HOT OFF THE PRESS! We love to share our information with writers, and we’re happy to pass some of our INSIDER’S SECRETS along to you. Feel free to print these posts to use as a reference. Pass the links along to your writer friends. It’s packed with great information this month. DEADLINE-DATED lists of anthologies, theme issues, and contests are included at no charge!

In This Issue:

* * Do you avoid the use of semicolons? If you're prone to rewriting sentences rather than learning how to use semicolons correctly, read THREE ESSENTIAL SEMICOLON RULES. We'll make it easy for you.

* * RELATIVE PRONOUNS: WHO VERSUS WHOM will clear up this topic once and for all.

* * We take a lighthearted look at MISPLACED MODIFIERS. Errors in this area can be very comical. You'll get a few chuckles from this one.

* * You won’t find a better list anywhere (AND IT’S FREE!) of upcoming ANTHOLOGIES, SPECIAL-THEMED JOURNALS, and CONTESTS. Visit: http://WritersReliefBlog.com/post/Anthologies-Contests.aspx.

↓ Scroll Down to Read These Exciting and Useful Articles!! ↓

Many people consider semicolons to be the most confusing of the punctuation marks. These people generally fall into two camps: those who liberally pepper their page with semicolons, and those who never use them for fear of using them incorrectly. However, as with the other marks of punctuation, using semicolons is not difficult if you keep some basic rules in mind.

Rule 1: Use a semicolon between independent clauses that are closely related in theme.

Independent clause definition: a word group that contains at least one subject, at least one verb, and expresses a complete thought. An independent clause is also called a sentence.

The key words in this rule are closely related in theme. You should not place semicolons indiscriminately between independent clauses, as in the following example:

Example 1: Jane drove to Phoenix to visit her parents; her parents' dog had to go to the vet.

Clearly, these sentences have nothing to do with each other. The fact that Jane visited her parents in Phoenix is one thing, and the fact that her parents' dog had an appointment with the vet is quite another. A period should be used between unrelated sentences such as these. Semicolons should be placed only between sentences that are closely related in theme, as in the following example:

Example 2: Tom earned his bachelor's degree last summer; his sister earned hers in the fall.

These sentences are related thematically; both discuss academic degrees and when they were earned, so the semicolon is appropriate. Of course, a period would also be appropriate.

Rule 2: Use a semicolon before conjunctive adverbs and transitional phrases that join independent clauses.

Conjunctive adverb: adverb that acts as a transition between independent clauses by showing comparison, contrast, cause-effect, sequence, or other relationships.

Common conjunctive adverbs: also, consequently, conversely, finally, furthermore, hence, however, meanwhile, moreover, nevertheless, nonetheless, otherwise, similarly, subsequently, therefore, thus

Transitional phrase: a phrase that acts as a transition between independent clauses by showing comparison, contrast, cause-effect, sequence, or other relationships.

Common transitional phrases: after all, as a matter of fact, as a result, for example, in addition, in conclusion, in other words, on the contrary, on the other hand

Example 3: Philip is studying engineering; however, he is also interested in pursuing a degree in music education.

Example 4: Cindy has published several novels; in addition, she has published a volume of poetry.

In each of the previous two examples, you should note two things. First, the sentences joined by the semicolons are closely related in theme, which is the fundamental rule of semicolon placement. Second, note that the semicolon is placed before the conjunctive adverb or transitional phrase. This is because the adverb or phrase begins an independent clause. Compare the following examples:

Example 5: Angela fell and injured her leg last month; nevertheless, she was able to compete in the race today.

Example 6: Jim has always been an exceptionally hard worker; his coworkers, moreover, have nominated him for employee of the month seven times.

In Example 5, the semicolon is placed before the conjunctive adverb nevertheless since the adverb begins an independent clause. In Example 6, the semicolon is placed before his since his signals the beginning of the independent clause. The conjunctive adverb in this sentence (moreover) is simply serving as an interrupter.

Rule 3: To ensure clarity, use a semicolon between items that contain internal punctuation.

Compare the following examples:

Example 7: For her young son's birthday, Jenny purchased a chocolate cake with chocolate frosting, sprinkles, and candy topping, a pair of shoes with white stripes, laces, and light-up heels, and a new racetrack complete with cars, people figurines, and miniature buildings.

Example 8: For her young son's birthday, Jenny purchased a chocolate cake with chocolate frosting, sprinkles, and candy topping; a pair of shoes with white stripes, laces, and light-up heels; and a new racetrack complete with cars, people figurines, and miniature buildings.

Example 7 is difficult to read due to its excessive use of commas; because of the internal punctuation within each item in the list, the commas between those items serve only to muddle the writing and confuse the reader.

Example 8, which places semicolons between each item, is much clearer.

Semicolons are like spices; they shouldn't be overused. As spices complement the main ingredients in a dish, semicolons should complement your writing—not overpower it. When used correctly, semicolons can add variety and increased readability to your writing.

If you’re still not sure whether you’ve seasoned your writing with just the right amount of semicolons, call us. We can help! We offer proofreading services to writers of books, novels, stories, poems, and essays.

Understanding how to properly use the relative pronouns who and whom is fairly simple once you know whether the pronoun is subjective, in which case you’d use who or whoever; or objective, which calls for the use of whom or whomever. Whether or not you master basic pronoun rules, exploring relative pronouns can be a creative and fun challenge.

Let’s examine the subjective case:
Who is calling?
Who do you think will win the election?
I don't know who is at the door.

Now, the objective case:
To whom did you address the letter?
Whom do you think they'll nominate?
We chose candidates whom we hoped the public would trust.

We at Writer’s Relief want to make it easy for you. If the difference between who versus whom is still unclear, try substituting he or him (or, to avoid gender bias, she or her):

He is calling.
Do you think he will win the election?
He is at the door.
Did you address the letter to her?
Do you think they'll nominate her?
We hope the public will trust her.

If you can substitute he or she, then use the subjective case (who). If you can substitute him or her, use the objective case (whom). This is a simple way to remember the difference between who and whom.

The same strategy works for whoever versus whomever:

Whoever is responsible for letting the cat out should go find her. (He is responsible.)
You are free to go to the movies with whomever you want. (Go to the movies with her.)

Things become a little less straightforward when who or whom are part of longer clauses that, themselves, function as subjects or objects:
We are looking for donations from whoever wishes to contribute.

In this sentence, "whoever" is the subject of the clause "whoever wishes to contribute," and the entire clause is the object of the preposition "from," not just the pronoun. Confusing? Don’t forget to make the pronoun switch, which yields, He wishes to contribute.

Another tricky one: I told him that I figured out who would be the best person to ask.

"Who" is the subject of the clause "who would be the best person to ask." Employing our strategy, replace who with she:
Right: I told him that I figured out she would be the best person to ask.
Wrong: I told him that I figured out her would be the best person to ask.

Still have unanswered questions about whether your relative pronouns work in your writing as they should? Call us about our A La Carte proofreading services today!

Note: Everyday speech can be informal. The same can be said of dialogue and informal writing, and who is often used when whom is actually correct. Whether or not you choose the objective form or the subjective form is up to you and depends on the formality of your writing. The conclusion from experts is this: In informal speech and writing, we can break the rules. In formal writing, we cannot.

Did you know that unassuming little misplaced modifiers in sentences actually have the power to run people off the road while driving, cause them to choke on their sandwiches, or even cause fits of hysterical laughter? Talk about powerful! Don't let their harmless appearance fool you. One little misplaced modifier can turn a simple hand-lettered sign or billboard into an Internet-cruising joke in no time flat.

Confused? Take a look at these funny examples of misplaced modifiers:

Sign posted at a Moscow hotel:

You are welcome to visit the cemetery where famous Russian composers, artists, and writers are buried daily, except on Thursdays. (Gee, it's a good thing we don't live there!)

At an office:

For those who have children and don't know it, there is a daycare on the first floor. (Must be some pretty quiet kids.)

Misplaced modifiers can also create some interesting mental pictures:

Pizza was given to the teenagers that had pepperoni and olives on them. (I'd like to see some teenagers with sausage and mushrooms on them.)

This summer, I stood knee-deep in the river and caught a fish without waders. (It would be fun to catch a fish that wasn't wearing clothes, wouldn't it?)

Let's go back and make sure we all understand the function of a modifier in a sentence, and then we can get back to making fun of its improper usage.

What is a modifier? A modifier is a group of words that describes or gives additional information about another word (or words) in a sentence.

What is a misplaced modifier?  A misplaced modifier is a modifier placed incorrectly within the sentence so that it ends up describing (or modifying) the wrong word(s). For example:

Correct: I like okra when fried.

Misplaced modifier: When fried, I like okra.

The second sentence gives the impression that I like okra only after ingesting drugs and/or alcohol.

Correct: The back tire went flat while I was driving to work.

Misplaced modifier: While driving to work, the back tire went flat.

The second sentence gives us a mental picture of a tire driving to work!

Humorous or confusing examples of misplaced modifiers often circulate through email, and real-life examples are everywhere, especially if you're looking for them. Who hasn't questioned themselves when seeing that all-too-familiar sign, "Slow Children Crossing"?

As funny as misplaced modifiers are, editors don’t want to spot them in your writing. Need help with proofreading your writing (to avoid silly misplaced modifiers)? Writer’s Relief proofreaders can help.

REMEMBER TO CHECK OUT OUR LIST OF WRITING CONTESTS and ANTHOLOGIES! You won’t find a better list anywhere (AND IT’S FREE!) of upcoming anthologies, special-themed journals, and contests. Find it by visiting: http://www.writersreliefblog.com/post/Anthologies-Contests.aspx