09-18-2009, 02:32 PM | #1921 |
Snowflake
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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.
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09-18-2009, 02:38 PM | #1922 |
Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya?
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09-18-2009, 02:58 PM | #1923 |
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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.
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09-18-2009, 03:14 PM | #1925 |
polaroid of perfection
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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.
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09-18-2009, 03:28 PM | #1926 |
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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?
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09-18-2009, 04:56 PM | #1928 | |
Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya?
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Quote:
In other words, did you read any of the posts?
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09-18-2009, 04:58 PM | #1929 |
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yes. you need the one before the "and"!
whoever gave you the idea it was optional?
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09-18-2009, 05:02 PM | #1930 | |
We have to go back, Kate!
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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.
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09-18-2009, 05:09 PM | #1931 |
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wrong. wrong, wrong, and wrong! But it's okay--you don't count.
:p I'm looking for Merkin rules.
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09-18-2009, 05:17 PM | #1932 |
Esnohplad Semaj Ton
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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.
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09-18-2009, 05:28 PM | #1933 |
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and anyway -- that was yesterday. I've got a whole new set of irritants today.
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09-18-2009, 06:24 PM | #1934 | |
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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.
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09-19-2009, 01:35 AM | #1935 | |
The future is unwritten
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