Modern life and the semicolon

Subject: Modern life and the semicolon Sat Jun 21, 2008 7:35 am

Just a little interesting info about punctuation:

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Subject: Re: Modern life and the semicolon Sat Jun 21, 2008 7:39 am

I noticed just the other day that the software on the Barnes and Noble site doesn't allow semicolons. I had used one in a review, and when I previewed it, a space had been subsituted. I wonder what loon thought that made sense.

Cool article, by the way.

Malcolm

Subject: Re: Modern life and the semicolon Sat Jun 21, 2008 8:20 am

What's so bad about semicolns? It seems odd that Barnes and Noble wouldn't allow them on their site. I guess they must have some crazy software. lol!

Subject: Re: Modern life and the semicolon Sat Jun 21, 2008 8:39 am

That's a great article Carol; thanks for sharing it!

Life without semicolons could be dull indeed. Smile

Subject: Re: Modern life and the semicolon Sat Jun 21, 2008 8:56 am

Great article, Carol. One of the links in the text addressed something that bothers me:
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(I hate when people let their text speak run into their correspondence, even though I often use 'lol' to denote that I am joking, or just being funny when it might not be apparent.)

Subject: Re: Modern life and the semicolon Sat Jun 21, 2008 8:58 am

Kurt Vonnegut was an anti-semicolon writer. I remember him saying, "What's it for? People who can't decide between a period and comma?"

Subject: Re: Modern life and the semicolon Sat Jun 21, 2008 10:00 am

I use them occasionally but on the whole I agree with Vonnegut. Modern life and the semicolon 83899

Subject: Re: Modern life and the semicolon Sat Jun 21, 2008 10:19 am

what's a semicolon ............. Razz

Subject: Re: Modern life and the semicolon Sat Jun 21, 2008 4:23 pm

The result of a mis-handled colonoscopy

Subject: Re: Modern life and the semicolon Sun Jun 22, 2008 12:57 am

Subject: Re: Modern life and the semicolon Sun Jun 22, 2008 5:43 am

Good one, Lin.

Subject: Re: Modern life and the semicolon Sun Jun 22, 2008 9:29 am

hehehe

good one Lin

Subject: Re: Modern life and the semicolon Sun Jun 22, 2008 9:37 am

The book "Eats, Shoots & Leaves" made it to the bestseller list a year or so ago by pointing out these funny little bits. Its a great read (you can finish it in about an hour) - and it also points out the differences between the British and American versions of English that have gotten mashed together over the years.

Now we are going to have to get into a discussion of the differences and uses of dashes, em dashes, and en dashes.

Subject: Re: Modern life and the semicolon Sun Jun 22, 2008 3:16 pm

You know, I think I wrote my first novel without a single semicolon!
First I couldn't get a grip on their proper use, and then they always
look 'undecided' to me. A period works well, as does the well-chosen
em-dash (which, along with ellipses, I tend to overuse).

Subject: Re: Modern life and the semicolon Sun Jun 22, 2008 5:34 pm

I share the issue around dashes. I think that I started using them to get away from ellipses, and it got so bad that I was editing to remove the darned things because they were everywhere (and wrong much of the time!!).

I loved Eats, Shoots & Leaves, partly because the author took something that can be so danged tough and made it a lot of fun--for grammar that is!

Subject: Re: Modern life and the semicolon Mon Jun 23, 2008 5:19 am

I suggest that we start our own language. Once we create enough vocabulary to write sentences (if we choose to call them that) then we can write a book in the new language, providing the reader with a word-key.

Subject: Re: Modern life and the semicolon Mon Jun 23, 2008 8:51 am

Egads Abe, I have enough trouble with English and lately, French! You try it out first and let me know what happens.

Modern life and the semicolon 293992

Subject: Re: Modern life and the semicolon Mon Jun 23, 2008 9:01 am

A book publisher for whom I edit, in the corporate styleguide, prohibits use of semi colons in dialog, but not in narrative. I cannot imagine why.

Jim Woods
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Subject: Re: Modern life and the semicolon Mon Jun 23, 2008 9:21 am

One thing you figure out quickly when learning another language is that, unless your are a teacher or specialist, you really don't know much about grammar. Suddenly you're forced to start learning what a participle or preterit is and it expands your grasp and appreciation of your native language.

Subject: Re: Modern life and the semicolon Mon Jun 23, 2008 10:01 am

Pam wrote:: Egads Abe, I have enough trouble with English and lately, French! You try it out first and let me know what happens.

My sentiments, exactly! scratch

Subject: Re: Modern life and the semicolon Tue Jun 24, 2008 5:14 am

Lin I can relate to how language learning teaches you grammar. I am sure the only reason I figured anything about English grammar was from studying French. Having a context to learn all those weirdities really helped; otherwise I'd probably only (barely) understand the differernece between a noun, verb and adjective.
Cool

Subject: Re: Modern life and the semicolon Tue Jun 24, 2008 6:09 am

I give up, Lin. What the heck is a preterit? That's a new one on me.

Subject: Re: Modern life and the semicolon Tue Jun 24, 2008 7:30 am

I had to google it Dick. It is a form of past tense in spanish verbage. Here's a link if you want more: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Subject: Re: Modern life and the semicolon Tue Jun 24, 2008 8:08 am

Here's a go on a new language :-

Subject: Re: Modern life and the semicolon Tue Jun 24, 2008 8:18 am

Hey, watch your mouth, buddy!!!

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