Questions come in two different types: yes/no questions and questions that seek information. ? Questions usually end in a question mark (?). Yes/No questions “Yes/no” questions seek a simple one-word answer, which may or may not be expanded. Many “yes/no” questions are formed with the verb “do” before the subject and […]
Phrase
Non-sentences/Fragments
In formal writing, anything between an initial capital letter and an ending punctuation (period, question mark, or exclamation mark) should be a complete sentence. It should express an understandable thought with a subject (doer) and a verb (action). Some verbs require objects, what the action was done upon (direct object: what was thrown, what was […]
Comma splices, Run-on sentences
Sentence “no-no’s” The difference between a comma splice and a fused sentence (or run-on sentence) is the comma included in a comma splice. A fused or run-on sentence has no punctuation between two independent clauses. It simply runs on from the capital letter to the period. A comma splice occurs when two or more independent […]
Misplaced modifiers
Word order matters. Where you put a word or a phrase can change the meaning of a sentence or make it completely illogical. Misplaced modifiers come in several varieties: dangling participles, misplaced adjectives, misplaced adverbs, misplaced phrases. What is a dangling participle? A participle dangles when the present (“-ing”) or past (“-ed”) participle in the […]
Slash – forward or back
The backslash is used in Windows and MS-Dos directories. Forward slash The forward slash is also called simply the “slash.” In general, the slash should be avoided in narrative writing, whether fiction or non-fiction. /Write out slash alternatives such as “per” or “or.” Abbreviations other than titles should be avoided, whether or not they […]
Verbs
Verb forms Verbs have two forms (infinitive and gerund) and numerous tenses (past, present, and future). Infinitive The infinitive is “to” plus the single word naming the action or state of being. It cannot serve as the primary verb of a clause, but it often follows the main verb. An Infinitive may be a subject or follow […]
Functions of sentences
A sentence has different functions. Sentences are categorized by their purpose. They may be declarative, interrogative, exclamatory, or imperative. A declarative sentence makes a statement. If offers information. An interrogative sentence asks a question. It seeks information. An exclamatory sentence expresses an emotion, usually a strong emotion. An imperative sentence gives a command. It tells […]
