摘要：标点符号在英语写作中起着很重要的作用。其作用是帮助读者分清句子结构，正确了解文章的语气和含义。学生英文写作过程中往往忽略标点的正确使用，影响文章的表达。本文就学生英语习作中常出现的标点问题进行探讨并提出解决方法。
　　关键词：标点；英语；作文
　　［中图分类号］H315
　　［文献标识码］A
　　［文章编号］1006-2831(2007)08-0039-3
　　
　　Abstract: In writing, the role of punctuation is rather important. As it helps to communicate the structure of sentences, it makes it possible to express tone in written works, as well as to carry a variety of connotations. It is not uncommon for students to ignore the correct usage of punctuation in written tasks, and this results in conveying the writer's intentions inaccurately. This essay aims to provoke a discussion of the common problems concerning punctuation, and to propose effective remedies for them.
　　Key words: punctuation, English, writing
　　
　　标点符号是写作中不可缺少的一部分，其作用是帮助读者分清句子结构，正确地了解文章的语气和含义。在写作中，作者应根据语法和内容来使用标点符号，否则会使读者对文章产生误解。文学大师郭沫若就十分重视文章标点，他曾多次强调过 ：“标点一定要恰当，标点好像一个人的五官，不能因为它不是字就显得无足轻重，标点错了，意义也就变了。”曾有这样一个故事 ：明朝有个才子叫徐文长，有次外出访友，正是黄梅季节，碰上阴雨连绵，他只好住在朋友家中。几天过去了，朋友看徐文长没有回家之意，想逐客又难以开口，于是就在客厅写了一张字条 ：下雨天留客天留人不留。不一会儿，徐文长来到客厅，抬头看见了字条，心中默念道 ：“下雨天留客，天留，人不留。”他明白了朋友的用意，但未见有断句，于是提笔加上斜线，意思成为 ：下雨天留客，天留人不？留。虽一字不变，但他用不同的标点断句，却改变了朋友的意思。结果，使得朋友有口难言，哭笑不得。
　　在学生的一些英语作文中，经常会发现标点误用的问题 ：或通篇不用标点，或一“，”到底。他们以为只要拼写正确，标点有无无所谓，不会影响到文章的表情达意。其实不然。标点符号在写作中起很重要的作用，如果点错了会发生语法错误，甚至影响文章意思的表达。学生英语作文中的标点问题主要归纳为以下几个方面：逗号[,]、句号[.]、分号[;]的混用；非疑问句中的问号[?]的误用；单引号[哉]和引号[矣]不分；破折号[—]和连字符[-]相混。
　　
　　1．逗号、句号、分号的用法及区别。
　　
　　1.1 并列句或并列成分中的标点问题：在并列句中，连词（and, but, or, for, so, nor, yet）的前面用逗号。
　　He asked the question in a loud voice, but no one answered.
　　两个并列从句之间如不用连词（and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet），则应用分号：
　　No one is born with knowledge; knowledge must be taught and learned.
　　If she married that man, her parents would be unhappy; if she left him, she herself would be unhappy.
　　两个具有独立含义的句子，在没有连词的情况下简单地被一个逗号隔开是不正确的。改正这样的错误须用句号或分号代替逗号，或用连接词and, for, because, although等连接成一个句子。
　　错误 ：The ship was huge, its mast stood 30 feet high.
　　正确 ：The ship was huge; its mast stood 30 feet high.
　　正确 ：The ship was huge, and its mast stood 30 feet high.
　　正确 ：The mast of the huge ship stood 30 feet high.
　　从句内若已有标点，即使句中有连词仍应用分号。
　　Unfortunately, Wang couldn't come; and his absence made things more difficult for us.
　　Before he came, we had expected him to help us; but when he was with us, he didn't do much.
　　有些起连词作用的副词，如however, therefore, hence, nevertheless, moreover, thus, otherwise, besides等等，不应该用作连词来联系并列从句。在它们之前应用分号而不是逗号。
　　Their trip was not very well planned or prepared; therefore, it was not a pleasant one.
　　She planned to go with them on the trip; however, her son's sudden illness prevented her from leaving home.
　　The invitation brought him fame; moreover it brought him money.
　　一系列起同样作用的词或短语要用逗号分开，而不用顿号（英文中没有顿号）。
　　The little girl likes to sing, to dance, and to act.
　　如若干项内已有逗号，可用分号将各项分开。
　　On the committee are quite a few well-known people; for example, Professor Zhao, Dean of the Normal College; Mr. Han, Editor-in-chief of the local evening paper; Miss Xu, a popular actress; and Mr. Xu, Director of the Bureau of Culture
　　如某一从句内带有省略，可用分号把它和别的从句用联系起来；省略处有时用逗号标出。

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