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Hi Teachers,Could you tell me if the following title is correct? What I don't like is the colon, can I subtitute it with a period? Are the quotation marks necessary in the title? Any other suggestions for the title are more than welcome.The Simple Past with ‘Ago’ and ‘How long Ago?’: Reading & Writing ActivitiesThanks in advance

Canadian45 · Accepted Answer

A title such as yours is not a sentence, so you don't have to pay much attention to correct 'sentence punctuation'. But as punctuation can affect the meaning you cannot completely ignore it either.

Thinking SpainHi Teachers,Could you tell me if the following title is correct? What I don't like is the colon. Can I replace it with a period? I would say no, because I think your title is all one related topic. You can just leave it like it is or replace the colon with a comma. (If you are going to use color, you only need one color.)
Are ~~the~~ quotation marks necessary in the title? No, there is no reason to put a title in quotation marks.

Any other suggestions for the title are more than welcome. You could also reverse the word order.

Reading and Writing Activities for The Simple Past with 'ago' and 'How long ago'

(capital H if the sentence is always going to start with 'How')

c45

Tenacious Learner · Answer

Hi canadian,

Thank you so much for your reply and corrections. It is very well explained.

(If you are going to use color, you only need one color.) Only one color. I've just used two here because of the colon.

Reading and Writing Activities for The Simple Past with 'ago' and 'How long ago' I like this title too. One question though, the question mark is not necessary after 'How long ago', is it?

Then in my original post and title, is not necessary either, is it? Will it be OK like this?

The Simple Past with ago and How long ago: Reading & Writing Activities

TS

Canadian45 · Answer

Thinking SpainReading and Writing Activities for The Simple Past with 'ago' and 'How long ago'

I like this title too.

One question though, is the question mark necessary after 'How long ago'?

Then in my original post and title, is not necessary either, is it? see below

The question mark should not be used unless you are only going to consider the exact question 'How long ago?' By putting a question mark there, you are making it a complete question sentence. Of course it's not really a 'complete' question and it would only be said in response to something someone else said. (especially in oral English)

If you are going to discuss questions starting with 'How long ago', you can't put a question mark there. If you are going to also consider sentences that are not questions, you also cannot use a capital H.

'No one knows how long ago it happened.'

Will it be OK like this? The Simple Past with ago and How long ago: Reading & Writing Activities No, you should highlight the underlined parts, either by putting them in single quotation marks or by italicizing them.

The Simple Past with 'ago' and 'how long ago': Reading and Writing activities

As I said before, use an H only if you are only going to discuss sentences beginning with 'How long ago'.

TS
c45

Tenacious Learner · Answer

Hi canadian,

Thank you so much for your corrections, detailed reply, and great help. It's crystal clear. No further questions at this point.

Best,

TS

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