Proper Punctuation for Appositive Phrases

Proper Punctuation for Appositive Phrases Proper Punctuation for Appositive Phrases Proper Punctuation for Appositive Phrases By Mark Nichol When two terms that mean the same thing are introduced in succession in a sentence, careless writers, by omitting a crucial comma, often imply that the definition of the terms is in fact distinct. Here are some examples of misleading statements, plus discussions and revisions. 1. â€Å"Sunlight is a mixture of different colors or wavelengths, which combine to form white light.† Colors and wavelengths are, for practical purposes, the same thing, but â€Å"colors or wavelengths† implies otherwise. To signal that wavelengths is an alternative term for colors, it should be set off in an appositive phrase: â€Å"Sunlight is a mixture of colors, or wavelengths, that combine to form white light.† (Notice, too, the replacement of which with that and the deletion of the comma that followed it not all colors, or wavelengths, combine to form white light; only these do. I also deleted the usually superfluous adjective different.) 2. â€Å"Its odd properties are essential for the evolution and survival of life on Earth, particularly given its ability to form a weak connection called a hydrogen or H-bond.† The weak connection is not called a hydrogen or H-bond, and it does not have the alternative names hydrogen and H-bond, both of which possibilities are suggested by this statement; the choices are â€Å"hydrogen bond† and H-bond. To indicate that H-bond is a distinct term, that it is not an alternative to hydrogen alone, and that it is an abbreviation of â€Å"hydrogen bond† requires a minimal pair of corrections: the use of the full phrase â€Å"hydrogen bond† and the insertion of a comma after that phrase. The revision is â€Å"Its odd properties are essential for the evolution and survival of life on Earth, particularly given its ability to form a weak connection called a hydrogen bond, or H-bond.† 3. â€Å"Then, as that part of Earth passes out of the gravitational bulge, the tide goes out or ebbs.† Again, the lack of a comma between two terms separated by or implies distinct meanings (suggesting that going out and ebbing are different actions), but this sentence, in describing a scientific phenomenon, explains a process and then supplies a perhaps unfamiliar synonym, so a comma should divide them. But there’s another problem one that I haven’t seen discussed in writing guides or grammar handbooks but that has always bothered me: Why, when introducing a new term, supply the better-known synonym or a definition first what’s the use of including the new term if it’s not presented before the aid to comprehension? It seems more logical to provide the new term first, then provide context: â€Å"Then, as that part of Earth passes out of the gravitational bulge, the tide ebbs, or goes out.† (The second example in this post at least positions the appositive terms sensibly, and the first example does not apply, as one term does not define the other, as here, or clarify it, as in the second example.) Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Punctuation category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:10 Grammar Mistakes You Should AvoidStory Writing 101The Difference Between "Un-" and "Dis-"

The French Expression Aller Is Integral

The French Expression Aller Is Integral The French verb aller, which means to go, is used in many French idiomatic expressions. Learn how to go fishing, get to the bottom of things, go away and more with this list of expressions with aller. Theres a good reason why so many expressions use aller; its one of the most common and important verbs in the French language. There are a few basics to keep in mind with aller.  First, its an irregular verb, so it doesnt follow typical conjugation patterns. You just have to memorize its many forms. Second, the very common passà © composà © tense of aller uses the auxiliary verb à ªtre. (Je suis allà © means  I went, I have gone). This means that the past participle in this instance, has to agree with the Je,  or the I thats speaking. So If a girl said that, the past participle would have an additional e at the end of the participle to indicate a feminine subject: Je suis  allà ©e.   Another important peculiarity of aller is its use in constructing the near future. Combine the present tense of  aller the infinitive of an action verb to make the near future, or  le futur proche. The construction means  to be going to or to be going to do something. Common French Expressing Using Aller French Expression English Translation aller la pà ªche to go fishing aller la rencontre de quelqu'un to go meet someone aller pied to go on foot aller quelqu'un to be becoming, to suit aller au-devant de quelqu'un to go meet someone aller au fond des choses to get to the bottom of things aller avec quelque chose to match; to go with something aller chercher to go get; to get; to fetch aller de pair avec to go hand in hand with aller en voiture to go by car aller sans dire; à §a va sans dire to go without saying; that goes without saying Allez-y! Go ahead! Allons donc! Come on then! Allons-y ! Let's go! Ça va ? Comment allez-vous ? Comment vas-tu ? How are you? On y va ? Shall we go? On y va ! Let's go! s'en aller to go away