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Grammar and Punctuation Questions Thread

Discussion in 'Posting Tips' started by digitalsatori, Apr 17, 2015.

  1. digitalsatori

    digitalsatori Pompous Maladroit Moderator

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    This is the place to post any questions you might have about grammatical structure, usage, and punctuation.

    Please place all queries as a direct questions (i.e. "Must I used the Oxford comma?") in the first sentence. Feel free to elaborate or tell us about your pet platypus under your question.

    If there are any answers or comments, please quote the question first:

    Yes, every time. The dropping of the Oxford comma is a personal pet peeve of mine. Why?

    CORRECT: We invited the strippers, JFK, and Stalin
    INCORRECT: We invited the strippers, JFK and Stalin (ew, gross!)

    Do you see the difference? The first sentence indicates that you invited multiple strippers, JFK, and Stalin. The second sentence indicates that you invited two strippers whose names were JFK and Stalin. The first sentence makes you look like you know how to throw a party, the second sentence makes you weird.
     
  2. KimberlyD

    KimberlyD New Member Moderator

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    Hi @digitalsatori,

    Can you please explain the proper use of ellipsis?
     
  3. digitalsatori

    digitalsatori Pompous Maladroit Moderator

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    Sure! Informally, the ellipsis is most frequently used as a pause... for effect, or to show that you're trailing off or didn't finish your thought... It implies there is more to come on a particular thought or idea.

    If you were referencing Dr. Frank-N-Furter, for example, he would see you shiver with antici... pation. ;)

    In a more formal paper or writing, the ellipsis is used to omit minor details in a quote or citation. Generally, the formal formatting will be enclosed in brackets [...] to indicate that the omission is not part of the original source being cited.

    For example,
    "Today, after hours of careful thought, we vetoed the bill."
    Using ellipsis: "Today […] we vetoed the bill."
     
    Last edited: Apr 17, 2015
  4. digitalsatori

    digitalsatori Pompous Maladroit Moderator

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    Quick and easy: Are you referring to 'he' or 'him'?

    'Whom' is a pronoun that is referring to the object of a sentence; 'Who' is a pronoun referring to the subject.

    He loves her.
    ^ subject ^ object
    (She is the OBJECT of his affections)

    Therefore,
    WHO: Who loves her? He does.
    WHOM: Whom does she love? She loves him.

    (Feel free to substitute the pronouns as you see fit; we don't judge here.)

    The most common use of 'whom' is in the greeting of a business/formal letter:
    To Whom It May Concern,

    Why? It concerns him. :)
     
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  5. KimberlyD

    KimberlyD New Member Moderator

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    When to use ' and ". I notice a lot of people don't seem to understand their usage and thought you could better explain it then I. By the way, you are doing an awesome job with this thread. I might have to take lessons for you myself. LOL
     
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  6. digitalsatori

    digitalsatori Pompous Maladroit Moderator

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    I'll quote you on that. ;)

    The single and the double quote are often used interchangeably, which is incorrect. A double quote is used to quote something. Anything else should be a single quote.

    Using something for 'emphasis' should be surrounded by a single quote. Otherwise, it can be confusing because double quotes imply you're quoting someone.

    The exception for this is if you are quoting within a quote (QUOTECEPTION!). Double quotes to indicate the first quote, then single quotes to indicate the quote of the quoted. You could also, you know, rewrite the sentence so that you don't have to do that. But this is totally a rule, so I've included it.

    Joe said, "Dan cried, 'Do not treat me that way' ".
    __ quote^________^ quote within the quote
     
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  7. bennewcombe

    bennewcombe New Member

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    I have a few tips for posting on forums :)

    - Make sure you are always gramatically correct, no one wants to read your post if they can't even read it!

    - Always be unique, being unique is how you get your posts out there. No one wants to read the same old boring post!

    - Never insult/swear/be rude, people don't like reading arguements

    Sorry it was short but.. Hope you enjoyed!
     
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  8. tomstrong

    tomstrong New Member

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    I was an honors English student and a Physics major at The College of William and Mary in the 1960s. I find it hard to write in the AP style (required by Tesxtbroker), and have had them suggest changes that would totally change the meaning of what I was saying. I believe that the comment about the Oxford comma above was a disagreement with AP style. Am I right?
     
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  9. tomstrong

    tomstrong New Member

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    A few hours ago I realized that I had not been properly subscribed to gateway when I registered. I only realized this after I had spent several hours creating my 10 blogs. Since I chose the subjects and created several threads, I am going back and adding comments in order to hope and get the actual posts evaluated. Please see the above post and grade it if you are grading my posts.

    I believe the above comment is a good one, and I would like some input on it. I spent many years writing in a proper English style and feel that AP style is often VERY POOR English.
     
    Last edited: Jun 18, 2015
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  10. KenBrace

    KenBrace Staff Member Administrator

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    @tomstrong

    Don't worry. We review all posts made by a writer and average out their quality. From the looks of your writing I don't think you'll have any problem getting in.
     
  11. tomstrong

    tomstrong New Member

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    I still am waiting for a reply to the question about AP style. I have, in fact, found other places where disdain for the AP style is expressed. Could it be a mere coincidence that newspapers have virtually died out since the AP style was adopted?
     
  12. KenBrace

    KenBrace Staff Member Administrator

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    I wish I could provide more input regarding AP style but I honestly don't know that much about it.

    Perhaps @digitalsatori could be of more help?
     
  13. stargazer

    stargazer New Member

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    This thread is truly helpful for a newbie like me. I am just so grateful to read this thread before trying to post anything else in the forum.

    English is not my first language and I often find it confusing. However, I am not amused with error-filled sentences although I admit to being guilty for committing some at times.:)
     
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  14. Karen Gordon

    Karen Gordon New Member

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    I think that the proper use of the comma is important in writing. A comma or misplaced comma, can change the meaning of a sentence entirely. I am not perfect with my usage of the comma; but I know it is important in proper writing. Of course, creative writing can be a bit different. Stephen King for example, I have noticed seems to be the king of the run on sentence. He has a free flowing consciousness which is very evident in his work.
     
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  15. Olly wood

    Olly wood New Member

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    Having just joined the forum, I decided to start at the top of the list and work my way down in the hope I found something worthy of comment.

    I totally agree with this sentiment, I'm not sure which country the OP hails from, I am thinking the United States, because I have often found that apart from American spelling, the other moan I have is their grammar, especially the use of commas.
     
  16. Olly wood

    Olly wood New Member

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    Apart from Cantonese and maybe French for some people, English is probably the hardest language in the world to learn, it's dominance in the world is because we English have always been lazy, finding it easier to teach English than to learn a foreign language in order to communicate !
     
  17. HappyHeart

    HappyHeart New Member

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    I am certain I could use a lot of lessons in punctuation. I did not realize a comma can go ahead of the word and! I am not sure I will qualify to be a writer here on this forum but, have written 5 books in my lifetime. I did not edit any of these books. I always say I write the content the editor makes sure it is proper. (my husband is an editor lol)
     
  18. rodrigomenezes

    rodrigomenezes New Member

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    Thanks for the information. Not only will this be useful to my everyday live, but this will also be an useful "tutorial" on how to make good posts here in The Forum Wheel.

    I wasn't aware that a comma could go ahead of the word "and", per example. That is very interesting.

    Thanks again, this is public service at its best.
     
    Last edited: Feb 5, 2016
  19. KenBrace

    KenBrace Staff Member Administrator

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    It never follows "and". It comes before "and".
     
  20. rodrigofischer

    rodrigofischer New Member

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    Thank you for your kind tips and informations. This way, I am going to be able to produce more quality contents in the various forums I am going to subscribe here in The Forum Wheel.

    This way, I will going to be better at what I do , and I am going to be able to inform people better with propper grammar and knowing the rules of posting.

    Thanks again!
     

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