tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6349012017649158447.post6696307809924172487..comments2023-10-17T07:59:54.235-05:00Comments on Brain Cells & Bubble Wrap: To Comma or Not to Comma, That Is the QuestionVivian Zabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06129178812565073972noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6349012017649158447.post-8172114858335249582009-10-11T09:00:41.880-05:002009-10-11T09:00:41.880-05:00Vivian,
This article was very helpful. You touche...Vivian,<br /><br />This article was very helpful. You touched upon a couple of placement which puzzled me. Thank you so much for sharing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6349012017649158447.post-48112140444749283062009-10-11T06:13:47.599-05:002009-10-11T06:13:47.599-05:00Hi Vivian!
I enjoyed this article very much. It a...Hi Vivian!<br />I enjoyed this article very much. It answered some questions for me. Maybe next year at the Muse Online Conference you could offer an English refresher course. It's easy to drift away from proper language, especially if it's been a long time in taking a course. I admit it gets a little confusing sometimes.I'd be the first to sign up!Connie Clarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12744222771234303982noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6349012017649158447.post-17279065177249352772009-09-10T02:36:28.254-05:002009-09-10T02:36:28.254-05:00When I taught newspaper, yearbook, literary magazi...When I taught newspaper, yearbook, literary magazine, and English/composition, I had to switch back and forth between the need for the comma before the conjunction in a list and not to use a comma. <br /><br />Good thing I can switch hats easier than many people.Vivian Zabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06129178812565073972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6349012017649158447.post-54348755113988623842009-09-09T23:20:53.493-05:002009-09-09T23:20:53.493-05:00Holly & Vivian,
Yay! my editor agrees with you...Holly & Vivian,<br />Yay! my editor agrees with you, me, and my beloved Strunk & White. So, I will now happily leave my comma confusion behind and clarify all series with that final, elusive little curve before the conjunction. Of course, if newspapers survive, and I get another freelance gig, I may yet be forced to eat my words... and the correct commas that go with them. Until then, thank you for curing me of my misbegotten ways.Cara Lopez Leehttp://www.girlstrektoo.com/book.phpnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6349012017649158447.post-10099370244199591082009-09-08T18:24:38.227-05:002009-09-08T18:24:38.227-05:00From a masochist who actually ENJOYS proofreading ...From a masochist who actually ENJOYS proofreading as a favour for friends ....<br /><br /><br />Shakespeare (who else???!!) pokes gentle fun at the MISUSE of commas AND full stops in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" [(5.1.114-24) ]<br /><br />I have used this passage with English students aged 11-18 with hilarious results ....<br /><br />"If we offend, it is with our goodwill.<br /><br />That you should think we come not to offend,<br /><br />But with goodwill. To show our simple skill,<br /><br />That is the true beginning of our end.<br /><br />Consider, then, we come but in despite.<br /><br />We do not come, as minding to content you,<br /><br />Our true intent is. All for your delight<br /><br />We are not here. That you should here repent you,<br /><br />The actors are at hand, and by their show,<br /><br />You shall know all that you are like to know.Paul McDermotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02430184962132539192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6349012017649158447.post-73274197462715814592009-09-08T15:12:40.568-05:002009-09-08T15:12:40.568-05:00Cara, I love serial commas and despise the journal...Cara, I love serial commas and despise the journalistic style of omitting them. However, it is a question of style, at that point, more than of grammar. Using commas where needed, regardless of the situation, if understanding of the sentence is at issue, is what matters. As for style, you do what your employer demands of you.Holly Jahangirihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08034708581256314628noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6349012017649158447.post-26477473715632764832009-09-08T15:01:59.382-05:002009-09-08T15:01:59.382-05:00Thank you for addressing the journalistic versus l...Thank you for addressing the journalistic versus literary use of commas in a series. After many years in journalism, I've grown accustomed to skipping the comma before the conjunction. When I started writing books, I continued the practice. I went by the theory that the word "and" replaced the comma, and vice versa. Lately, I started using the comma before the conjunction again, but only in a series of phrases, to avoid confusion. I still skipped it in a simple series. It's good to know I should use it every time, eliminating any questions.<br /><br />It's strange that I never learned this rule before: I consider Strunk and White's "Elements of Style" my writer's bible, and those gentlemen agree with you. However, I once owned an Associated Press Stylebook, which my journalism instructors, news directors, and editors taught me to consider gospel. Thinking that book answered the comma question, I never bothered to look it up in Strunk and White. <br /><br />It will be interesting to see how my editor reacts when I share this with him. He, too, is a former journalist, so he might balk at adding all those commas to my memoir. Even now, though I agree with you, I'm waffling a bit. <br /><br />Some respected modern writers believe commas are for cowards. This, too, has sent me searching through my manuscript, wondering if I'm a chicken. I love Cormac McCarthy's "The Road," which skips most commas as a stylistic way to emphasize the starkness of a post-apocalyptic world. However, I tell beginning writers that, before we break the rules, we must first know and understand the rules. Then we must know why we're breaking them. <br /><br />Great scholars sit in rooms and argue these points for hours. While it would be grammatical anarchy to allow every mistake of the masses to become rule, we know that some mistakes, if made often enough, will become the rule. Whatever comes of our mistakes in the future, good for you for passing on the rules as they stand today!Cara Lopez Leehttp://www.girlstrektoo.com/book.phpnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6349012017649158447.post-41267986470429657602009-09-08T13:32:11.777-05:002009-09-08T13:32:11.777-05:00Ooh. This is great! Thank you.Ooh. This is great! Thank you.Sheila Deethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13465615546936319164noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6349012017649158447.post-2995281773582267072009-09-08T11:50:24.624-05:002009-09-08T11:50:24.624-05:00Commas tend to trip up writers. They either scatte...Commas tend to trip up writers. They either scatter them everywhere or use few, if any. Good advice and rules. Thanks very much.<br /><br />Helen<br /><a href="http://straightfromhel.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Straight From Hel</a>Helenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03171630819400384478noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6349012017649158447.post-8162816952040312132009-09-08T11:22:55.186-05:002009-09-08T11:22:55.186-05:00Commas, ugh. Thanks for the great post. I shall re...Commas, ugh. Thanks for the great post. I shall refer to it often. :)<br /><br />Beverly<br /><br />http://beverlystowemcclure.blogspot.comBeverly Stowe McClurehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02176195451841801819noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6349012017649158447.post-80051219687577400932009-09-08T10:56:58.164-05:002009-09-08T10:56:58.164-05:00Commas have always been my writing nemesis. Thank ...Commas have always been my writing nemesis. Thank you, Vivian.<br /><br />Btw, you've just received the Kreativ Blogger's Award from me at Mysterious People. Please read the rules and pass it on to seven other worthy bloggers: http://mysteriouspeople.blogspot.com/Jean Henry Meadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08146960738692672013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6349012017649158447.post-87870640284328574092009-09-08T10:47:05.841-05:002009-09-08T10:47:05.841-05:00Commas seem to give most people problems. I know t...Commas seem to give most people problems. I know they did students. Sometimes I have to think and remember whether one goes someplace or not.<br /><br />Holly, I'm looking through my notes and lesson plans for comma bats.Vivian Zabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06129178812565073972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6349012017649158447.post-20900289936372871112009-09-08T10:34:44.763-05:002009-09-08T10:34:44.763-05:00Oh, they do, absolutely - your description of them...Oh, they do, absolutely - your description of them was perfect!Holly Jahangirihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08034708581256314628noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6349012017649158447.post-52983514121312681662009-09-08T10:33:06.178-05:002009-09-08T10:33:06.178-05:00Great article. I am a person who puts in commas wh...Great article. I am a person who puts in commas where they don't belong. Then I have to go through and edit them out later, and I still miss some. Arg!<br /><br />CherylCherylhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03470069911115912344noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6349012017649158447.post-26430332616200204412009-09-08T10:24:58.683-05:002009-09-08T10:24:58.683-05:00Oy, my head is spinning after this great comma cla...Oy, my head is spinning after this great comma class. I'm printing this one out and saving it!Katie Hineshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03279118592523922756noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6349012017649158447.post-32428350335521775352009-09-08T10:14:44.557-05:002009-09-08T10:14:44.557-05:00Commas are my love, and my nemesis. Thanks for thi...Commas are my love, and my nemesis. Thanks for this post!<br /><br />agnesAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6349012017649158447.post-75194274388938149312009-09-08T09:34:04.367-05:002009-09-08T09:34:04.367-05:00I'm glad people are finding the article helpfu...I'm glad people are finding the article helpful. <br /><br />Thanks for stopping by and letting me know.<br /><br />Well, Holly, don't apostrophes look like commas hanging upside down? Bats hang upside down.Vivian Zabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06129178812565073972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6349012017649158447.post-62219005311931165982009-09-08T07:04:51.307-05:002009-09-08T07:04:51.307-05:00"Comma bats"? LOL - never heard that exp..."Comma bats"? LOL - never heard that expression. That's priceless. I love it! I just keep hearing the song: "Comma, comma, DOWN do-be-doo down DOWN!"Holly Jahangirihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08034708581256314628noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6349012017649158447.post-53485440881173329112009-09-08T06:42:43.927-05:002009-09-08T06:42:43.927-05:00Thanks, Vivian. This is very helpful.Thanks, Vivian. This is very helpful.Charlotte Phillipshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09336641340221491792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6349012017649158447.post-64470925055576531722009-09-08T06:11:40.186-05:002009-09-08T06:11:40.186-05:00Good advice! This is definitely going in my Friday...Good advice! This is definitely going in my Friday roundup.<br /><br />L. Diane Wolfe “Spunk On A Stick”<br />www.circleoffriendsbooks.blogspot.comL. Diane Wolfehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06425864276166334896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6349012017649158447.post-60209050311485052952009-09-08T03:05:21.369-05:002009-09-08T03:05:21.369-05:00Don't forget the classic - No price too high w...Don't forget the classic - No price too high when he meant to say, no, price too high. A company can go broke on an error like that. Good post and quite informative.unwriterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11535882737909865934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6349012017649158447.post-25912629386627114162009-09-08T00:10:25.997-05:002009-09-08T00:10:25.997-05:00Oh, extraneous apostrophes, fly-away commas that h...Oh, extraneous apostrophes, fly-away commas that hang upside down, like comma bats.<br /><br />I'll try to do that.Vivian Zabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06129178812565073972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6349012017649158447.post-16390991544928319752009-09-07T23:30:31.080-05:002009-09-07T23:30:31.080-05:00Thank you, thank you, thank you! This should be re...Thank you, thank you, thank you! This should be required reading. My red Sharpie and I are grateful. Could you tackle extraneous apostrophes next?Holly Jahangirihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08034708581256314628noreply@blogger.com