Essays By A Hack: Sentence Clauses

Link to article: Essays By A Hack: Sentence Clauses.

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[[include :scp-wiki:info:start]]
**Articles:** Essays by a Hack: Sentence Clauses
**Author:** [[*user the great hippo]]
**Images:** [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Oscar_Wilde.jpeg Link], and [http://www.scp-wiki.net/your-very-first-scp Link] (Skippy is by me, released into public domain)

**Music:** [https://youtu.be/q6-ZGAGcJrk Spooky Scary Skeletons] (The Living Tombstone)

----
[[include :scpsandbox2:hippo]]
[[include :scp-wiki:info:more]]
[[include :scp-wiki:info:end]]

[[module css]]
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[[/module]]

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[[table style="border: none; width: 100%"]]
[[row]]
[[cell style="width: 15%;"]]
[[f<image thoreau.jpg size="thumbnail"]]
[[/cell]]
[[cell style="text-align: left;"]]
> //Brevity is the soul of wit.//
> 
> - **Ralph Waldo Emerson**
[[/cell]]
[[/row]]
[[/table]]
----
[[==]]
Let's talk about sentences.

When well-constructed, sentences are effortless to read. Each dissolves into the substrate of the mind, conferring their contents like a tablet melting under the tongue. We do not read them; we //discover// them. We become the author's co-conspirator, collaborating on a world rich with detail that existed long before any of it was ever written down. 

So, how do you write like that? 

You do it by understanding and developing the principal elements of plain, clear, effective sentence composition. 

This article is intended as both a primer and a refresher for the construction of simple and complex sentences. It draws heavily on [http://www.chompchomp.com/menu.htm Grammar Bytes!] (an online resource for grammar instruction) and the 2008 edition of //[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Elements_of_Style Elements of Style]// by White and Strunk (revised by John Woldemar Cowan; available  [http://vrici.lojban.org/~cowan/style-revised.html here]). It also includes numerous flourishes unique to this community and a few observations of my own.

Keep in mind: This is not a comprehensive guide to English grammar. This is only an explanation of sentence construction -- specifically, clauses and conjunctions (and how they may be used to produce simple, compound, complex, and complex-compound sentences).

Let's begin.

----

[[toc]]

----

+ What is a Sentence?

A complete sentence starts with a capital letter and ends with terminal punctuation (<<{{**.**}}>>, <<{{**!**}}>>, or <<{{**?**}}>>). It contains at least one main (or **independent**) clause, and any number of subordinate (or **dependent**) clauses.

There are four types of sentences: 
* **Simple sentences** are a single independent clause. 
* **Compound sentences** are two or more simple sentences connected together.
* **Complex sentences** are one simple sentence connected to one or more dependent clauses. 
* **Complex-Compound sentences** are a compound sentence connected to one or more dependent clauses.

----

[[div class="chatbox"]]
[[table style="border: none; width: 100%"]]
[[row]]
[[cell style="width: 20%;"]]
[[f<image skippy.png size="thumbnail"]]
[[/cell]]
[[cell style="text-align: left; background-color: white; color: black; padding: 1% 1% 1% 1%"]]
**SKIPPY'S CORNER**

Ho boy, that sounds complicated, doesn't it? But don't worry, chum. We'll figure this one out together! ~:o)

Who am I? Why, I'm Skippy, your automated SCP helper -- here to lend you a helping hand! Don't worry. With my brains and your skeletal system, we'll have you whipping up complex-compound sentences in no time!

[[/cell]]
[[/row]]
[[/table]]
[[/div]]

----

+ What is a Clause?
A clause is two or more words that declare something about something. Think of it as a statement about a person or thing.

Every clause contains two components: the **subject** and the **predicate**. The subject is the person or thing about whom the declaration is about; the predicate is what is being declared about it. A subject contains a noun, and a predicate contains a verb.

> = **[[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]][SUBJECT][[/span]] +  [[span style="background-color: #ffe066;"]][PREDICATE][[/span]] = CLAUSE**

[[div style="font-weight: bold;"]]
> * [[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]]I[[/span]] [[span style="background-color: #ffe066;"]]exist[[/span]].
> * [[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]]Julia[[/span]] [[span style="background-color: #ffe066;"]]likes cake[[/span]].
> * [[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]]My friends[[/span]] [[span style="background-color: #ffe066;"]]must gather more bones[[/span]].
[[/div]]


----

[[div class="chatbox"]]
[[table style="border: none; width: 100%"]]
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[[cell style="width: 20%;"]]
[[f<image skippy.png size="thumbnail"]]
[[/cell]]
[[cell style="text-align: left; background-color: white; color: black; padding: 1% 1% 1% 1%"]]
**SKIPPY'S CORNER**

A  **simple subject** is the noun that the predicate is addressing: **Your squishy, misshapen [[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]]meat-sack[[/span]] [[span style="background-color: #ffe066;"]]is full of bones[[/span]].**

A **complete subject** is the same noun, plus any modifiers which qualify it: **[[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]]Your squishy, misshapen meat-sack[[/span]] [[span style="background-color: #ffe066;"]]is full of bones[[/span]].**

For our purposes, assume that the term 'subject' refers to the //complete// subject.

[[/cell]]
[[/row]]
[[/table]]
[[/div]]

----

++ Independent 
When a clause is **independent**, it has a subject, predicate, and forms a complete declaration (a finished thought).

> = **[[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]][SUBJECT][[/span]] + [[span style="background-color: #ffe066;"]][PREDICATE][[/span]] = INDEPENDENT CLAUSE**

An independent clause also works as a simple sentence: 

> = **[[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]][IND. CLAUSE][[/span]] = SIMPLE SENTENCE**
[[div style="font-weight: bold;"]]
> * [[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]]We are here[[/span]].
> * [[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]]Jill is watching her friends[[/span]].
> * [[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]]Everyone's bones keep disappearing[[/span]].
[[/div]]

----

[[div class="chatbox"]]
[[table style="border: none; width: 100%"]]
[[row]]
[[cell style="width: 20%;"]]
[[f<image skippy.png size="thumbnail"]]
[[/cell]]
[[cell style="text-align: left; background-color: white; color: black; padding: 1% 1% 1% 1%"]]
**SKIPPY'S CORNER**

Fun fact: A **sentence fragment** is what you get when you forget to include at least one independent clause in your sentence!

Another fun fact: The human femur can withstand up to 1,700 PSI before it becomes bone fragments!

[[/cell]]
[[/row]]
[[/table]]
[[/div]]

----

++ Dependent

When a clause is **dependent** (or **subordinate**), it has a subject, predicate, and is introduced with a **subordinator**. It forms an incomplete declaration (an //unfinished// thought):

> = **[[span style="background-color:#ffb3ff;"]][SUBORDINATOR][[/span]] + [[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]][SUBJECT][[/span]] + [[span style="background-color: #ffe066;"]][PREDICATE][[/span]] = DEPENDENT CLAUSE**

A dependent clause does not work as a simple sentence:

[[div style="font-weight: bold;"]]
> * [[span style="background-color:#ffb3ff;"]]If[[/span]] [[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]]we[[/span]] [[span style="background-color: #ffe066;"]]are here[[/span]].
> * [[span style="background-color:#ffb3ff;"]]Why[[/span]] [[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]]Jill[[/span]] [[span style="background-color: #ffe066;"]]is watching her friends[[/span]].
> * [[span style="background-color:#ffb3ff;"]]Whether or not[[/span]] [[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]]everyone's bones[[/span]] [[span style="background-color: #ffe066;"]]keep disappearing[[/span]].
[[/div]]

To work as a sentence, a dependent clause needs to be paired up with an independent clause.

----

[[div class="chatbox"]]
[[table style="border: none; width: 100%"]]
[[row]]
[[cell style="width: 20%;"]]
[[f<image skippy.png size="thumbnail"]]
[[/cell]]
[[cell style="text-align: left; background-color: white; color: black; padding: 1% 1% 1% 1%"]]
**SKIPPY'S CORNER**

Dependent clauses are dependent //because of// the subordinator. In fact, most dependent clauses work just fine as independent clauses -- all you have to do is get rid of the subordinator!

What's a subordinator? We'll get to that! 

[[/cell]]
[[/row]]
[[/table]]
[[/div]]

----

+ Conjunctions
Conjunctions are words and phrases which establish a relationship between clauses, connecting them together. 

We'll cover three types of conjunctions:
* **Coordinating conjunctions** connect simple sentences together (forming compound sentences). They can also introduce a simple sentence.
* **Adverbial conjunctions** connect simple sentences together, and can introduce, interrupt, or conclude independent clauses.
* **Subordinating conjunctions** are the most common type of subordinator, and are always found at the start of a dependent clause. With them, dependent clauses can connect to independent clauses (forming complex and complex-compound sentences).

----

[[div class="chatbox"]]
[[table style="border: none; width: 100%"]]
[[row]]
[[cell style="width: 20%;"]]
[[f<image skippy.png size="thumbnail"]]
[[/cell]]
[[cell style="text-align: left; background-color: white; color: black; padding: 1% 1% 1% 1%"]]
**SKIPPY'S CORNER**

There's actually more than one kind of subordinator (**relative pronouns** and **relative adverbs**, for example), but we're not going to touch on those here. For now, the only type of subordinator you need to know about is subordinating conjunctions.

Conjunctions establish a relationship between clauses, binding them together. Think of them like grammatical glue.

And you know what glue is made of, right? ~:o)
[[/cell]]
[[/row]]
[[/table]]
[[/div]]

----


++ Coordinating
A coordinating conjunction connects two simple sentences, or introduces an independent clause. There are seven in total: 
[[div style="font-weight: bold;"]]
> || and || but || for ||
> || nor || or || so ||
> || yet ||  ||  ||
[[/div]]
You can combine two simple sentences into a compound sentence by using a comma and a coordinating conjunction:

> = **[[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]][SIMPLE SENTENCE][[/span]] + [[span style="background-color: #ffe066;"]][,][[/span]] + [[span style="background-color: #ffe066;"]][COORD. CONJ.][[/span]] + [[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]][SIMPLE SENTENCE][[/span]] = COMPOUND SENTENCE**
[[div style="font-weight: bold;"]]
> * [[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]]We stay[[/span]][[span style="background-color: #ffe066;"]], and [[/span]][[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]]they die[[/span]].
> * [[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]]My dog dug a very deep hole[[/span]][[span style="background-color: #ffe066;"]], so [[/span]][[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]]I gave him more bones[[/span]].
> * [[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]]I picked up eggs, milk, and bacon from the store[[/span]][[span style="background-color: #ffe066;"]], yet [[/span]][[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]]I forgot the bones[[/span]].
[[/div]]

You can, in fact, combine //any// number of simple sentences this way:
[[div style="font-weight: bold;"]]
> * [[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]]We stay[[/span]][[span style="background-color: #ffe066;"]], and [[/span]][[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]]they die[[/span]][[span style="background-color: #ffe066;"]], but [[/span]][[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]]we live[[/span]].
[[/div]] 

You can also introduce a simple sentence with a coordinating conjunction (producing a new simple sentence). No comma is necessary:
> = **[[span style="background-color: #ffe066;"]][COORD. CONJ.][[/span]] + [[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]][SIMPLE SENTENCE][[/span]] = SIMPLE SENTENCE**

[[div style="font-weight: bold;"]]
> * [[span style="background-color: #ffe066;"]]But[[/span]] [[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]]we stay[[/span]].
> * [[span style="background-color: #ffe066;"]]So[[/span]] [[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]]my dog dug a very deep hole[[/span]].
> * [[span style="background-color: #ffe066;"]]And[[/span]] [[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]]I picked up eggs, milk, and bacon from the store[[/span]].
[[/div]]

However, it is typical for a previous sentence to contextualize this new sentence:
[[div style="font-weight: bold;"]]
> * They tell us to leave. [[span style="background-color: #ffe066;"]]But[[/span]] [[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]]we stay[[/span]].
> * I gave him all of my bones. [[span style="background-color: #ffe066;"]]So[[/span]] [[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]]my dog dug a very deep hole[[/span]].
> * I've been out all day. [[span style="background-color: #ffe066;"]]And[[/span]] [[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]]I picked up eggs, milk, and bacon from the store[[/span]].
[[/div]]

[[div class="chatbox"]]
[[table style="border: none; width: 100%"]]
[[row]]
[[cell style="width: 20%;"]]
[[f<image skippy.png size="thumbnail"]]
[[/cell]]
[[cell style="text-align: left; background-color: white; color: black; padding: 1% 1% 1% 1%"]]
**SKIPPY'S CORNER**

Coordinating conjunctions 'coordinate' clauses, phrases, and words in a sentence. When you connect two clauses with a coordinating conjunction, both are emphasized. 

The answer is bones, by the way.

[[/cell]]
[[/row]]
[[/table]]
[[/div]]

++ Adverbial

An adverbial conjunction (or conjuctive adverb) is an adverb that connects two simple sentences or otherwise introduces, interrupts, or concludes a single independent clause. There are many kinds -- here are just a few:

[[div style="font-weight: bold;"]]
> || accordingly || incidentally || similarly ||
> || also || indeed || still ||
> || anyway || likewise || then ||
> || besides || meanwhile || thereafter ||
> || furthermore || moreover || therefore ||
> || instead || namely || thus ||
> || however || nevertheless || undoubtedly ||
[[/div]]

You can combine two simple sentences with an adverbial conjunction using a semicolon, the conjunction, and a comma:

> = **[[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]][SIMPLE SENTENCE][[/span]] + [[span style="background-color: #ffe066;"]][;][[/span]] + [[span style="background-color: #ffe066;"]][ADV. CONJ.][[/span]] + [[span style="background-color: #ffe066;"]][,][[/span]] + [[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]][SIMPLE SENTENCE][[/span]] = COMPOUND SENTENCE**
[[div style="font-weight: bold;"]]
> * [[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]]We stay[[/span]][[span style="background-color: #ffe066;"]]; therefore, [[/span]][[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]]they die[[/span]].
> * [[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]]My dog dug a very deep hole[[/span]][[span style="background-color: #ffe066;"]]; finally, [[/span]][[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]]I told him to stop[[/span]].
> * [[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]]I picked up eggs, milk, and bacon from the store[[/span]][[span style="background-color: #ffe066;"]]; however, [[/span]][[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]]I forgot the bones[[/span]].
[[/div]]

If the relationship the adverbial conjunction establishes between the clauses can be inferred without it, you may omit both the adverb and the comma: 
> = **[[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]][SIMPLE SENTENCE][[/span]] + [[span style="background-color: #ffe066;"]][;][[/span]] + [[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]][SIMPLE SENTENCE][[/span]] = COMPOUND SENTENCE**
[[div style="font-weight: bold;"]]
* [[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]]We stay[[/span]][[span style="background-color: #ffe066;"]]; [[/span]][[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]]they die[[/span]].
* [[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]]My dog dug a very deep hole[[/span]][[span style="background-color: #ffe066;"]]; [[/span]][[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]]I told him to stop[[/span]].
* [[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]]I picked up eggs, milk, and bacon from the store[[/span]][[span style="background-color: #ffe066;"]]; [[/span]][[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]]I forgot the bones[[/span]].
[[/div]]


An adverbial conjunction can also be used to introduce, interrupt, or conclude an independent clause. Use commas to segregate it from the clause if the adverb is disruptive:
[[div style="font-weight: bold;"]]
> * [[span style="background-color: #ffe066;"]]Therefore,[[/span]] [[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]]we stay[[/span]].
> * [[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]]My dog[[/span]][[span style="background-color: #ffe066;"]], meanwhile,[[/span]] [[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]]dug a very deep hole[[/span]].
> * [[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]]I picked up eggs, milk, and bacon from the store[[/span]][[span style="background-color: #ffe066;"]], however[[/span]].
[[/div]]

However, if the adverb isn't disruptive, you may omit the commas:
[[div style="font-weight: bold;"]]
* [[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]]Your skeleton is [[/span]][[span style="background-color: #ffe066;"]]therefore[[/span]] [[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]]mine[[/span]].
[[/div]]

----

[[div class="chatbox"]]
[[table style="border: none; width: 100%"]]
[[row]]
[[cell style="width: 20%;"]]
[[f<image skippy.png size="thumbnail"]]
[[/cell]]
[[cell style="text-align: left; background-color: white; color: black; padding: 1% 1% 1% 1%"]]
**SKIPPY'S CORNER**

That's what glue is made of, I mean.

It's made of bones.

[[/cell]]
[[/row]]
[[/table]]
[[/div]]


++ Subordinating

A subordinating conjunction is part of a dependent clause. Like adverbial conjunctions, there are many -- here are some of the most common ones:

[[div style="font-weight: bold;"]]
> || after || if || that ||
> || although || in order that || though ||
> || as || provided that || unless ||
> || because || rather than || until ||
> || before || since || when ||
> || even if || so that || whenever ||
> || even though || than || while ||
[[/div]]

You can combine a simple sentence to a dependent clause using the dependent clause's subordinating conjunction. If the dependent clause precedes the sentence, use a comma to link the two:

> = **[[span style="background-color:#ffb3ff;"]][DEP. CLAUSE][[/span]] + [[span style="background-color: #ffe066;"]][,][[/span]] + [[span style="background-color: #b3d1ff;"]][SIMPLE SENTENCE][[/span]] = COMPLEX SENTENCE**

[[div style="font-weight: bold;"]]
> * [[span style="background-color:#ffb3ff;"]]__If__ we stay[[/span]][[span style="background-color: #ffe066;"]], [[/span]][[span style="background-color: #b3d1ff;"]]they die[[/span]].
> * [[span style="background-color:#ffb3ff;"]]__When__ my dog dug a very deep hole[[/span]][[span style="background-color: #ffe066;"]], [[/span]][[span style="background-color: #b3d1ff;"]]I yelled at him[[/span]].
> * [[span style="background-color:#ffb3ff;"]]__Because__ I picked up eggs, milk, and bacon at the store[[/span]][[span style="background-color: #ffe066;"]], [[/span]][[span style="background-color: #b3d1ff;"]]I have plenty of food[[/span]].
[[/div]]

If a dependent clause comes //after// the sentence, omit the comma: 

> = **[[span style="background-color: #b3d1ff;"]][SIMPLE SENTENCE][[/span]] + [[span style="background-color:#ffb3ff;"]][DEP. CLAUSE][[/span]] = COMPLEX SENTENCE**


[[div style="font-weight: bold;"]]
> * [[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]]We stay[[/span]] [[span style="background-color:#ffb3ff;"]]__if__ they die[[/span]].
> * [[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]]My dog dug a very deep hole[[/span]] [[span style="background-color:#ffb3ff;"]]__when__ I yelled at him[[/span]].
> * [[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]]I picked up eggs, milk, and bacon at the store[[/span]]  [[span style="background-color:#ffb3ff;"]]__because__ I had no food[[/span]].
[[/div]]

----

[[div class="chatbox"]]
[[table style="border: none; width: 100%"]]
[[row]]
[[cell style="width: 20%;"]]
[[f<image skippy.png size="thumbnail"]]
[[/cell]]
[[cell style="text-align: left; background-color: white; color: black; padding: 1% 1% 1% 1%"]]
**SKIPPY'S CORNER**

Notice how moving the subordinating conjunction to the other clause (making it dependent) inverts the sentence's meaning? That's what makes subordinating conjunctions subordinators: they establish a one-way (or 'subordinate') relationship between dependent and independent clauses.
* __Because__ X, **Y**.
* __On account of__ W, **Z**.
* __If__ A, **B**.

Move the subordinating conjunctions over, and both the meaning //and// emphasis changes:
* **X** __because__ Y.
* **W** __on account of__ Z.
* **A** __if__ B.

[[/cell]]
[[/row]]
[[/table]]
[[/div]]

----

+ Writing a Complex-Compound Sentence

Complex-compound sentences are either:
* A compound sentence connected to a dependent clause.
* A complex sentence connected to a simple sentence (by either a coordinating or adverbial conjunction). 

Now, let's combine everything we've learned so far to construct our own complex-compound sentence. We'll start with three simple sentences:

[[div style="font-weight: bold;"]]
> * We stay.
> * We die.
> * We must go.
[[/div]]

We'll turn one of these simple sentences into a dependent clause by adding a subordinating conjunction in front of it:

[[div style="font-weight: bold;"]]
> * [[span style="background-color:#ffb3ff;"]]__If__ we stay[[/span]].
> * We die.
> * We must go.
[[/div]]

Next, we'll attach this dependent clause to the next simple sentence. Remember, when a dependent clause comes //before// the independent clause, you use a comma to attach it:

[[div style="font-weight: bold;"]]
> * [[span style="background-color:#ffb3ff;"]]__If__ we stay[[/span]][[span style="background-color: #ffe066;"]], [[/span]][[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]]we die[[/span]].
> * We must go.
[[/div]]

Now we have a complex sentence and a simple sentence. We'll attach the simple sentence to our complex sentence using an adverbial conjunction ("therefore"):
[[div style="font-weight: bold;"]]
> * [[span style="background-color:#ffb3ff;"]]__If__ we stay[[/span]][[span style="background-color: #ffe066;"]], [[/span]][[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]]we die[[/span]][[span style="background-color: #ffe066;"]]; therefore,[[/span]][[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]] we must go[[/span]].
[[/div]]

And that's it! You've now made a complex-compound sentence. 

Here's another example: 

[[div style="font-weight: bold;"]]
> * [[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]]We're trapped[[/span]][[span style="background-color: #ffe066;"]];[[/span]] [[span style="background-color:#ffb3ff;"]]even though I have no more bones[[/span]][[span style="background-color: #ffe066;"]],[[/span]] [[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]]he still wants more[[/span]].
[[/div]]

By breaking this apart into single clauses, you can see how it's put together: 
[[div style="font-weight: bold;"]]
> * [[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]]We're trapped[[/span]].
> * [[span style="background-color:#ffb3ff;"]]Even though I have no more bones[[/span]].
> * [[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]]He still wants more[[/span]].
[[/div]]
An independent clause, a dependent clause, and an independent clause. 

The last two (the dependent and independent clause) form a complex sentence; the first is connected to this complex sentence via an adverbial conjunction (with the adverb and comma omitted on account of the relationship between the two sentences being easily inferred).

You now have all the basic tools you need to construct simple, compound, complex, and complex-compound sentences!

----

[[div class="chatbox"]]
[[table style="border: none; width: 100%"]]
[[row]]
[[cell style="width: 20%;"]]
[[f<image skippy_red.png size="thumbnail"]]
[[/cell]]
[[cell style="text-align: left; background-color: white; color: black; padding: 1% 1% 1% 1%"]]
**SKIPPY'S CORNER**

@@ @@

@@ @@

~:o)

[[/cell]]
[[/row]]
[[/table]]
[[/div]]

----

+ Extra Credit

++ Sequences
A **sequence** is a series of two or more terms. If there are three or more terms, use a comma after each term except the last (which is always preceded by a coordinating conjunction like <<**{{and}}**>> or <<**{{or}}**>>).

> = **[[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]][TERM][[/span]] + [[span style="background-color: #ffe066;"]][COOR. CONJ][[/span]] + [[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]][TERM][[/span]]  = 2-TERM SEQUENCE**
[[div style="font-weight: bold;"]]
* The children brought [[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]]femurs[[/span]] [[span style="background-color: #ffe066;"]]and[[/span]] [[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]]skulls[[/span]].
[[/div]]
> = **[[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]][TERM][[/span]] + [[span style="background-color: #ffe066;"]][,][[/span]] + [[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]][TERM][[/span]] + [[span style="background-color: #ffe066;"]][,][[/span]] + [[span style="background-color: #ffe066;"]][COOR. CONJ][[/span]] + [[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]][TERM][[/span]]  = 3-TERM SEQUENCE**
[[div style="font-weight: bold;"]]
* The children brought [[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]]femurs[[/span]][[span style="background-color: #ffe066;"]],[[/span]] [[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]]skulls[[/span]][[span style="background-color: #ffe066;"]], and[[/span]] [[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]]teeth[[/span]].
[[/div]]

When the terms use commas internally, use semicolons in lieu of commas to separate them: 

[[div style="font-weight: bold;"]]
* The children brought [[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]]femurs, from their fathers[[/span]][[span style="background-color: #ffe066;"]];[[/span]] [[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]]skulls, from their mothers[[/span]][[span style="background-color: #ffe066;"]]; and[[/span]] [[span style="background-color:#b3d1ff;"]]teeth, torn from sisters and brothers[[/span]].

[[/div]]

The last comma in a sequence (prior to <<**{{and}}**>>) is referred to as an Oxford, Harvard, or [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_comma serial comma]; it is optional. However, its exclusion can drastically alter how a sentence is understood. For example:

[[div style="font-weight: bold;"]]
* They were buried with their siblings, a cat, and a dog.
* They were buried with their siblings, [who are] a cat and a dog.
[[/div]]
----

[[div class="chatbox"]]
[[table style="border: none; width: 100%"]]
[[row]]
[[cell style="width: 20%;"]]
[[f<image uh_oh.png size="thumbnail"]]
[[/cell]]
[[cell style="text-align: left; background-color: white; color: black; padding: 1% 1% 1% 1%"]]
**SKIPPY'S CORNER**

@@ @@

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[[/cell]]
[[/row]]
[[/table]]
[[/div]]

----

+ Resources
* //[http://vrici.lojban.org/~cowan/style-revised.html Elements of Style]//, by White and Strunk; revised by John Woldemar Cowan. 
* [https://www.grammarly.com/blog/comma/ Rules for Comma Useage]. A helpful webpage from grammarly which describes appropriate useage of commas.
* [http://www.chompchomp.com/menu.htm Grammar Bytes!]
[[/==]]

[[footnoteblock]]

----

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[[=]]
[[image skippy_rage.gif]]
[[size 150%]]
##red|**GIVE ME YOUR FUCKING BONES.**##[[/size]]
[[/=]]

@@ @@

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[[include component:license-box]]
=====
> **Filename:** carl_jung.png
> **Author:** [[*user the great hippo]]
> **License:** CC BY-SA 3.0
> **Source Link:** [/essays-by-a-hack-sentence-clauses SCP Foundation Wiki]
> **Derivative Of:**
> ----
> **Name:** Oscar Wilde.jpeg
> **Author:** Napoleon Sarony
> **License:** Public Domain
> **Source Link:** [http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/file:oscar_Wilde.jpeg Wikimedia Commons]

> **Filename:** skippy.png, skippy_rage.gif, skippy_red.png
> **Author:** [[*user the great hippo]]
> **License:** CC BY-SA 3.0
> **Source Link:** [/your-very-first-scp SCP Foundation Wiki]
> **Derivative Of:**
> ----
> **Filename:** logo.png
> **Author:** [[*user far2]]
> **License:** CC BY-SA 3.0
> **Source Link:** [/ SCP Foundation Wiki]

> **Filename:** uh_oh.png
> **Author:** [[*user the great hippo]]
> **License:** CC BY-SA 3.0
> **Source Link:** [/essays-by-a-hack-sentence-clauses SCP Foundation Wiki]
=====
[[include component:license-box-end]]

Essays By A Hack: Sentence Clauses

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