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Discussion » Questions » Language » How do you feel about punctuation? Is it useful, essential, or a pain?
Benedict Arnold

How do you feel about punctuation? Is it useful, essential, or a pain?

I'm presently reading an eBook in which, every so often, an element of punctuation has been omitted. I've no doubt that the author got it right but the copy setter has been careless. It's not too hard to work out what's meant but that entails re-reading the sentence, or the paragraph, to see what it really means, And THAT drags me out of the story. 

How do you feel about badly punctuated work?

Posted - February 7, 2017
Tags : None

Responses


  • I think it's a pain .... I never take a breath or break when I'm speaking .... So .....


    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=P_i1xk07o4g 

    I Do not :/ 
      February 7, 2017 8:17 PM MST
    2

  • Hadn't heard that before. Did you know that the Oxford comma is known as a serial comma in the US?
      February 7, 2017 9:00 PM MST
    1

  • No :/ I just don't know when to put a comma ....cos I never take a breath  :)
      February 7, 2017 9:02 PM MST
    3

  • That'd be like listening to a machine gun. There might be a future for you making those fast-talk tv commercials.
      February 7, 2017 11:39 PM MST
    1

  • I'm from the US and always heard it called Oxford comma.
      February 8, 2017 3:49 PM MST
    0

  • I think the system needs to be changed, so that even when you are speaking, people know exactly what you mean.
    It's called ... "Phonetic Punctuation"

      February 7, 2017 9:13 PM MST
    3

  • Absobloodutely hilarious. Alf, that's the funniest thing I've seen in ages. Loved it. :D 
      February 7, 2017 11:46 PM MST
    2

  • 22891
    useful, i dont think about it, i just do it
      February 7, 2017 9:26 PM MST
    2

  • That puts you ahead of Oscar Wilde, Pearl. He said that he once spent all morning deciding to put in a comma and the afternoon taking it out. :)
      February 7, 2017 11:46 PM MST
    1

  • 6988
    Randy D will tell you good punctuation is needed to communicate successfully if you dont get your sentences right it makes you look kind of careless you know maybe even dumb 
      February 7, 2017 9:39 PM MST
    2

  • I'm hoping Randy stops in for that Musical Punctuation Alf posted. He'll enjoy it. 
      February 7, 2017 11:47 PM MST
    3

  • 52952
    (I don't do links.)

    :|
      February 7, 2017 11:51 PM MST
    2

  • I hope you'll make an exception for this one. It's so darned clever.
      February 7, 2017 11:54 PM MST
    1

  • 283
    Punctuation is very important. An omitted comma can drastically change the meaning of a sentence. 

    Let's eat, Grandma! vs. Let's eat Grandma!

    One you are inviting Grandma to dinner. The other Grandma is dinner.
      February 7, 2017 10:02 PM MST
    5

  • The only problem with that is that Grandma would be all skin and bones. Not much of  meal. But you're absolutely right and that's a classic example.
      February 7, 2017 11:49 PM MST
    1

  • 5455
    i normally use proper capitalization and punctuation this time im not im trying to catch the elusive randy d be very quiet

      February 7, 2017 10:38 PM MST
    5

  • 52952
    (I'll never fall for this infantile attempt to . . . hey!  Nothing in that entire post is right!)

    ~ 
      February 7, 2017 11:17 PM MST
    3

  • I didn't expect much from this topic but it's turning out great. Glad Randy found it. :D 
      February 7, 2017 11:50 PM MST
    3

  • 52952
    There is a vast difference between how one feels about something (emotion) and what one thinks about something (thoughts, beliefs, opinions, ideas, ideals).

    I harbor and/or waste no emotional energy on the topic of punctuation.  I do, however, have a deeply-ingrained set of thoughts on the issue.  I believe that my unabashed history on the matter speaks for itself.


    ~
      February 7, 2017 11:21 PM MST
    5

  • 52952
      February 7, 2017 11:49 PM MST
    1

  • Glad you stopped by, Randy. Yes, you're perfectly correct. I should have said "think" instead of "feel". Still, it's possible to feel annoyed by lousy punctuation so maybe I wasn't completely wrong. Good to hear from you. :)
      February 7, 2017 11:52 PM MST
    2

  • 52952
    Thanks, Pal!
    ~
      February 8, 2017 5:32 AM MST
    1

  • 7683
    You make call it essential or a pain but without it words make no sense;))
      February 7, 2017 11:46 PM MST
    4

  • Excellent example, Veena. :)
      February 7, 2017 11:53 PM MST
    3