Every rule, and how hard it binds

19 rules match. Clear filters

1. GRM-001 Subject–verb number agreement IF a finite clause has an expressed subject AND neither quoted dialect nor an agreement exception applies, THEN align the finite verb with the subject in number ELSE retain. Hard constraint
2. GRM-002 Compound subject agreement IF two or more singular subject heads are coordinated by AND, THEN use plural agreement ELSE evaluate the coordinator. Hard constraint
3. GRM-012 A/an follows sound IF an indefinite article precedes a singular noun phrase, THEN choose A before a consonant sound OR AN before a vowel sound ELSE retain. Hard constraint
4. GRM-014 Case for coordinated pronouns IF a pronoun appears in coordination, THEN assign the case required by its syntactic role, tested without the other conjunct ELSE retain. Hard constraint
5. GRM-018 Repair dangling introductory modifier IF an introductory modifier’s implied actor is not the following subject, THEN make the actor the subject OR expand the modifier into a clause ELSE retain. Hard constraint
6. PUN-001 Terminate complete sentences IF a prose sentence is complete, THEN end it with a mark matching statement, direct question, or strong exclamation ELSE keep it joined to its governing structure. Hard constraint
7. PUN-002 No comma splice IF two independent clauses are joined only by a comma, THEN add a coordinator, use a semicolon, or make two sentences ELSE retain. Hard constraint
8. PUN-003 Comma before coordinating conjunction IF a coordinating conjunction joins two independent clauses, THEN place a comma before it unless the clauses are very short and unambiguous ELSE retain. Context default
9. PUN-004 Comma after introductory material IF introductory material is long, clausal, or potentially misread, THEN add a comma before the main clause ELSE use the lightest mark that preserves clarity. Context default
10. PUN-005 Set off nonrestrictive material IF a modifier adds nonessential information rather than identifying the referent, THEN set it off with paired punctuation ELSE do not set it off. Hard constraint
11. PUN-006 Do not isolate restrictive material IF a modifier identifies which person or thing is meant, THEN remove punctuation that falsely marks it as optional ELSE evaluate as nonrestrictive. Hard constraint
12. PUN-008 Semicolon joins related independent clauses IF two independent clauses are closely related AND no coordinator is used, THEN a semicolon is available ELSE choose another boundary. Context default
13. PUN-009 Semicolons clarify complex series IF list items contain internal commas, THEN separate top-level items with semicolons ELSE use commas. Context default
14. PUN-010 Colon follows a complete setup IF a colon introduces an explanation, list, example, or amplification, THEN ensure the material before it can stand as a complete clause ELSE remove or recast. Hard constraint
15. PUN-011 Apostrophe marks possession or omission IF an apostrophe is present, THEN verify that it marks possession, contracted omission, or a declared special style ELSE remove it. Hard constraint
16. PUN-016 Question mark only for direct questions IF the sentence directly asks a question, THEN use a question mark; IF it reports a question, use statement punctuation ELSE retain. Hard constraint
17. SYN-001 Complete clause for formal prose IF a unit is presented as a formal prose sentence AND lacks an independent clause, THEN attach it, complete it, or label it as a fragment ELSE retain. Hard constraint
18. SYN-002 Separate fused independent clauses IF adjacent independent clauses have no valid boundary, THEN add a coordinator and punctuation, a semicolon, or a period ELSE retain. Hard constraint
19. SYN-016 Keep correlative pairs balanced IF BOTH/AND, EITHER/OR, NEITHER/NOR, or NOT ONLY/BUT ALSO joins items, THEN place each half before parallel units ELSE retain. Hard constraint