I don't like the phrase "et cetera", though. If there are other activities that the audience would know, then say "the person performed the [comforting?] activities." If the audience doesn't know them, then the phrase "et cetera" doesn't lend any new information.
Posts: 26077 | Registered: Mar 2000
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I'd add either "as" or "since" after the comma in the second one, but that's me. Assuming surrounding context, it's definitely a comma splice, and should be changed.
Posts: 6213 | Registered: May 2001
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"you watch the children closely, it is the best way to avoid accidents."
Is there something before "you watch"? It seems a little weird to start a sentence that way.
You should not use a comma, because you have two independent clauses. You can use a period, a semi-colon, or add a conjunction like "because".
Posts: 5879 | Registered: Apr 2001
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Megan, I am pretty sure it is accepted use now, certainly not in my day, to leave out the "pre-and" comma.
Posts: 10890 | Registered: May 2003
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Katharina's got a good point. The use of "etc." is generally frowned upon because it's a virtually useless word. I prefer omitting it whenever possible, though if you really want to keep it, you might consider changing it to something like "and so on," though that's still a pretty useless filler phrase.
Posts: 100 | Registered: Apr 2003
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Elizabeth, I think you're right, actually, but I was always taught that the last comma made for clearer writing. So, it wouldn't be incorrect to leave the comma out; it would just be clearer to leave it in. That's completely a matter of opinion, though.
Posts: 4077 | Registered: Jun 2003
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Katharina, they're in a list of tips, and we don't have much room. The first one was in a tip about teaching children safety rules and the second was examples of dangerous items that need to be locked away. They're being sent to a specific audience, and our phone number is on the flier in case of questions. I think it'll be alright, and is probably the best solution given the circumstances (it's kind of a liability thing - we want to specify that there are, in fact, other dangerous items and other safety rules, but we can't list them all).
Ludosti, the beginning of the list is "If you're caring for children in your home, be sure:".
Papa Moose, I think putting "as" in there might be an effective solution. Thanks!
Posts: 2661 | Registered: Apr 2002
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You watch the children closely. It is the best way to avoid accidents.
These are two different sentences, though I agree the first is a bit awkward.
A better solution, "The best way to avoid accidents is to watch the children closely."
If you want that "you" there for emphasizing who should be watching the children, try this. "The best way to avoid accidents is if you watch the children closely"
or "Watching the children closely is the best way you can avoid accidents."
Posts: 11895 | Registered: Apr 2002
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In AP (Associated Press) style, the final serial comma is omitted. I really don't know why. In other style guides (notably, Chicago), the final serial comma is always included to prevent ambiguity or misreading.
And yes, that second example is incorrect. Like everyone else said, it needs stronger punctuation (a semicolon, colon, or dash would work) or a conjunction. Rewriting it to make it one clause works quite nicely.
Posts: 100 | Registered: Apr 2003
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Yeah, it's not a good sentence, but it's not supposed to be a full sentence. The full sentence is "If you're caring for children in your home, be sure:" and then the rest of the items follow, with bullets in front of each.
I don't like making lists that way, but I'm just editing, not writing it. Posts: 2661 | Registered: Apr 2002
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I'm off to lunch now. Thanks for all the help! I may well be back with more questions later (I've got more fliers to edit!).
Posts: 2661 | Registered: Apr 2002
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Thank you, Editor in Chief. I still cringe when I see no comma before the end. My eighth grade English teacher had a lasting effect on me. My ninth grade English teacher thought of Strunk and White as the other two members of the Trinity.
Posts: 10890 | Registered: May 2003
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This is a great example of the wonderfulness of Hatrack denizens. In the space of ten minutes eighteen helpful Hatrackers gave detailed, helpful responses (I am not counting mine, it was not. I also feel a bit rusty when it comes to grammar.).
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Hatrack completely rocks. Hatrack's my secret weapon, my ace-in-the-hole, my access to a private think tank, and, most often in CT's wonderful words, my tribe. It's nice. Thanks. Posts: 26077 | Registered: Mar 2000
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