Hyphen Seminar

Margie Wakeman WellsPunctuation Precision, Research, The Hyphen Leave a Comment

In introductory remarks entitled “Where Have All the Hyphens Gone?” The Gregg Reference Manual suggests that what it calls “the hyphen mess” is simply going to go away because people just don’t understand the rules. And if you go on to read the 38-page chapter on compound words, I am fairly sure you will agree. Since – for those of …

Checking In

Margie Wakeman WellsGeneral Leave a Comment

Dear blog followers, I am checking in for the first time in a while. Life has been hectic in the Wellses’ household the last many months. Among other things, I traveled seven times in nine weeks September through November, and we moved in January for the first time in 45 years. We downsized and now have NO stairs AND our …

The Tag Clause

Margie Wakeman WellsThe Comma, The Semicolon Leave a Comment

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

Margie Wakeman WellsClauses, Sentence Structure, The Comma, Uncategorized Leave a Comment

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

Margie Wakeman WellsThe Comma Leave a Comment

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 …

Margie Wakeman WellsEssential versus Nonessential, MWW Blog, Phrases, Sentence Structure, The Comma, The Semicolon Leave a Comment

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

Punctuation Precision Starts Sunday

Margie Wakeman WellsPunctuation Precision Leave a Comment

Just a quick reminder that Punctuation Precision, a comprehensive 20-hour class, begins on Sunday. The class meets Sundays from 2:30 to 4:30 PDT and/or on Saturdays from 8:30 to 10:30 PDT. This is most likely the only time this year that I will offer this class. It is your chance to put all of the rules together in one class. …

Commas on Steroids Starts This Sunday

Margie Wakeman WellsClauses, Essential versus Nonessential, The Comma Leave a Comment

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 …