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Am I Possessive?

February 10, 2018 by Fiction Editor Beth Hill

Deciding between attributive and possessive can be tricky, but a few tips should help you decide if an apostrophe is needed.

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A Tale of Adverbs and the Comma

February 21, 2016 by Fiction Editor Beth Hill

While most adverbs don’t require commas, some special adverbs do. A lesson on the use of commas with sentence adverbs and conjunctive adverbs.

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Getting Specific—Addressing Readers’ Examples (Part 2)

November 8, 2015 by Fiction Editor Beth Hill

What happens to the comma when you have a question mark or exclamation point midsentence where a comma should go?

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Dealing With Interruptions

September 2, 2015 by Fiction Editor Beth Hill

Interrupters, digressions, asides, and comments can be set apart by commas, parentheses, and dashes. Explore the options for punctuating interrupters.

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Introduce Me with a Comma

August 27, 2015 by Fiction Editor Beth Hill

Many introductory sentence elements are followed by a comma. Yet not all are. A discussion of comma use with elements at the beginning of a sentence.

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Editing Odds and Ends

August 14, 2014 by Fiction Editor Beth Hill

Tips for a mix of writing situations you might have trouble with including weaved or wove, may or might, and set or sit.

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Commas with Subordinate Clauses—A Reader’s Question

July 30, 2014 by Fiction Editor Beth Hill

A writer asks about comma use with dependent clauses. Includes details about comma use for subordinate clauses before, after, and in the middle of independent clauses.

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Keeping Adjectives in Line

April 8, 2014 by Fiction Editor Beth Hill

Adjectives can be paired or grouped to modify a single noun—learn the rules for using multiple adjectives, including the Royal Order of Adjectives. Explanation of coordinate and cumulative adjectives, and tips for using commas with adjectives as well.

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Treating Dependents and Subordinates Properly

July 12, 2013 by Fiction Editor Beth Hill

Help for setting up and using dependent (subordinate) clauses. Tips include when to use commas.

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Restrictive or Not—When Do Clauses Need Commas?

September 17, 2012 by Fiction Editor Beth Hill

Is it a comma before which or before who or before that? Are there really rules and do I have to follow them in my fiction? Tips for comma use with essential and non-essential phrases and clauses.

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