Court Reporting: Bad Grammar/ Good Punctuation 2 THE TWO UESTIONS TO SK Is there one comma separating two elements? pushing elements apart? OR re there two commas surrounding an element? THE COMM THT SEPRTES I have already sent it, sir. It is dated September 22, 2015. We were on our way to Provo, Utah. 3 4 THE COMM THT SETS OFF I have already sent it, sir, to all. It is dated September 22, 2015, and was mailed that very day. We were on our way to Provo, Utah, to visit family. 5 6 1
Putting commas around an element simply means, at the most basic level, that it could be removed from the sentence and that there would still be a sentence. Show that to us, Counsel, so that I am sure of what you are saying. He was derelict, in my judgment, in fulfilling his duty. She was, well, interested in the truth. 7 8 pair of commas does not necessarily mean that the element is a parenthetical. 9 10 Definition parenthetical is an element (word, phrase, clause) that does not impact the basic meaning of the sentence. 11 12 2
She was, by the way, also a jerk. Gee, I haven t seen her in years. He just didn t listen, in my judgment. Clearly, this is a case of not caring. It didn t, however, seem to matter. THE TWO REUIREMENTS parenthetical can be moved around in the sentence. parenthetical can be dropped into any sentence that we say. 13 14 Of course, I intended to speak up. Of course, his office was a mess. I, of course, intended to speak up. Of course, my foot took the hit. I intended, of course, to speak up. Of course, his attorney called me. I intended to speak up, of course. Of course, I applied for the job. 15 16 She was, by the way, also a jerk. LWYS surround a parenthetical with punctuation. Gee, I haven t seen her in years. He just didn t listen, in my judgment. Clearly, this is a case of not caring. It didn t, however, seem to matter. 17 18 3
He was, like, about 15. They walked, like, you know, together for, like, three blocks. He, like, really, you know, was alone. Therefore, she, you know, was, like, gee, getting, you know, near, say, 50. 19 20 pair of commas does not necessarily mean that the element is nonessential. It took place in Springfield, Illinois, and not in Springfield, Ohio, on the 15 th of last month. The information was in the July 19, 2012, letter and not in the July 19, 2013, letter. 21 22 Your Honor, I am asking that you grant us a continuance. I am asking that you grant us a continuance, Your Honor. I am asking that you grant us a continuance, Your Honor, so that I might investigate this new evidence. 23 24 4
However, I had spoken with him about the incident. I had spoken with him about the incident, however. I had spoken with him about the incident, however, before I knew the full story. 25 26 He arrived sometime later in the day, to complete his part of the project. He arrived, sometime later in the day, to complete his part of the project. He arrived sometime later in the day to complete his part. He had walked earlier in the day, to the liquor store to buy a bottle. He had walked, earlier in the day, to the liquor store to buy a bottle. He had walked earlier in the day to the liquor store to buy a bottle. 27 28 They were involved in case you didn t know, in another accident. They were involved, in case you didn t know, in another accident. They were involved in case you didn t know in another accident. re you saying nevertheless, that you intend to file that report? re you saying, nevertheless, that you intend to file that report? re you saying nevertheless that you intend to file that report? 29 30 5
Now I want to talk about the 10th. Now, I want to talk about the 10th. 31 32 We were therefore very much disgusted with their attitude. We were, therefore, very much disgusted with their attitude. It was obviously an error on his part. It was, obviously, an error on his part. 33 34 nd again I was confronted with a very difficult choice. nd, again, I was confronted with a very difficult choice. 35 36 6
She had to have the test, too. She had to have the test too. He was a suspect, also. He was a suspect also. Bacteria was found there as well. We moved there in June, 2012. We moved there in June 2012. September, 2004, is the year the twins were born. September 2004 is the year the twins were born. 37 38 I work for I.B.M. I work for IBM. He needs ten CEU s by June. She needs ten CEUs by June. I spoke with Jack Macdonald, Jr. I spoke with Jack Macdonald Jr. Joseph Ray, Sr., spoke to her. Joseph Ray Sr. spoke to her. She married Hamilton Brown III. 39 40 Definition The elements of the language are words, phrases, and clauses. 35 42 7
Definition Definition Compound construction is two or more elements joined by a coordinate conjunction. coordinate conjunction links two or more grammatically equal elements. They are and, but, or, nor. 43 44 where to go and what to do on the desk or on the table that he was tall and that he was thin wrote the note but did not mail it not the attorney nor the clerk I filed state and federal taxes. We looked in the closet and in the dresser. I know that he was wearing gold chains and that he had a large diamond on his left hand. 45 40 Definition compound sentence is two or more sentences that are combined to form one sentence. 47 48 8
Jack is her brother; John is her uncle. She never seemed to have any money; however, she was always able to go out to dinner or shop. I saw him on the weekend, and he was in great shape. She had been alone all day. I was worried about her. We were not able to see the performance. It was on a night that I had to work. He sat quietly. She was actively involved in the meeting. 49 50 He got home late, I don t remember what time. He got home late. I don t remember what time. 51 52 She was over the limit, that s it. She was over the limit. That s it. I went through a period in which I wasn t sure that this was the career path I wanted to follow, she s right. I went through a period in which I wasn t sure that this was the career path I wanted to follow. She s right. 53 54 9
CRDINL RULE NO. 1 When two sentences are joined by a coordinate conjunction, use a comma before the conjunction. Ray came in and demanded it. Ray came in, and he demanded it. I had worked a 12-hour shift, and I needed some sleep. I had worked a 12-hour shift and needed some sleep I had worked a 12-hour shift, and I needed some sleep. 55 56 I had worked a 12-hour shift and, stuff stuff stuff stuff stuff stuff, needed some sleep. I had worked a 12-hour shift, and stuff stuff stuff stuff stuff stuff, I needed some sleep. 57 58 Definition conjunctive adverb is an adverb that has been pulled out to the front of the sentence to be a connecting word. Joins two independent clauses and shows a relationship between them. 59 otherwise therefore in fact furthermore also in addition moreover however nevertheless hence besides still then thus yet so 60 10
s an adverb... s an adverb... I was therefore unavailable. They were still with us. s a conjunction... s a conjunction... Therefore, I was unavailable. Still they were with us. 61 62 When two sentences are joined by a conjunctive adverb, use a semicolon or period in front of the conjunctive adverb. If a conjunctive adverb has more than one syllable, use a comma after it; if it has just one syllable, do not put anything after it. 63 64 His injuries were serious; in addition, he had other health problems. She has been in the business over 20 years; therefore, there are a lot of people that know her well. I know there were issues between them; still I thought they could work it out. We prevailed on all of those cases; yet he wasn t satisfied. 65 66 11
The office manager, Henry, came in and found the mess on a Friday morning -- I think it was June 2 -- and immediately called the police. However, he did not let any of us know, not even the boss, until very late in the day, and then there was little that we could do. 67 68 He has had three surgeries; still he is not out of the woods. He has had three surgeries; however, he is not out of the woods. We were driving northbound away from the signal; thus the Honda was to our right. We were driving northbound away from the signal; therefore, the Honda was to our right. 69 70 Remember conjunctive adverb in the middle of a sentence is no longer a conjunction. It is an adverb or a parenthetical. He has had three surgeries; still he is not out of the woods. He has had three surgeries. He is still not out of the woods. 71 72 12
The company had filed for bankruptcy; however, we weren t sure that we would lose our jobs. The company had filed for bankruptcy. We weren t sure, however, that we would lose our jobs. 73 74 The word so is NOT like and. It does not connect EUL parts. Bob and John in the car or on the train not only Friday but Monday neither here nor there 75 76 So can be a subordinate conjunction like the words since and because and until. subordinate conjunction begins a dependent clause that is usually an adverb. When so is a subordinate conjunction, it means in order that or so that and implies the reason for doing something. 77 78 13
I left early so I could stop by to see her in the hospital. She went through San Diego on her way to Yuma so she could have dinner with her brother. He called so he could tell me the news. When so starts a dependent clause, answers the question why, and implies the reason for doing something, it follows the punctuation for the adverb clause. 79 80 I sent it to my brother so he would be able to read it for himself. So he would be able to read it for himself, I sent it to my brother. I sent it, so he would be able to read it for himself, to my brother. She emailed from her iphone so she could be the first to tell me. So she could be the first to tell me, she emailed from her iphone. She emailed, so she could be the first to tell me, from her iphone. 81 82 The word so is an adverb by nature. I was so happy that he won. The company was so far in debt. There was so much to do. 83 84 14
Sometimes we pull an adverb out to the front of a sentence and make it a connecting word. It is a conjunctive adverb. I had a cold; so I stayed home that day. The bank was foreclosing; so we had no alternative. She had been fired; so there was nothing we could do. 85 86 When the word so is a conjunctive adverb, it means therefore. When so means therefore, it starts a new sentence and connects that sentence to the sentence in front of it. It takes a semicolon in front of it and nothing after it. 87 88 She went to the Dodger game; so she was not at home. Our business was failing; so we had no other choice. The school he was attending was expensive; so he had to work. I went to the bank SO I could get cash for the trip. I was off of work for the holiday; SO I decided to take a drive up the coast. 89 90 15
Do not put a single separating comma after the word so. So, she promptly quit. So she promptly quit. So, I didn t respond to her. So I didn t respond to her. 91 92 Well --. Trailing Off Well-- Well --- 93 94 Well -- Well Well... 95 96 16
So and But Used for Trailing Off I had already left the residence; so -- I had already left the residence; so... She called but -- She called but... 97 98 99 100 Definition polite request is a sentence that asks for action or information. polite request can never be answered with a simple yes or no. These are simply not responsive to the request. 101 102 17
polite request correctly begins with will or would. Put a period after a polite request. 103 104 Would you turn to page 5 of the report that you have there. Will you tell me the names and ages of your children. Would you please take a seat in the witness stand. Would you state your name for the record, please. No. I cannot do that. Would you please hand me the file that is marked Debits. No. I am not in the mood. 105 106 Will you state your name for the record, please. Okay. Would you please hand me the file that is marked Debits. I d be happy to. Will you explain how it happened that you were there. She had arrived early and had called me to come over. 107 108 18
Can you hand the document you are holding to your counsel. Could you read the first paragraph there to yourself. Can you put your initials in the top corner of the page. 109 110 Can you give me the names. Jim, Robert, and Martin. Can you give me the names? I don t have a clue who those people were. 111 112 CN THERE BE POLITE REUEST TO THE JUDGE? May we have this marked for identification. May we have this marked for identification? 113 114 19
Definition indirect question always occurs in a dependent clause and does not use question word order. n indirect question has the feel of a question but simply doesn t have the form of a true question. 115 116 Direct uestion What time did you leave? Indirect uestion I am asking what time you left. Direct uestion When did the surgery take place? Indirect uestion I am wondering when the surgery took place. 117 118 Direct uestion How far was it to his office? Indirect uestion I want to know how far it was to his office. 119 120 20
Definition fragment is an element that does not stand alone as a complete grammatical thought. because she is not here on the corner that he was there alone near the base of the skull very late yesterday afternoon 121 122 Punctuate a fragment that stands for a complete thought the same way you would punctuate the complete thought. Not with him in that car. I was alone. Eight. There were only eight. In the back. That s absolutely true. I intended to give that to you this morning. Sorry. 123 124 THE WITNESS What time was it? round 10:00. We were late. Who was driving? Bob. Joe had been drinking. How far away were you standing? What day did this happen? Friday. I think it was the 5th. Where did you see her? t the beach. She was alone. bout 50 feet. I was close. 125 126 21
Were you involved at all? Minimally. I did little on that. When did you enter into that? The 16th. Maybe it was the 17th. How far did you travel that day? Only a couple of hundred miles. I was really tired. Where did you stop? t a little motel. We were out in the middle of nowhere. 127 128 Would this be a good time for a semicolon? NO! 129 130 THE TTORNEY: REPETING THE NSWER How near to you was it? It was no more than ten feet. No more than ten feet. Did you have a clear view? 131 132 22
Who told you that? It was Joe Ross. Joe Ross. Did you trust him? What did she indicate? She indicated it would be no later than the 24th. The 24th. Was that a guaranteed date? 133 134 When did you pay the final? I think it was in May. In May. In your mind, was that it? 135 136 What does the attorney mean when he uses one of these words? Okay. Did you go to? nd should we paragraph after these? Was surgery inevitable? It was a definite. Okay. When did you tell him? Were you alone in this? I felt alone. ll right. Fine. Did you reach? 137 138 23
I asked you about that Tuesday. It was finalized on that Tuesday. Great. Okay. Fine. Were you...? first. Who led in sales? Mark Johnson. He was always Mark Johnson. Okay. Great. Did he work from your branch? 139 140 Put a period in front of okay when it comes at the end of a sentence. Use an interrog or period after it, depending upon the intonation used. 141 142 You say you insisted the doctor run additional tests. Okay. I am going to show you several exhibits that were all marked at the same time yesterday. Okay? Surround okay with dashes in the middle of the sentence if it is asking a legitimate question. Otherwise, treat it as a throwaway. 143 144 24
THE TTORNEY: OBJECTIONS You can speak with your attorney -- is that okay? -- before we go on. She was standing, okay, next to me and was, okay, acting weird, okay, and proceeded to start screaming. Objection. sked and answered; compound, unintelligible. Objection -- asked and answered, compound, unintelligible. Objection: sked and answered; compound; unintelligible. 145 146 Objection. sked and answered. Compound. Unintelligible. 147 148 When what follows yes and no echoes the words of the question, use a comma. Did she call you that night? Yes, she did. Yes, she called. Was he agitated? No, he was not agitated. No, he wasn t. 149 150 25
When what follows yes and no does not echo the words of the question, use a period. Did she call you that night? Yes. She asked about the loan. Yes. She asked about my mom. Was he agitated? No. He was amazingly calm. No. He was in control. 151 152 BUT ND BECUSE MKE NO DIFFERENCE! Was she in attendance? No. But she sent a colleague. Yes. Because she was in charge. Is this a time when a semicolon might work? NO. 153 154 THE COMBINTION Did she react well to the news? Yes, she did. She embraced her new position. No, she didn t. She broke down right away. YES ND NO T THE END Did you see her after she quit? We met several times, yes. I did not see her at all, no. 155 156 26
YES ND NO IN THE MIDDLE Was he visibly upset? He reacted rather violently, yes, and seemed to be over the edge. I couldn t tell, no, that he was upset in any way. Did you send the form in? I did not have it initially; but, yes, I did send it eventually. She did not give it to me; and, no, I had no way to send it in otherwise. 157 158 s for uh-huh and huh-uh and yep and nope and any others are exactly the same as for yes and no. 159 160 Yep, I did accompany her. She was in surgery by the time I got there, uh-huh. I made every effort; but, huh-uh, we weren t able to make that contact. www. 161 27