5. Do not join independent clauses by a comma.If two or more clauses, grammatically complete and not joined by a conjunction, are to form a single compound sentence, the proper mark of punctuation is a semicolon.Stevenson's romances are entertaining; they are full of exciting adventures.It is nearly half past five; we cannot reach town before … Continue reading Elements of Style, Rule 5
Day: August 15, 2006
The Century Mark
I've reached 100 books over on my list there to the left. I'm most pleased that 54 of those books are books that I had not read before. This may not be a representative year, but I didn't expect that high of a percentage of new books. The 100th book is a Perry Mason mystery … Continue reading The Century Mark
Elements of Style, Rule 4
4. Place a comma before and or but introducing an independent clause.The early records of the city have disappeared, and the story of its first years can no longer be reconstructed.The situation is perilous, but there is still one chance of escape.Sentences of this type, isolated from their context, may seem to be in need … Continue reading Elements of Style, Rule 4
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