Problems With Grammar
By Chastity Roberts
 

Comparatives and Superlatives
Problem Pronouns
The Comma
The Semicolon and Colon

Comparatives and Superlatives
Most adjectives and adverbs have three forms: the positive, the comparative, and the superlative.

Positive                              Comparative                    Superlative

soft                                       softer                              softest

fast                                       faster                              fastest

careful                                 more careful                   most careful

bad                                      worse                              worst

good                                    better                               best

• Use the comparative to compare two things, the superlative to compare three or more.

• To form comparatives and superlatives of most one- and two-syllable adjectives, use the endings –er and –est.  With longer adjectives, use more and most.

• Do not use double comparatives or superlatives.  When you have added –er or –est to an adjective or adverb, do not also use more or most.

• Do not use comparatives or superlatives with absolute concepts such as unique or perfect. Either something is unique or it isn't.  It is illogical to suggest that absolute concepts come in degrees.

Problem Pronouns
The antecedent of a pronoun is the word the pronoun refers to.  A pronoun and antecedent agree when they are both singular or both plural:

Singular:  The doctor finished her rounds.
Plural:  The doctors finished their rounds.

Indefinite pronouns:
Indefinite pronouns refer to nonspecific persons or things. 
Although the following indefinite pronouns may seem to have plural meanings, treat them as singular in formal English:  anybody, anyone, anything, each, either, everybody, everyone, everything, neither, nobody, no one, somebody, someone, something:

In this class everyone performs at his fitness level.

In this class everyone performs at her fitness level.

When a plural pronoun refers mistakenly to a singular indefinite pronoun, you will usually have three options for revision:
1.  Replace the plural pronoun with he or she, or his or her
2.  Make the antecedent plural
3.  Rewrite the sentence so that no problem of agreement arises

The Comma

1.  Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction joining independent clauses.
2.  Use a comma after an introductory word group.
3.  Use a comma between all items in a series.
4.  Use a comma between coordinate adjectives not joined by and.
 --When two or more adjectives each modify a noun separately, they are
coordinate.
Ex: Mother has become a strong, independent, confident woman.
5.  Use commas to set off nonrestrictive elements.
--A nonrestrictive element describes a noun or pronoun whose meaning has
been clearly defined or limited.
6.  Use commas to set off transitional and parenthetical expressions, absolute phrases, and contrasted elements.
7.  Use commas to set off nouns of direct address, the words yes and no, interrogative tags, and mild interjections.
8.  Use commas with expressions such as he said to set off direct quotations.
9.  Use commas with dates, addresses, titles, and numbers.
10.  Use a comma to prevent confusion. 

The Semicolon

1.  Use a semicolon between closely related independent clauses not joined by a coordinating conjunction.

2.  Use a semicolon between independent clauses linked with a transitional expression.

3.  Use a semicolon between items in a series containing internal punctuation.

The Colon

1.  Use a colon after an independent clause to direct attention to a list, an appositive, or a quotation.

2.  Use a colon between independent clauses if the second summarizes or explains the first.

3.  Use a colon after the salutation in a formal letter, to indicate hours and minutes, to show proportions, between title and subtitle, and to separate city from publisher and date in bibliographic entries.