The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition Quotes

“What did you bring that book I don't want to be read to out of up for?" (5 prepositions)”
― E.B. White, The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition

“Note that if the second clause is preceded by an adverb, such as accordingly, besides, then, therefore, or thus, and not by a conjunction, the semicolon is still required.”
― William Strunk Jr., The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition

“It is, of course, equally correct to write each of these as two sentences, replacing the semicolons with periods.”
― William Strunk Jr., The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition

“Do not join independent clauses with a comma. If two or more clauses grammatically complete and not joined by a conjunction are to form a single compound sentence, the proper mark of punctuation is a semicolon.”
― William Strunk Jr., The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition

“When the subject is the same for both clauses and is expressed only once, a comma is useful if the connective is but. When the connective is and, the comma should be omitted if the relation between the two statements is close or immediate.”
― William Strunk Jr., The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition

“In a series of three or more terms with a single conjunction, use a comma after each term except the last.”
― William Strunk Jr., The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition

“No comma, however, should separate a noun from a restrictive term of identification.”
― William Strunk Jr., The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition

“Nonrestrictive relative clauses are parenthetic, as are similar clauses introduced by conjunctions indicating time or place. Commas are therefore needed. A nonrestrictive clause is one that does not serve to identify or define the antecedent noun.”
― William Strunk Jr., The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition

“the clauses introduced by which, when, and where are nonrestrictive; they do not limit or define, they merely add something.”
― William Strunk Jr., The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition

“Restrictive clauses, by contrast, are not parenthetic and are not set off by commas.”
― William Strunk Jr., The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition

“Place a comma before a conjunction introducing an independent clause.”
― William Strunk Jr., The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition