Do commas go inside quotes in legal writing?

Do you put a comma before and in legal writing?

Put a comma before a midsentence “and” or “but” if what follows could have been a sentence on its own. If what follows is just a phrase, a comma is optional but almost always unnecessary. Comma here: I would love to take you on as a client, but my workload makes it impossible for me to do so right now.

What does a comma mean in legal documents?

Lawyers should use the Oxford comma to help avoid ambiguity. Three ambiguities may arise without this comma: Whether the two final items in a list are one combined element or separate. Whether one noun phrase modifies the others when there are two or more noun phrases next to each other in a list.

Do lawyers use serial comma?

series of three or more words, phrases, or clauses. Although the serial comma is optional in many other types of writing, you should use it in legal and business writing because it is more precise.

What punctuation in formal legal writing to signal an interruption?

The use of parentheses is the most widely accepted form of punctuation for signaling an interruption in formal legal writing. This is because parentheses are less intrusive and emphasize the interruption without taking away from the overall flow of the sentence.

What is comma rule 11?

For example, "I lay under the powerful summer sun." Page 13 Rule #11 A comma is used to separate the name of a city from the name of the state or country. A comma also follows the state or country name when other words follow in the sentence.

Do you use numbers or words in legal writing?

may differ, here are a few basic tips related to numbers. Spell out numbers below 10 and big round numbers. If you chose to spell out multi-word whole numbers between 22 and 99, use hyphens. Also use hyphens when those numbers are part of bigger numbers.

Do you put a comma before or in the middle of a sentence?

Should you use a comma before or? The answer depends on how you are using or. Always place a comma before or when it begins an independent clause, but if it begins a dependent clause, don't. In a series (or list) of three or more items, you can use a comma before or, but this is a preference, not a rule.

Does the comma go inside or outside quotes in the middle of a sentence?

When using a period, comma, or exclamation mark with quotation marks, place the punctuation inside the quotes. “We won!” shouted the coach to no one in particular. If you're breaking up a sentence, place a comma after the first part, also inside quotes.

Does punctuation go inside quotation marks in the middle of a sentence?

Put commas and periods within quotation marks, except when a parenthetical reference follows. He said, "I may forget your name, but I never forget a face."

How to put a quote in the middle of a sentence?

Quotation interrupted in the middle of a sentence

When the annunciatory clause falls in the middle of a sentence, use a comma and closing quotation marks before it, and a comma and opening quotation marks after it.

Why do lawyers put numbers in parentheses?

The redundancy is presumably intended to reduce typos, forgery, or to make the document as clear as possible.

Do you write 1 or 1 in legal writing?

In legal prose it is traditional to write every number twice, first in words, followed by the same number written in digits enclosed in brackets: That sentence contained twenty-five (25) words. Easy as one (1), two (2), three (3).

Why do lawyers write out numbers?

If you ask most attorneys why they do it this way, they don't have an answer. The advantages of simply writing the numerals only are obvious. Only one number needs to be inserted or changed. It also takes up less space, and makes a document look less “legal”.

What is the legal ruling of the Oxford comma?

“The relatively small-scale dispute gained international notoriety last year when the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit ruled that the missing comma created enough uncertainty to side with the drivers, granting those who love the Oxford comma a chance to run a victory lap across the internet.”

What are the 5 comma rules with examples?

What is rule 5 of comma rules?

5. Use a comma before a quotation when an introductory phrase with a word like say or reply precedes the quotation. Wilbur says, “It's not often that someone comes along who is a true friend and a good writer” (White 184).

Where should you not put a comma?

What is the comma rule 7?

7. Use commas to set off direct quotations. Rule: A dialogue is a conversation between two or more people. If the speaker (not the listener) in the conversation is identified, his name, (or the noun or pronoun used to refer to the speaker), and the verb that refers to his speaking are enclosed within commas.

Can comma rules ever be broken?

In general, you should try to be consistent with your usage. However, clarity trumps consistency, so you may decide to 'break' the rule you've imposed if the sentence needs it. And both the omission or inclusion of a serial comma can create confusion!

What example would not use a comma?

Note: No comma is needed if the introductory phrase is short and closely related to the main clause, and the meaning is clear. Example: After dinner we left. Conjunctive Adverbs when placed at the beginning of a sentence (e.g., however, indeed, furthermore, therefore). Example: However, I also like to watch television.