Quick Answer The Oxford comma is the comma you put before “and” or “or” in a list of three or more things. It makes your sentence clearer. Without: I love my parents, Batman and Superman. With: I love my parents, Batman, and Superman. With and Without the Oxford Comma — See the Difference Look at…

Quick Answer A pun is a joke that plays with words. It works because one word has two meanings, or because two words sound the same. For example: “I used to be a baker because I kneaded dough” — “kneaded” sounds like “needed.” What Is a Pun? See How It Works A pun makes you…

Quick Answer A portmanteau is a word made by mixing parts of two words together. The new word has a meaning from both words. br(eakfast) + (l)unch = brunch (a late morning meal) Breakfast + Lunch = Brunch — See How Portmanteaus Work Look at these words. Can you see how they are made? Did…

Quick Answer Hyperbole is when you exaggerate on purpose to make a strong point. It is not meant to be true — it is meant to show how you feel. Example: “I am so hungry I could eat a horse.” (You are not really going to eat a horse. You are just very hungry.) What…

Identifying a comma splice is the first step to improving sentence structure. Writers might often link clauses together with a comma as it seems like a natural pause, but this practice can lead to confusion for readers and is considered incorrect in standard English writing conventions. There are straightforward strategies for fixing comma splices that…