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When starting a sentence with a dependent clause, use a comma after it. Example: If you can’t find what you are looking for, let me know. But a comma is often unnecessary when the sentence starts with an independent clause followed by a dependent clause. Example: Let me know if you can’t find what you … Continue reading
Compound adjectives beginning with well are generally written with no hyphen when used alone after a verb, but with hyphen when they come before a noun. She is well dressed. BUT She is a well-dressed woman. He is not that well known. BUT He is a well-known actor.
Rule: Spell out the time of day in text even with half and quarter hours. Example: It was almost half past six when she got the first call from the press. Rule: With o’clock, the number is always spelled out. Example: The show begins at seven o’clock in the evening. Rule: Use numerals to express … Continue reading
What’s wrong with the following sentence? ‘She thinks these steps will be adequate enough to ensure security of the students.’ The error lies in using adequate and enough together. This makes it redundant. Redundant means repeating something and therefore making it unnecessary. Here are some examples of redundancy: free gift (aren’t gifts always supposed to … Continue reading
Names of political or cultural periods or events are capitalized in their original connotations but should be in lower case when used in a generic (general) sense. Example: The arts and sciences flourished during the Renaissance. [Referring specifically to the period of cultural movement called Renaissance in Italy, hence capital] BUT There are lots of … Continue reading
When you have an adverb ending in ly, followed by a participle or an adjective, do not hyphenate it, whether you are using it before or after a noun. Example: a highly paid banker he was mildly amusing BUT For adverbs not ending in ly + participle or adjective, use a hyphen before a noun, … Continue reading
The serial comma, or the Oxford comma as it is popularly known, is the comma before the conjunction at the end of a list. In British English, using it is optional. However, most style guidelines mark this as mandatory in the US. It is certainly preferable, especially in academic writing, to use the serial comma … Continue reading
A modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that describes, clarifies, or gives more details about nouns or verbs in a sentence. Example: He earned almost a thousand bucks for the show. A misplaced modifier is when the modifier is NOT placed next to the word it modifies. Example: He almost earned a thousand bucks … Continue reading
An important element of good writing is coherence. You must be able to guide your readers effortlessly from one idea to the next, to help them make connections or note points that you wish to emphasize. Readers should be able to navigate clearly through your ideas, arguments or descriptions. We use transitional words or expressions … Continue reading
English Notes 