English grammar explained in plain language simple enough to be understood.
We know that a simple sentence is one complete thought. A period should go at the end of the complete thought. When a writer uses a comma between two complete thoughts, we end up with a run-on sentence. Here are… Read more208. Avoid Run-On Sentences and the Comma Splice
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: Read each group of words. If the words tell a complete thought with a subject doing something, write SENTENCE. If the words do not tell a complete thought, write FRAGMENT.1. Over the roof of the house. 2. The… Read more210. Practice Simple Sentences
The conjunction and is one of the FANBOYS. We use and to join two simple sentences into a compound sentence. A compound sentence has two complete thoughts. Bob is writing a story, and Mary is drawing a picture. Do you… Read more212. Using the Conjunction And
There is sometimes confusion about when to use a comma with the conjunction and. Here is a simple rule: use ,and whenever you could have used a period. Let me show you what I mean. John plays baseball, and his… Read more213. Fixing Mistakes with the Comma
Today is Veterans Day, a day of remembrance. We pause today to honor, acknowledge, and thank all the people in the armed forces of the United States – those presently serving our country, and those who have served in the… Read more214. Highlight on Writing – Veterans Day
Section A: A simple sentence has only one main idea. A compound sentence is two simple sentences joined with a comma and conjunction. Decide if each sentence below is simple or compound.1. Yesterday the track team ran laps around the… Read more215. Practice Using the Conjunction And
Section A: Read each sentence below. Decide – is it a complex sentence or not?1. I bought a cake mix at the store.2. If you read the directions, it will tell you how to bake the cake. 3. Since you… Read more220. Practice Complex Sentences
A complex sentence combines a subordinate clause with an independent clause.The words after and before are subordinate clause words. We can use those words to begin a subordinate clause. Here is a complex sentence that begins with the subordinate clause… Read more226. Rearranging Complex Sentences
Today we will work again with complex sentences. The words since, because, and if are all subordinate clause words. Anytime we use a subordinate clause word, we are writing a complex sentence. When we begin with a subordinate clause word,… Read more227. More Rearranging of Complex Sentences