Post of the Year

Geck0 wrote: migrane? (sp) What's more, your intellect can see? (not a question, but worded like a statement)That is a very special type of intellect you possess, I believe you ought to see a doctor about that. (comma splice) Of course, I am very much aware that the wax melted Icarus' feathers; but, as you quite correctly said: such a design could ever work! (By omitting my preceding "not that," you have changed the meaning to indicate the design actually would work. Be careful with quoting. You can reword a quote to retain the original meaning in this fashion: "such a design could (never) work." (The brackets indicate where you have modified or added to the original for clarity in the context of your sentence.) What's a "quotaion," anyhow? Is that better, oh diligent one?

Edited by Peter Rideout - June 06 2006 at 16:51

Oh but Peter, I won't give up; because one learns from their mistakes, dear fellow!

Oh and dad, I'm not your son!

I am not hopelessly outclassed - that is just your ego working overtime - but I am, however, slightly outclassed.

Oh oh oh, you have a comma before an "and," that's old hat, old chap!  Yes, for a 19th century writer, a comma before an "and" was used, however today, well... they're not used as much any more.  An "and" is a conjunction in its own right, so a comma is defunct (in the majority of cases).

So, therefore, do be consistent and either use commas before "and" or none at all.

But I see you are correct to use it, if your sentence after the "and," was an afterthought.

So you don't have to re-write it, however I wouldn't write too many "loose sentences".

The same also applies for a comma before "but."




Edited by Geck0 - June 06 2006 at 17:43

Good idea Tlossy!

Bluesaga wrote: Cygnus X-2 wrote: Got some stuff in the mail today (and I bought a cd as well):   Fish- Raingods with Zippos Fish- Return to Childhood Kayo Dot- Choirs of the Eye Klaus Schulze- Timewind   Brilliant post!

Geck0 wrote: Oh but Peter, I won't give up; because one learns from their mistakes, dear fellow! Oh and dad, I'm not your son! I am not hopelessly outclassed - that is just your ego working overtime - but I am, however, slightly outclassed. Oh oh oh, you have a comma before an "and," that's old hat, old chap!  Yes, for a 19th century writer, a comma before an "and" was used, however today, well... they're not used as much any more.  An "and" is a conjunction in its own right, so a comma is defunct (in the majority of cases). So, therefore, do be consistent and either use commas before "and" or none at all. But I see you are correct to use it, if your sentence after the "and," was an afterthought. So you don't have to re-write it, however I wouldn't write too many "loose sentences". The same also applies for a comma before "but."

Geck0 wrote: Peter Rideout wrote:       It's time to go make some homemade "mac & cheese," feed my kids, then go for another ride!     Kids!  Kids!  They're children, Peter, not kids! Anyhow... have a fun and interesting evening talking about me to your family!

We're done, Tlossy.

Still don't know what post you're talking about, Blue!

AtLossForWords wrote: I'll see if that's true when Rideout comes back.

Edited by Peter Rideout - June 06 2006 at 23:38

Tlossy, sorry to bring this up...

Peter, you are correct in what you say, re: punctuation always goes inside the quotation marks.

However, being that I am British, we actually use a different system.  We always put our punctuation after the quotation marks.

e.g. "the cat sat on the mat," is American English, whilst "the cat sat on the mat", is British English.

The exception to this, of course, is if the quote in question is quoting a reference which includes punctuation.

So, therefore, I am correct with my punctuation usage and I shall stick to this method.

This thread can now be used for its proper purpose.