July 17 2015

Rules Of Grammar: What Is A Comma Splice?

A comma splice incorrectly connects independent clauses with a comma.

Here are some examples from the Purdue OWL Engagement website:

Comma Splice: My family bakes together nearly every night, we then get to enjoy everything we make together.
•Correction 1: My family bakes together nearly every night. We then get to enjoy everything we make together.

The comma splice has been corrected by breaking the sentence into two separate sentences.
•Correction 2: My family bakes together nearly every night, and we then get to enjoy everything we make together.

The comma splice has been corrected by adding a coordinating conjunction and a comma.
•Correction 3: After my family bakes together nearly every night, we get to enjoy everything we make together.

The comma splice has been corrected by adding a subordinating conjunction and a comma.

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June 19 2014

Rules Of Grammar: Backslash vs. Forward Slash


Backslash: \ (leans backwards)
Forward slash: / (leans forward)

The use of the term “backslash,” in regards to citing a website address, is a commonly accepted error. Website addresses are actually composed of forward slashes. However, backslashes are used in reference to directories and file paths in Windows.

Forward slashes are also known as just “slashes.” In addition to comprising website addresses, forward slashes are used to denote fractions and division. It is also used as a substitute for the word “or.” For example, his/her.

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August 1 2012

The Importance of Punctuation

“Just look at the difference between these two love notes:

My Dear Pat,

The dinner we shared the other night- it was absolutely lovely! Not in my wildest dreams could I ever imagine anyone as perfect as you are. Could you- if only for a moment- think of our being together forever? What a cruel joke to have you come into my life only to leave again; it would be heaven denied. The possibility of seeing you again makes me giddy with joy. I face the time we are apart with great sadness.

John

P.S. I would like to tell you that I love you. I can’t stop thinking that you are one of the prettiest women on earth.

My Dear,

Pat the dinner we shared the other night. It was absolutely lovely- not! In my wildest dreams, could I ever imagine anyone? As perfect as you are, could you- if only for a moment- think? Of our being together forever: what a cruel joke! To have you come into my life only to leave again: it would be heaven! Denied the possibility of seeing you again makes me giddy. With joy I face the time we are apart.

With great “sadness,”

John

P.S. I would like to tell you that I love you. I can’t. Stop thinking that you are one of the prettiest women on earth.

You see the difference punctuation makes? The first letter is clear (albeit clunky) profession of undying affection; the second is sure to sweep Pat onto her feet. The only thing separating one document from the other is, of course, punctuation.” -From, “Comma Sense” By: Lederer & Shore

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Category: Books, Grammar | 3 Comments