#examples of coordinating conjunctions in sentences

[mylanguageclasses]

Coordinating Conjunctions in English

Coordinating conjunctions are the glue that holds sentences together. They connect words, phrases, and clauses of equal importance, making your writing and speech more fluid and coherent. Whether you’re a native English speaker or a learner, understanding how to use coordinating conjunctions effectively is essential for clear communication. In this blog post, we’ll explore the usage of…

[monsterlets]

conversation tip for autistic people, from an autistic linguist

if you've ever run into this dilemma:

you are telling someone a story or informing them about something. there is a piece of information that you are not sure if they already know or not, but they need to know it in order for the rest of what you're saying to make sense. you are now trying to guess based on nothing. if you tell them and they already knew, they might think you're insulting their intelligence (or just that it was weird that you thought they wouldn't know). if you don't tell them and they didn't already know, then they'll feel lost

you can get around this with presuppositions

a presupposition is a piece of information in a sentence that is not the main point of the sentence, but that must be true in order for the sentence as a whole to be true. this is very dependent on where in the sentence the information is

for example:

you're telling someone a story about a mutual friend. the only way this story makes sense is if the listener knows that the friend's dad used to be a doctor. you don't know if they know that

this is a direct statement: "her dad used to be a doctor"

the main point of this sentence is "her dad used to be a doctor", but more importantly it's obviously the main point of the sentence. if they think you should assume they already knew that, that is now at the front of their mind. and they might think you're implying that they're not close to your mutual friend

here is a sentence with a presupposition: "when her dad was a doctor, he saw this really weird thing"

the main point of this sentence is "he saw this really weird thing". "her dad was a doctor" is just background information. not only that, but including information as a presupposition implies that you thought they already knew it

if they did in fact already know, they might not even register the fact that you mentioned it again, or if they do it wouldn't seem out of place. they just breeze right past it and on to the rest of the sentence

if they didn't know, they likely won't think that much about it since you didn't call much attention to it, and even if they take note of it they'll at least think you assumed the best of them. at this point one of three things is likely to happen (from most to least likely):

they just quickly assimilate the information into their worldview and move on to interpreting the rest of the sentence

it blows their mind so much that they ask you to explain. which is a great outcome imo

it threatens their worldview so strongly that they cannot move past it. at this point they may get mad at you, but it's not because of what you implied they knew or didn't know - it's because they just strongly disagree with you, and they were gonna get mad regardless of how you said it. this will rarely come up unless you're talking about a particularly polarizing/emotionally charged topic

note: as I said, where you put the information in the sentence matters a lot. coordinating conjunctions connect two main ideas. the sentence "her dad used to be a doctor, and he saw this really weird thing" has two main ideas. and one of them is the one that you wanted to not be a main idea

if you want more examples of the forms presuppositions can take with more technical descriptions, wikipedia has a pretty good list

also note, this is a guideline, not a rule. it's hard to go wrong with it, but if you know what you're doing you can break it

for instance, if I am not talking about anything personal, just telling someone about a special interest, I'll do different things depending on how niche the information is

if I know something is common knowledge (ex: t rex was a predator) then I'll either not mention it, or if I think it's something they need to not only know but be actively thinking about for the rest of it to make sense, then I will remind them with a presupposition

if I know something is not entirely common knowledge, but I have at some point seen people who are not deep into the topic talking about it ("dimetrodon was more closely related to mammals than dinosaurs") then I might just straight up ask them if they know that, since it doesn't say anything about them as a person other than what random information they happened to come across

if it's something you almost certainly wouldn't know about without being deep into the topic, I just say it. if they do happen to know about it it's because they randomly heard it and they probably wouldn't think it's weird that I assumed they didn't know (note: in this situation do not say anything along the lines of "you probably wouldn't know this" "this is so niche". just say the information)

you might have noticed that I haven't been following the guideline in this post either. this is for a couple reasons

I'm not talking to specific people, I'm writing for a broad audience. generally when you say things people already knew in that context they're like "well I didn't need that spelled out for me, but I guess somebody does"

I am not aiming this at neurotypicals, and I assume that you'll appreciate me being as explicit as I can regardless of how much you already knew

[literaryvein-reblogs]

Writing Notes: Parts of Speech

These definitions explain the 8 parts of speech in the English language.

Noun

A noun identifies a person, place, thing, or idea.

Common nouns are generic: girl, boy, city, ship, desk, courage

Proper nouns are specific: Juliet, Romeo, St. Louis, Titanic

Pronoun

A pronoun renames or refers back to the person, place, thing or idea mentioned earlier in a sentence.

Personal pronouns: I, me, you, they, them, she, her, he, him, it, we, us

Relative pronouns: who, whom, whose, which, that, what

Interrogative pronouns (used in questions): who, which, what, whose

Demonstrative pronouns: this, that, these and those

Indefinite pronouns (a partial list): all, anybody, anyone, both, each, everyone, everybody, many, none, several, someone

Verb

A verb expresses action or state of being. “Helping” verbs (such as modals and auxiliary verbs) are used with base verbs to make a verbal phrase.

Action verbs: see, run, jump, sing, study, dance, cry, shout, buy, sell, fix, think, wonder, etc.

State of being verbs: am, is, was, were, will be, became, appear, seem, look, feel, etc.

Modal verbs: can, could, will, would, shall, should, ought, must, may, might, etc. These verbs are found in verbal phrases, seldom by themselves: can see, will run, might study, must sell, etc.

Auxiliary verbs: am, is, are, was, were, have, had, etc.

In a verbal phrase, remember that the modal or auxiliary verb may be separated from the main verb, especially in a question:

Did you hear me call?

She is not going with us.

How long have you been working at McDonald’s?

Adjective

An adjective describes or modifies a noun or pronoun: For example:

brown eyes

that person

ten players

Adjectives tell...

what kind: brown eyes

which one: that person

how many: ten players

Adverb

An adverb modifies or describes a verb, adjective, or another adverb. It usually answers “question” statements: how? when? where? why? how often? how much? to what degree?

The orchestra played beautifully. (How?)

The band has played there. (Where?)

The choir sang long. (To what extent?)

He is extremely capable. (How capable?)

She danced very slowly. (How slowly?)

Preposition

A preposition shows a relationship between a noun/pronoun and another word. Most prepositions show motion toward a place or location of an object. The English language has more than 40 prepositions, including: above, across, behind, below, down, in, off, on, under, through, into, of, on account of, in spite of, etc.

Conjunction

A conjunction joins words or groups of words. There are three major classes of conjunctions in English:

Subordinate conjunctions: when, while, although, because, since, if, until, even though, etc.

Coordinate conjunctions: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so

Correlative conjunctions (used in pairs): neither/nor; either/or; not only/ but also; both/and

Interjection

An interjection expresses an emotion such as delight, surprise, or disgust. It usually appears at the beginning of a sentence and often is followed by an exclamation point:

(Delight) Wow! Gosh! Golly!

(Surprise) Oh! Ah! Yikes! Gee!

(Disgust) Yuck! Ugh! Bah!

Note: A Word as More Than One Part of Speech

Remember, a word can be used as more than one part of speech. The function of a word determines what part of speech it is.

For example:

Appearances can be deceiving. (Can is a modal verb)

The tin can of tomatoes is dented. (Can is a noun)

We should can peaches and plums. (Can is an action verb)

The French actress danced the can-can. (Can-can is a noun-noun)

[jesperweidemann]

Master the Comma

The comma, a seemingly simple punctuation mark, holds significant power in shaping the clarity and flow of written language. Its correct usage can transform a piece of writing from confusing to coherent, making it an essential tool for any writer. Understanding the various roles of the comma and how to apply them effectively is crucial for enhancing readability and ensuring your message is conveyed with precision.

The Role of the Comma in Lists

One of the primary functions of the comma is to separate items in a list. When you enumerate three or more items, commas help to distinguish each element clearly. For instance, consider the sentence: “For breakfast, I had eggs, toast, and orange juice.” Here, the commas separate the items, making the list easy to read. The comma before the conjunction “and” is known as the Oxford comma. While its use is optional, it often helps to prevent ambiguity. For example, “I dedicate this book to my parents, Oprah Winfrey, and God” is clearer than “I dedicate this book to my parents, Oprah Winfrey and God,” which could imply that Oprah Winfrey and God are the parents.

Setting Off Introductory Elements

Commas are also used to set off introductory elements in a sentence. These elements can be words, phrases, or clauses that precede the main clause. For example, “After the meeting, we went out for lunch.” The comma after “After the meeting” signals a pause, helping the reader to understand that the introductory phrase is separate from the main action of the sentence. This use of the comma enhances readability by clarifying the sentence structure.

Joining Independent Clauses

When two independent clauses are joined by a coordinating conjunction (such as for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so), a comma is placed before the conjunction. For instance, “I wanted to go for a walk, but it started raining.” This rule helps to avoid run-on sentences and maintains the flow of ideas. Without the comma, the sentence might feel rushed or jumbled, making it harder for the reader to follow the writer’s train of thought.

Nonessential Information

Commas are also used to set off nonessential information—details that add extra context but are not crucial to the meaning of the sentence. For example, “My brother, who lives in New York, is visiting us next week.” The clause “who lives in New York” provides additional information about the brother but is not essential to the main point of the sentence. Removing it still leaves a complete thought: “My brother is visiting us next week.”

Avoiding Common Mistakes

Despite their importance, commas are often misused. One common mistake is the comma splice, which occurs when two independent clauses are joined by a comma without a coordinating conjunction. For example, “I love reading, it’s my favorite hobby.” This can be corrected by adding a conjunction or changing the comma to a semicolon: “I love reading, and it’s my favorite hobby” or “I love reading; it’s my favorite hobby.”

Another frequent error is the overuse of commas, which can disrupt the flow of writing. For instance, “The cake, was delicious” includes an unnecessary comma that interrupts the sentence. Conversely, omitting necessary commas can lead to confusion. Consider the difference between “Let’s eat Grandma” and “Let’s eat, Grandma.” The first suggests cannibalism, while the second is an invitation to dine.

Advanced Comma Usage

Beyond the basics, commas can be used in more sophisticated ways to enhance writing. When two or more adjectives equally modify a noun, commas are used to separate them. For example, “She wore a bright, colorful dress.” If the adjectives are not equal, no comma is needed: “She wore a bright summer dress.”

Transitional phrases such as “however,” “therefore,” and “for example” should also be set off with commas. For instance, “I wanted to join the team; however, I was too late.” This helps to clarify the relationship between ideas. Additionally, when addressing someone directly, commas are used to set off their name or title, as in “Thank you, Dr. Smith, for your assistance.”

Conclusion

Mastering the comma is essential for effective writing. By understanding the basic rules and avoiding common mistakes, you can use commas to enhance the clarity and flow of your writing. Whether you are listing items, joining clauses, or setting off nonessential information, the comma is a powerful tool that, when used wisely, can significantly improve readability. Remember, the key to mastering the comma is practice and attention to detail. With time and effort, you can become proficient in using this versatile punctuation mark to enhance your writing.

[purplepeptobismol]

hiya I'm the the anon from the writing thingie c: I will also get an emoji it's gonna be this one 🌺 tysm for the tips!!! If you don't mind me asking more could you go more in depth about sentence structure? I GENUINELY suck with them ,_, my brain can just think in one way and as a result it ends so stiff it makes me cry

Love your fics sm, I will read finish my missing chapters of IWMOY you'll hear about me again trust 🫵

[previous]

Good to see you again anon! And no, I don’t mind at all :3 (sorry this response took a while)

Now, I’m no expert when it comes to sentence structure or literature in general (in fact, I am considered the dumbass in my friend group), so if you want actual solid information, maybe an English teacher or a video from someone who studies/teaches these things would be better at this.. 😭 take my advice as things I use/do myself in my OWN writing. I’ll try to keep it simple and brief tho!!

In order to understand sentence structure, you have to consider everything you’re going to be putting in your writing. That means: the story, dynamic, scenes, character, scenario, emotions, and what you are trying to convey.

Certain scenes require a specific way of structured details to convey emotions/story. Words can be very complicated, so I do recommend expanding on your vocabulary by looking up synonyms of over repetitive words; or, you can do my favorite which is genuinely just reading old poetry to look at their usage of old vocabulary.

When you have a scene in mind, you have an option to keep a Simple Sentence or use one of the many sentence structures.

Let’s go use the sentence example I used earlier! This is a scene of chapter 10 from my fic! The contexts of the scene can help paint a picture to my explanation!

Now, let’s make the original sentence into a simple sentence:

“Cooper smiled.”

Note: not all simple sentences are bad. Simple sentences are good for clarity, but they can also be impactful in heavily complex situations (ex. fear, shock, realization, etc.)

The most common and known sentence structures are Compound, Complex, and Compound-Complex

• Compound is when there are two or more independent clauses. They’re usually joined by coordinated conjunction (words like: and, but, nor, or, yet, so), a semicolon, or a conjunctive adverb. It balances ideas in a single sentence.

Example: “Cooper tilted his head, and he smiled.”

Complex sentences is when independent clause has a dependent. (They usually have words like: because, although, since, if, while)

Example: “Cooper smiled because of Emilio’s reaction.”

Complex-Compound is when there are basically two or more of the ones above. You can use it to express relationships between ideas or actions.

Example: “Cooper tilted his head, a smile curled his lips because of Emilio.”

These are the most common type of sentence structures, and probably the ones you will learn in elementary writing class. But there’s actually different type of sentence structures I like to use: Periodic, Loose, Balanced, and Run-on

Periodic sentences are my favorite style overall. It’s when the main cause/idea is put in the end for dramatic effect. It’s really good for when you want to add suspense or emphasize a conclusion.

Example: “With the tilt of his head and a slight curl of his lips, Cooper smiled.”

Loose sentences (I believe they’re called cumulative lmaooo, I just like calling them loose) is when the center cause is at the beginning and it’s followed by phrases that elaborate on it.

Example: “Cooper smiled, tilting his head slightly, lips curling into a smirk.”

Balanced is exactly what it sounds like. It’s when phrases or clauses are similarly structured to create a rhythm. It makes it more elegant in a way.

Example: Cooper tilted his head, and his lips curled into a smile.

Run-on sentences are usually when more than two independent clauses are joined together improperly. Majority of teachers will tell you run-on sentences are bad. But I like to use them once in a while. Intentional run-on sentence can really help with creating a rushed or even overwhelming flow. If created properly in specific scenes, you can really do a lot with them. I tend to use other techniques to stretch my sentences a lot. Which brings in to my next topic!!

Figures of Speech and Wordplay!!!

There are ALOT of them. So I’m just gonna name the ones I myself commonly use.

Simile- a comparison to something (ex. like, as)

Personification- giving human qualities to non-human things

Metaphors- a direct comparison to enhance depth/symbolism

Hyperbole- exaggerates things for dramatic effect or emphasis

Onomatopoeia- words that mimics sounds to add sensory details. You can even use this as symbolism!! I’ve done it with ticking sounds!

Irony- yeah. I use this a lot… it adds a bit of wit and humor in my opinion

Euphemism- polite/mild phrasing. Makes things less tense.

Idioms- kinda works like a fun metaphor. It’s when a phrase has a figurative or non-literal meaning that is different from the actual meaning. Most famous one is: “it’s raining cats and dogs.”

Epistrophe- repeating words/phrases at the end of the clauses. It can add emphasis and focus, I usually add these in dramatic (mainly lovey-dovey) moments

Remember how we were talking about run-on sentences and such? Well, another thing that can really enhance a sentence is, of course— PUNCTUATION!!!

The most common ones I like to use besides the obvious commas are the Hyphen, Em Dash, Colon, Semicolon, Parentheses, Ellipses, and Apostrophes! I know there is a proper way to use them, but I like to be a little gangster and use it in my own way (I’m deadass doing my own thing)

I tend to use Em Dashes (—) and Semicolons (;) almost the same, it’s usually when I’m trying to stretch a sentence for dramatic flair or when I’m genuinely trying to put two thoughts together.

I mainly use Hyphens (-) like en dashes lmaoo. It’s usually when I’m doing an interruption/stutter in dialogue or thought process.

Colons (:) are really good when you want to introduce quotes, indicate ratios, or emphasize key points.

As for Parentheses (()) (<—lol), yeah. I use it to add clarity, internal thoughts, or simple witty comments that usually wouldn’t sit well in the sentence. Depending on the character, this can really help paint their personality!

Ellipses (…) cause an omission in a sentence. It usually helps build in suspense or trial thoughts. Very good for those angsty scenes! Especially in dialogue!

I don’t use Apostrophe the way it should be used most of the time. I actually love using them to create internal thoughts. Maybe it’s just a me thing, but I don’t like using italics for first person internal thoughts… I feel like it confuses me a lot!! Like, imagine you’re reading a third person story, and then they use a first person internal thought in italics?? Eugh. It’s not a bad thing, it’s just a little peeve of mine. AND THAT SAYS SOMETHING FROM SOMEONE WHO USES ITALICS ALL THE TIME. There are certain times you should use italics for internal dialogue and others with apostrophe. A quick guide I use is:

Italics- unconscious thoughts/emotions in the back of your mind.

Apostrophe- thoughts/emotions so clearly heard, even a mind reader could listen to it.

Human emotions are so complex, and not all the time are they clear and precises, so I express that through using these methods.

All of this talk mainly involves with dialogue, and that’s not the conversation of this topic, so maybe we can talk about this some other day if you’re interested :)

Anyways. I’m explaining all of this and all— and I’m pretty sure your main question is now: “Great! This was very informative! So, how do I use them?”

Well… that’s why I said that in order for your sentence structure to work is to consider your scene, characters, scenario, etc. If you do not understand what you’re trying to explain or emphasize, then you won’t know what will work. You can’t have a witty character using metaphors and euphemism when they’re more likely to express themselves with idioms and think in Run-Ons. Simple sentences are good for shock value, but you can’t keep all of them short and simple when you’re not even emphasizing on why the scene is shocking. If you use too much of one structure, it becomes so over repetitive and brain numbing (and at some tragic points: cringe). You have to have a balance between all of them. Maybe you can start a paragraph with a Loose sentence and end it with a periodic; vice versa can work too.

I can’t really tell you what’s the proper way of using them cuz if I’m being honest… I’m also learning too. Overall, all of these differ per person, because just like every artist, it’s a writing style. I have certain quirks and preferences in my own writing that maybe others don’t like, or may be seen as improper. As you grow as a writer, you start to develop your own style! There is sooooo much more I could say of the topic, but that would be yet ANOTHER essay (I said I was gonna keep this brief too!! SHEESH!!). But if you still have any other questions regarding my writing style/advice, do not be afraid to keep on asking!! ٩( 'ω' )و

[gentleseaediting]

To Comma or Not to Comma

THE CORRECT USE OF THE COMMA WHEN JOINING CLAUSES

Should you use a comma before and? What about before yet, then or if? This is one of the trickiest rules of punctuation to apply correctly: whether to use a comma when joining clauses. But do not fear; I am here to help by providing eight tips on this very subject.

Because this is a complex topic, I’ve created a handy flow chart to assist you. You can download it for free, and I would recommend having it at hand as you read through this post.

You can also listen to this post on YouTube or read it on the Gentle Sea Editing website.

FIRSTLY, WHAT IS A CLAUSE?

A clause is a group of words that includes a verb and a subject. So, Sarah writes books is a clause because it includes a verb (writes) and a subject (Sarah). Sarah is my favorite author is a clause, but my favorite author, Sarah is a phrase, because it does not contain a verb. In today’s post, we’re focusing on clauses.

1. COMMAS WITH INDEPENDENT CLAUSES: THE GENERAL RULE

The Chicago Manual of Style (CMoS) indicates that “when independent clauses are joined by and, but, or, so, yet, or any other coordinating conjunction, a comma usually precedes the conjunction.”

Now, you might be asking, “What the hell does that mean?” Don’t worry, I had the same reaction the first time I read it.

An independent clause is a clause that makes sense on its own. It is a complete sentence. It does not depend on another clause to give it meaning. In the sentence Damon drinks blood, because he is a vampire, Damon drinks blood is an independent clause. You can remove the rest of the sentence, and it would still make sense.

Coordinating conjunctions join clauses or phrases of equal importance. So, if you want to join two clauses and show that they are on equal footing, you would use a coordinating conjunction. The list of coordinating conjunctions is represented by the mnemonic “fanboys”: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so.

So, according to the general rule, if you want to join two independent clauses, like Taylor wrote the impactful lyrics and Jack produced the beautiful song, with a coordinating conjunction, you should add a comma before that conjunction. Here are some examples:

Taylor wrote the impactful lyrics, and Jack produced the beautiful song.

Taylor wrote the impactful lyrics, but Jack produced the beautiful song.

Taylor wrote the impactful lyrics, so Jack produced the beautiful song.

Taylor wrote the impactful lyrics, yet Jack produced the beautiful song.

This general rule also applies to imperative sentences—sentences that give the reader an instruction, make a request, or issue a command—in which the subject (you) is not expressly stated but understood. Here are some examples:

Help Queen Charlotte climb over the wall, or tell King George to spend time with her.

Buy two tickets to Barbie, and wait for me at the corner of Cornelia Street.

It also applies to questions, for example: Do we want to save Wallachia, or are we scared of Dracula?

2. COMMAS WITH INDEPENDENT CLAUSES: THE EXCEPTION

The English language is a wonderful thing; for every rule, there are plenty of exceptions. The general rule above is no exception.

If the independent clauses you are trying to join are very short and closely connected, the comma preceding the conjunction may be omitted, unless the clauses are part of a series. (See, even the exception has an exception.)

So, if you want to join two independent clauses, like Billie sang and Finneas played the piano, with a coordinating conjunction, you can do so without a comma, because these two clauses are short and closely connected:

Billie sang and Finneas played the piano.

Billie sang but Finneas played the piano.

Billie sang so Finneas played the piano.

This exception also applies to imperative sentences where the subject (you) is omitted but understood, e.g., Get up and stand tall.

However, a comma would still have to precede the coordinating conjunction if you are joining more than two clauses. Here’s an example:

Billie sang, Finneas played the piano, and I watched the show.

So, essentially, you should follow the general rule unless you are joining two very short and strongly related independent clauses.

3. COMMAS WITH COMPOUND PREDICATES: THE GENERAL RULE

According to the CMoS, “a comma is not normally used to separate a two-part compound predicate joined by a coordinating conjunction.”

Just one question: What??? Let's break it down.

What is a predicate? It is the part of a sentence or clause that describes the action but not the subject. So, in the sentence Oppenheimer created the atomic bomb, Oppenheimer would be the subject and created the atomic bomb the predicate.

A compound predicate occurs when two or more verbs share the same subject. So, if a single subject is shared by two or more clauses, and that subject is not repeated after the first clause, you’re dealing with a compound predicate. In the sentence I gambled with Jesper and ate waffles with Nina, the subject of both the predicates gambled with Jesper and ate waffles with Nina, is I. However, I is not repeated after the first clause. So, we’re working with a compound predicate.

Therefore, the general rule is: Do not use a comma when joining a compound predicate with a coordinating conjunction. Here are some examples:

Joe broke up with Taylor Swift and divorced Sophie.

Yennefer wanted to be a mother but could not have a baby.

You should join Jinx or listen to Vi.

4. COMMAS WITH COMPOUND PREDICATES: THE EXCEPTIONS

However, a comma may be necessary to prevent misreading or confusion even if you are joining a compound predicate with a coordinating conjunction. For example, in the sentence I recognized the man who attended the concert, and fainted, the comma before and is necessary to indicate that it is the speaker who fainted, not the man attending the concert. Here are more examples:

He loved the girl who rode a dragon, and wielded shadows.

She dislikes the man who has titanium teeth, but wears Yeezy shoes.

Additionally, you should also use a comma before the word then if it is being used as shorthand for and then even if that comma separates a two-part compound predicate. So, you would write: He attended her show and then gave her a friendship bracelet or He attended her show, then gave her a friendship bracelet.

Finally, the CMoS indicates that “compound predicates of three or more parts treated as a series are punctuated accordingly.” So, if you have a single subject performing three or more actions, you would use a comma before the coordinating conjunction. For example:

Selena attended the Golden Globes, released new music, and became a billionaire.

Victoria published a book, increased her Instagram following, and announced a book tour.

5. COMMAS WITH INTRODUCTORY DEPENDENT CLAUSES

Now that we’ve gotten independent clauses out of the way, let’s talk about dependent clauses. A dependent clause cannot stand as a sentence on its own and is connected to a main, independent clause. So, in the sentence Damon drinks blood, because he is a vampire, because he is a vampire is a dependent clause, since it does not make sense on its own. Subordinating conjunctions—like if, because, whether, or when—are used to join dependent and main clauses.

According to the CMoS, “when a dependent clause precedes the main, independent clause, it should be followed by a comma.” So, when the dependent clause comes first, you separate the clauses with a comma. Here are some examples:

If Sokka trains with Suki, he will become a better warrior.

Because Kim is a successful businesswoman, she gave a lecture at Harvard.

When Nyx is older, he will train with Cassian.

6. COMMAS WITH DEPENDENT CLAUSES THAT FOLLOW THE MAIN CLAUSE

If the main clause is followed by the dependent clause, you have to determine whether the latter is restrictive or nonrestrictive.

The CMoS clarifies that a dependent clause is restrictive if it is “essential to fully understanding the meaning of the main clause.” For example, in the sentence Sokka will become a better warrior if he trains with Suki, it isn’t certain that Sokka will become a better warrior. The dependent clause if he trains with Suki adds information that is vital to understanding the main clause. Therefore, it is a restrictive dependent clause.

If a restrictive dependent clause follows the main clause, you should not place a comma before the conjunction. Here are two examples:

Nyx will train with Cassian when he is older.

Kourtney wasn’t mad because of the fashion show; she was mad because of the timing.

A dependent clause is nonrestrictive if it is not essential to the meaning of the main clause. For instance, in the sentence Margot is a good actress, whether you like her or not, the dependent clause whether you like her or not can be omitted without changing the meaning of the main clause.

If a nonrestrictive dependent clause follows the main clause, the subordinating conjunction should be preceded by a comma. Here are two examples:

I’d like to watch Mean Girls, if you don’t mind.

He arrived hours later, when the movie was already over.

However, sometimes this can be a tricky differentiation to make. Take the sentence Kourtney wasn’t mad because of the fashion show. Without the comma, Kourtney is still mad, just not about the fashion show. Add a comma before because, and the fashion show becomes the reason she’s not mad. The CMoS’s advice? “If in doubt, rephrase.”

7. COMMAS WITH INTERVENING DEPENDENT CLAUSES

When a dependent clause is located between two other clauses, meaning that the two conjunctions are right next to each other, the conjunctions don’t have to be separated by a comma. Here are some examples:

Violet tried to decipher the journal for days, but if Dain had not given her advice, the truth would have remained concealed.

Zuko stood up for the soldiers, and when his father ordered him to fight back, he refused.

They decided that if Percy didn’t return the lightning bolt, he wouldn’t see his mother.

Technically, there’s nothing wrong with adding a comma in between these conjunctions. In fact, it might even be preferred in certain cases for emphasis or clarity.

8. COMMAS WITH RELATIVE CLAUSES

Finally, let’s look at relative clauses. A relative clause provides information about a noun. For instance, in the sentence The book that she wrote years ago was published this year, that she wrote years ago is a relative clause, because it tells us more about the noun (book).

According to the CMoS, “restrictive relative clauses are never set off by commas from the rest of the sentence.” As with dependent clauses, a relative clause is restrictive if it provides information that is crucial to understanding the rest of the sentence. In the example above, the reader wouldn’t have known which book the author is referring to without the relative clause that she wrote years ago, so no commas are used. Restrictive relative clauses are usually introduced by the pronouns that, who, whom, or whose. Here are some examples:

I prefer to support politicians who stand up against genocide.

The joke that he made at the Golden Globes was sexist.

The author whose work I like the most has just released a new book.

This rule applies even when these pronouns are omitted:

The movie I just watched won an Academy Award.

The people we follow on social media have a big impact on our lives.

A nonrestrictive relative clause, on the other hand, is not essential to the identity of the noun to which it refers. In the sentence Sarah’s House of Flame and Shadow, which I finished last night, is a great book, the relative clause which I finished last night can be omitted without changing the meaning of the sentence. So, it is nonrestrictive. Nonrestrictive relative clauses are set off from the rest of the sentence by commas. These clauses are usually introduced by which, who, whom, or whose. Here are some examples:

I prefer to read about scholarly characters, who are less likely to be ignorant.

Madelyn Cline, whose most famous movie is Glass Onion, was seen with Pete Davidson.

The talk show, which recently featured Sydney Sweeney, has celebrities eating spicy food as they answer questions.

So, to sum up (TL; DR):

• If you want to join two independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction, you should add a comma before that conjunction unless the two clauses are short and closely connected.

• Do not use a comma when joining a compound predicate with a coordinating conjunction unless:

o a comma is necessary to prevent a misreading;

o then is being used as shorthand for and then; or

o a compound predicate of three or more parts is being treated as a series.

• If a dependent clause precedes a main, independent clause, add a comma after the dependent clause.

• If a restrictive dependent clause follows a main clause, do not add a comma before the subordinating conjunction.

• If a nonrestrictive dependent clause follows a main clause, you should add a comma before the subordinating conjunction.

• When a dependent clause is located between two other clauses, meaning that the two conjunctions are right next to each other, the conjunctions don’t have to be separated by a comma.

• A restrictive relative clause is not set off with commas.

• A nonrestrictive relative clause is set off with commas.

There you have it; those are the rules for comma usage when joining clauses, at least in terms of the CMoS. In the wise words of Neil Gaiman: “It’s that easy, and that hard.”

For professional editing and proofreading services, head on over to gentleseaediting.com

[boobiestarplanet]

a few grammar mistakes i see a lot online (especially in fanfic)

disclaimers:

i’m not an expert, so it’s possible some info is wrong

i might oversimplify certain things to get the point across

rules are meant to be broken! whether you follow all of these or not is up to you. i just think it’s important to be aware of certain rules so that when you do break them, it’s deliberate and actually adds something to the writing (i.e. a run-on sentence to convey a character’s chaotic thoughts, etc.)

this is not meant to be a formal guide of any sort. i wrote it off the top of my head and lots of it is written in a silly tone (very silly at times)

okay let's go

tense

to put it simply, tense refers to the time in which your writing takes place: past, present, or future. unless you’re changing tense intentionally for a flashback scene or something, keep it consistent! here’s an example of a paragraph with inconsistent tense:

Character A sighs. “Are you serious?” they asked. “There’s no way someone would just forget what tense they’re writing in.” They shake their head disapprovingly and continued their rant. “Besides, that barely counts as a grammar issue!” Character A yells.

see how the verbs don’t match? the green words are written in the present tense, and the red ones are written in the past tense. you can choose whatever tense fits your story best, but keep it consistent! i’ll go with present. here’s the fixed version:

Character A sighs. “Are you serious?” they ask. “There’s no way someone would just forget what tense they’re writing in.” They shake their head disapprovingly and continue their rant. “Besides, that barely counts as a grammar issue!” Character A yells.

comma splices

to know what a comma splice is, you need to know the difference between independent and dependent clauses. the terms are pretty self-explanatory: an independent clause can stand on its own as a full sentence, while a dependent clause can’t. a comma splice occurs when you link two independent clauses with a comma. here’s an example of a paragraph with several comma splices:

Character B walked in, they sat on the couch next to Character A. They realized that it was really hot in the room, they decided to open a window. They assumed their friend hadn’t even noticed the heat, Character A was always like that.

oh boy! three comma splices! how can we fix this? i’m glad you asked! there are three ways to fix a comma splice:

split it into two separate sentences

add a coordinating conjunction (don’t worry if you don’t know what this is, we’ll get into it in a second. (oh, huh? was that a comma splice right there? yep! a great example of how these rules don’t have to be followed in casual writing!))

replace the comma with a semicolon

okay. i think it’s time for a quick mini-lesson.

conjunctions

you might know them from the schoolhouse rock song, but what the heck actually is a conjunction? simple! it’s a word that joins clauses. coordinating conjunctions join two independent clauses, so those are the focus here. there are seven coordinating conjunctions: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so. okay! back to the main lesson!

comma splices, cont.

let’s fix that example paragraph using the methods listed.

Character B walked in. They sat on the couch next to Character A. They realized that it was really hot in the room, so they decided to open a window. They assumed their friend hadn’t even noticed the heat; Character A was always like that.

aha! now you know why they were color-coded! i bet you were wondering, weren’t you? well now you know!

possessive adjectives and contractions

a possessive adjective is an adjective that denotes possession (duh) and a contraction is when you combine two words with an apostrophe to shorten it. sounds simple enough, right? well what if i told you there’s a good chance you don’t know the difference as well as you thought?

your vs. you’re

let’s start with the one people always talk about: your and you’re. your is a second person possessive pronoun, while you’re is a contraction of the words you and are. here are both of them used correctly in a sentence:

You look like you’re really enjoying your meal!

notice how the sentence would still be correct if i replaced you’re with you are? an easy way to remember the difference is that with the contraction, the apostrophe replaces the missing letter(s).

their vs. they’re

we’re excluding the third triplet, there. sorry there. there, there. anyway, it’s the same as the last one. their is possessive, and they’re is a contraction of they and are. here’s them in a sentence:

Their artwork looks really great; it’s clear they’re a skilled artist.

callback time! notice how i avoided a comma splice by using a semicolon instead of a comma? of course you noticed. you’re so smart. i’m so proud of you. i love you. anyway! you can tell my example sentence is correct because i can replace they’re with they are and it would still make sense, but i couldn’t do the same for their.

whose vs who’s

this one might be tricky, but just apply the same logic as before! remember that the apostrophe connects the words in a conjunction. therefore whose is possessive and who’s is a contraction of who and is. example sentence time:

I don’t know whose textbook that is, but it must be someone who’s really smart.

you get the pattern: i could replace who’s with who is and it would still make sense. okay, are you ready for the next one? the final boss? let’s go. its vs it’s.

its vs it’s

twenty minutes ago, this one might have left you scratching your head, but now you have the tools to conquer it! i bet you can tell which is which! remember the apostrophe! drumroll, please… that’s right! its is possessive, and it’s is a contraction of it and is. coming up with these example sentences is harder than it looks, you might need to give me a second… okay, i think i’ve got it. huh? what’s that? you noticed a comma splice? good for you! you’re improving so fast! now, are you ready for the example sentence? here goes:

It’s hard to think of example sentences; its difficulty can’t be understated.

i know, i know. that one was kind of pathetic. i even had to pull out the old semicolon again. whatever, can you at least appreciate the effort? thanks. remember the apostrophe thing. i’ll see you in the next section.

punctuating dialogue split between two paragraphs

what? that’s such a specific title. okay, uh… fuck it, let’s start with an example this time. this one will have a mistake and you have to catch it. i’m bringing back characters a and b. i kind of miss them.

“Character B! It’s so nice to see you again!” Character A exclaimed. They leaned back in their chair and crossed their legs casually. “Hey, did I ever tell you about how I met Character C?” Character B gasped. “No! I’ve been wondering for a while; do tell!” “Okay, okay,” Character A giggled. “So, I was chatting with my friend, Character D—you know Character D, right?” Character B nodded. “Right, so I was chatting with Character D, and they were like, ‘I have this friend I think you’d like,’ and I was like, ‘Really? Who?’ and they were like ‘I should totally set you two up on a blind date,’ and I was, like, freaking out. Obviously I said yes.” “So then Character C and I met up at this coffee shop, and we just immediately hit it off! I’d never clicked with someone so perfectly before. It was amazing.”

whoa! new characters jumpscare! anyway, did you catch the mistake? did i throw you off with the dialogue within character a’s story? the issue was actually at the end of paragraph three! since the speaker is the same in both paragraphs, those quotation marks at the end are actually unnecessary! it makes it confusing and hard to tell who’s talking. here’s the correct version:

“Character B! It’s so nice to see you again!” Character A exclaimed. They leaned back in their chair and crossed their legs casually. “Hey, did I ever tell you about how I met Character C?” Character B gasped. “No! I’ve been wondering for a while; do tell!” “Okay, okay,” Character A giggled. “So, I was chatting with my friend, Character D—you know Character D, right?” Character B nodded. “Right, so I was chatting with Character D, and they were like, ‘I have this friend I think you’d like,’ and I was like, ‘Really? Who?’ and they were like ‘I should totally set you two up on a blind date,’ and I was, like, freaking out. Obviously I said yes. “So then Character C and I met up at this coffee shop, and we just immediately hit it off! I’d never clicked with someone so perfectly before. It was amazing.”

note how i kept the quotation marks at the beginning of the following paragraph. it might look weird, but i promise it’s correct! you know, this section reminds me of an even simpler mistake i could talk about. are you ready for the next section?

please for the love of god make a new paragraph when the speaker changes

a very professional title, i know. but it gets the point across! please for the love of god make a new paragraph when the speaker changes. i’m begging you. here’s an example of what not to do:

“Hey, is that Character D?” Character A asked. “Woah, I think it is! Hi, Character D! It’s been a while!” Character C said. “Hi! It’s good to see you—” “Wait. Sorry to interrupt, Character D, but do you notice something?” Character B said. “It’s like…” Character A widens their eyes and speaks. “It’s like all this dialogue is in one paragraph…”

that was physically painful to write. do you notice how hard it is to keep track of the speaker? even i don’t know who was speaking half the time, and i wrote it! i guess i have to fix it now. damn. here goes, i guess:

“Hey, is that Character D?” Character A asked. “Woah, I think it is! Hi, Character D! It’s been a while!” Character C said. “Hi! It’s good to see you—” “Wait. Sorry to interrupt, Character D, but do you notice something?” Character B said. “It’s like…” Character A widens their eyes and speaks. “It’s like all this dialogue is in one paragraph…”

there! now you can easily tell who’s speaking. it might look like a lot of paragraphs, but i promise it’s better than the alternative.

hyphens and em dashes

sorry if there are any en dash fans out there but i don’t really care enough to mention them. sorry. anyway! what the heck is a hyphen and what the heck is an em dash? they’re these: - and —. a hyphen is used in phrases like vise-versa, hand-me-down, and trick-or-treating. an em dash is entirely different. it can be used to emphasize a nonrestrictive clause (you don’t really need to know what that means; it’s easier to show with examples than explanations) or to indicate an interruption or change in sentence structure. if that doesn’t make sense, that’s okay. here are some examples:

This sentence uses— Huh? Sorry. I got distracted. This sentence uses em dashes—those long, horizontal lines—to emphasize a phrase. It draws more attention to what’s inside the dashes than, say, parentheses—though parentheses are also a lovely form of punctuation.

can you tell i love em dashes? i love em dashes. i think i have the energy for one more section. oh wait oh fuck this one is a doozy—

gender

wait. huh. why would i write about that. rewrite that title.

grammatical gender

ohhh okay. this one i get. so! we don’t really have grammatical gender in english, so— wait. that could be more clear. rewrite that title.

grammatical gender of loanwords

okay! much better! couldn’t you have just said that the first time? geez. anyway, let’s use words from french as an example. why? parce que je peux le faire. tais-toi. if i want to talk about someone’s husband-to-be, i’d use the word fiancé. however, if i want to talk about someone’s bride-to-be, i’d use the feminine word fiancée. if i want to talk about a man with light hair, i’d use the word blond. however, if i want to talk about a woman with light hair, i’d use the feminine word blonde. if the gender is unknown or nonbinary, people tend to default to the masculine form, but it depends on the person. compared to the other things mentioned here, this one isn’t really that important, and you can totally ignore it if you want. if i make another post like this, i might end that one with a contentious point too, just for fun. i’d like to probably talk about split infinitives ;)

[makoonsplayschool]

Learn 10 Examples of Compound Sentences with Explanation

A compound sentence is made up of two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (such as and, but, or, so, yet, for, nor). These sentences help improve writing by making it more engaging and connected.

At Makoons Preschool, we focus on developing strong language skills in children, helping them construct clear and meaningful sentences. Let’s explore 10 examples of compound sentences along with their explanations.

1. I wanted to play outside, but it started to rain.

➡ Explanation: Two independent clauses (I wanted to play outside and it started to rain) are joined by the conjunction but.

2. She studied hard for the exam, so she scored full marks.

➡ Explanation: The first clause shows effort (She studied hard), and the second clause shows the result (she scored full marks). The conjunction so connects them.

3. The sun was shining, and the birds were singing.

➡ Explanation: Two actions happening at the same time (The sun was shining and the birds were singing) are linked by and.

4. I like to read books, but my brother prefers watching movies.

➡ Explanation: This sentence contrasts two different preferences, joined by but.

5. We can go to the beach, or we can visit the amusement park.

➡ Explanation: The sentence presents two choices using or.

6. He was tired, yet he continued working late at night.

➡ Explanation: Despite being tired, he kept working. The conjunction yet shows contrast.

7. She forgot her lunch, so I shared mine with her.

➡ Explanation: The conjunction so indicates a cause-effect relationship.

8. The baby cried, for he was hungry.

➡ Explanation: The conjunction for explains the reason behind the baby’s action.

9. We packed our bags, and we left for the airport.

➡ Explanation: Two related actions are connected using and.

10. You can stay here, or you can go with them.

➡ Explanation: This sentence offers two possibilities using or.

Why Learning Compound Sentences is Important?

✔ Enhances Writing Skills – Makes sentences more expressive and engaging. ✔ Improves Communication – Helps in structuring thoughts clearly. ✔ Builds Strong Grammar Foundation – Prepares children for advanced writing.

At Makoons , best playschool franchise in India, we encourage young learners to build strong language skills by practicing different sentence structures. Understanding example of compound sentences helps children express their thoughts more effectively and confidently!

[engrammonline]

Grammar 101: How to Sidestep Common Errors and Enhance Your Skills

Grammar is the backbone of effective communication. Whether you’re crafting an email, writing an essay, or posting on social media, your message’s clarity and professionalism hinge on proper grammar. However, even the most seasoned writers can stumble over common grammar pitfalls. In this post, we’ll explore some frequent mistakes and provide tips to help you achieve mastery.

Subject-Verb Agreement The Mistake: Subject-verb agreement refers to the alignment between the subject and verb in a sentence. A common error occurs when the subject is plural, but the verb is singular (or vice versa). For example:

Incorrect: The list of items are on the table. Correct: The list of items is on the table. How to Master It: To avoid this mistake, always identify the main subject of your sentence. If the subject is singular, use a singular verb; if it’s plural, use a plural verb. Remember that phrases between the subject and verb don’t change the subject’s number.

Misplaced Modifiers The Mistake: Misplaced modifiers can lead to confusion and unintended meanings. A modifier describes or limits a noun, and when it’s placed incorrectly, it can create ambiguity.

Incorrect: She almost drove her kids to school every day. Correct: She drove her kids to school almost every day. How to Master It: Ensure your modifiers are placed next to the word they are meant to modify. Read your sentences out loud to check for clarity. If the meaning sounds off, rearrange the words.

Comma Splices The Mistake: A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are joined by just a comma, without a coordinating conjunction. For example:

Incorrect: It was raining, I stayed indoors. Correct: It was raining, so I stayed indoors. How to Master It: To fix a comma splice, consider using a semicolon, a period, or adding a conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so). Each option has its place, so choose the one that fits your sentence best.

They’re, Their, and There The Mistake: These homophones are frequently confused, leading to errors in writing.

Incorrect: Their going to the park. Correct: They’re going to the park. How to Master It: To avoid this confusion, remember:

They’re = they are Their = possessive form (belonging to them) There = refers to a place or is used with the verb “to be” (there is/are)

Its vs. It’s The Mistake: Similar to the previous point, “its” and “it’s” are often misused.

Incorrect: It’s color is blue. Correct: Its color is blue. How to Master It: Remember:

It’s = it is or it has Its = possessive form of it If you can substitute “it is” in your sentence, then “it’s” is correct. Otherwise, use “its.”

Apostrophe Misuse The Mistake: Apostrophes can be tricky, especially with plural nouns. For instance:

Incorrect: The dog’s are barking. Correct: The dogs are barking. How to Master It: Use apostrophes to indicate possession (the dog’s leash) or contractions (don’t). For plurals, simply add an “s” without an apostrophe.

Conclusion Achieving mastery in grammar is a journey that requires practice and vigilance. By being aware of these common pitfalls and actively working to avoid them, you can enhance your writing clarity and effectiveness. Remember, good grammar not only improves communication but also reflects professionalism and attention to detail.

[mylanguageclasses]

Subordinating Conjunctions in English

Subordinating conjunctions are essential tools in English grammar that help connect dependent clauses to independent clauses, adding depth and complexity to sentences. They provide context, show relationships between ideas, and clarify the meaning of sentences. In this blog post, we’ll explore the usage of subordinating conjunctions in every possible situation, provide examples, and offer…

[purplesaline]

This statement is a work of art.

"He continued to offer his views and ideas" carries with it the very loud, if unspoken, addition of "even when no one asked him to".

And the sentence fragments. "And often strongly. But.." I know the rules around using And and But to start sentences aren't as restrictive as they used to be but it's still something most people will avoid because it looks unprofessional. However!! Here is a fascinating bit of insight from grammar-monster.com

It is worth noting, however, that starting a sentence with "and," "but," or "or" looks nonconformist to many people, so you are advised to reserve this practice for impact.

And,

when used at the start of a sentence, "and," "but," and "or" are not coordinate conjunctions, but conjunctive adverbs.

With examples,

I've had a perfectly wonderful evening. But, this wasn't it. correct tick (Comedian Groucho Marx)

(In this example, "but" is not a coordinate conjunction. It is a conjunctive adverb with the meaning "however.")

It is better to be beautiful than to be good. But, it is better to be good than to be ugly. (Playwright Oscar Wilde) (Here too, "but" is a conjunctive adverb with the meaning "however.")

Something else I find interesting is the way the writer is using the em dashes. The first sentence it's used in doesn't really need it. A pause there isn't necessary and the sentence would read just fine without any punctuation in that spot.

The difference in spacing with that em dash and the next one, though, makes me think the first one was included specifically to highlight that the second is being used in a different way than the first. Often we assume em dashes are used like colons or semicolons to extend a sentence or provide a smoother transition between two sentences. The first use is consistent with the em dash replacing a semicolon as each statement could be a sentence of it's own, but the second use doesn't meet that criteria. It doesn't really meet the criteria for using a colon either which really just leaves the use of replacing an ellipses left — a pause for effect.

This would mean that sentence could also be read as "But from that first briefing... his fierce intellect and profound strategic focus was evident."

Like, just that entire section is so oddly broken up. It's weird there's a comma where there is. It's weird there are so many sentence fragments. It makes it feel choppy and stilted and uncomfortable.

It makes it feel uncomfortable.

If it was written like this it would feel much less stilted

"Throughout our careers we often disagreed, and often strongly, but from that first briefing his fierce intellect and profound strategic focus was evident."

That feels a lot more... forgiving, doesn't it?

"Throughout our careers we often disagreed." Full stop end of thought.

"And often strongly." This is a sentence fragment, something we wouldn't usually expect in a professional bit of writing like the above statement. It's use here is very jarring, which I've no doubt was It's purpose. When sentence fragments are used correctly in writing they're done to emphasize the message.

"...we often disagreed, and often strongly." Has a much different impact than "...we often disagreed. And often strongly." Clearly the fact they disagreed so strongly was important enough to require such an uncommon method of emphasis.

And then the use of an em dash in that next sentence when no pause is really necessary. The But stands in for however here too. Let's try that section in two sentences rather than one the way I did further up.

"Throughout our careers we often disagreed — and often strongly. However from that first briefing his fierce intellect and profound strategic focus was evident."

That reads a lot differently too doesn't it? It's less forgiving than the single sentence, but more forgiving then that mess of fragments in the official statement. Let's look at the three next to each other to really emphasize the differences.

"Throughout our careers, we often disagreed. And often strongly. But from that first briefing — his fierce intellect and profound strategic focus was evident."

"Throughout our careers we often disagreed — and often strongly. But from that first briefing his fierce intellect and profound strategic focus was evident."

"Throughout our careers we often disagreed—and often strongly—but from that first briefing his fierce intellect and profound strategic focus was evident."

The only thing changing is where punctuation is placed but each version of the statement gives off such different vibes. It's utterly fascinating to me, especially knowing that the person who wrote that statement has enough of an education to understand the grammar rules that are being "broken" here and would have very deliberately made those choices.

The message we get is that Biden disagreed with him. Strongly. However from that first briefing dot, dot, dot...

He was fiercely intelligent and profoundly strategically focused.

Fierce is such an interesting word choice here and it really emphasizes the lack of empathy when paired with the use of strategic to describe his focus. Not just strategically focused but profoundly so! To the exclusion of, that word seems to suggest.

There's more that I could ramble about but it's not as complex as this little section was and I've gone on long enough so I'll leave it here.

What a fucking masterpiece.

This is some cold-ass shit. As President, Biden has to say something. But he can say it in a way that says nothing and everything.

I want to shake the hand of the staffer that wrote this because this is absolutely fucking superb.

I know we (in general but especially neuroatypicals) prefer things to be clear and straightforward. But occasionally, you can do things in full view of the world like this. And that's kind of incredible.

[literaryvein-reblogs]

Writing Refresher: Conjunctive Adverbs

Conjunctive adverbs - are transition words or phrases.

Also called connective adverbs or linking adverbs.

Even though conjunctive adverbs are conjunctions, they are different from coordinating conjunctions, and they are not used in the same way:

Coordinating conjunctions - for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so (FANBOYS), which are punctuated with a comma before them when joining two complete sentences.

Conjunctive adverbs are used in 3 ways:

to show a function between two independent clauses in a sentence,

to show a function between two separate sentences, or

to act as an interrupter word or phrase.

Some Common Conjunctive Adverbs & their Functions

Function — Examples:

Cause and effect: accordingly, consequently therefore, then

Sequence: first/next, finally, furthermore, in addition

Time: before, meanwhile, since, now

Contrast: however, instead, in spite of, rather

Emphasis: indeed, of course, certainly, definitely

Summarize: in conclusion, in summary, briefly, quickly

Illustrate: for example, for instance, namely, typically

Comparison: like/as, likewise, similarly, alternatively

[bloseroseone]

What is Polysyndeton? Definition, Examples, and How to Use It in Writing

Ever come across a sentence that feels like it’s flowing endlessly, filled with “and,” “or,” “but,” and other conjunctions? That’s polysyndeton in action! Polysyndeton is a powerful literary device that, when used correctly, can add rhythm, emphasis, and emotional depth to your writing.

It’s one of those tools that can turn a simple list or a series of actions into something much more engaging and dramatic. Let’s dive in to learn what polysyndeton is, see some examples, and find out how you can use it effectively in your own writing.

What is Polysyndeton?

Polysyndeton is a stylistic device in which numerous coordinating conjunctions (such as “and,” “or,” and “but”) are used in sequence to create an artistic effect. Unlike other structures that may exclude these words, polysyndeton intentionally includes them to lend weight and flow to a sentence.

Etymology and Origins

The name “polysyndeton” is derived from the Greek terms “poly,” meaning “many,” and “syndeton,” which means “bound together.” So, quite simply, it refers to the binding together of various pieces via conjunctions.

This approach has been utilized in literature for ages, imparting a rhythmic and even overwhelming aspect to writing that can mimic the natural cadence of speech.....Continue reading

[wistfulenchantress]

Wow, what a funny anti-JKR joke!

Couple grammar things for @hjellacott:

"You're all such uncultured bigots it's fascinating." This is a run on sentence. I recommend either splitting it up or using a semicolon, since I doubt you know what a coordinating conjunction is.

"Like the word dumping and they don't even know what any of that means." Ah, so, a couple issues. Ignoring factual inaccuracies, because we don't have time, "Like the word dumping" is not a complete sentence. I would rewrite it as "All of this word dumping," with a comma, and then get rid of the unnecessary 'and.' Now, you say 'they' but earlier in the paragraph you address the reader directly, so I will just fix that. "You don't even know what any of that means." Just for flow, I will substitute 'it' for 'that,' and that first repost is now this:

"You're all such uncultured bigots. It's fascinating. All of this word dumping, you don't even know what any of it means."

There you go! Now your hate makes sense. Moving onto your next reblog, congratulations! "I have, thank you very much" is good, and so polite. I love that for you. Now, it gets a bit sticky after that, "But all you guys find is madness." Now, you could just remove the 'but'; however, I think you don't know how to, since you are such an ass. So, instead, I would recommend making a compound sentence, and combining it with your previous sentence. "I have, thank you very much, but all you guys find is madness."

"I hope you manage to at least find a brain in life," is a bit messy as well. I suggest the rewrite of "I hope you manage to gain some intelligence in your life." Then, you say, "To have both is, in my own experience, wonderful, but if I had to pick one I'd go with brains." Now, this isn't very specific, so I'll rewrite it. "Having brains and love is, in my personal experience, wonderful." Then, start a new sentence. "However, if you can only have one, I hope it is intelligence." This sounds much more professional, although sharing your own life experiences is great and adds a personal touch!

"People like you are great examples of how urgently they're needed." I will just rephrase this to simplify it, it is very repetitive and messy. "You are a great example of how necessary brains are in society."

So, your second post would be this:

"I have, thank you very much, but all you guys find is madness. I hope you manage to gain some intelligence in your life. Having brains and love is, in my personal experience, wonderful. However, if you can only have one, I hope it is intelligence. You are a great example of how necessary brains are in society."

Now, this did not address how hateful and inaccurate your message was, but if you are going to be a troll you might as well do it right.

Hope this is what you were looking for, @madmadder.

I thought Tumblr would enjoy this

Edit: credit goes to @/pharmafemboy on Mastodon

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Mastering Commas in OET Letter Writing

Using commas correctly is crucial for clear writing, especially in the OET writing sub-test. Here are some basic rules to help you master comma usage  in OET Letter Writing:

Complex Sentences: These consist of an independent clause and a dependent clause. When the dependent clause comes first, it is followed by a comma.

Example: After a full diagnosis is made, treatment will begin.

Compound Sentences: These are made up of two independent clauses joined by a comma and a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so), or by a semi-colon and a conjunctive adverb followed by a comma.

Example: The cause of her headaches was unknown, so Mrs. Trafford was sent to the specialist.

Example: The cause of her headaches was unknown; therefore, Mrs. Trafford was sent to the specialist.

Introductory and Transitional Phrases: These phrases, which come before the subject of a sentence, are followed by a comma.

Example: On October 14th, Mrs. Parker underwent surgery for a broken ankle.

Lists of Ideas or Items: Each item in a list is separated by a comma, including the final item before "and" or "or," known as the Oxford comma.

Example: The patient was advised to take painkillers, antibiotics, and get plenty of bed rest.

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