Grammer terms

Coordinating vs. Subordinating conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions combine two independent clauses (and, or, but, nor, for, yet and so). Subordinating conjunctions make complex sentences with I/D clauses (after, although, as, as if, because, before, even though, if, since, unless, when, whenever, until, while)

coordinating conjunction

FANBOYS=for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so

Mending sentence fragments

Fixing a sentence fragment involves one of two things: giving it the components it lacks or fastening it onto an independent clause. Consider the following: There are many ways to frighten little brothers. For example, by hiding under their beds and waiting for dark. While this writer has great ideas when it comes to stealth, that second statement is not a complete sentence. It lacks a subject. You would be forgiven for thinking it had a verb, but "by hiding under their beds and waiting for dark" is a prepositional phrase. There are two ways to fix this sentence. The first would be to latch it onto the complete sentence before it. Semicolons are great for connecting dependent clauses beginning with for example and however: There are many ways to frighten little brothers; for example, by hiding under their beds and waiting for dark. If that seems too formal for your purposes, you could fortify the fragment with a subject (you) and verbs for the subject to act on. There are many ways to frighten little brothers. For example, you could hide under their beds and wait for dark. Both remedies result in structurally sound sentences.

subject-verb agreement

Plural subjects must have plural verbs. Singular subjects must have singular verbs

Comma Placement and Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions that fall in the middle of a sentence are generally not preceded by a comma. This is the opposite of what is done with coordinating conjunctions, or words that join two independent clauses (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and sometimes so). When a subordinate clause begins a sentence, however, the whole clause (but not the subordinating conjunction itself) is followed by a comma. Whenever, Batman was away, Robin drove the Batmobile. Whenever Batman was away, Robin drove the Batmobile. Robin drove the Batmobile, whenever Batman was away. Robin drove the Batmobile whenever Batman was away.

How to Use a Semicolon Correctly

The most common use of the semicolon is to join two independent clauses without using a conjunction like and. Do you use a capital letter after a semicolon? The general answer is no. A semicolon should be followed by a capital letter only if the word is a proper noun or an acronym. We can go to the museum to do some research; Mondays are pretty quiet there. Remember, semicolons are not interchangeable with commas or periods. Instead, they're somewhere in between: stronger than a comma but not quite as divisive as a period. Sounds pretty cunning to us. Here are the rules for using semicolons correctly; we hope you're taking notes.

Subordinating Conjunctions Showing Cause and Effect

The subordinating conjunction that is simplest to explain is because. Because is a conjunction with just one purpose: to show a cause-and-effect relationship between a subordinate clause and a main clause. On its own, a clause beginning with because is incomplete. Because he wouldn't wear a seat belt. We have the sense that there is something missing here. Let's add an independent clause so this statement has something to lean on. Robin wasn't allowed in the Batmobile any longer. Now we will combine the two in a complex sentence. Robin wasn't allowed in the Batmobile any longer because he wouldn't wear a seatbelt. In this sentence, "Robin wasn't allowed in the Batmobile any longer" is an independent clause. It could stand on its own as a complete sentence. A clause that shows a causal relationship such as "because he wouldn't wear a seatbelt" (answering the question "Why?" or "For what purpose?" is often referred to as a clause of purpose. Other subordinating conjunctions that can show cause-and-effect relationships and function in the same way are for, as, since, therefore, hence, as a result, consequently, though, due to, provided that, because of, unless, as a result of, and so/so that. Batman required strict compliance with seat belt rules, hence Robin was not allowed to ride in the Batmobile. Since Robin refused to wear his seat belt, Batman has banned him from the Batmobile.

How to Fix a Comma Splice

There are three common ways to fix a comma splice. Let's look at a new example: I am not angry with you, I am not happy with you, either. Fix #1: Add a Conjunction One way to fix a comma splice is to add a conjunction immediately after the comma. With most comma splices, the conjunction you'll want to add is probably and, but, or so. I am not angry with you, but I am not happy with you, either. Fix #2: Change the Comma to a Semicolon If adding a conjunction doesn't seem to work, you can change the comma to a semicolon instead. Unlike commas, semicolons are strong enough to glue two independent clauses together. I am not angry with you; I am not happy with you, either. If you decide to use a semicolon, make sure there is a close, logical connection between the two independent clauses. Fix #3: Make Separate Sentences If adding a conjunction doesn't seem to work and using a semicolon feels too stuffy, you can fix a comma splice by simply making each independent clause a separate sentence. I am not angry with you. I am not happy with you, either.

Use Semicolons With Conjunctive Adverbs

When you have a conjunctive adverb linking two independent clauses, you should use a semicolon. Some common conjunctive adverbs include moreover, nevertheless, however, otherwise, therefore, then, finally, likewise, and consequently. I needed to go for a walk and get some fresh air; also, I needed to buy milk. Reports of the damage caused by the hurricane were greatly exaggerated; indeed, the storm was not a "hurricane" at all. The students had been advised against walking alone at night; however, Cathy decided walking wasn't dangerous if it was early in the evening. I'm not all that fond of the colors of tiger lilies; moreover, they don't smell very good. These words sometimes show up in other parts of a sentence; therefore, the semicolon rule only applies if it helps the conjunctive adverb join two independent clauses. (See what we did there?) This conjunctive adverb rule is similar to the conjunction rule. In both cases, check that the two ideas are independent clauses that could stand on their own as sentences. If so, then you're grammatically good to go as far as the semicolon is concerned.

Stylistic sentence fragments

Without question, you should avoid sentence fragments in formal situations and academic writing. That said, a fragment within a clear context can sometimes serve a valid dramatic purpose. Journalists, bloggers, and fiction writers often use them. For example: No one thought that Ethan could make the jump; it was just too high. All the same, he was determined to astound us. No matter what. And he did. Your high school English teacher would find three things wrong with this description. No matter what is a sentence fragment. And he did is a sentence beginning with a conjunction, and it's a one-sentence paragraph. Gasp! As always, judge for yourself who your audience is and how much wiggle room you have for breaking the rules. If you are telling a story, a few fragments might suit your purpose and style well, but if you are writing an essay or crafting a business document, it's best to steer clear of them.

Are Comma Splices Ever OK?

Yes! You should avoid comma splices in formal writing, but now that you know the rule, you can sometimes break it in more artistic types of writing. In fiction, for instance, you might use a comma splice to convey a character's racing thoughts or observations. She was beautiful, she was gorgeous, she was ravishing. Comma splices can also create a sense of grandeur in rhetoric, but only if they're used sparingly. I came, I saw, I conquered. And in poetry, of course, the rules are even more relaxed. Sometimes, a comma splice creates just the right rhythm. Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rave at close of day... That's it! Now you're ready to get out there and use your commas with confidence.

Semicolons Connect Related Independent Clauses

You can use a semicolon to join two closely related independent clauses. Let's put that another way. The group of words that comes before the semicolon should form a complete sentence, the group of words that comes after the semicolon should form a complete sentence, and the two sentences should share a close, logical connection: I ordered a cheeseburger for lunch; life's too short for counting calories. Money is the root of all evil; I don't believe the reverse is necessarily true. Martha has gone to the library; Andrew has gone to play soccer. Notice that the letter following the semicolon is not capitalized. The examples above are both made up of two complete, grammatically correct sentences glued together. Yes, that means there are six total sentences up there—and thanks to the semicolon, only two capital letters. That's exactly why you can't substitute a comma for a semicolon. Using a comma instead of a semicolon in the sentences above would result in a comma splice. And there's nothing as painful as a comma splice.

Use Semicolons in a Serial List

You can use semicolons to divide the items of a list if the items are long or contain internal punctuation. In these cases, the semicolon helps readers keep track of the divisions between the items. I need the weather statistics for the following cities: London, England; London, Ontario; Paris, France; Paris, Ontario; Perth, Scotland; Perth, Ontario. My plan included taking him to a nice—though not necessarily expensive—dinner; going to the park to look at the stars, which, by the way, are amazing this time of year; and serenading him with my accordion. Let's recap: so far we've got semicolons for linking two independent clauses; replacing a conjunction (whether showing similarity, like "and," or opposition, like "but"); and long, comma-loving lists. Yup, that was one now.

sentence fragment

a sentence missing a subject or verb or complete thought Here is a glaring example of a sentence fragment: Because of the rain. On its own, because of the rain doesn't form a complete thought. It leaves us wondering what happened because of the rain. To complete it, we need further explanation: Because of the rain, the party was canceled. Now the fragment has become a dependent clause attached to a sentence that has a subject (the party) and a verb (was canceled). Our thought is complete. In that example, making the sentence longer was the solution. But that doesn't mean that short sentences can't be complete. This teensy sentence is complete: I ran. I ran may be a short thought, but it has a subject (I) and a verb (ran). Nothing in the sentence demands further explanation. Another famous example of a short-but-complete sentence is "Jesus wept." Avoiding sentence fragments not only makes your writing easier to read, but it can also make you sound more polished in polite correspondence. We've all had emails ending with: Looking forward to seeing you. That sentence lacks a subject. Adding the subject will build a stronger, more confident-sounding sentence: I'm looking forward to seeing you. It's a subtle psychological difference, but if you are corresponding in a formal setting, it is worth taking care to write complete sentences. Fragments can sound as if they are carelessly blurted out.

A Handy List of Subordinating Conjunctions

after although as as if as long as as much as as soon as as though because before by the time even if even though if in order that in case in the event that lest now that once only only if provided that since so supposing that than though till unless until, when whenever where whereas wherever whether or not while

dependent clause

does not express a complete thought and cannot stand alone as a sentence. It had a subject + verb, but no thought.

Comma splice

A comma splice is particular kind of comma mistake that happens when you use a comma to join two independent clauses. Here's an example: Koala bears are not actually bears, they are marsupials. How can you tell that's a comma splice? Look at the group of words before the comma. Koala bears are not actually bears Did you notice that this group of words can stand by itself as a complete sentence? That means it's an independent clause. Now look at the group of words after the comma. They are marsupials This group of words can also stand by itself as a complete sentence. It's another independent clause. When you have two independent clauses, a comma is not strong enough to glue them together.

subcordinating conjunction

A subordinating conjunction is a word or phrase that links a dependent clause to an independent clause. This word or phrase indicates that a clause has informative value to add to the sentence's main idea, signaling a cause-and-effect relationship or a shift in time and place between the two clauses

Subordinating Conjunctions Signaling Relationships of Time or Place

Another function of subordinating conjunctions is to show a relationship between two clauses involving a transition of time or place. Some examples of such subordinating conjunctions are once, while, when, whenever, where, wherever, before, and after. Once Batman learned that Robin had not been wearing his seatbelt, he took away his keys to the Batmobile. Robin looked regretfully at the Batmobile whenever he passed it in the Batcave. After Batman was done working for the night, Robin took a secret ride in the Batmobile. Before Robin gets his job in the Batcave back, he must promise to stop playing with the Batmobile.

More Examples of Comma Splices

Are you getting the hang of it? Here are a few more examples of comma splices and possible corrections. I'm thinking of skipping English class, it's really boring. Adding a conjunction like and or but after the comma in the sentence above doesn't really make sense. But there does seem to be a close, logical connection between the first independent clause (I'm thinking of skipping English class) and the second independent clause (it's really boring). This is the perfect situation for a semicolon. I'm thinking of skipping English class; it's really boring. You could also break those two independent clauses apart and make them separate sentences. I'm thinking of skipping English class. It's really boring. Let's try another: Dan was late, we left without him. In this case, the conjunction so fits the bill. Dan was late, so we left without him. Or you could use a semicolon. Dan was late; we left without him. Or you could make two sentences, especially if you want to sound blunt. Dan was late. We left without him.