Punctuation

PUNCTUATION
PUNCTUATION
In journalistic punctuation style, you punctuate according to what you feel are the needs for clarity. But this is likely to be viewed differently by different people. Therefore, punctuation style in technical writing is based on the structure of the sentence.
PUNCTUATION
Use of Comma ,
PUNCTUATION
Use of Comma , Use of Colons :
PUNCTUATION
Use of Comma , Use of Colons : Use of Semicolons ;
PUNCTUATION
Use of Comma , Use of Colons : Use of Semicolons ; Use of Apostrophes
PUNCTUATION
Use of Comma , Use of Colons : Use of Semicolons ; Use of Apostrophes Use of Hyphens
PUNCTUATION
Use of Comma , Use of Colons : Use of Semicolons ; Use of Apostrophes Use of Hyphens Use of Comma Splices and Run-ons: The comma-splice and run-on
sentence are all examples of the problem in which two or more sentences are improperly joined.
PUNCTUATION
Use of Comma , Use of Colons : Use of Colons ; Use of Apostrophes Use of Hyphens Use of Comma Splices and Run-ons: The comma-splice and run-on
sentence are all examples of the problem in which two or more sentences are improperly joined.
Fragments: Fragments are simply incomplete sentencesgrammatically

incomplete.
Modifiers: A word, phrase, or clause--that adds information to a

noun or pronoun in a sentence.

Parallelism: Parallelism refers to the way that items in a series are

worded


worded
Subject-Verb Agreement: singular subject is matched with a

plural verb, or vice versa.


worded

Pronoun Reference: He, They, which


worded

Pronoun Reference: He, They, which Pronoun Case: Who, Whom


worded

Pronoun Reference: He, They, which Pronoun Case: Who, Whom Capitalization


worded

Pronoun Reference: He, They, which Pronoun Case: Who, Whom Capitalization Numbers vs. Words


worded

Pronoun Reference: He, They, which Pronoun Case: Who, Whom Capitalization Numbers vs. Words Symbols and Abbreviations


worded

Pronoun Reference: He, They, which Pronoun Case: Who, Whom Capitalization Numbers vs. Words Symbols and Abbreviations Homonyms (accept, except)
USE OF COMMA Use comma after all introductory elements.

Any element, regardless of the length, coming before the main clause should be punctuated with a comma. (The main clause is that core part of a sentence that makes it a complete sentence; that is, it expresses a complete thought.)

When an atom acquires enough energy to leave its orbit, the atom is positively charged.

When an atom acquires enough energy to leave its orbit, the atom is positively charged. As for the energy required to produce plastic automobile parts, the auto makers view the additional cost as justified by the savings in petroleum by a lighter car during its lifetime.

When an atom acquires enough energy to leave its orbit, the atom is positively charged. As for the energy required to produce plastic automobile parts, the auto makers view the additional cost as justified by the savings in petroleum by a lighter car during its lifetime. Because the high-pressure turbo pumps rotate at speeds of 30,000 rpm, the weight distribution on the turbine blades must be balanced with great accuracy.

When an atom acquires enough energy to leave its orbit, the atom is positively charged. As for the energy required to produce plastic automobile parts, the auto makers view the additional cost as justified by the savings in petroleum by a lighter car during its lifetime. Because the high-pressure turbo pumps rotate at speeds of 30,000 rpm, the weight distribution on the turbine blades must be balanced with great accuracy. Because there is no belt of doldrums in the Atlantic south of the equator, hurricanes do not usually occur there.
Punctuate even short introductory phrases

Using this concept, Faraday arrived at a relation between the changing flux and the induced electromagnetic

Double check commas between the parts of a sentence

A single comma should never break the flow of the main subject, verb, and object or complement of a sentence. Instead, commas should occur in pairs. (the bracketed commas indicated where commas are typically but mistakenly placed):

Double check commas between the parts of a sentence.

A single comma should never break the flow of the main subject, verb, and object or complement of a sentence. Instead, commas should occur in pairs. (the bracketed commas indicated where commas are typically but mistakenly placed): The discovery that moving a magnet within a coil could produce current [,] was a major breakthrough in the history of electronics. (Yes, it's a long way from the subject "discovery" to the verb "was" but there should be no comma.)


A single comma should never break the flow of the main subject, verb, and object or complement of a sentence. Instead, commas should occur in pairs. (the bracketed commas indicated where commas are typically but mistakenly placed): The discovery that moving a magnet within a coil could produce current [,] was a major breakthrough in the history of electronics. (Yes, it's a long way from the subject "discovery" to the verb "was" but there should be no comma.) Decreasing the radar operating frequency [,] increases the effective velocity coverage for the same sampling rate. "Decreasing the radar operating frequency" is the subject of the verb "increases.")


A single comma should never break the flow of the main subject, verb, and object or complement of a sentence. Instead, commas should occur in pairs. (the bracketed commas indicated where commas are typically but mistakenly placed): The discovery that moving a magnet within a coil could produce current [,] was a major breakthrough in the history of electronics. (Yes, it's a long way from the subject "discovery" to the verb "was" but there should be no comma.) Decreasing the radar operating frequency [,] increases the effective velocity coverage for the same sampling rate. "Decreasing the radar operating frequency" is the subject of the verb "increases.") It can be assumed that [,] precipitation particles move with the air in their environment and are therefore good tracers for air motion. (does it feel like a pause?)
Use a comma between all independent clauses
Use a comma between all independent clauses.

Whenever you have a compound sentence (those are the ones joined by and, but, or, nor, for, whereas), put a comma before the conjunction (the words I just listed in italics). Length of the compound sentence does not matter. (conjunctions are italicized):

Whenever you have a compound sentence (those are the ones joined by and, but, or, nor, for, whereas), put a comma before the conjunction (the words I just listed in italics). Length of the compound sentence does not matter. (conjunctions are italicized): The tank is made of aluminum, but the outer surface is protected by a spray-on foam.

Whenever you have a compound sentence (those are the ones joined by and, but, or, nor, for, whereas), put a comma before the conjunction (the words I just listed in italics). Length of the compound sentence does not matter. (conjunctions are italicized): The tank is made of aluminum, but the outer surface is protected by a spray-on foam. By the mid-1970s, the free-spending ways of the Apollo Program were gone, and NASA now had to grapple with large technical challenges on a limited budget.

Whenever you have a compound sentence (those are the ones joined by and, but, or, nor, for, whereas), put a comma before the conjunction (the words I just listed in italics). Length of the compound sentence does not matter. (conjunctions are italicized): The tank is made of aluminum, but the outer surface is protected by a spray-on foam. By the mid-1970s, the free-spending ways of the Apollo Program were gone, and NASA now had to grapple with large technical challenges on a limited budget. Type your name, and then press the Enter key. (This is an imperative sentencesthis qualifies as a compound sentence.

Whenever you have a compound sentence (those are the ones joined by and, but, or, nor, for, whereas), put a comma before the conjunction (the words I just listed in italics). Length of the compound sentence does not matter. (conjunctions are italicized): The tank is made of aluminum, but the outer surface is protected by a spray-on foam. By the mid-1970s, the free-spending ways of the Apollo Program were gone, and NASA now had to grapple with large technical challenges on a limited budget. Type your name, and then press the Enter key. (This is an imperative sentencethis qualifies as a compound sentence. You should type your name and then press the Enter key. (In this case "you" is the subject for the compound verbit's the subject for both "should type" and "press." This is not a compound sentence, and therefore there is no comma before "and.")
Do not use a comma between two compound verb phrase
Do not use a comma between two compound verb phrase.

Watch out about what you think are compound sentences. A complete sentence has to be on both sides of the conjunction (that means subject, verb, object, or complementthe works). (subjects are italicized, and verbs are bold):

Offspring exposed to significant amounts of alcohol before birth are much more active than controls and sometimes seem to fly around the room.
compound verb phrase, not a compound sentence: "Offspring" is subject for both verbs.

Plastic parts are not weldable and must be repaired by other methods.

Plastic parts are not weldable and must be repaired by other methods. The observation and measurement of such small frequency shifts require excellent radar frequency-stability characteristics that are not usually found in conventional radar but can be added without a drastic increase in equipment costs.

Long and needy of commas at and and but. Rather than break our rule why not split these into two sentences each?

Long and needy of commas at and and but. Rather than break our rule why not split these into two sentences each?
The observation and measurement of such small frequency shifts require excellent radar frequency-stability characteristics that are not usually found in conventional radar. However, this same observation and measurement can be added without a drastic increase in equipment costs.
The manganese dioxide used in batteries is usually obtained from natural ore (mainly from Gabon, Greece, and Mexico) but can be a synthetic product prepared by chemical precipitation or by electrolytic methods.
The manganese dioxide used in batteries is usually obtained from natural ore (mainly from Gabon, Greece, and Mexico) but can be a synthetic product prepared by chemical precipitation or by electrolytic methods. The manganese dioxide used in batteries is usually obtained from natural ore (mainly from Gabon, Greece, and Mexico). It can also be a synthetic product prepared by chemical precipitation or by electrolytic methods.
Use commas around all nonrestrictive elements.

Nonrestrictive elements are phrases and clauses that a sentence literally does not need to say what it wants to say. These elements can be taken out of the sentence without hurting its basic message. Use commas around these nonrestrictive elements.

Nonrestrictive elements are phrases and clauses that a sentence literally does not need to say what it wants to say. These elements can be taken out of the sentence without hurting its basic message. Use commas around these nonrestrictive elements. Eighty percent of the work done by the heart is carried out by the left ventricle, which pumps blood into the arteries serving the organs and the tissues.
(The writer reminds us what the left ventricle does, but the sentence could live without it; it would still make sense.)

Nonrestrictive elements are phrases and clauses that a sentence literally does not need to say what it wants to say. These elements can be taken out of the sentence without hurting its basic message. Use commas around these nonrestrictive elements. Eighty percent of the work done by the heart is carried out by the left ventricle, which pumps blood into the arteries serving the organs and the tissues.
(The writer reminds us what the left ventricle does, but the sentence could live without it; it would still make sense.)
Eighty percent of the work done by the heart is carried out by the left ventricle
The test produced a speed in the high-pressure hydrogen turbopump of 7000 rpm, which is 19 percent of design speed.
(This is additional detail, not essential to the sense of the sentence.)
The Coriolis force, caused by the rotation of the earth, always acts at right angles to the pressure gradient in the northern hemisphere.
The Coriolis force, caused by the rotation of the earth, always acts at right angles to the pressure gradient in the northern hemisphere. The Coriolis force always acts at right angles to the pressure gradient in the northern hemisphere
(This is a helpful definition but again is not essential to the sentence.)
The formation of hurricane, a type of atmospheric vortex, involves the combined effect of pressure and circular wind.
The formation of hurricane, a type of atmospheric vortex, involves the combined effect of pressure and circular wind. Researchers also found that heavy drinkers women drinking at least 1.6 ounces of absolute alcohol during pregnancy have infants averaging 59 grams less than the infants of lighter drinkers.
The formation of hurricane, a type of atmospheric vortex, involves the combined effect of pressure and circular wind. Researchers also found that heavy drinkers women drinking at least 1.6 ounces of absolute alcohol during pregnancy have infants averaging 59 grams less than the infants of lighter drinkers. Researchers also found that heavy drinkers have infants averaging 59 grams less than the infants of lighter drinkers.
The formation of hurricane, a type of atmospheric vortex, involves the combined effect of pressure and circular wind. Researchers also found that heavy drinkers women drinking at least 1.6 ounces of absolute alcohol during pregnancy have infants averaging 59 grams less than the infants of lighter drinkers. Researchers also found that heavy drinkers have infants averaging 59 grams less than the infants of lighter drinkers. When added to liquids, detergent materials decrease the contact angle, thereby decreasing the wettability. (Nonessential stuffput commas around it!)
Do not use comma around restrictive elements.

Restrictive elements are phrases and clauses that a sentence desperately needs to make sense, to say what it means to say. If you take restrictive elements out of a sentence, you will ruined the sentence!

Restrictive elements are phrases and clauses that a sentence desperately needs to make sense, to say what it means to say. If you take restrictive elements out of a sentence, you will ruined the sentence! Problem: You can use the system, when the login prompt appears.
The way this sentence is punctuated implies that you can use the system any old time! The comma indicates that the clause beginning with "when" can be omitted.

Revision: You can use the system when the login prompt appears.
(The clause beginning with "when" is restrictive it can't be omitted from the sentence and therefore should not be punctuated. Now the sentence means that you can use the system only when the prompt appears.)

A turbopump is essentially a pump that is turned by the action of a turbine that shares a common shaft with the pump.
(It's not any old pump; it's one that does what the latter part of this sentence says it does. Imagine this sentence ending at "essentially a pump.")

A turbopump is essentially a pump that is turned by the action of a turbine that shares a common shaft with the pump.
(It's not any old pump; it's one that does what the latter part of this sentence says it does. Imagine this sentence ending at "essentially a pump.")
Eighty percent of the work done by the heart is carried out by the left ventricle.
(Imagine this sentence without "done by the heart," which is the restrictive element in this sentence. No commas here!)
Use a comma before the "and" in a series of three or more.

In series of three or more words or phrases, go ahead and put the comma before the and that occurs before the final element. You may have heard that this series-and comma rule is optional. However, there are situations where the lack of the series-and comma can cause confusion. And when you consider that using the series-and comma cannot hurt the sense of the sentence, it makes sense to use it in all cases.

In series of three or more words or phrases, go ahead and put the comma before the and that occurs before the final element. You may have heard that this series-and comma rule is optional. However, there are situations where the lack of the series-and comma can cause confusion. And when you consider that using the series-and comma cannot hurt the sense of the sentence, it makes sense to use it in all cases. Instrument panels, bumper components, door liners, seat covers, and grille panels are the most common parts produced directly by automakers.

In series of three or more words or phrases, go ahead and put the comma before the and that occurs before the final element. You may have heard that this series-and comma rule is optional. However, there are situations where the lack of the series-and comma can cause confusion. And when you consider that using the series-and comma cannot hurt the sense of the sentence, it makes sense to use it in all cases. Instrument panels, bumper components, door liners, seat covers, and grille panels are the most common parts produced directly by automakers. A 12-ounce can of beer, a 5-ounce glass of wine, and a mixed drink with 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor all contain approximately the same amount of alcohol.

In series of three or more words or phrases, go ahead and put the comma before the and that occurs before the final element. You may have heard that this series-and comma rule is optional. However, there are situations where the lack of the series-and comma can cause confusion. And when you consider that using the series-and comma cannot hurt the sense of the sentence, it makes sense to use it in all cases. Instrument panels, bumper components, door liners, seat covers, and grille panels are the most common parts produced directly by automakers. A 12-ounce can of beer, a 5-ounce glass of wine, and a mixed drink with 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor all contain approximately the same amount of alcohol. The development years involved designing the components for the Space Shuttle's engines, testing the original designs, and retesting the redesigned components.
Do not use a comma between a series of only two.

Be careful not to apply the series-and comma rule to a series of only two elements. Watch out also for those situations where it looks like you have a series of three elements but it is actually a series of two noun phrases and a compound verb phrase (if this is meaninglesssee the example).

Be careful not to apply the series-and comma rule to a series of only two elements. Watch out also for those situations where it looks like you have a series of three elements but it is actually a series of two noun phrases and a compound verb phrase (if this is meaninglesssee the example). We brought bread and cheese and read poetry.
(Notice that "bread," "cheese," and "poetry" are not really in a series. No commas for either "and" here.)
Punctuate series adjectives carefully.

It gets tricky knowing how to punctuate when two or more adjectives pile up in front of a noun. One fairly reliable technique is this: if you can switch the order of the adjectives or if you can insert and between them without making the phrase sound weird, then you should use commas. (Remember that in no case is there a comma between the final series adjective and the noun it modifies.)

It gets tricky knowing how to punctuate when two or more adjectives pile up in front of a noun. One fairly reliable technique is this: if you can switch the order of the adjectives or if you can insert and between them without making the phrase sound weird, then you should use commas. (Remember that in no case is there a comma between the final series adjective and the noun it modifies.) He's having his third mid-life crisis. Now he wants a new red sports car.
(You couldn't say "mid-life third crisis" nor could you say "sports red new car"so no commas in or amongst these adjectives.)

It gets tricky knowing how to punctuate when two or more adjectives pile up in front of a noun. One fairly reliable technique is this: if you can switch the order of the adjectives or if you can insert and between them without making the phrase sound weird, then you should use commas. (Remember that in no case is there a comma between the final series adjective and the noun it modifies.) He's having his third mid-life crisis. Now he wants a new red sports car.
(You couldn't say "mid-life third crisis" nor could you say "sports red new car"so no commas in or amongst these adjectives.)
Each door is held shut with an adjustable, spring-loaded door latch.

(You probably could switch "adjustable" and "spring-loaded"use a comma here.)
PUNCTUATION
PUNCTUATION Use of Colons:

Although the colon has other uses in writing, its most important function is to act as a signal to the reader-it says something like "Okay, reader! Here it comes!" For example:

Although the colon has other uses in writing, its most important function is to act as a signal to the reader-it says something like "Okay, reader! Here it comes!" For example: To make a kite, you need the following items: string, paper, thin sticks, glue, and scissors.

Although the colon has other uses in writing, its most important function is to act as a signal to the reader-it says something like "Okay, reader! Here it comes!" For example: To make a kite, you need the following items: string, paper, thin sticks, glue, and scissors. Notice the words before the colon make a complete statement-at least grammatically. Here are some additional examples:

Although the colon has other uses in writing, its most important function is to act as a signal to the reader-it says something like "Okay, reader! Here it comes!" For example: To make a kite, you need the following items: string, paper, thin sticks, glue, and scissors. Notice the words before the colon make a complete statement-at least grammatically. Here are some additional examples: The main engines of the Space Shuttle consist of six main components: the external tank, the low-pressure turbo pump, the high-pressure turbo pumps, the preburners, the combustion chamber, and the nozzle.

Although the colon has other uses in writing, its most important function is to act as a signal to the reader-it says something like "Okay, reader! Here it comes!" For example: To make a kite, you need the following items: string, paper, thin sticks, glue, and scissors. Notice the words before the colon make a complete statement-at least grammatically. Here are some additional examples: The main engines of the Space Shuttle consist of six main components: the external tank, the low-pressure turbo pump, the high-pressure turbo pumps, the preburners, the combustion chamber, and the nozzle. To make a metal dashboard, three steps are required: (1) the metal must be stamped; (2) the texture must be stamped into the metal; and (3) the part must be painted.
Notice in the last example that the first sentence introduces a series of complete sentences. In fact, you can use the colon to connect two complete sentences-as long as the first sentence introduces or prepares for the second. Here are some examples of this possibility:
Notice in the last example that the first sentence introduces a series of complete sentences. In fact, you can use the colon to connect two complete sentences-as long as the first sentence introduces or prepares for the second. Here are some examples of this possibility: The grades of the students in the caffeine research project told a dramatic story: the higher the caffeine intake, the lower the grades, both for semester and overall grade point average.
Notice in the last example that the first sentence introduces a series of complete sentences. In fact, you can use the colon to connect two complete sentences-as long as the first sentence introduces or prepares for the second. Here are some examples of this possibility: The grades of the students in the caffeine research project told a dramatic story: the higher the caffeine intake, the lower the grades, both for semester and overall grade point average. In general, shelf-life increases as the cell size of the battery becomes smaller: with wellconstructed cells, shelf-lives of three years with a No. 6 telephone cell and ten years with a penlight cell are possible.
Notice in the last example that the first sentence introduces a series of complete sentences. In fact, you can use the colon to connect two complete sentences-as long as the first sentence introduces or prepares for the second. Here are some examples of this possibility: The grades of the students in the caffeine research project told a dramatic story: the higher the caffeine intake, the lower the grades, both for semester and overall grade point average. In general, shelf-life increases as the cell size of the battery becomes smaller: with wellconstructed cells, shelf-lives of three years with a No. 6 telephone cell and ten years with a penlight cell are possible. However, don't use a colon inside a complete sentence. It should connect only complete sentences to complete sentences or complete sentences to lists.
Notice in the last example that the first sentence introduces a series of complete sentences. In fact, you can use the colon to connect two complete sentences-as long as the first sentence introduces or prepares for the second. Here are some examples of this possibility: The grades of the students in the caffeine research project told a dramatic story: the higher the caffeine intake, the lower the grades, both for semester and overall grade point average. In general, shelf-life increases as the cell size of the battery becomes smaller: with wellconstructed cells, shelf-lives of three years with a No. 6 telephone cell and ten years with a penlight cell are possible. However, don't use a colon inside a complete sentence. It should connect only complete sentences to complete sentences or complete sentences to lists. Problem: The typical Doppler velocity sensor consists of: a transistor, an antenna, and a receiver.
Notice in the last example that the first sentence introduces a series of complete sentences. In fact, you can use the colon to connect two complete sentences-as long as the first sentence introduces or prepares for the second. Here are some examples of this possibility: The grades of the students in the caffeine research project told a dramatic story: the higher the caffeine intake, the lower the grades, both for semester and overall grade point average. In general, shelf-life increases as the cell size of the battery becomes smaller: with wellconstructed cells, shelf-lives of three years with a No. 6 telephone cell and ten years with a penlight cell are possible. However, don't use a colon inside a complete sentence. It should connect only complete sentences to complete sentences or complete sentences to lists. Problem: The typical Doppler velocity sensor consists of: a transistor, an antenna, and a receiver. Revision: The typical Doppler velocity sensor consists of a transistor, an antenna, and a receiver.
Problem: You will need the following items: string, paper, thin sticks, glue, and scissors, to make a kite.
Problem: You will need the following items: string, paper, thin sticks, glue, and scissors, to make a kite. Revision: You will need the following items - string, paper, thin sticks, glue, and scissors - to make a kite.
Problem: You will need the following items: string, paper, thin sticks, glue, and scissors, to make a kite. Revision: You will need the following items - string, paper, thin sticks, glue, and scissors - to make a kite. Look at this last example closely: the grammatical core of the sentence is "You will need the following items to make a kite." And don't forget the important role of the colon in introducing a vertical list. A colon should punctuate the lead-in that sets up the list items.
Use of Semicolons
Use of Semicolons
The semicolon could be called a strong comma. Its two main uses are to connect two (or more) sentences that seem very closely related and to clarify the punctuation of a series of items that have their own internal commas.
Use of Semicolons
The semicolon could be called a strong comma. Its two main uses are to connect two (or more) sentences that seem very closely related and to clarify the punctuation of a series of items that have their own internal commas. "Plaque-fissuring" refers to the formation of an opening from the lumen to the intima; it leads to an intra-intimal thrombus containing not just red cells but mainly fibrin and platelets.
Use of Semicolons
The semicolon could be called a strong comma. Its two main uses are to connect two (or more) sentences that seem very closely related and to clarify the punctuation of a series of items that have their own internal commas. "Plaque-fissuring" refers to the formation of an opening from the lumen to the intima; it leads to an intra-intimal thrombus containing not just red cells but mainly fibrin and platelets. In 1940, philanthropy accounted for 24 per cent of the total operating budget of nonprofit hospitals in New York City; in 1948, it had dropped to 17 per cent.
Use of Semicolons
The semicolon could be called a strong comma. Its two main uses are to connect two (or more) sentences that seem very closely related and to clarify the punctuation of a series of items that have their own internal commas. "Plaque-fissuring" refers to the formation of an opening from the lumen to the intima; it leads to an intra-intimal thrombus containing not just red cells but mainly fibrin and platelets. In 1940, philanthropy accounted for 24 per cent of the total operating budget of nonprofit hospitals in New York City; in 1948, it had dropped to 17 per cent. The other use of the semicolon worth noting here is how it can clarify items in a series that have commas within them already:
Use of Semicolons
The semicolon could be called a strong comma. Its two main uses are to connect two (or more) sentences that seem very closely related and to clarify the punctuation of a series of items that have their own internal commas. "Plaque-fissuring" refers to the formation of an opening from the lumen to the intima; it leads to an intra-intimal thrombus containing not just red cells but mainly fibrin and platelets. In 1940, philanthropy accounted for 24 per cent of the total operating budget of nonprofit hospitals in New York City; in 1948, it had dropped to 17 per cent. The other use of the semicolon worth noting here is how it can clarify items in a series that have commas within them already: Injury caused by pollutants can easily be mistaken for injury caused by other stresses; or, just the opposite, injury symptoms from adverse temperature or moisture relations may resemble, and can be incorrectly attributed to, air pollutants.
A typical membrane potential of about one-tenth of a volt sounds relatively small; but, because it occurs across a membrane that is only about 10 nanometers thick, it represents an enormous voltage gradient of about 10 million volts per meter.
A typical membrane potential of about one-tenth of a volt sounds relatively small; but, because it occurs across a membrane that is only about 10 nanometers thick, it represents an enormous voltage gradient of about 10 million volts per meter. The heart undergoes two cardiac cycle periods: diastole, when blood enters the ventricles; and systole, when the ventricles contract and blood is pumped out.
A typical membrane potential of about one-tenth of a volt sounds relatively small; but, because it occurs across a membrane that is only about 10 nanometers thick, it represents an enormous voltage gradient of about 10 million volts per meter. The heart undergoes two cardiac cycle periods: diastole, when blood enters the ventricles; and systole, when the ventricles contract and blood is pumped out. An organization may be functional, with responsibility assigned on the basis of buying, selling, promotion, distribution, and other tasks; production-oriented, with production managers for each product category and brand managers for each individual brand in addition to functional categories; or market-oriented, with managers assigned on the basis of geographical markets and customer types in addition to functional categories.
A common misuse of the semicolon is to plunk it down between what appear to be two complete sentences:
A common misuse of the semicolon is to plunk it down between what appear to be two complete sentences: Problem: The slide rule was an important device for scientists and engineers for many years; although its use has all but vanished since the advent of the pocket calculator.
A common misuse of the semicolon is to plunk it down between what appear to be two complete sentences: Problem: The slide rule was an important device for scientists and engineers for many years; although its use has all but vanished since the advent of the pocket calculator. Revision: The slide rule was an important device for scientists and engineers for many years, although its use has all but vanished since the advent of the pocket calculator.
A common misuse of the semicolon is to plunk it down between what appear to be two complete sentences: Problem: The slide rule was an important device for scientists and engineers for many years; although its use has all but vanished since the advent of the pocket calculator. Revision: The slide rule was an important device for scientists and engineers for many years, although its use has all but vanished since the advent of the pocket calculator. The "although" clause is not complete; it can't stand on its own.)
Apostrophes
Apostrophes
It is used primarily to show possession and, minimally, to show plurals. But the thing does add precision to writing; it does prevent confusion. The rules are simple; here they are:
Apostrophes
It is used primarily to show possession and, minimally, to show plurals. But people have gotten it all mixed up. But the thing does add precision to writing; it does prevent confusion. The rules are simple; here they are: To show possession for singular words not ending in s, add 's:
Apostrophes
It is used primarily to show possession and, minimally, to show plurals. But people have gotten it all mixed up. But the thing does add precision to writing; it does prevent confusion. The rules are simple; here they are: To show possession for singular words not ending in s, add 's: Earth's shadow
Apostrophes
It is used primarily to show possession and, minimally, to show plurals. But people have gotten it all mixed up. But the thing does add precision to writing; it does prevent confusion. The rules are simple; here they are: To show possession for singular words not ending in s, add 's: Earth's shadow The fish's ear
Apostrophes
It is used primarily to show possession and, minimally, to show plurals. But people have gotten it all mixed up. But the thing does add precision to writing; it does prevent confusion. The rules are simple; here they are: To show possession for singular words not ending in s, add 's: Earth's shadow The fish's ear The Moon's orbit
Apostrophes
It is used primarily to show possession and, minimally, to show plurals. But people have gotten it all mixed up. But the thing does add precision to writing; it does prevent confusion. The rules are simple; here they are: To show possession for singular words not ending in s, add 's: Earth's shadow The fish's ear The Moon's orbit India's population
To show possession for singular words ending in s, add 's (usage varies on this, but this is a safe choice):
Mars's (or Mars') shadow
Mars's (or Mars') shadow Venus's (Venus') orbit
To show possession for plural words ending in s, add ' to the plural form of the word (but don't add another s):
To show possession for plural words ending in s, add ' to the plural form of the word (but don't add another s): These companies' employees
To show possession for plural words ending in s, add ' to the plural form of the word (but don't add another s): These companies' employees Planets' orbits
To show possession for plural words ending in s, add ' to the plural form of the word (but don't add another s): These companies' employees Planets' orbits These species' niches
To show possession for plural words ending in s, add ' to the plural form of the word (but don't add another s): These companies' employees Planets' orbits These species' niches These countries' population
To show possession for plural words not ending in s, add 's:
To show possession for plural words not ending in s, add 's: Men's rights
To show possession for plural words not ending in s, add 's: Men's rights Childrens education
To show the plural of numbers or letters when they are discussed as such, add 's (again usage varies on this, but this is a safe choice):
To show the plural of numbers or letters when they are discussed as such, add 's (again usage varies on this, but this is a safe choice): Do you know how many c's and s's are in the word necessary?
To show the plural of numbers or letters when they are discussed as such, add 's (again usage varies on this, but this is a safe choice): Do you know how many c's and s's are in the word necessary? On a computer, O's are represented by O's and 0's with 0's.
To show possession for possessive pronouns, don't use the apostrophe (don't ask me why):
This book is yours.
This book is yours. This CRT is theirs, not ours.
The rules for its and it's.

Its is the possessive form of it; it's is the contraction for it is (exactly opposite):

Its is the possessive form of it; it's is the contraction for it is (exactly opposite): The SGO density gauge is missing one of its adjusting knobs. (possessive here)

Its is the possessive form of it; it's is the contraction for it is (exactly opposite): The SGO density gauge is missing one of its adjusting knobs. (possessive here) It's unfortunate that our language has so many exceptions to its rules-or is it? (Contraction for "it is" here)
Hyphens
Hyphens
Someone once said, "Take hyphens seriously and you will surely go mad." They weren't lying!
Hyphens
Someone once said, "Take hyphens seriously and you will surely go mad." They weren't lying! Hyphens are supposed to keep us from misreading things and show us how words in complex phrases relate to each other. The problem is that the rules for hyphens simply cannot be applied absolutely consistently, you end up hyphenating everything
Hyphens
Someone once said, "Take hyphens seriously and you will surely go mad." They weren't lying! Hyphens are supposed to keep us from misreading things and show us how words in complex phrases relate to each other. The problem is that the rules for hyphens simply cannot be applied absolutely consistently, you end up hyphenating everything Hyphens show that a pair of words is acting as a unit and must be read that way. The common types of unit modifiers, which are two or more words acting as a unit.
Although styles vary on this, do not hyphenate the common prefixes such as pre, anti, multi, and so on (unless it spells some other word or just looks hopelessly weird). However, do hyphenate prefix words such as self-.
Although styles vary on this, do not hyphenate the common prefixes such as pre, anti, multi, and so on (unless it spells some other word or just looks hopelessly weird). However, do hyphenate prefix words such as self-. self-lubricating hinges nonprescription drugs
Although styles vary on this, do not hyphenate the common prefixes such as pre, anti, multi, and so on (unless it spells some other word or just looks hopelessly weird). However, do hyphenate prefix words such as self-. self-lubricating hinges multistep reaction nonprescription drugs precooked foods
Although styles vary on this, do not hyphenate the common prefixes such as pre, anti, multi, and so on (unless it spells some other word or just looks hopelessly weird). However, do hyphenate prefix words such as self-. self-lubricating hinges multistep reaction antibotulism agent nonprescription drugs precooked foods mid-1970s
Although styles vary on this, do not hyphenate the common prefixes such as pre, anti, multi, and so on (unless it spells some other word or just looks hopelessly weird). However, do hyphenate prefix words such as self-. self-lubricating hinges multistep reaction antibotulism agent nonmalarial areas nonprescription drugs precooked foods mid-1970s micro-universe
Although styles vary on this, do not hyphenate the common prefixes such as pre, anti, multi, and so on (unless it spells some other word or just looks hopelessly weird). However, do hyphenate prefix words such as self-. self-lubricating hinges multistep reaction antibotulism agent nonmalarial areas reusable nonprescription drugs precooked foods mid-1970s micro-universe subnuclear
Although styles vary on this, do not hyphenate the common prefixes such as pre, anti, multi, and so on (unless it spells some other word or just looks hopelessly weird). However, do hyphenate prefix words such as self-. self-lubricating hinges multistep reaction anti-botulism agent nonmalarial areas reusable re-sent nonprescription drugs precooked foods mid-1970s micro-universe subnuclear anti-icing
Hyphenate a unit modifier made up of a number followed by a unit of measurement:

5-year grant 10-month period

5-year grant 20-megabyte memory 10-month period 3.5-inch diskette

Hyphenate an elliptical form of a longer phrase that is acting as a unit modifier:


Below-average rainfall warm-up period


Below-average rainfall Built-in scale warm-up period on-board timer
Hyphenate a verb and a non-verb element acting as a unit:
Hyphenate a verb and a non-verb element acting as a unit: drought-producing system
Hyphenate a verb and a non-verb element acting as a unit: drought-producing system water-repellent fabric
Hyphenate a verb and a non-verb element acting as a unit: drought-producing system water-repellent fabric coffee-flavored ice cream
Hyphenate a verb and a non-verb element acting as a unit: drought-producing system water-repellent fabric coffee-flavored ice cream Nutrient-rich waters
Hyphenate a verb and a non-verb element acting as a unit: drought-producing system water-repellent fabric coffee-flavored ice cream Nutrient-rich waters government-sponsored programs
Hyphenate a verb and a non-verb element acting as a unit: drought-producing system water-repellent fabric coffee-flavored ice cream Nutrient-rich waters government-sponsored programs corrosion-resistant metal
Don't hyphenate units in which the first word ends in -ly:

Highly developed country

Highly developed country Fully equipped computer
Don't hyphenate units in which the first word ends in ly:

Highly developed country Fully equipped computer Once you get a partial feel for hyphens, watch out! You might start acting like Lucy in that show where she has been on the assembly line too long and starts going after everything and everybody with her wrenches. Everything will seem like it needs a hyphen! When that happens, back off, and ask yourself-could someone misread this sentence without a hyphen.
Comma Splices and Run-ons

The comma-splice and run-on sentence (and the fused sentence, as a variant is called) are all examples of the problem in which two or more sentences are improperly joined. In the typical comma-splice sentence, two sentences are joined by a comma without an intervening coordinating conjunction (and, or, nor, but, yet). Technically, the run-on sentence is a sentence that goes on and on and needs to be broken up; it's likely to be a comma splice as well. A fused sentence is two complete sentence just jammed together without any punctuation and without any conjunction.

The comma-splice and run-on sentence (and the fused sentence, as a variant is called) are all examples of the problem in which two or more sentences are improperly joined. In the typical comma-splice sentence, two sentences are joined by a comma without an intervening coordinating conjunction (and, or, nor, but, yet). Technically, the run-on sentence is a sentence that goes on and on and needs to be broken up; it's likely to be a comma splice as well. A fused sentence is two complete sentence just jammed together without any punctuation and without any conjunction. We write comma-splice and run-on sentences because we sense that the sentences involved are closely related - a full-stop period just doesn't seem right. Actually, the semicolon is the right choice in these situations (although it's easy to go semicolon crazy when you first start using them). Here are some examples of this type of problem and their revisions:
Problem: Sometimes, books do not have the most complete information, it is a good idea then to look for articles in specialized periodicals.
Problem: Sometimes, books do not have the most complete information, it is a good idea then to look for articles in specialized periodicals. Revision: Sometimes, books do not have the most complete information; it is a good idea then to look for articles in specialized periodicals.
Problem: Sometimes, books do not have the most complete information, it is a good idea then to look for articles in specialized periodicals. Revision: Sometimes, books do not have the most complete information; it is a good idea then to look for articles in specialized periodicals. Problem: Most of the hours I've earned toward my associate's degree do not transfer, however, I do have at least some hours the University will accept.
Problem: Sometimes, books do not have the most complete information, it is a good idea then to look for articles in specialized periodicals. Revision: Sometimes, books do not have the most complete information; it is a good idea then to look for articles in specialized periodicals. Problem: Most of the hours I've earned toward my associate's degree do not transfer, however, I do have at least some hours the University will accept. Revision: Most of the hours I've earned toward my associate's degree do not transfer. However, I do have at least some hours the University will accept.
Problem: Sometimes, books do not have the most complete information, it is a good idea then to look for articles in specialized periodicals. Revision: Sometimes, books do not have the most complete information; it is a good idea then to look for articles in specialized periodicals. Problem: Most of the hours I've earned toward my associate's degree do not transfer, however, I do have at least some hours the University will accept. Revision: Most of the hours I've earned toward my associate's degree do not transfer. However, I do have at least some hours the University will accept. Problem: The opposite is true of stronger types of stainless steel, they tend to be more susceptible to rust.
Problem: Sometimes, books do not have the most complete information, it is a good idea then to look for articles in specialized periodicals. Revision: Sometimes, books do not have the most complete information; it is a good idea then to look for articles in specialized periodicals. Problem: Most of the hours I've earned toward my associate's degree do not transfer, however, I do have at least some hours the University will accept. Revision: Most of the hours I've earned toward my associate's degree do not transfer. However, I do have at least some hours the University will accept. Problem: The opposite is true of stronger types of stainless steel, they tend to be more susceptible to rust. Revision: The opposite is true of stronger types of stainless steel: they tend to be more susceptible to rust.
Fragments
Fragments
Fragments are simply incomplete sentences, grammatically incomplete. They usually come about because the sentence may already seem too long. Also, in conversation, we typically speak in fragments. Here are some examples and their revisions:
Fragments
Fragments are simply incomplete sentences-grammatically incomplete. They usually come about because the sentence may already seem too long. Also, in conversation, we typically speak in fragments. Here are some examples and their revisions: Problem: Mary appeared at the committee meeting last week. And made a convincing presentation of her ideas about the new product.
Fragments
Fragments are simply incomplete sentences-grammatically incomplete. They usually come about because the sentence may already seem too long. Also, in conversation, we typically speak in fragments. Here are some examples and their revisions: Problem: Mary appeared at the committee meeting last week. And made a convincing presentation of her ideas about the new product. Revision: Mary appeared at the committee meeting last week and made a convincing presentation of her ideas about the new product.
Fragments
Fragments are simply incomplete sentences-grammatically incomplete. They usually come about because the sentence may already seem too long. Also, in conversation, we typically speak in fragments. Here are some examples and their revisions: Problem: Mary appeared at the committee meeting last week. And made a convincing presentation of her ideas about the new product. Revision: Mary appeared at the committee meeting last week and made a convincing presentation of her ideas about the new product. Problem: The committee considered her ideas for a new marketing strategy quite powerful. The best ideas that they had heard in years.
Fragments
Fragments are simply incomplete sentences-grammatically incomplete. They usually come about because the sentence may already seem too long. Also, in conversation, we typically speak in fragments. Here are some examples and their revisions: Problem: Mary appeared at the committee meeting last week. And made a convincing presentation of her ideas about the new product. Revision: Mary appeared at the committee meeting last week and made a convincing presentation of her ideas about the new product. Problem: The committee considered her ideas for a new marketing strategy quite powerful. The best ideas that they had heard in years. Revision: The committee considered her ideas for a new marketing strategy quite powerful, the best ideas that they had heard in years.
Problem: The corporation wants to begin a new marketing push in educational software. Although the more conservative executives of the firm are skeptical.
Problem: The corporation wants to begin a new marketing push in educational software. Although the more conservative executives of the firm are skeptical. Revision: Although the more conservative executives of the firm are skeptical, the corporation wants to begin a new marketing push in educational software.
Problem Modifiers
Problem Modifiers
Modifier problems occur when the word or phrase that a modifier is supposed to modify is unclear or absent, or when the modifier is located in the wrong place within the sentence. A modifier is any element - a word, phrase, or clause- that adds information to a noun or pronoun in a sentence. Modifier problems are usually divided into two groups: misplaced modifiers and dangling modifiers:
Problem Modifiers
Modifier problems occur when the word or phrase that a modifier is supposed to modify is unclear or absent, or when the modifier is located in the wrong place within the sentence. A modifier is any element-a word, phrase, or clause--that adds information to a noun or pronoun in a sentence. Modifier problems are usually divided into two groups: misplaced modifiers and dangling modifiers:
Misplaced modifiers
Problem Modifiers
Misplaced modifiers
To correct misplaced modifier problems, you can usually relocate the misplaced modifier (the word or phrase).
Problem Modifiers
Misplaced modifiers
To correct misplaced modifier problems, you can usually relocate the misplaced modifier (the word or phrase). Problem: They found out that the walkways had collapsed on the late evening news. (Was that before or after the sports news?)
Problem Modifiers
Misplaced modifiers
To correct misplaced modifier problems, you can usually relocate the misplaced modifier (the word or phrase). Problem: They found out that the walkways had collapsed on the late evening news. (Was that before or after the sports news?) Revisions: On the late evening news, we heard that the walkways had collapsed.
Problem: The committee nearly spent a hundred hours investigating the accident. (Did they spend even a minute?)
Problem: The committee nearly spent a hundred hours investigating the accident. (Did they spend even a minute?) Revision: The committee spent nearly a hundred hours investigating the accident.
Dangling modifiers
Dangling modifiers
To correct dangling modifiers, you can rephrase the dangling modifier, or rephrase the rest of the sentence that it modifies.
Dangling modifiers
To correct dangling modifiers, you can rephrase the dangling modifier, or rephrase the rest of the sentence that it modifies. Having damaged the previous one, a new fuse was installed in the car.
Dangling modifiers
To correct dangling modifiers, you can rephrase the dangling modifier, or rephrase the rest of the sentence that it modifies. Having damaged the previous one, a new fuse was installed in the car. (Who damaged that fuse?)
Dangling modifiers
To correct dangling modifiers, you can rephrase the dangling modifier, or rephrase the rest of the sentence that it modifies. Having damaged the previous one, a new fuse was installed in the car. (Who damaged that fuse?) Revision: Because the previous fuse had been damaged, a new one had to be installed. or Having damaged the previous one, I had to install a new fuse in my car.
Using a grant from the Urban Mass Transportation Administration, a contra flow lane was designed for I-45 North. (Who used that money?)
Using a grant from the Urban Mass Transportation Administration, a contra flow lane was designed for I-45 North. (Who used that money?) Revision: When the Urban Mass Transportation Administration granted funds to the city, planners began designing a contra flow lane for I-45 North. or
Using a grant from the Urban Mass Transportation Administration, a contra flow lane was designed for I-45 North. (Who used that money?) Revision: When the Urban Mass Transportation Administration granted funds to the city, planners began designing a contra flow lane for I-45 North. or Using a grant from the Urban Mass Transportation Administration, city planners designed a contra flow lane for I-45 North.
Parallelism
Parallelism
Parallelism refers to the way that items in a series are worded. You want to use the same style of wording in a series of items--it makes it easier on the reader. Widely varied wording is distracting and potentially confusing to readers. Here are some examples, with revisions and some comments:
Parallelism
Parallelism refers to the way that items in a series are worded. You want to use the same style of wording in a series of items--it makes it easier on the reader. Widely varied wording is distracting and potentially confusing to readers. Here are some examples, with revisions and some comments: Problem: The report discusses how telescopes work, what types are available, mounts, accessories, and techniques for beginning star gazers.
Parallelism
Parallelism refers to the way that items in a series are worded. You want to use the same style of wording in a series of items--it makes it easier on the reader. Widely varied wording is distracting and potentially confusing to readers. Here are some examples, with revisions and some comments: Problem: The report discusses how telescopes work, what types are available, mounts, accessories, and techniques for beginning star gazers. (The "how" and the "why" clauses are not parallel to the "mounts," "accessories," and "techniques" phrases.)
Parallelism
Parallelism refers to the way that items in a series are worded. You want to use the same style of wording in a series of items--it makes it easier on the reader. Widely varied wording is distracting and potentially confusing to readers. Here are some examples, with revisions and some comments: Problem: The report discusses how telescopes work, what types are available, mounts, accessories, and techniques for beginning star gazers. (The "how" and the "why" clauses are not parallel to the "mounts," "accessories," and "techniques" phrases.) Revision: The report discusses how telescopes work, what types of telescopes, mounts, and accessories are available, and how to begin your hobby as a star gazer.
Problem: This report is intended for people with some electronics background but have little or no knowledge of geophysical prospecting.
Problem: This report is intended for people with some electronics background but have little or no knowledge of geophysical prospecting.
(The "with" phrase is not parallel with the "have little" clause--this one is not even grammatical.)
Revision: This report is intended for people with some electronics background but with little or no knowledge of geophysical prospecting.
Problem: This report is intended for people with some electronics background but have little or no knowledge of geophysical prospecting. (The "with" phrase is not parallel with the "have little" clause--this one is not even grammatical.) Revision: This report is intended for people with some electronics background but with little or no knowledge of geophysical prospecting. Parallelism problems have to do when same types of phrasing are not used in the same areas of a document: such as for list items in a specific list, or for all headings at a certain level within a specific part of a document. At times, working on parallelism of phrasing is trivial. However, in many instances, parallel phrasing can give readers important cues as to how to interpret information.
Subject-Verb Agreement
With subject-verb agreement problems, either a singular subject is matched with a plural verb, or vice versa. (Remember that some singular verbs end in -s.) Sometimes it's hard to spot the true subject, particularly in these cases:
When several words come between the subject and verb:
When several words come between the subject and verb: The communications between the programmer and the rest of the company tends to be rather informal.
Revisions: The communications between the programmer and the rest of the company tend to be rather informal.
Revisions: The communications between the programmer and the rest of the company tend to be rather informal. The shortage of available infants and the availability of children with special needs has changed the focus of adoption for many parents
Revisions: The communications between the programmer and the rest of the company tend to be rather informal. The shortage of available infants and the availability of children with special needs has changed the focus of adoption for many parents Revisions: The shortage of available infants and the availability of children with special needs have changed the focus of adoption for many parents
When there are two or more subjects joined by and or or:
When there are two or more subjects joined by and or or: In the computer's memory is stored the program and the data to be manipulated by that program.
When there are two or more subjects joined by and or or: In the computer's memory is stored the program and the data to be manipulated by that program. Revisions: In the computer's memory are stored the program and the data to be manipulated by that program.
When there are two or more subjects joined by and or or: In the computer's memory is stored the program and the data to be manipulated by that program. Revisions: In the computer's memory are stored the program and the data to be manipulated by that program. Skyrocketing charges for data preparation, the need to keep pace with rapidly increasing amounts of data, and requirements for fast system response has led to a search for more efficient input devices.
When there are two or more subjects joined by and or or: In the computer's memory is stored the program and the data to be manipulated by that program. Revisions: In the computer's memory are stored the program and the data to be manipulated by that program. Skyrocketing charges for data preparation, the need to keep pace with rapidly increasing amounts of data, and requirements for fast system response has led to a search for more efficient input devices.
Revisions: Skyrocketing charges for data preparation, the need to keep pace with rapidly increasing amounts of data, and requirements for fast system response have led to a search for more efficient input devices.
When the normal subject-verb order is inverted:
When the normal subject-verb order is inverted: In the computer's memory is stored the program and the data to be manipulated by that program.
When the normal subject-verb order is inverted: In the computer's memory is stored the program and the data to be manipulated by that program. Revisions: In the computer's memory are stored the program and the data to be manipulated by that program.
When the normal subject-verb order is inverted: Equivalent to more than 3000 punched cards are the single diskette, first introduced in 1972.
When the normal subject-verb order is inverted: Equivalent to more than 3000 punched cards are the single diskette, first introduced in 1972. Revisions: Equivalent to more than 3000 punched cards is the single diskette, first introduced in 1972.
When the subject is a word like each, every, none, either, neither, no one, and nobody, especially when followed by a plural object of a preposition:
When the subject is a word like each, every, none, either, neither, no one, and nobody, especially when followed by a plural object of a preposition: Each of the steps in the process are treated in a separate chapter of this report.
When the subject is a word like each, every, none, either, neither, no one, and nobody, especially when followed by a plural object of a preposition: Each of the steps in the process are treated in a separate chapter of this report. Revisions: Each of the steps in the process is treated in a separate chapter of this report.
When the subject is a word like each, every, none, either, neither, no one, and nobody, especially when followed by a plural object of a preposition: Each of the steps in the process are treated in a separate chapter of this report. Revisions: Each of the steps in the process is treated in a separate chapter of this report. Neither of the two high-level languages offer a facility for designing your own variables.
When the subject is a word like each, every, none, either, neither, no one, and nobody, especially when followed by a plural object of a preposition: Each of the steps in the process are treated in a separate chapter of this report. Revisions: Each of the steps in the process is treated in a separate chapter of this report. Neither of the two high-level languages offer a facility for designing your own variables. Revisions: Neither of the two high-level languages offers a facility for designing your own variables.
When the subject is a phrase or clause acting as a unit:
When the subject is a phrase or clause acting as a unit: Printing 54,000 chars. per 60 seconds were considered a high speed for printers at one time.
When the subject is a phrase or clause acting as a unit: Printing 54,000 chars. per 60 seconds were considered a high speed for printers at one time. Revisions: Printing 54,000 chars. per 60 seconds was considered a high speed for printers at one time.
When the subject is a phrase or clause acting as a unit: Printing 54,000 chars. per 60 seconds were considered a high speed for printers at one time. Revisions: Printing 54,000 chars. per 60 seconds was considered a high speed for printers at one time. What is truly amazing about bits cells in integrated circuits are that 30 cells lined up side by side are about as wide as a human hair.
When the subject is a phrase or clause acting as a unit: Printing 54,000 chars. per 60 seconds were considered a high speed for printers at one time. Revisions: Printing 54,000 chars. per 60 seconds was considered a high speed for printers at one time. What is truly amazing about bits cells in integrated circuits are that 30 cells lined up side by side are about as wide as a human hair. Revisions: What is truly amazing about bits cells in integrated circuits is that 30 cells lined up side by side are about as wide as a human hair.
Pronoun Reference
Pronoun Reference
A pronoun is a word like "he," "they," "him," "them," "which," "this," "everyone," "each," and so on. It's like a variable in programming--it points to some other word that holds its meaning. Problems arise when you can't figure out what the pronoun is pointing to (its "reference") and when it doesn't "agree" in number or gender with what it is pointing to. You're reading along in some incredibly technical thing, and it refers to something as "this." You look back up at the sea of words you have just been laboriously reading through--you say "this what?!" You have just experienced one form of the pronoun-reference problem.
Pronoun Reference
A pronoun is a word like "he," "they," "him," "them," "which," "this," "everyone," "each," and so on. It's like a variable in programming--it points to some other word that holds its meaning. Problems arise when you can't figure out what the pronoun is pointing to (its "reference") and when it doesn't "agree" in number or gender with what it is pointing to. You're reading along in some incredibly technical thing, and it refers to something as "this." You look back up at the sea of words you have just been laboriously reading through--you say "this what?!" You have just experienced one form of the pronoun-reference problem. Problem: Lasers have also been used to study the reaction by which nitric oxide and ozone make nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and molecular oxygen. It plays an important role in the chemistry of the ozone layer that surrounds the earth and protects us from the sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation.
Pronoun Reference
A pronoun is a word like "he," "they," "him," "them," "which," "this," "everyone," "each," and so on. It's like a variable in programming--it points to some other word that holds its meaning. Problems arise when you can't figure out what the pronoun is pointing to (its "reference") and when it doesn't "agree" in number or gender with what it is pointing to. You're reading along in some incredibly technical thing, and it refers to something as "this." Problem: Lasers have also been used to study the reaction by which nitric oxide and ozone make nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and molecular oxygen. It plays an important role in the chemistry of the ozone layer that surrounds the earth and protects us from the sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation. ("It" what?) Revision: Lasers have also been used to study the reaction by which nitric oxide and ozone make nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and molecular oxygen. This process plays an important role in the chemistry of the ozone layer that surrounds the earth and protects us from the sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation. (Okay, now we see...)
The second kind of pronoun-reference problem arises over lack of agreement between the pronoun and what it refers to. Here is one common example:
Problem: Motorola has just announced their new PowerPC chip.
Problem: Motorola has just announced their new PowerPC chip. Revision: Motorola has just announced its new PowerPC chip.
Problem: Motorola has just announced their new PowerPC chip. Revision: Motorola has just announced its new PowerPC chip. The problem here is that "Motorola" is a singular thing, while "their" is a plural thing--they don't agree in number! Here is a second example:
Problem: Motorola has just announced their new PowerPC chip. Revision: Motorola has just announced its new PowerPC chip. The problem here is that "Motorola" is a singular thing, while "their" is a plural thing--they don't agree in number! Here is a second example: Problem: These days, every student needs to own their own computer.
Problem: Motorola has just announced their new PowerPC chip. Revision: Motorola has just announced its new PowerPC chip. The problem here is that "Motorola" is a singular thing, while "their" is a plural thing--they don't agree in number! Here is a second example: Problem: These days, every student needs to own their own computer. The problem in this example is that "student" does not agree with "their": one is singular; the other, plural.
Problem: Motorola has just announced their new PowerPC chip. Revision: Motorola has just announced its new PowerPC chip. The problem here is that "Motorola" is a singular thing, while "their" is a plural thing--they don't agree in number! Here is a second example: Problem: These days, every student needs to own their own computer. The problem in this example is that "student" does not agree with "their": one is singular; the other, plural. Revision 1: These days, students need to own their own computers.
Problem: Motorola has just announced their new PowerPC chip. Revision: Motorola has just announced its new PowerPC chip. The problem here is that "Motorola" is a singular thing, while "their" is a plural thing--they don't agree in number! Here is a second example: Problem: These days, every student needs to own their own computer. The problem in this example is that "student" does not agree with "their": one is singular; the other, plural. Revision 1: These days, students need to own their own computers. Revision 2: These days, every student needs to own his or her own computer.
Problem: Motorola has just announced their new PowerPC chip. Revision: Motorola has just announced its new PowerPC chip. The problem here is that "Motorola" is a singular thing, while "their" is a plural thing--they don't agree in number! Here is a second example: Problem: These days, every student needs to own their own computer. The problem in this example is that "student" does not agree with "their": one is singular; the other, plural. Revision 1: These days, students need to own their own computers. Revision 2: These days, every student needs to own his or her own computer. Revision 3: These days, every student needs to own a computer.
Whenever it works, try converting the singular noun to a plural--the plural pronoun will then be okay (but don't forget to change the verb to plural). Here are some additional examples .
Whenever it works, try converting the singular noun to a plural--the plural pronoun will then be okay (but don't forget to change the verb to plural). Here are some additional examples . Problem: NASA hoped that, by using production tooling rather than by making each tool individually, they could save time and money.
Whenever it works, try converting the singular noun to a plural--the plural pronoun will then be okay (but don't forget to change the verb to plural). Here are some additional examples . Problem: NASA hoped that, by using production tooling rather than by making each tool individually, they could save time and money. Revision: NASA hoped that, by using production tooling rather than by making each tool individually, it could save time and money.
Whenever it works, try converting the singular noun to a plural--the plural pronoun will then be okay (but don't forget to change the verb to plural). Here are some additional examples . Problem: NASA hoped that, by using production tooling rather than by making each tool individually, they could save time and money. Revision: NASA hoped that, by using production tooling rather than by making each tool individually, it could save time and money. Problem: If an energy efficient system can be developed, electrical vehicles could become as popular as its conventional counterpart.
Whenever it works, try converting the singular noun to a plural--the plural pronoun will then be okay (but don't forget to change the verb to plural). Here are some additional examples . Problem: NASA hoped that, by using production tooling rather than by making each tool individually, they could save time and money. Revision: NASA hoped that, by using production tooling rather than by making each tool individually, it could save time and money. Problem: If an energy efficient system can be developed, electrical vehicles could become as popular as its conventional counterpart. Revision: If an energy-efficient system can be developed, electrical vehicles could become as popular as their conventional counterpart.

Punctuation

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Punctuation

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PUNCTUATION

Use of Comma , Use of Colons :

Use of Comma , Use of Colons : Use of Semicolons ;

Use of Comma , Use of Colons : Use of Semicolons ; Use of Apostrophes

Fragments: Fragments are simply incomplete sentencesgrammatically

Modifiers: A word, phrase, or clause--that adds information to a

Modifiers: A word, phrase, or clause--that adds information to a

Parallelism: Parallelism refers to the way that items in a series are

Modifiers: A word, phrase, or clause--that adds information to a

Parallelism: Parallelism refers to the way that items in a series are

Subject-Verb Agreement: singular subject is matched with a

Modifiers: A word, phrase, or clause--that adds information to a

Parallelism: Parallelism refers to the way that items in a series are

Subject-Verb Agreement: singular subject is matched with a

Pronoun Reference: He, They, which

Modifiers: A word, phrase, or clause--that adds information to a

Parallelism: Parallelism refers to the way that items in a series are

Subject-Verb Agreement: singular subject is matched with a

Pronoun Reference: He, They, which Pronoun Case: Who, Whom

Modifiers: A word, phrase, or clause--that adds information to a

Parallelism: Parallelism refers to the way that items in a series are

Subject-Verb Agreement: singular subject is matched with a

Modifiers: A word, phrase, or clause--that adds information to a

Parallelism: Parallelism refers to the way that items in a series are

Subject-Verb Agreement: singular subject is matched with a

Modifiers: A word, phrase, or clause--that adds information to a

Parallelism: Parallelism refers to the way that items in a series are

Subject-Verb Agreement: singular subject is matched with a

Modifiers: A word, phrase, or clause--that adds information to a

Parallelism: Parallelism refers to the way that items in a series are

Subject-Verb Agreement: singular subject is matched with a

USE OF COMMA Use comma after all introductory elements.

USE OF COMMA Use comma after all introductory elements.

USE OF COMMA Use comma after all introductory elements.

USE OF COMMA Use comma after all introductory elements.

USE OF COMMA Use comma after all introductory elements.

Punctuate even short introductory phrases

Punctuate even short introductory phrases

Punctuate even short introductory phrases

Double check commas between the parts of a sentence

Punctuate even short introductory phrases

Double check commas between the parts of a sentence.

Punctuate even short introductory phrases

Double check commas between the parts of a sentence.

Punctuate even short introductory phrases

Double check commas between the parts of a sentence.

Use a comma between all independent clauses

Use a comma between all independent clauses.

Use a comma between all independent clauses.

Use a comma between all independent clauses.

Use a comma between all independent clauses.

Use a comma between all independent clauses.

Do not use a comma between two compound verb phrase

Do not use a comma between two compound verb phrase.

Do not use a comma between two compound verb phrase.

Do not use a comma between two compound verb phrase.

Do not use a comma between two compound verb phrase.

Do not use a comma between two compound verb phrase.

Do not use a comma between two compound verb phrase.

Use commas around all nonrestrictive elements.