178 English Grammar Demystifi ed
Written Practice 8-4
Correct the punctuation errors in the following sentences.
- Luke reads the Times, his friend reads USA Today.
- We will travel to Massachusetts or we’ll stop in Connecticut.
- The car’s radiator overheated therefore we called a service mechanic.
- Traffi c was bumper-to-bumper, nevertheless we stayed on the road until we
reached our destination. - I babysit twice a week, my friend babysits every day.
USING CONJUNCTIONS TO ADD MEANING TO SENTENCES
Coordinating conjunctions are commonly used to connect sentences, and that’s fi ne.
However, they can be overused. The word and, for example, is one such conjunction
since it simply adds one sentence to another and doesn’t really indicate what kind of
relationship you wish to establish. On the other hand, the word although conveys a
much more specifi c relationship than and does. For example:
- We have done little to effect change, and greenhouse gases continue to soar.
- We have done little to effect change; consequently, greenhouse gases
continue to soar.
The fi rst sentence simply adds one sentence to another. With the addition of conse-
quently, the second sentence indicates an opinion or indictment on the part of the
writer. It says that despite or notwithstanding what’s happening regarding green-
house gases, we have done little, and there is a consequence.
Here’s an opportunity for you to use transitional words to add meaning to sen-
tences. In each of the following sentences, how would you add meaning by replac-
ing and with a more meaning-fi lled transitional word? Look back to the list of
transitional words for ideas.
- I will make dinner, and you need to pick up Amelia after school.
- Tillie was always late for work, and she received a cut in pay.
- We started by clearing the attic, and we emptied the garage.