ILP

PUNCTUATION AND LINKING WORDS

Punctuation

Punctuation is used to create sense, clarity and stress in sentences.

You use punctuation marks to structure and organise your writing. The most common of these are the period (or full stop in British English) “ . ”, the comma “ , ”, the exclamation mark “ ! ”, the question mark “ ? “, the colon “ : “ and semi-colon “ ; “, the quote “ “, the apostrophe ‘ , the hyphen and dash “ -  “, and parentheses and brackets ( ). Capital letters are also used to help us organise meaning and to structure the sense of our writing.

You can  see why punctuation is important if you try and read this sentence which has no punctuation at all:

My new house has three parts of interesting place swimming pool  a pond and a garden the swimming pool is built from good fiber a pond and a garden are made from stones

Now let's see if punctuating it makes a difference!

My new house has theree parts of interesting place: swimming pool, a pond and a garden. The swimming pool is built from good fiber, apond and a garden are made from stones.

Use the punctuation section to learn how to make your English clearer and better organised.

Linking words

Linking words are words (or groups of words) that show the relationship between one idea and another idea. They are also called conjunctions and transitions.
	There are many different kinds of  linking words.

I hate papaya, but I don’t hate papaya when its mixs with all fruits in rujak.

1.     Coordinating conjunctions link two independent clauses in a sentence.

2.     Subordinating conjunctions link an independent clause with a dependent clause or phrase within a sentence.

3.     Transitions link sentences in a paragraph.

Coordinating conjunctions join equals to one another:

            words to words,phrases to phrases,clauses to clauses.

         

Coordinating conjunctions usually form looser connections than other conjunctions do.

4.     Coordinating conjunctions go in between items joined, not at the beginning or end.

       

5.     Punctuation with coordinating conjunctions:

6.     When a coordinating conjunction joins two words, phrases, or subordinate clauses, no comma should be placed before the conjunction.

        

7.     A coordinating conjunction joining three or more words, phrases, or subordinate clauses creates a series and requires commas between the elements.          

8.     A coordinating conjunction joining two independent clauses creates a compound sentence and requires a comma before the coordinating conjunction        

Linking words follow specific punctuation rules, for example:

·         Use commas before coordinators.

·         Use semicolons before transitions.

Linking words have a variety of functions, for example, they can:

·         show the time order of information.

·         contrast information.

·         add information.

·         show cause and effect.

Linking words may be used:

·         in a sentence to link ideas within the sentence.

·         at the beginning of a sentence to link sentences in a paragraph.

·         at the beginning of a paragraph to link paragraphs together in an essay.

Punctuating Compound Sentences

Eliminating Run-Ons

Remember

A compound sentence is a sentence with two or more independent clauses.

There are correct ways and incorrect ways to link independent clauses.

Let’s look at the correct ways first.

Example:

Solving equations is useful, but studying grammar is fun.

(The linking word is "but." A comma precedes the linking word.)

Example:

Simple sentences contain one clause, and compound sentences contain at least two.

(The linking word is "and." A comma precedes the linking word.)

These linking words have names. They are called coordinating conjunctions. Sadly, nobody cares. It’s just too many syllables to remember.

That being the case, I call them short linkers. Thankfully, there are only seven of them.

THE SHORT LINKERS ARE:

For, And,Nor,But,Or,Yet,So

Note that if you arrange these guys right, the first letters spell "fanboys."

Rule

When two independent clauses are joined by a short linker, put a comma in front of that linker.

However, sometimes independent clauses are joined by longer linking words.

Example:

Some students can remember the coordinating conjunctions; however, others can only remember their favorite pizza toppings.

(The linking word is "however." Note that a semicolon precedes it and a comma follows it.)

Example:

Grading tests is depressing; consequently, some teachers drink heavily before doing it.

(Again, note the semicolon before the linking word and the comma after it.)

These long linking words are called conjunctive adverbs. Once again, most folks can’t remember that and don’t care to. That being the case, I call them "long linkers."

Some common long linkers are:

Consequently,Therefore,However,Nevertheless,Thus,Hence,Henceforth,In fact

Example:

I can recite lists of coordinating conjunctions and conjunctive adverbs any time of the day or night; therefore, I am idolized by my students.

(Again, note the semicolon before the long linker and the comma after.)

Rule

When two independent clauses are joined by a long linker, put a semicolon in front of that linker and a comma behind it.

There is a third way to punctuate compound sentences.

Example:

To study math is a treat; to study grammar is a thrill.

(Note the absence of a linking word and the use of a semicolon.)

Example:

I like to read; my wife likes to talk.

(Again, note the use of a semicolon.)

Rule

Two independent clauses may be linked only by a semicolon.

Helpful Hint

When only a semicolon is used to link independent clauses, make sure the clauses are thoroughly parallel in structure and word choice.

Example:

October days are often beautiful; November days often aren’t.

(Note that these clauses contain the same verbs ("are") and the same subjects ("days). They also contain the adverb "often." These create symmetry and justify the use of a semicolon.)

Let’s shift gears for a moment and consider some common errors.

THE FOLLOWING ARE MISTAKES.

DON’T DO THESE THINGS

Example:

Math is a pain grammar is worse.

(Note the absence of a linking word and punctuation.)

The example above is a fused sentence. A fused sentence occurs when two independent clauses are smooshed together with no punctuation and no linking word.

Example:

Math is a pain, grammar is worse.

(This is a little better. At least we have something between the independent clauses, but it’s not enough.)

The example above is a comma splice. A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are joined together with a comma but no linking word.

Example:

Math is a pain and grammar is worse.

(Now we have a linking word but no punctuation.)

The example above is a run-on. A run-on occurs when two independent clauses are joined together with a linking word but no punctuation.

Warning:

Some folks (mainly those with degrees in grammatical pickiness) are intent upon identifying the above errors precisely.

In truth (please don’t tell anybody), I just call them all run-ons and forget about it. Doing so frees up more space in my brain to remember baseball statistics.

A Final Word of Caution:

Remember that everything we’ve said above applies only to independent clauses. "Short linkers" and "long linkers" often occur in other contexts.

Example:

We learn some lessons in the classroom and others in the dorm.

(Note the absence of a comma before "and." It doesn’t link independent clauses, so we don’t put a comma in front of it.)

Dorm lessons, however, can be just as useful as classroom lessons.

(We don’t have a semicolon before "however" because it isn’t linking independent clauses.)