Term
Dashes are used when there is a false start or a change in
thought and the next letter is not capitalized |
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Definition
I was going to ask you -- well, never mind.
I was going to answer -- well, now I forgot what I was going to say.
My daughter left with – oh, I can't remember who she went with
now. |
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Term
| Dashes are used when there is a sentence within a sentence. |
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Definition
I was going to mark that Exhibit 3 -- why don't you put a sticker on
there for me -- for the record.
If you can hand me that document -- it’s right over there -- I will
explain it to you. |
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Term
| If sentence begins with May or Will |
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Definition
a period can be used for a gentle command or suggestion
May I get 6 copies instead of 3. |
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Term
| If sentence were switched from may or will to can |
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Definition
changes structure of sentence.
Can you ...? makes for a response is needed |
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Term
| If lawyer is asking with a May or Will |
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Definition
the period is less frequently used because in most cases a response is being requested.
Will you please tell the jury ...? |
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Term
| Colloquy between the officers of the court for example Lawyer to court reporter is most likely to be a polite request. |
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Definition
| May I have a copy of that when you finish marking it. |
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Term
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Definition
Will you state your name for the record.
Will the defendant please rise. |
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Term
| Use a period at the end of a question in testimony when the question is a fragment that continues the previous question but is not a question. |
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Definition
Q How often did you visit her in the hospital?
A Im not sure.
Q Approximately.
A Three times a week. |
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Term
| When the reporter hears a different inflection that dramatically suggests a question, then the reporter will use the question mark. |
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Definition
Q Were you talking about your mother?
A My brother.
Q Your brother?
A Yes, my brother. |
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Term
| Use only one period at the end of a sentence that ends with an abbreviation. |
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Definition
| He can do the cooking, cleaning, etc. |
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Term
| The period always goes inside the quotation marks. |
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Definition
| I remember you saying, "you only asked for two tickets." |
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Term
| The length of the sentence does not matter if there is a subject and a verb that can stand alone use a period |
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Definition
That's all.
He left.
He's here. |
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Term
| Dont attach a comma to a shorter sentence with a longer sentence where there is no conjunction. |
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Definition
| Five people were involved. That's it. |
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Term
Use a comma if there is a conjunction
and, but, so |
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Definition
I worked for them for a year, and she worked for two.
He was there early, so he wasn't late. |
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Term
| When two sentences seem similar then use the semicolon. |
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Definition
He drove a bmw; we drove a vw.
They were at work; I was at home. |
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Term
| Use a period when the sentence is in command form. |
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Definition
YOU is assummed
(You) Come over here this instance.
State your name for the record. |
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Term
| Because the sentence is referring to (You) it could be one word |
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Definition
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Term
| Reporter's do not use ! because it calls for a play to judgment |
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Definition
Get out of my house.
Leave me alone. |
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Term
| Use a period at the end of a statement even if its not grammatically correct. |
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Definition
In the afternoon.
Almost to the corner.
Every day. |
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Term
| When the attorney repeats the witness's answer use a period. |
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Definition
How far were you standing?
I was standing 50 feet away.
You were standing 50 feet away. |
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Term
| When the next question starts with repeating the answer the reporter can make a new paragraph. |
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Definition
With Mr. Oliver.
Do you have the records with you? |
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Term
| Affect is a verb except when referring to mood |
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Definition
| Effect is a noun except when bringing about change. |
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