grammar

Comma splice

A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are joined by just a comma without a coordinating conjunction.

What punctuation mark should you use instead of dashes or parentheses?

Use commas instead.

Oxford comma

The Oxford comma is the comma used before the conjunction in a list of three or more items, e.g., 'apples, oranges, and bananas.'

How do you make a singular noun possessive?

Add an apostrophe, e.g., the dog's leash.

How do you make a plural noun possessive?

Add an apostrophe after the s, e.g., the dogs' park.

What is a participle?

A participle is a verb form used as an adjective, typically ending in -ed or -ing.

What is an adverb?

An adverb describes verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, indicating how, when, where, or to what extent an action is performed.

What is an example of using a subordinating conjunction in a sentence?

Because it was raining, they stayed inside.

Rewritten: The boy who was on the other side of the fence and who wanted to get to the side with the candy.

The boy, who wanted to get to the side with the candy, was on the other side of the fence.

Using 'affect' or 'effect' in a sentence.

The changes in temperature will affect the outcome of the experiment.

How to join two sentences with conjunction 'but'?

She wanted to go to the party, but she was too tired.

What is an example of a sentence with three items using semicolons?

I need to buy groceries: apples, which are red; bananas, which are yellow; and grapes, which are green.

What is wrong with the sentence: 'The cup of noodles are in the microwave.'?

The subject 'cup' is singular; it should be 'The cup of noodles is in the microwave.'

What can you pluralize with an apostrophe?

Letters or symbols, e.g., 'She got all A's and B's.'

A run-on sentence correction example.

My brother took all my socks; then he threw them in the sink, got them wet, and put them in a bag to freeze overnight.

What does further mean?

Further refers to a greater degree or extent, often used in abstract contexts.

What does farther mean?

Farther refers to a physical distance in space or time.

Why use the Oxford comma?

To clarify a list and prevent misinterpretation, enhancing readability.

Examples of titles that are italicized or underlined

Books, movies, newspapers.