S.J.Budd

What is a hyphen? The use of a hyphen is often overlooked but when used properly can give your work a more professional feel. Hyphens are used when combining words in a sentence. What are the functions of a hyphen? To combine the word self with a noun To illustrate adjectives that are formed by combining words How to use a hyphen to combine the word self with a noun? This is really simple. Self-confidence Self-loathing How to use a hyphen to illustrate adjectives that are formed by combining words? The pedlar was a nik-nak man. He was a new-age wizard.

The colon like the comma is a commonly misused piece of punctuation that is usually confused with the semicolon. Quite often it is overused, a colon  should only be used sparingly. What are the functions of a colon? To introduce a list within a sentence To introduce an idea within a sentence To introduce quoted material within a sentence How to use a colon to introduce a list within a sentence A colon can be used to introduce a list of series of items. The first item in the list that appears after a colon does not need to be capitalised, unless it is a proper noun. When using a colon the clause that precedes it must make sense with its corresponding list. Frodo had packed everything he needed: food, drink, maps and sunglasses. The clause, Frodo had packed everything he needed , makes sense on its own and so a colon   can be introduced after it. Avoid using a colon to introduce a list when it directly follows a verb or preposition. I ...

How to use a comma? Most people wrongly assume that the comma is a simple piece of punctuation. The comma is extraordinarily complex.  This is because it has many different functions which have been listed below. The biggest misuse of comma is that many writers believe that a comma should be inserted in every pause and tend to overuse commas in their work. Don't get caught out. Writers wrongly assume a comma is just a pause. It is so much more than that. What are the main functions of a comma? To separate adjectives within a sentence To separate introductory elements within a sentence To separate contrasting clauses within a sentence To separate dates and years, towns and counties within a sentence To separate parenthetical elements within a sentence To separate direct speech or quote elements within a sentence To separate a list of three or more items within a sentence To separate two independent clauses within a sentence How to use...