The semi-colon IS useful. Just because we don't use it everyday, doesn't mean we should get rid of it.
I typically use it if I'm reeling a list of things off; ...., ...., ..... For example.
I didn't say we should get rid of it, and besides, that's probably the wrong way of looking at it. How would we "get rid of" a punctuation mark? It will either continue to be used or it won't.
I think your post could do with a few commas, to make it easier to read and assimilate. Correct punctuation, including the use of commas, helps to make text flow more naturally, like speech.
Commas are essential in the written word, however I do see a case for getting rid of semi-colons.
Does anyone actually use these in everyday life?
Yes, I always use them where appropriate...
I'm afraid all too often on here I find myself faced with a wall of text containing no punctuation whatsoever. At that point I just stop reading the post.
Lack of capitalisation is another major annoyance, although I can quite understand some people referring to themselves with a lower case 'I'.
Just been reading this interesting article which suggests that dropping the comma would make so little impact on the clarity of a text as to render it redundant. It also gives some interesting insight into the way punctuation in general is being repurposed and reimagined by the yoof.
On the one hand I find the evolution of language interesting and exciting and think that it should grow to reflect its usage and purpose (like it has regarding txt spk). On the other hand I lament changes that eradicate a part of our system of communication.
What do you think about the comma?
Just been reading this interesting article, which suggests that dropping the comma would make so little impact on the clarity of a text, as to render it redundant. It also gives some interesting insight into the way punctuation, in general, is being repurposed and reimagined by the yoof.
On the one hand, I find the evolution of language interesting and exciting and think that it should grow to reflect its usage and purpose (like it has regarding txt spk). On the other hand, I lament changes that eradicate a part of our system of communication.
What do you think about the comma?
There its a matter of opinion I think, but...
I may add a few more but, it is opinion, I am just placing where I would see them, I am on the laptop now
I didn't say we should get rid of it, and besides, that's probably the wrong way of looking at it. How would we "get rid of" a punctuation mark? It will either continue to be used or it won't.
I know, I was agreeing with you.
I will not let these young whippersnappers erode punctuation because they are LAZY.
Just been reading this interesting article, which suggests that dropping the comma would make so little impact on the clarity of a text, as to render it redundant. It also gives some interesting insight into the way punctuation, in general, is being repurposed and reimagined by the yoof.
On the one hand, I find the evolution of language interesting and exciting and think that it should grow to reflect its usage and purpose (like it has regarding txt spk). On the other hand, I lament changes that eradicate a part of our system of communication.
What do you think about the comma?
There its a matter of opinion I think, but...
I may add a few more but, it is opinion, I am just placing where I would see them, I am on the laptop now
The vast majority of the commas you've inserted are incorrect as far as my understanding of their usage goes. For example, "interesting article which suggests" is correct and has no need of a comma. The only two which have any merit are "the way punctuation, in general, is being repurposed" but the way I intended it to read was "punctuation in general" not "punctuation, in general".
The vast majority of the commas you've inserted are incorrect as far as my understanding of their usage goes. For example, "interesting article which suggests" is correct and has no need of a comma. The only two which have any merit are "the way punctuation, in general, is being repurposed" but the way I intended it to read was "punctuation in general" not "punctuation, in general".
I would've perhaps rephrased it "punctuation is being generally repurposed" to try and avoid confusion.
The importance of punctuation, an entire sentence can be read completely different without it.
The problem with that is it's a contrived sentence like the one presented earlier in the thread. Having to contrive it and present it without context undermines the point being made. Another favourite is "Let's eat Granny."
The vast majority of the commas you've inserted are incorrect as far as my understanding of their usage goes. For example, "interesting article which suggests" is correct and has no need of a comma. The only two which have any merit are "the way punctuation, in general, is being repurposed" but the way I intended it to read was "punctuation in general" not "punctuation, in general".
No, Slarti, that is a fair point, if that is indeed the way you meant for the comments to come across. To be fair I am probably pretty out of date in the usage,it has been a long time, meh I think I will need to pay for a course.
I wasn't picking out of disrespect, just on what I have been taught etc.
No, Slarti, that is a fair point, if that is indeed the way you meant for the comments to come across. To be fair I am probably pretty out of date in the usage,it has been a long time, meh I think I will need to pay for a course.
I wasn't picking out of disrespect, just on what I have been taught etc.
Oh I know you weren't being disrespectful or anything! Your revision of my post, however, reads very wrong to me because of the comma placement (but then I suppose mine must have read wrong to you).
Oh I know you weren't being disrespectful or anything! Your revision of my post, however, reads very wrong to me because of the comma placement (but then I suppose mine must have read wrong to you).
I am a bit old fashioned, I shall take my telling off I think I do have a bit of the old superfluous comma rub going on to be honest, I had a very old fashioned boss at the uni..
Just been reading this interesting article which suggests that dropping the comma would make so little impact on the clarity of a text as to render it redundant. It also gives some interesting insight into the way punctuation in general is being repurposed and reimagined by the yoof.
On the one hand I find the evolution of language interesting and exciting and think that it should grow to reflect its usage and purpose (like it has regarding txt spk). On the other hand I lament changes that eradicate a part of our system of communication.
Trying to read almost any sentence not properly formulated with commas is difficult, and can often be misread. The examples are humorous and obvious, but less clear options are still valid.
The comma is dying because we are becoming illiterate as a nation. Our reliance on txt spk for lazy people is massively increasing peoples inability to correctly form written sentences.
I would say there are far more people on my Facebook feed that cannot correctly spell and form sentences, than there are that actually can.
Trying to read almost any sentence not properly formulated with commas is difficult, and can often be misread. The examples are humorous and obvious, but less clear options are still valid.
The comma is dying because we are becoming illiterate as a nation. Our reliance on txt spk for lazy people is massively increasing peoples inability to correctly form written sentences.
I would say there are far more people on my Facebook feed that cannot correctly spell and form sentences, than there are that actually can.
Shouldn't that be "is difficult and can often be misread"? There should be no pause--and thus no comma--between "difficult" and "and". The same goes for the comma between "sentences" and "than" in your last sentence (in which, ironically, you berate the inability to correctly form a sentence).
It's already embarrassing to see just how much better the Scandinavians, Dutch etc. are than the British at speaking and writing in English. Are we really wanting to hasten that process?
Comments
I didn't say we should get rid of it, and besides, that's probably the wrong way of looking at it. How would we "get rid of" a punctuation mark? It will either continue to be used or it won't.
I'm afraid all too often on here I find myself faced with a wall of text containing no punctuation whatsoever. At that point I just stop reading the post.
Lack of capitalisation is another major annoyance, although I can quite understand some people referring to themselves with a lower case 'I'.
"A Panda eats, shoots and leaves."
The importance of punctuation, an entire sentence can be read completely different without it.
Just been reading this interesting article, which suggests that dropping the comma would make so little impact on the clarity of a text, as to render it redundant. It also gives some interesting insight into the way punctuation, in general, is being repurposed and reimagined by the yoof.
On the one hand, I find the evolution of language interesting and exciting and think that it should grow to reflect its usage and purpose (like it has regarding txt spk). On the other hand, I lament changes that eradicate a part of our system of communication.
What do you think about the comma?
There its a matter of opinion I think, but...
I may add a few more but, it is opinion, I am just placing where I would see them, I am on the laptop now
I know, I was agreeing with you.
I will not let these young whippersnappers erode punctuation because they are LAZY.
The problem with that is it's a contrived sentence like the one presented earlier in the thread. Having to contrive it and present it without context undermines the point being made. Another favourite is "Let's eat Granny."
No, Slarti, that is a fair point, if that is indeed the way you meant for the comments to come across. To be fair I am probably pretty out of date in the usage,it has been a long time, meh I think I will need to pay for a course.
I wasn't picking out of disrespect, just on what I have been taught etc.
What confusion?
None
Punctuation is generally being used for a different purpose, it works either way..
I am a bit old fashioned, I shall take my telling off
I think I will work on it
You know America's got a problem when even the zoo animals have access to firearms
Needed one after hand IMO.
To denote what, exactly?
The comma is dying because we are becoming illiterate as a nation. Our reliance on txt spk for lazy people is massively increasing peoples inability to correctly form written sentences.
I would say there are far more people on my Facebook feed that cannot correctly spell and form sentences, than there are that actually can.
I do believe you didn't need that oxford comma there... ;-)
FYI, that wasn't an Oxford comma.
A pause
Keep the comma. Stop the rot.
There was no pause though, nor any need for one.