English grammar explained in plain language simple enough to be understood.
We talked yesterday about a grammar error called a comma splice. It is a mistake to use a comma between two simple sentences. Each simple sentence is a complete thought and must end with a period. Comma splice error (run-on… Read more209. Use Comma and FANBOYS to Avoid a Run-On Sentence
Section A: Decide which word or words in each sentence below should be in italics.1. The warplane Enola Gay dropped the first atomic bombs in WWII. 2. The Pilgrims traveled to North America on a ship called the Mayflower.3. Columbus… Read more190. Practice With Italics
When you include a quoted statement inside a sentence, you put quotation marks around the quoted words. Be sure to place a comma before the quotation marks. Here are some examples of what I mean:My teacher always says, “Once begun… Read more389. Use a Comma Before Beginning a Quote
Section A: Decide where you would put a comma in each sentence below. If the sentence does not need a comma, write NO.1. If you drop the dishes they will break. 2. I found a lost dog but he has… Read more235. Practice With Sentences
A colon (:) is a piece of punctuation used to signal that a list is coming. It’s important to remember that the words before the colon must be a complete thought. Look at this example:We need three things for our… Read more406. Using the Colon with a List
An appositive phrase is a group of words that gives more information about a noun. The appositive comes right after the noun that it is describing. Look at this example:Bob, my next door neighbor, loaned me his mower. The phrase… Read more394. Using the Comma with an Appositive Phrase
An interjection is an abrupt word that interrupts a thought. An interjection is usually found at the very beginning of a sentence. Here are some examples of sentences with interjections:Wow, that’s a lot of dirt on your driveway!Oops, I didn’t… Read more391. Using a Comma with an Interjection
When writing a business letter, the greeting is followed by a colon instead of a comma. If you know the name of the person to whom you are addressing the business letter, use their name with a colon, like this:Dear… Read more408. Use the Colon in a Business Letter Greeting
Section A: Place a comma correctly into each sentence below. 1. We took a trip to Sedona Arizona.2. We also stopped in Amarillo, Texas to see the Cadillac Ranch. 3. While we were driving, Jon told us “This is the… Read more390. More Practice with Commas
Coordinating conjunctions are sometimes referred to as the FANBOYS – For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So.We use coordinating conjunctions to join together two complete thoughts.It is raining, so practice is canceled. One complete thought: It is raining.Second complete thought:… Read more412. Semicolon Replaces a Coordinating Conjunction