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As I've been training scopists for over four years now, there are a few things I've noticed that were not covered in the LMEG.  If I denote something and you know where I can find it in there, please correct me.

One that really bothers me is the comma splice because it was a mistake I made often as a beginner and find that many court reporters are not aware of it either.  

When a comma is used between two independent clauses, it's called a "comma splice."

Anytime you have two independent clauses side by side, you must use either a period or a semicolon to separate them.
For example:  I ran out of the house, I was late for work.  WRONG

The correct ways are:
I ran out of the house; I was late for work - Using the semicolon because the two independent clauses are related.

I ran out of the house.  The bat followed me out. - Using a period because they are two independent clauses.

Devon
www.joyfulscoping.com
drscoping@gmail.com

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I still have problems with that comma splice.  It always seems to come sneaking up on me in different ways. One day I will master it!

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Angela,

I remember doing the same thing as a beginning scopist.  Get in the habit of always looking for the pair:  the noun and the verb.

You will master it.  I promise!!

I've also been very surprised by the number of court reporters who don't know about the rule either.

All we can do is help each other in discovering it together!!

Thank you for sharing!!

Devon