Grammar & Punctuation – colon – English editing.
A punctuation mark with three main uses:  To introduce a list: There are two other varieties of cedarwood oil: Texas (Juniperusashei) and Virginian (Juniperus virginiana).  To introduce a…
Grammar & Punctuation – Coherence – English editing.
Coherence means that the thought behind the text is consistent and moves logically from one point to the next. A coherent text uses suitable vocabulary and uses it consistently. For…
Grammar & Punctuation – capital letters – English editing.
Capital letters are used for the following purposes:  For the first letter of a sentence: Expenditure rises to meet income.  For the first letters of the names of…
Grammar & Punctuation – can/may – English editing.
Traditionally can is used to show:  Ability: An English person who can speak even one other language fluently is rare.  Possibility: Relapse can occur at any time. May…
Grammar & Punctuation – can – English editing.
A MODAL AUXILIARY VERB. It has two meanings:  That someone or something has the ability to do something: Those who can swim, swim.  That something is possible: I…
Grammar & Punctuation – but – English editing.
A COORDINATING CONJUNCTION used to link together:  Two ADJECTIVES: Tired but happy.  Two PHRASES: Nice to look at but difficult to describe.  Two CLAUSES: You begin by…
Grammar & Punctuation – before – English editing.
A word with two main uses:  SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTION. It introduces CLAUSES OF TIME. For example: He wanted to see her before it was too late.  PREPOSITION: I hardly…