The Elements of Style (1918) [Illustrated]

by William Strunk Jr.

Exceptions are the possessives of ancient proper names in -es and -is, the possessive Jesus', and such forms as for conscience' sake, for righteousness' sake. But such forms as Achilles' heel, Moses' laws, Isis' temple are commonly replaced by the heel of Achilles the laws of Moses the temple of Isis

Thus write, red, white, and blue honest, energetic, but headstrong He opened the letter, read it, and made a note of its contents.

In the names of business firms the last comma is omitted, as Brown, Shipley and Company

Note that if the second clause is preceded by an adverb, such as accordingly, besides, so, then, therefore, or thus, and not by a conjunction, the semicolon is still required. I had never been in the place before; so I had difficulty in finding my way about.

A simple correction, usually serviceable, is to omit the word so, and begin the first clause with as: As I had never been in the place before, I had difficulty in finding my way about.

The object of treating each topic in a paragraph by itself is, of course, to aid the reader. The beginning of each paragraph is a signal to him that a new step in the development of the subject has been reached.

Hence, as a rule, it is better to express a negative in positive form.

Negative in positive form

of a single complex idea, step by step, in a series of sentences which might to advantage be combined into one.

Fix. Colloquial in America for arrange,

However. In the meaning nevertheless, not to come first in its sentence or clause.