May 2021 | Hit Send

With is not a conjunction

Mel Roome2024-10-16T15:32:09+10:00

Using ‘with’ at the start of a sentence has traditionally been regarded as ‘weak’ writing. Writers also need to be wary about joining sentences by using ‘with’, as: ‘With is not a conjunction’. That bold statement is a section heading in the Australian Government Style Manual. However, many people do use ‘with’ in this [...]

With is not a conjunctionMel Roome2024-10-16T15:32:09+10:00

Avoiding comma splices

Mel Roome2021-05-17T15:09:32+10:00

A comma splice occurs where a comma joins two or more independent parts of a sentence. The comma should not do this, but I see it every day. Here's an example: The CEO is on leave, her executive assistant will handle all queries. The above sentence has two parts, each with a subject and [...]

Avoiding comma splicesMel Roome2021-05-17T15:09:32+10:00

Fixing noun strings

Mel Roome2024-10-16T15:57:45+10:00

‘Noun strings’ are awful and do my brain in. The nouns are consecutive, so there are no little words to break them up. Here’s how to fix them and improve your style. First, what's the matter with them? Two nouns are common, such as lion cub. Three-word noun strings can be OK: ✅ home insurance [...]

Fixing noun stringsMel Roome2024-10-16T15:57:45+10:00