Term
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Definition
Add 's to singular form of word.
lawyer - lawyer's
witness - witness's
walrus - walrus's
man - man's |
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Term
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Definition
1. Create plural form
2. If word doesn't end in S add 's; if the word ends in S add ' at end after the S.
lawyers - lawyers'
witnesses - witnesses'
geese - geese's
men - men's |
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Term
| Plural forms of numerals & letters |
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Definition
Do not use an ' when forming plural of numerals & letters.
1990s or CLAs |
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Term
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Definition
Whether words, phrase, or clauses-insert comma after each item in series, except last.
E.G. My family raises corn, green beans, and squash. |
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Term
Comma exceptions
1. when phrase or clause in series contains a comma.
2. When phrases or clauses are complex |
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Definition
When these exceptions occur replace comma with a semicolon.
E.G. (1) My duties include organizing each days activities; reviewing, drafting, and editing documents; and remaining calm in any crisis.
E.G. (2) It was a bright, sunny day; the birds chirped in the trees; and my heart soared to meet them. |
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Term
Appositive
A word or phrase appearing next to a noun or pronoun that renames or identifies it and is equivalent to it. |
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Definition
E.G. My brother Michael, the best horn player in town, won the state championship.
(Michael identifies which brother - "the best horn player" renames Michael. ) |
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Term
| Appositives or Parenthetic expressions |
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Definition
Use a comma to separate from the rest of sentence.
May also you parentheses or dashes if to many commas have been used. |
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Term
Restrictive Expressions
DO NOT use a comma to separate restrictive expressions. |
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Definition
Expression is restrictive if it is necessary for identification.
e.g. The man who called was helpful.
"who called" = restrictive expression. |
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Term
Non Restrictive Expressions
Use comma to separate the NRE from the rest of sentence. |
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Definition
NRE are not necessary for identification
e.g. Martin, who works for me, has been a legal assistant for many years.
"who works for me" = NRE. Martin can still be identified by his name. |
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Term
Independent Clauses
If IC in a compound sentence contains one or more commas use a semicolon before the conjunction. |
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Definition
e.g. Money cannot buy happiness; however, it certainly helps.
"Money cannot buy happiness" = IC
"it certainly helps" = IC |
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Term
Introductory Expressions
Most IE require a comma to separate from rest of sentence.
Words of address also require a comma regardless if they appear at beginning, middle, or end of sentence. |
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Definition
e.g.
Since life is uncertain, eat dessert first.
Joseph, where is the book? |
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Term
Coordinate Adjectives: use a comma between CA.
CA each modify the noun separately. |
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Definition
To identify coordinate adjectives ask:
1. if "and" is inserted between them does the sentence still make sense.
2. if words are reversed does sentence still make sense.
If answer is yes to both, adjectives are coordinate & require a comma to separate.
e.g. Paralegals are creative, organized people. |
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Term
| Compound Adjectives: DO NOT use a comma between CA. |
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Definition
Ask:
1. if "and" is inserted between them does the sentence still make sense.
2. if words are reversed does sentence still make sense.
If answers are no, then comma is not required because 1st adjective modifies 2nd adjective. Adj must stay together and in same order to modify the noun to retain writers meaning. |
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Term
Comma Splice
Never use a comma improperly to separate two independent clause. |
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Definition
Bad e.g. Lawyers will argue about anything, it is in their nature.
Use a semicolon instead to separate two independent clauses.
Good e.g. Lawyers will argue about anything; it is their nature. |
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Term
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Definition
1. Commas & periods should be placed inside the quotation marks.
2. All other punctuation should be placed outside quotation marks -unless they are apart of the quote itself.
e.g. Sally yelled, "where in the world is waldo?" (part of quote-inside paren)
Sally asked if you heard the teacher as, "is your homework done"? |
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