorandhelga
Sentence #1: Periods (and commas) are ALWAYS placed inside quotation marks, unless you are instructing the reader to write/type exactly what is being quoted. So yes, it goes inside.

You didn’t ask, but I’ll give you the other rules for quotation marks, too. Colons and semi-colons always go OUTside the quotation marks. Dashes, question marks, and exclamation points can go INside or OUTside, depending on what is being quoted.

Sentence #2: The period and comma are both misplaced (see comments above). You have a dangling participle. Your sentence says that the Princeton theologian is entitled “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.” I don’t think this is what you mean. Instead of “Entitled,” try “In his”. (BTW, this sentence illustrates the exception to the quotation-mark rule I gave you in #1.) Also, “single-handedly” is hyphenated.

Sentence #3: Yes, you need a comma there. The rest of the sentence, however, makes no sense. You have also misspelled “sepArated.” (Remember: there’s “a rat” in “separate.”)

0

A few days ago
juliewantstoknow
1) The period does indeed go inside the quotation marks.

2) The modifier is confusing. “the Princeton theologian’s book,” would make more sense. The comma should go inside the quotation marks. A hyphen should go inside of “single-handedly.” The period should go inside the quotation marks. This sentence is not a fragment.

3) The beginning of this sentence is unnecessary and should not be included. This sentence, however, still does not make sense.

0

A few days ago
Anonymous
1. Ditch the “a man named” part, as it is redundant. Your period is fine.

2. Looks ok to me.

3. Yes, it should be as written. One note, however, you use it but don’t reference the usage. What does “it” refer to? It/this/that are the 3 most over used words and should be eliminated when possible. Is there another way you could word your sentence?

0

A few days ago
darling_chica
1.No, the period only goes inside the quotation marks when the whole sentence is a quote.
0

4 years ago
ree
you won’t be able to record till you have your W-2, and the IRS isn’t accepting returns yet – you won’t be able to efile till a million/sixteen. Block could furnish you with a private loan now although against your refund, in the experience that your credit is first rate.
0