Grammer help, please...

[Vanessa Valentine]

I'm applying for a college program which starts in the fall. I have my entrance essays due in a few weeks. It's been a while since I was last in school. I've noticed that my grammer is a bit rusty. Can anyone remind me of when and where a coma "," should go? Also, when using the word "But", not to be confused with "Butt", am I supposed to put a coma before, after or ever???

Tank u? (lol)

V.

 

[the_big_E]

I cant really say off the top of my head, I'd have to see the context its being used in. However, I think the comma usually goes after but. Using Microsoft Word is really helpful as it spots grammatical errors. All my history of writing essays I havent really gotten burned, so I'd suggest using a program that corrects grammar. And secondly, just get someone to proof read it!

 

[WhOiSyOdAdDy?]

Rules For Comma Usage

I have never used a "coma"

 

[ocean976124]

Might also want to try grammer editing software. They don't catch everything but tend to fix common mistakes...

 

[midLifeCrisis]

Can anyone remind me of when and where a coma "," should go? Also, when using the word "But", not to be confused with "Butt", am I supposed to put a coma before, after or ever???

Let the record show that midLifeCrisis passed on a delicious opportunity to make remarks about comas.

With respect to commas, the most prevalent mistake is to add them before the word "and".

Wrong: I really like Miss Valentine's boobs, ass, and other bits.

Right: I love Miss Valentine's boobs, ass and other bits.

You would very rarely put a comma after "but" - commas are used to separate phrases in a sentence and "but" is not a phrase in and of itself.

I hope you'll be at the party on Friday, because your butt puts me in a coma.

 

[the_big_E]

Okay I dont want to get into a whole grammar argument, as sad as that is...but the first sentence you dubbed "Wrong" is correct, is it not?. I was always taught to put the commas in a list like you did purposely prior to the and.

 

[Naughty Alex]

...Miss Valentine, you can 'coma' next to my 'but' any day!


Use MSWord, type, it fixes the grammar and spelling.
Perhaps this doesn’t help, but good luck in school…

 

[midLifeCrisis]

Okay I dont want to get into a whole grammar argument, as sad as that is...but the first sentence you dubbed "Wrong" is correct, is it not?

That's the first item in WhOiSyOdAdDy?'s link.

The authors claim it is a matter of taste. I suggest that if you have good taste you will omit the comma.

 

[ToronToto]

mvv,

a while >> awhile
grammer >> grammar
coma >> comma

Regarding the usage of punctuation around the word "but", it depends on the context. For informal talk, who cares. For formal letters/documents, do NOT start a sentence using "But, ...". For a simple sentence, there is no real need for punctuation, but you can use it to separate phrases.

Just remember, punctuation is usually for readability, so use it appropriately, depending on the context.

btw, don't forget to use spell checking! And review some of MLC's posts, he's a perfectionist on this topic.

 

[wazzup]

New York Times Manual of Style and Usage

V. - I'm sure you have tons of time on your hands and there is nothing you'd rather do than read a book on grammer. Pick up a copy of New York Times Manual of Style and Usage and dive right in!

 

[the_big_E]

see I didnt click on the link, haha

 

[civic82]

He + are= we're

ar...... that would be HE'RE which is hononym of here or hear
just kidding

 

[papasmerf]

Your best bet is a good Word Processor

Microshafts Office has spell check (shut mine off) as well as grammer check. Not cheap. You need to ask if it is worth having, should it be cheap?

 

[Goober Mcfly]

You + are = you're
We + are= we're
He + is= he's
It + is= it's
They are = they're

Ah, Sesame Street....

"F ....... ARK. FARK.
SH ....... IT. SHIT
K.....ILLME KILLME"

 

[Perry Mason]

Hononym?

Hononym? What's a hononym?

Oh, you mean homonym??!!

And why do people persist in misspelling "grammar" after it has been pointed out?

Perry

 

[jwmorrice]

Vanessa,

I'll proofread your eassys(sic!) for you. lol....

Hononyms(sic!) - ....

Those proofread essays may leave something to be desired!

jwm

 

[DudleyDoRight]

Actually, your best friend and a fantastic source book for help with common grammar rules is Strunk & White's The Elements of Style. It's short, witty and widely considered to be the definitive guide on such matters. It also expounds quite nicely on the subject of the comma. You can get it at virtually any bookstore. The following is a (brief) summary of their rules on writing.

Strunk's Seven Elementary Rules of English Usage

Form the possessive singular of nouns by adding 's.
In a series of three or more terms with a single conjunction, use a comma after each term except the last.
Enclose parenthetic expressions between commas.
Place a comma before a conjunction introducing an independent clause.
Do not join independent clauses by a comma.
Do not break sentences in two.
A participial phrase at the beginning of a sentence must refer to the grammatical subject.

Strunk's 11 Elementary Principles of Composition

Choose a suitable design and hold to it.
Make the paragraph the unit of composition.
Use the active voice.
Put statements in positive form.
Use definite, specific, concrete language.
Omit needless words.
Avoid a succession of loose sentences.
Express coordinate ideas in similar form.
Keep related words together.
In summaries, keep to one tense.
Place the emphatic words of a sentence at the end.

White's List of 21 Reminders to Writers

Place yourself in the background.
Write in a way that comes naturally.
Work from a suitable design.
Write with nouns and verbs.
Revise and rewrite.
Do not overwrite.
Do not overstate.
Avoid the use of qualifiers.
Do not affect a breezy manner.
Use orthodox spelling.
Do not explain too much.
Do not construct awkward adverbs.
Make sure the reader knows who is speaking.
Avoid fancy words.
Do not use dialect unless your ear is good.
Be clear.
Do not inject opinion.
Use figures of speech sparingly.
Do not take shortcuts at the cost of clarity.
Avoid foreign languages.
Prefer the standard to the offbeat.

Hope all this helps.

 

[pineappleguy]

Okay I dont want to get into a whole grammar argument, as sad as that is...but the first sentence you dubbed "Wrong" is correct, is it not?. I was always taught to put the commas in a list like you did purposely prior to the and.

I agree. When I was taught grammer, the stone tablet said to put commas between every item in the list, including just before the "and".

Go to http://www.dyslexiamylife.org/grammar.htm#_Toc475471260 for some tips on comma usage where it says, "Note: do not omit the comma before the "and" which closes the series..."

 

[DudleyDoRight]

Again, I suggest consulting Strunk & White's Elementary Rule #2, which says:

In a series of three or more terms with a single conjunction, use a comma after each term except the last.

This clearly supports pineappleguy and the_big_E.

I would NEVER pretend to be more of an authority than S&W, but it has become common usage to omit the final comma in such lists and it is now considered acceptable by many to do so. So, in summary: tradition says use the final comma, evolving usage says it's optional. English is a living language.

 

[DudleyDoRight]

Seriously, the Elements of Style will be invaluable to you. Not just for writing your admissions essays (which I too have done as a "mature" student applying to universities) but for every essay you ever write. I (and a host of much more exalted persons over the last 80+ years) cannot say enough about the fabulously common sense advise of this book. Hell, staying in print for 80+ years has to mean something!