When there are two independent clauses that are joined by a coordinate conjunction, — and, but, or, nor — a comma goes before the conjunction. This is probably the most basic of all comma rules. …There were three of us, and I assumed we were all in agreement. …I saw her early in the day, but she was not at the …
New Class: Introductory Elements
What elements take a comma after them at the beginning of a sentence? …On Friday we will have time. OR …On Friday, we will have time. What elements take a comma after the conjunction when there is a compound sentence? …We met earlier in the month, and in 2019 20 of us met again. OR …We met earlier in the …
The Tag Clause
A tag clause turns a statement into a question. …You were there by 10:00, weren’t you? …You were there by 10:00; is that right? …You were there by 10:00, weren’t you, to see your brother? …You were there by 10:00 — is that right? — to see your brother? There are two kinds of tag clauses. The one that depends …
The Understood Introductory Word for Dependent Clauses
The explanation begins with the grammatical fact that a coordinate conjunction — “and,” “but,” “or,” “nor” — must link grammatically EQUAL parts. It cannot link an independent clause to a dependent clause. Remember that it can never be “He is tall and Bob.” So if this is true — and it is — we have to look at this construction: …
Commas on Steroids — Tomorrow
Hi, everyone. I am just checking in. My Commas on Steroids class begins tomorrow at 8:30 A.M. PDT. We will forgo the usual (common) rules and go for more sophistication in our discussion. It is an eight-hour class, spread out over the next three weekends. At just $20 per CEU, it is the most fun you could have for your …
Just a reminder: Sentence Structure, a study of clauses and phrases, begins this Saturday, August 10, at 8:30 A.M. PDT. Go to margieholdsclass.com for details and registration. And, yes, I had a MAJOR grammar mistake in my last post!!! …I give this class ONLY once a year. The placement of “only” matters!!!! Happy punctuating! Margie
The Missing Preposition? No!
There was a recent post on FB that was based on assuming that a preposition had been left out of a prepositional phrase. There is really no such thing as a prepositional phrase without the preposition. The preposition cannot be “assumed.” It is either there, or it is not. If it is there, there is a prepositional phrase; if it is …
Commas on Steroids Starts This Sunday
My first-time-ever class on commas alone, Commas on Steroids, begins this Sunday, January 13, and then meets both days next weekend, January 19 and 20. (As I am putting the class together, I am thinking we need more time, but that will have to be a Part 2 comma class at a later date!) We will spend the entire six …
Those Pesky Conjunctive Adverbs
The rule is that, when an adverb is pulled out to the front of a COMPLETE sentence, it becomes a “conjunctive” adverb, begins a brand-new sentence, and needs a period or a semicolon in front of it and a comma after it if it has more than one syllable. It is common to do this with certain adverbs such as …
“Margie Rules” — The Subscription
I have an excellent example this morning of what we do in Margie Rules. This is my $10-a-month subscription program. We offer a 10 percent discount on all my books and seminars; a live monthly session online for questions and discussion of English topics; and a dedicated FB page, where I answer questions and explain the grammar/punctuation that applies to …