Comma Rule: Use a Comma When Introducing an Independent Clause with a Conjunction

Independent clauses work in the same way as full sentences, so you normally join two independent clauses with a semicolon. If there is a conjunction linking the independent clause, then you use a comma.

Correct
I am jealous of Danthony’s shoes, but I will not steal them.
I have very little impulse control, and now I have a new pair of shoes.

The independent clause is linked by a conjunction and a comma. You may also replace the comma and conjunction with either a semicolon or a period to make it two complete sentences. 

Oh, Danthony, I couldn’t resist; your sense of style is just too cool and I was driven to crime.

Incorrect
I am jealous of Danthony’s shoes, I will not steal them.
I have very little impulse control, now I have a new pair of shoes.

These examples are incorrect because two complete sentences cannot be linked with only a comma. 

Comma Rule: Do Not Join Independent Clauses with a Comma

Independent clauses are grammatically complete sentences. To join two of them, use a semicolon.

Correct
Grandma and I went to the park to watch squirrels harass small dogs; grandma hates those small dogs.
I, Acornicus Floofy-Ear Squirrel, will defend the kingdom of The Tree from the threat of the dog-menace; I will give my life for The Tree.

Independent clauses function as a sentence on their own; you join independent clauses when they are closely related, for emphasis, or when one clause summarizes the other. 

The unwavering grimace of the legendary fluffy-eared war-squirrel; it prepares for the unmitigated carnage of battle and probably some crackers tossed by children.

Incorrect
I am Dave, I like sports.
I am Sports, I dislike Dave

These examples don’t work because the two independent clauses are joined by a comma which makes it a comma splice. Avoid comma splices. 

 

Interesting Word: Dubious

Dubious

1) Adjective – doubtful or questioning; hesitant.

The dubious deer hesitated a moment too long and one deer and one car were absolutely ruined.

Eggbert appeared dubious by the plane’s open door and silently he questioned the credentials of his skydiving instructor Dr. Chad Realname.

The cold, long face that will triple your insurance bill for no reason other than to see you suffer.

2) Adjective – Unreliable, questionable, not to be trusted.

The scientific community called Dr. Chad Realname’s research dubious because he never gave a clear answer on how he conducted so many experiments on what he called the “bounciness of the human body at high velocity.”

The climber trusted the dubious rope that had an ominous frayed edge and people miles around heard the echoes of a regretful scream.

Pictured above: the research process.

The Vocative Comma

The Vocative comma separates a name from the rest of the sentence when someone is being directly addressed.

With the Vocative Comma
“I’m going to the store, Brad.”
“It’s over, Danford. It’s just not going to work if you keep watching our shows on Netflix without me.”

Without the Vocative Comma
“It’s over Danford. It’s just not going to work if you keep watching our shows on Netflix without me.”

“I’m going to the store Brad”

There’s so many great deals on produce at Brad!

Colon Strategy 1: Use a Colon to Connect Related Sentences

You can use a colon to connect two related complete sentences if the second sentence emphasizes, summarizes, or explains the first sentence.

Correct use: Mr. Lawrence was attacked by a wolverine: his birthday was not going well.
This example works because the second sentence adds to the ideas of the first. Grammatically, it makes sense either to use the colon or to have two separate sentences but by using the colon you can show a direct relationship between the two sentences. 

Not once did I say Mr. Lawrence was human: he was, in fact, a very successful bird-lawyer.

Incorrect use: Mr. Lawrence was attacked by a wolverine: it was snowing on Mt. Fuji.
This example doesn’t work because both statements–while they are true and complete sentences–do not have any relationship to each other. 

Word of the Week: Abscond

Abscond
1) Verb – To leave secretly in order to avoid detection or arrest for something that is likely unlawful.

The tooth fairy absconded with the child’s teeth along with his tv, phone, and dog named Bark Ruffalo.

While his family played board games in the other room, Brad absconded with the turkey so he could enjoy Thanksgiving alone in his room.

Eyes on the prize, Brad

2) Verb – (In reference to incarcerated people) to escape.

Bark Ruffalo escaped the kennel his abductor had put him in and began his journey home to his celebrity master.

Ice pick Dave absconded from prison and prepared to start a new life as a professional balloon popper.

From birth Bark Ruffalo knew there was something different about him.

Editing: the Annoying but Essential Friend

Editing is the most frustrating and annoying part of any paper. You think that it is good enough because you took the time to plan  and it has all the ideas you wanted. But does it really? Do the sentences flow? Are your ideas being portrayed the way you want them to? Does the writing have a purpose and the desired effect on the reader? All these questions need to be answered after your first draft and most of the answers are based on the organization and content of the paper instead of the typical editing of punctuation and capitalization. You can find the answers to all the questions of writing a perfect paper through the magical process of editing. Sometimes we get caught up in the proper location for a comma or a period in particular and we don’t realize that the sentence itself is in a completely wrong place. If your first draft doesn’t have arrows pointing to new locations for a sentence or completely different sentences written in the margins to be added to your paper then you must be the world’s first perfect writer (you aren’t and nobody is). If it isn’t ugly then you are doing something terribly wrong, my friend.

Though it may be the worst part of writing a paper, editing is the most beneficial process for the end result. Editing allows you to identify and correct the flaws of a paper. It also allows you to get the most out of your paper; it gives you the opportunity to arrange your paper so that you spark something in the reader. The process of editing assists in making your purpose clear and understandable for the reader. Reading a paper that has been edited should be easy and fluid for any audience member including yourself. Editing is your friend, your annoying but necessary friend.

Word of the Week: Soporific

Wild family fun for everyone!

Soporific
1) Adjective – causing sleepiness or grogginess.

The drone of Professor Dauchtor’s voice in the hot room had a soporific effect.
The lullaby had a soporific effect upon the baby which allowed the parents to have a wild board-game party in the other room.

Whoopsy daisy

2) Noun – a drug or substance that induces sleep.
Instead of singing a lullaby, the parents gave their child an age-appropriate soporific so they could have a totally crazy board-game party like their cool friends did.
The doctor did not give their patient a potent enough soporific and surgery did not go well.

The Oxford Comma

The Oxford Comma

• Also known as the “Serial Comma”
• A comma before the word “and” at the end of a list of three or more items
• The Oxford Comma is often considered optional by people who are wrong

With the Oxford Comma

We babysat the two raccoons, Louis, and Clark.

Without the Oxford Comma

We babysat the two raccoons, Louis and Clark.