traps, pitfalls, dark roads we don't want to travel

One thing that really bothers me is how terrible many people are when it comes to grammar and spelling. And while I make no claim to be perfect, at least I try and consider it important. If you don't think it's important just think about all the people who read everything you write on Facebook, Myspace, Blogger, etc. If you're struggling to write sentences that your eighth grade english teacher would have approved of, it's probably not going to make a very good impression on your friends/peers/co-workers/bosses et cetera. I'm certainly not accusing any of my blog readers of bad grammar; people smart enough to read this blog probably rarely struggle with menial grammar issues. I'm putting it out there just in case there is a struggling soul that happens to stumble across this page. So for your sake and mine, if not just a refresher course, I am going to do a series of common grammar pitfalls to be wary of.

1. Run-on sentences
Let me be the first to admit that I struggle with this one sometimes, and it can be tricky. But basically a run-on sentence is two (or more) sentences combined with a comma. What you need to remember here is that commas don't join sentences! In order to combine sentences you have to use words like "and", 'but", "or", 'yet "or "because". Or just use a period. Usually three or more sentences combined (even with the proper conjunction) is also considered a run-on.

RIGHT- Charles Barkley's footsies were cold. He decided not to call Dwayne Wade for help.
RIGHT- Charles Barkley's footsies were cold, but he decided not to call Dwayne Wade for help.
WRONG- Charles Barkley's footsies were cold, he decided not to call Dwayne Wade for help.

2. However
As a basic rule, adverbs are not supposed to join sentences. The biggest instigator of this classic crime is the fiendish word "however."

RIGHT- I had to pee terribly. However, all the bathrooms were occupied.
WRONG- I had to pee terribly, however, all the bathrooms were occupied.

The easiest fix is to alway put "However" with an accompanying comma at the beginning of a new sentence. That way it's sure to be right. If you use it in the middle of a sentence the chances of it being used wrong increase exponentially.

That's it for now. Stay tuned for more fun grammar lessons to come. Now I'm headed to the bathroom, because I have to pee terribly. (Notice how I put the because in there to avoid a run-on...)