Comma or period?

Question

Hello!

I'm working on a court transcript and for the life of me can't decide which way this witness's answer should go.

"I believe it was '91, June of '91." OR
"I believe it was '91. June of '91."

I know there isn't a lot to go on, but I have no idea what would be proper in this situation.

I am also on the fence as to whether a period or question mark should be used in the instance where the lawyer asks, "Why don't we start with the first job that you had when you graduated from Buena Vista."

I feel like it's more of a statement/demand and justifies a period, but again am not totally sure.

Thanks for any help you can give me!

RandomGuy · Accepted Answer

kbeg22"I believe it was '91, June of '91." OR
"I believe it was '91. June of '91."

The comma is more appropriate. I see no reason to write June of ’91 as if it were a brand-new sentence.

kbeg22I am also on the fence as to whether a period or question mark should be used in the instance where the lawyer asks, "Why don't we start with the first job that you had when you graduated from Buena Vista."

Because it is written like a question, a question mark is required, even if an answer isn’t expected. Using a period would be wrong.

Clive · Answer

"I believe it was '91, June of '91." OR
"I believe it was '91. June of '91."

I would be guided by how the person said the words,
If there was a longish pause, use a period. Otherwise, use a comma.

Clive

RandomGuy · Answer

CliveIf there was a longish pause, use a period. Otherwise, use a comma.

This doesn’t sound like a very reliable system to me.

Kbeg22 · Answer

Actually, the court reporting field is a slightly strange one when it comes to these things.

We have certain sentences that look like questions which we're still instructed to end with a period, and pauses have a lot to do with our punctuation. It gets confusing. :/

Comma or period?

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