Month: March 2020

Grammar Video Project – “Lists: oxford comma & parallel structure, colons (vs semi-colons)”

This is our Grammar Video on Lists: Oxford comma, Parallel Structure, Colons, and Semi-colons.

 

Paragraphs:

The Oxford Comma

The Oxford comma is the last comma in a sentence that includes a list with three or more terms. It also provides a pause to clarify that the last two terms are not connected, and it is located before the conjunction ‘and’ or ‘or’. An example of an Oxford Comma used properly in a sentence is “Mrs. Weasley gave out gifts to her kids, Hermione, and Harry.” In this example, you can clearly tell who Mrs. Weasley is giving out gifts to, which is her many kids (Bill, Charlie, Percy, Fred, George, Ron, and Ginny), as well as her friends Harry and Hermione. If there wasn’t an Oxford comma placed before the conjunction (and), then the sentence would appear as “Mrs. Weasley gave out gifts to her kids, Hermione and Harry.” Without the Oxford comma, it seems as if Hermione and Harry are Mrs. Weasley’s kids (since there is no sign of separation between them), and that is not the message we would want this sentence to be sharing. On the other hand, the Oxford comma is quite controversial as many writers believe that there is no need for the Oxford comma when you can just rephrase your writing. An example of the sentence above, rearranged so the Oxford comma isn’t necessary, is “Mrs. Weasley gave out gifts to Harry, Hermione and her kids.” In this sentence, an Oxford comma isn’t needed, since by reorganizing the order that the nouns are listed in, the plural noun (kids) isn’t at the front.

Parallel Structure

Parallel Structure ensures that the grammatical form used throughout your writing is alike or “parallel”. The components of your sentences that have similar functions should have a similar construction, which means that you are consistent with your grammatical form throughout your writing. An example of Parallel Structure used properly in a sentence is “I like riding my broomstick and catching the snitch.” In this sentence, the grammar within this sentence is consistent. The action verbs, riding and catching, are both present participles. Also, the actions in the sentence are both relevant to each other and the subject matter (which is the activities that I like).

The Semi-colon

The semi-colon is used to connect two closely related independent clauses. Semi-colons can replace a conjunction, shorten a sentence, and bring more variety to your writing. They are known to be stronger than a comma, but less final than a period. An example of a semi-colon used properly in a sentence is “Fred and George are very silly; they like to trick me.” In this sentence, the semi-colon is connecting the two independent clauses. Without the semi-colon, the two independent clauses would still be grammatically correct on their own, however, the presence of it allows readers to see the close relationship between them. Both independent clauses are referring to the topic of Fred and George’s behaviour, so a semi-colon should be used to show the connection.

The Colon

The colon is used to introduce a single component or several elements that add detail to the sentence that came before it, in the form of a list or quote. A colon can only be placed after an independent clause. An example of a colon used properly in a sentence is “For Hermione’s lesson she brought multiple items: a quill, her wand, and spell books.” The clause that is before the colon is an independent clause. Additionally, the list that is connected by the colon is adding detail to the independent clause, as it is explaining exactly what Hermione brought to her lesson. The colon also replaces the conjunction, as it is signifying the beginning of a list.

Review Questions:

1.Where would you place the oxford comma in the sentence below?

Ron invited his family, Harry and Hermione.

2. How can you change the sentence below so that it has a parallel structure?

The Weasley’s love eating, laughing, and to play.

3. True or False: Is the following sentence correct?

Gryffindor won the match; Harry relished in the victory.

4. True or False: Is the following sentence correct?

Hermione Granger once said: “Fear of a name only increases fear of the thing itself.”

 

Review Question Answers:

1.Where would you place the oxford comma in the sentence below?

Ron invited his family, Harry and Hermione.

Answer: Ron invited his family, Harry, and Hermione.

2. How can you change the sentence below so that it has a parallel structure?

The Weasley’s love eating, laughing, and to play.

Answer: The Weasley’s love eating, laughing, and playing.

3. True or False: Is the following sentence correct?

Gryffindor won the match; Harry relished in the victory.

Answer: True; the following sentence is correct.

4. True or False: Is the following sentence correct?

Hermione Granger once said: “Fear of a name only increases fear of the thing itself.”

Answer: False; Hermione Granger once said something startling to Harry Potter: “Fear of a name only increases fear of the thing itself.”

 

Citations