English 201 Notes to Ourselves

Always put commas and periods inside of the ending parenthesis. So it’s

I said “hello.”

“Come to my house,” Ralph said, “I have some great soup.”

Never place the words “reason” and “because” in the same sentence. The reason is never because of something; it IS something.

Incorrect: The primary reason you were not selected was because of your age.

Correct: The primary reason you were not selected was because of your age.

Correct: The primary reason you were not selected was because of your age.

Locate and correct comma splice errors:

Nope: Six people will be inside the compound for six months, your gun will not be needed.

Yes: Six people will be inside the compound for six months; your gun will not be needed. (semicolon)

Yes: Six people will be inside the compound for six months, so your gun will not be needed. (coordinating conjunction--a “fanboys”)

Nope: You would be at risk when it comes to procreating, also your age would be a negative factor.

Yes: You would be at risk when it comes to procreating; also your age would be a negative factor.

Yes: You would be at risk when it comes to procreating. Also your age would be a negative factor.

Try to catch and correct misplaced modifiers:

Nope: We cannot run the risk of polluting the small number of genes that will be responsible for repopulating the Earth with congenital abnormalities.

Yes: We cannot run the risk of congenital abnormalities polluting the small number of genes that will be responsible for repopulating the Earth.

One thing I would really recommend is to begin drawing from a wider vocabulary—not a “college sounding” one, but one with more variety. 

For example, take this sentence:

I am sure that he knows a lot about medicine and can work with the herbalist to help out when people are sick or injured.

Here’s an alternative:

Because of his knowledge of medicine, he can assist the herbalist when those remaining are sick or injured.

Fewer words and a bit more interesting word choice.