当两个或两个以上复合词并用, 而各复合词连字号后的部分相同时, 各复合词的相同部分只出现一次,应改为the whole-or half-year lease. (来源：英语杂志 http://www.EnglishCN.com)

 八、圆括弧Parenthesis( ( ) )

1．标出表顺序的数字和字母(如: (1) 、(2) 等)

2．用来表示其中插入的或附加的解释成分。这个插入成分可以是单词、词组或句子．但要注意,括号会削弱强调作用,因此,如果要强调插入的句子成份,则要用破折号。

They might take a walk together(remember feet) and see the neighborhood with fresh , new eyes.

九、引号Quotation Marks(“”‘’)

引号分单引号(single quotation marks) 和双引号(double quotation marks) 。单引号只用在一个直接引语中所含有的另一个直接引语上。

1． 表示直接引语。当直接引语超过四行或多于40 个字词时, 一般不用引号而改用黑体字以便与文章的其它部分界线清晰

“Well, ”the foreigner said to him ,“ you look like an engineer. ”

句号和逗号必须置于引号(双引号和单引号) 之内。

He told the gunman ,“I refuse to do that ”；his knees , however , were shaking even as he said those words.

She called this schedule of activities her “load ”：work , study , exercise , recreation , and sleep.

冒号与分号必置于引号外。

The teacher asked , “Could you understand me”？

Did the teacher ask ,“Have they gone”？

Did the teacher ask ,“They have gone ？”

The frightened girl screamed ,“Help”!

The fellow only said ,“Sorry !”

He interrupted me , “Now , listen”——and went on saying.

问号、感叹号和破折号有时置于引号之内, 有时置于外号之外。如果所引内容本身是疑问句或感叹句或带有破折号, 问号、感叹号或破折号一般放在引号之内。否则,放在引号之外。

2. 标明短篇出版物的标题, 诸如杂志、报纸上的文章、短诗、短篇故事和整部书的某一章节。

Have you read“The Old Man and the Sea”？

Chapter three is entitled“The Internet . ”

3.表示所用的词语具有特殊意义。另外,当俚语出现在较正式的文章中, 也用引号引起来, 以表示文风的有意转变。

The report contained the“facts”of the case.

The speaker owns a“fat farm”in California , which slims down rich overeaters for ＄2 , 500 a week.

4. 用于表示引起读者注意的词语, 或读者不熟悉的特殊词语。

It is customary to say“Youpre welcome” whenever anyone says“Thank you. ”

“SOS”is a message for help from a ship or aircraft when in danger.

十、省略号Ell ipsis(...)

此省略号无论出现在句首、句中、还是句尾,都是表示单词的省略。

1. 表示直接引语中的省略

Max wrote ,“...in one word ,manps consciousness , changes with every change in the conditions of his material existence....”

句后的省略号和句号的写法应是在一条直线上的四个黑点。前三个黑点表示省略号,后一个黑点表句号。

2. 表示说话中的犹豫或迟疑

“If that the way you think...just go back to school ,”he said.

3. 表示段落或整行词句的省略, 须使用一整行黑点。

十一、撇号或省字号Apostrophe(’)

1.构成名词所有格

rest my son’ s

a moment’s books

A three weeks’pay

2.表示词、字母、数码、符号等的复数形式

Don’t use so many ands in the sentence.

How many 5s have you got？

这与一般单词的复数形式不同, 正规的写法须在s 前加“ ’ ”, 要牢记规则。

3.除表动词的紧缩形式外, 还表一个或几个字母和数字的省略。

I’ve got it. “Yes ,ma’ am ,”the waiter said.

注意：有相当大一部分省略词是口语中的用法，不宜出现在书面语中。例如：I’d like to(在书面语中要写作I would like to)。