Confession: the first thing I learned about ‘that’ is that it never needs a comma before it. It sounded too good to be true! Now I try it for size in my sentence, and if it sounds right, I use it. This is, of course, an over-simplification, but it works more often than not. It … Continue reading That Which Is Write
Tag: commas
Where Commas Fear to Tread
commas again - where NOT to use them.
Comma Conclusion, Part 5
(even) more about commas
But and Because; Commas Part 4
(even) more about commas
Comma Conventions, Part 3
More comma-plications
Continuing Commas, Part 2: Comma Categories
Exploring types of comma
Comma Conundrums, Part 1: Rotating Sentences and the Oxford Comma
Teacher lied about commas.
So. . . Connecting clauses
When reading sample edits in a writing magazine, I've recently come across examples where a comma before the conjunction so has been pronounced incorrect. Since so is one of the FANBOYS conjunctions (which, we are advised, require commas before their use) and since I'm getting a bit rusty myself since I last looked into commas, … Continue reading So. . . Connecting clauses
Comma Chorus
An afterthought on commas
Tell It Like It Is
Dialogue can be tricky. If you want to make your characters’ conversations sparkle, there is plenty of good advice on the internet. But first, tidy up basics, like punctuation and speech tags, that can distract from your brilliant banter. This is a checklist to help you dust off your dialogue ready for that final polish that … Continue reading Tell It Like It Is
Writing Wrinkles 