Independent vs Dependent Clauses
Independent clauses can stand alone as a complete sentence, while a dependent clause cannot
Independent clause contains a subject+verb and expresses a complete thought
Comma Rule #1
Commas are used before a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) when joining two independent clauses
Ex: He walked down the street, and then he turned the corner.
Comma Rule #2
Use a comma after an introductory clause or phrase.
When Jim studied in the library for his chemistry quiz, it was very quiet.
Comma Rule #3
Use commas to separate words and word groups in a simple series of three or more items.
Ex: We had coffee, cheese, crackers, and grapes.
Comma Rule #4
Use a comma to separate two adjectives when the adjectives are interchangeable.
Ex: It was a vibrant, massive painting.
Also
It was a massive, vibrant painting.
Comma Rule #5
Use commas to set off nonessential parts of the sentence.
Ex: The woman, knowing it was late, hurried home.
Itās
It is
Its
Possessive form of it
Colon
Use a colon after an independent clause when it is followed by a list, a quotation, appositive, or directly explains the independent clause.
Ex: The vote was unanimous: the older candidate had won.
Semicolon
Use a semicolon to join 2 independent clauses when the second clause restates the first or when the two clauses are of equal emphasis.
Ex: Iām not sure how to get there; letās get directions.
Semicolon Rule #2
Use a semicolon to join 2 independent clauses when the second clause begins with a conjunctive adverb (however, therefore, etc.) or a transition (in fact, for example, etc.).
Ex: The basement is scary; thus, I do not go down there alone.
Dashes
Dashes are used to set off or emphasize the content enclosed within dashes or the content that follows a dash. Dashes place more emphasis on the content than parentheses do.
Ex: Upon discovering the errorsāall 124 of themāthe publisher immediately recalled the books.
Subject Pronouns
I, you, he, she, it, we, and they
Object Prouns
Me, you, him, her, it, us, and them
That vs Who
Who is the pronoun for a person or people, and that is the pronoun for everything else.
Subject
Noun that ādoesā the verb
Might have vs Might of
Might have is always correct
Misplaced Modifiers
A misplaced modifier thatās not close enough to the thing it describes, so it looks like itās describing the wrong thing.
Error: The jacket was too small on the sale rack.
Corrected: The jacket on the sales rack was too small.