What's mildly irritating you today? - Page 129

Flint · 09-18-2009, 02:32 PM

I like chocolate, vanilla and cookies and cream ice cream.

Now, how stupid does that look? Reading that sentence gives me a headache just trying to figure out what it means--and I wrote it.

Shawnee123 · 09-18-2009, 02:38 PM

Cloud · 09-18-2009, 02:58 PM

so, given that I'm not an academic, not in newspapers, and not in Australia, South Africa, or whatever . . .

put the damn comma in!

Glad to see I'm not alone, here.

classicman · 09-18-2009, 03:13 PM

I overcomma

Sundae · 09-18-2009, 03:14 PM

Help me here - what is a serial comma? This is a comma to me ","
I wonder if you are talking about what I call an apostrophe " ' "?

It is acceptable here to use an apostrophe when using plurals of acronyms, where the meaning could otherwise me misunderstood - especially the case in capital fonts for example those used by supermarkets. So while it is incorrect for a greengrocer to write "Pear's on Sale," it is acceptable for Tesco to advertise "ALL DVD'S & CD'S 50% OFF!"

Sorry if we're talking at cross purposes.

Cloud · 09-18-2009, 03:28 PM

no, a serial (or series) comma is what separates a word from a conjunction in a series. Like: apples, oranges, and pears.

don't get me started on the fucking apostrophes, okay?

classicman · 09-18-2009, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cloud

Like: apples, oranges, and pears.

Do you need the one before the "and"? I thought that was optional. Just asking.

Shawnee123 · 09-18-2009, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by classicman

Do you need the one before the "and"? I thought that was optional. Just asking.

KILL HIM! OFF WITH HIS HEAD.

In other words, did you read any of the posts?

Cloud · 09-18-2009, 04:58 PM

yes. you need the one before the "and"!

whoever gave you the idea it was optional?

DanaC · 09-18-2009, 05:02 PM

I was always taught you don't need the comma with and. I was taught that at school and again in level 3 Eng Lang.

Cloud · 09-18-2009, 05:09 PM

wrong. wrong, wrong, and wrong! But it's okay--you don't count.

:p

I'm looking for Merkin rules.

Perry Winkle · 09-18-2009, 05:17 PM

There are as many arguments for the Oxford/Serial comma as there are against it. Anyone who writes (even on the web) should be aware of the issues and act accordingly.

Cloud · 09-18-2009, 05:28 PM

and anyway -- that was yesterday. I've got a whole new set of irritants today.

monster · 09-18-2009, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanaC

I was always taught you don't need the comma with and. I was taught that at school and again in level 3 Eng Lang.

Yup, that's correct for Brits. The "and" provides the pause all by itself. We're smart enough not to need the extra hint

Today I am irritated at medical establishments who leave you hanging around for hours between diffeent parts of appointments. 5 fucking hours for a mammogram for a cancer patient who is on the worst day of her chemo cycle and just needs to sleep.

xoxoxoBruce · 09-19-2009, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanaC

I was always taught you don't need the comma with and. I was taught that at school and again in level 3 Eng Lang.

Quote:

Originally Posted by monster

Yup, that's correct for Brits. The "and" provides the pause all by itself. We're smart enough not to need the extra hint

I was taught that was optional, but cautioned to be consistent throughout any document (read homework).

09-18-2009, 02:32 PM	#1921
Flint Snowflake Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dystopia Posts: 13,136	I like chocolate, vanilla and cookies and cream ice cream. Now, how stupid does that look? Reading that sentence gives me a headache just trying to figure out what it means--and I wrote it. __________________ **************** There's a level of facility that everyone needs to accomplish, and from there it's a matter of deciding for yourself how important ultra-facility is to your expression. ... I found, like Joseph Campbell said, if you just follow whatever gives you a little joy or excitement or awe, then you're on the right track. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terry Bozzio**

09-18-2009, 02:38 PM	#1922
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	__________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

09-18-2009, 02:58 PM	#1923
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	so, given that I'm not an academic, not in newspapers, and not in Australia, South Africa, or whatever . . . put the damn comma in! Glad to see I'm not alone, here. __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

09-18-2009, 03:13 PM	#1924
classicman barely disguised asshole, keeper of all that is holy. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 23,401	I overcomma __________________ "like strapping a pillow on a bull in a china shop" Bullitt

09-18-2009, 03:14 PM	#1925
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	Help me here - what is a serial comma? This is a comma to me "," I wonder if you are talking about what I call an apostrophe " ' "? It is acceptable here to use an apostrophe when using plurals of acronyms, where the meaning could otherwise me misunderstood - especially the case in capital fonts for example those used by supermarkets. So while it is incorrect for a greengrocer to write "Pear's on Sale," it is acceptable for Tesco to advertise "ALL DVD'S & CD'S 50% OFF!" Sorry if we're talking at cross purposes. __________________ Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac

09-18-2009, 03:28 PM	#1926
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	no, a serial (or series) comma is what separates a word from a conjunction in a series. Like: apples, oranges, and pears. don't get me started on the fucking apostrophes, okay? __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

09-18-2009, 04:58 PM	#1929
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	yes. you need the one before the "and"! whoever gave you the idea it was optional? __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

09-18-2009, 05:09 PM	#1931
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	wrong. wrong, wrong, and wrong! But it's okay--you don't count. :p I'm looking for Merkin rules. __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

09-18-2009, 05:17 PM	#1932
Perry Winkle Esnohplad Semaj Ton Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: A little south of sanity Posts: 2,259	There are as many arguments for the Oxford/Serial comma as there are against it. Anyone who writes (even on the web) should be aware of the issues and act accordingly.

09-18-2009, 05:28 PM	#1933
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	and anyway -- that was yesterday. I've got a whole new set of irritants today. __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

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