Category: Writing

Compound Sentences

Posted on by metbaseball

A sentence that contains at least two independent clauses is a compound sentence. One way to connect the independent clauses is by using a conjunctive adverb; another way is by using a coordinating conjunction.

There are seven coordinating conjunctions: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so. As a group, they form the “fanboys,” an acronym that aids their recall.

Whenever a coordinating conjunction connects two independent clauses, a comma must be inserted before the conjunction.

Example: Jill ate the hamburger, for she was hungry.

Note: In the above example, “for” means “because.”

Is the following a compound sentence? Is the sentence punctuated correctly?

* The Mets released Luis Castillo on Friday but they didn’t release Oliver Perez until Monday.

It’s a compound sentence; however, it’s not punctuated correctly. It needs a comma before “but.”

More on Conjunctive Adverbs

Posted on by metbaseball

A conjunctive adverb can appear either at the beginning of a sentence or within it. When it starts a sentence, a comma should follow it.

Example: Nevertheless, he ate the ice cream.

When it’s within a sentence, how it’s punctuated depends on what surrounds it. If there’s an independent clause on each side, it needs to be punctuated as described in the previous post.

Example: Today is the first day of spring; however, I’m going to miss winter.

When a conjunctive adverb “interrupts” a sentence that contains only one independent clause, the adverb needs to be “encased” in commas.

Example: For breakfast, however, she prefers to eat oatmeal.

Note: If a group of words that begins with a capital letter and ends with a period lacks an independent clause, it’s a sentence fragment. (“Stop!” is a sentence because its subject, “you,” is implied, and its meaning is understood. It expresses a complete thought.)

A Brief Introduction to the Conjunctive Adverb

Posted on by metbaseball

A sentence, at its minimum, needs to contain both a subject and a verb; further, it must express a complete thought, which enables it to make sense when standing alone.

The above sentence actually expresses two thoughts. First, it states that “A sentence, at its minimum, needs to contain both a subject and a verb.” Second, it states that “it must express a complete thought, which enables it to make sense when standing alone.” Each of those thoughts is also an independent clause. They’re connected by “further,” which is a conjunctive adverb.

Whenever a conjunctive adverb connects two independent clauses, it must be preceded by a semi-colon and followed by a comma.

Other words that can serve as conjunctive adverbs are accordingly, besides, consequently, finally, furthermore, however, nevertheless, and therefore.

A “broken” breaking news story

Posted on by metbaseball

The writing and editing of news stories isn’t being done with as much care as they used to be. The story below appeared in the New York Post and was written by Philip Messing. What caught my attention was its last sentence: “It is not known yet how many people were aboard during the accident.” Did its author forget that in its first sentence he wrote that 750 people were aboard the ferry? And did anyone copy-edit it?

A Staten Island ferry packed with 750 people slammed into a dock in Staten Island tonight, leaving nine on board with minor injuries, authorities said.

The accident occurred at about 7:10 p.m. in the St. George ferry terminal, on the north end of Staten Island.

“The boat came in kind of hard when it was docking,” said a law enforcement source.

Emergency crews are on the scene now. It is not known yet how many people were aboard during the accident.