232. Do not use a semicolon between two members Improper of a simple or complex sentence except in accordance use in place of with Rule 231 d or 231 e; use a comma if any punctua- à comma ion is required at such a place.

Wrong: If you get no thanks from a person you have
favored; you have no respect for him.

Right: If you get no thanks from a person you have

favored, you have no respect for him.

Wrong: He was black-eyed; dark complexioned; and
altogether very handsome.

A sign
of intro-
duction

98

Direct, not indirect questions

In parentheses

Inter

Right: There are three causes: poverty, injustice, and
indolence.

Right: Burke said in 1765: [A long quotation follows.]
Right: The case was this: I wouldn't and he couldn't.
Right: He did it in the following way: First, he cut an
ash bough, which he bent into a hoop. Then

The Question Mark (?)

234. Use the question mark after a direct question,
but not after an indirect question.

Bad: He asked what caused the accident?
Right: He asked what caused the accident.
Right: He asked, "What caused the accident?"
235. The question mark within parentheses is prop-
erly used only in serious compositions, such as historical
works. Its use as a notice of humor or irony is a puer-
ility. (Cf. Rules 250 e and 292.)

Right: This event occurred in 411 B.C.(?)

Bad: After his polite (?) remarks, we have nothing
more to say.

Right: After his polite remarks, we have nothing more

sentence.

Relative position of

other

marks

Incorrect

use of

commas with

paren

'theses

Parenthesis Marks ()

238. When a sentence contains matter set off by paren thesis marks, a comma, a period, or other mark of punctuation belonging to the part before such matter, should be placed after the second parenthesis mark, not elsewhere.

Misuse in general

Misuse for emphasis

Misuse with

Wrong: I will ask him by telephone, (assuming he has
a telephone) and I think he will agree (though I may
be mistaken.)

Wrong: I will ask him by telephone (assuming he has
a telephone,) and I think he will agree, (though I
may be mistaken).

Right: I will ask him by telephone (assuming he has a
telephone), and I think he will agree (though I may
be mistaken).

For other examples see the text of Rules 16 a, 16 b, 90 g.

239. A comma should not be used with parenthesis marks unless it would be required were there no parenthetic matter.

words dis

Right: The sheriff gave him (as his oath required) the
most effective help.

For other examples see the text of Rules 27, 66, and 69.
240. Do not use parenthesis marks to enclose matter
that is not parenthetical. Do not use them -

(a) To emphasize a word; italicize (see Rule 284).
Bad: "The man (who) they thought was dead surprised
them" is correct.

Right: "The man who they thought was dead surprised
them" is correct.

(b) To enclose a word about which something is said as
a word. Such words should be italicized (see Rule 284).

(c) To indicate the title of a book; italicize (see Rule Misuse 84).

= used parenthetically.

Bad: A (v) shaped plate of steel.

Right: A v-shaped plate of steel.

Bad: It is marked with the figure (2)
Right: It is marked with the figure 2.

(e) To cancel a word or passage (see Rule 216).