Menu

grammar

Because Pulpconnection

,

The power and influence of the Internet is grand. Learning is a Google away, entertainment anywhere is possible with a smartphone, and even the English language continues to evolve (despite Urban Dictionary). And now there’s “because.”

The word “because,” in standard English usage, is a subordinating conjunction, which means that it connects two parts of a sentence in which one (the subordinate) explains the other. In that capacity, “because” has two distinct forms. It can be followed either by a finite clause (I’m reading this because [I saw it on the web]) or by a prepositional phrase (I’m reading this because [of the web]). These two forms are, traditionally, the only ones to which “because” lends itself.

So next time, when you chuckle, learn something interesting, or find out happenings in Hawaii, you can think “because Pulpconnection.”

oxcomma

Keeping the Oxford Comma

, ,

No matter what, I’m continuing the use of the Oxford comma here on Pulpconnection. I never knew there was a term for this, but I’ve been an user of this serial comma forever. The Oxford comma is the last comma used in a list. For example, in this sentence:

Pulpconnection is focused on addictions, passions, and pulp.

The comma between passions and pulp is the Oxford comma. To me, that one comma helps separate each item in a list. Often times, you don’t need it, but it eliminates confusion by including it. Whatever your opinion is, I’m holding on to the Oxford comma.