The Importance of Punctuation

Non-fashion, non-skirt, non-gender discussions. If your post is related to fashion, skirts or gender, please choose one of the forums above for it.
User avatar
Uncle Al
Moderator
Posts: 3861
Joined: Tue Oct 21, 2003 10:07 pm
Location: Duncanville, TX USA

The Importance of Punctuation

Post by Uncle Al »

This is supposed to be a joke but, it really exemplifies the
necessity of using punctuation in a written sentence.

How to change the meaning of a sentence.

I'm giving up drinking for a month.

Sorry, bad punctuation.

I'm giving up. Drinking for a month.

Uncle Al
:mrgreen: :ugeek: :mrgreen:
Kilted Organist/Musician
Grand Musician of the Grand Lodge, I.O.O.F. of Texas 2008-2009, 2015-2016,
2018-202 ? (and the beat goes on ;) )
When asked 'Why the Kilt?'
I respond-The why is F.T.H.O.I. (For The H--- Of It)
User avatar
crfriend
Master Barista
Posts: 14431
Joined: Fri Nov 19, 2004 9:52 pm
Location: New England (U.S.)
Contact:

Re: The Importance of Punctuation

Post by crfriend »

Uncle Al wrote: Tue Mar 22, 2022 4:52 pmI'm giving up. Drinking for a month.
Or, to fiddle with it just a bit, "I've given up: drinking for a month!"

This is the sort of thing that can be a whole lot of fun. If nothing else, it keeps one's friends on their toes -- as my lady-friend is learning.
Retrocomputing -- It's not just a job, it's an adventure!
User avatar
Kirbstone
Member Extraordinaire
Posts: 5571
Joined: Sun Jun 06, 2010 7:55 pm
Location: Ireland

Re: The Importance of Punctuation

Post by Kirbstone »

...and I hope you historians are aware that Moses was the Son of Pharoah's daughter. He was also the Daughter of Pharoah's Son. Both those facts stated without any punctuation.

Tom
Carpe Diem......Seize the Day !
User avatar
r.m.anderson
Member Extraordinaire
Posts: 2601
Joined: Sun Nov 07, 2004 6:25 pm
Location: Burnsville MN USA

Re: The Importance of Punctuation

Post by r.m.anderson »

And - yet ye preach the gospel from the good book !
Who wrote the good book - and was punctuation is use at the time to have any meaningful effect ?

Don't put any periods in the scrolls - ye may render the parchment a torn fragment - no signing on the dotted line either.
Avoid the hash (#) mark at all costs - there are no percentages (%) in it -
Only the good Lord knows where it is at (@) - what is this internet and wi-fi thing anyway - something from another universe
Go forth and multiply (x) but let me do the other calculations (+ - and ÷) I don't want any careless apts floating around.

Malarkey left over from St. Pats day - - - there is no punctuation in drinking - the glass with holes doesn't hold any substance !
"YES SKIRTING MATTERS"!
"Kilt-On" -or- as the case may be "Skirt-On" !
WHY ?
Isn't wearing a kilt enough?
Well a skirt will do in a pinch!
Make mine short and don't you dare think of pinching there !
User avatar
Uncle Al
Moderator
Posts: 3861
Joined: Tue Oct 21, 2003 10:07 pm
Location: Duncanville, TX USA

Re: The Importance of Punctuation

Post by Uncle Al »

r.m.anderson wrote: Tue Mar 22, 2022 6:18 pm <snip>Go forth and multiply (x) but let me do the other calculations (+ - and ÷)
I don't want any careless apts floating around.<snip>
Do you mean Apartments(apts) or Applications(apps) :?:

I wouldn't want a "floating" apartment either. Nothing firm to stand on ;)

I don't get airsick but looking at the sky, painted on a floor(especially in
a bathroom) is visually disturbing. Or walking on a see-through glass
passageway would really get my stomach churning :|

:hide:
Uncle Al
:mrgreen: :ugeek: :mrgreen:
Kilted Organist/Musician
Grand Musician of the Grand Lodge, I.O.O.F. of Texas 2008-2009, 2015-2016,
2018-202 ? (and the beat goes on ;) )
When asked 'Why the Kilt?'
I respond-The why is F.T.H.O.I. (For The H--- Of It)
Brad
Member Extraordinaire
Posts: 246
Joined: Wed Oct 17, 2012 11:54 pm
Location: Rockland County, New York, USA

Re: The Importance of Punctuation

Post by Brad »

For an entertaining look at punctuation, see Eats Shoots and Leaves by Lynne Truss.
User avatar
crfriend
Master Barista
Posts: 14431
Joined: Fri Nov 19, 2004 9:52 pm
Location: New England (U.S.)
Contact:

Re: The Importance of Punctuation

Post by crfriend »

Brad wrote: Wed Mar 23, 2022 9:05 pmFor an entertaining look at punctuation, see Eats Shoots and Leaves by Lynne Truss.
That is most heartily seconded! That should be a mandatory read.
Retrocomputing -- It's not just a job, it's an adventure!
User avatar
Sinned
Member Extraordinaire
Posts: 5804
Joined: Sun Aug 19, 2012 5:28 pm
Location: York, England

Re: The Importance of Punctuation

Post by Sinned »

It should be a mandatory textbook in any English course. But then we may end up with students having a basic understanding of the English language constructs.
I believe in offering every assistance short of actual help but then mainly just want to be left to be myself in all my difference and uniqueness.
User avatar
Fred in Skirts
Member Extraordinaire
Posts: 3988
Joined: Mon Mar 14, 2016 6:48 pm
Location: Southeast Corner of Aiken County, SC USA

Re: The Importance of Punctuation

Post by Fred in Skirts »

In all of the schools these days they no longer teach students how to write in cursive and spelling is not taught either. As for how to construct a sentence forget it!

Those in charge want to keep them dumb, so that they can stay in charge.
"It is better to be hated for what you are than be loved for what you are not" Andre Gide: 1869 - 1951
Always be yourself because the people that matter don’t mind and the ones that mind don’t matter.
User avatar
Sinned
Member Extraordinaire
Posts: 5804
Joined: Sun Aug 19, 2012 5:28 pm
Location: York, England

Re: The Importance of Punctuation

Post by Sinned »

I pulled this one from the web:

Dear John:

I want a man who knows what love is all about. You are generous, kind, thoughtful. People who are not like you admit to being useless and inferior. You have ruined me for other men. I yearn for you. I have no feelings whatsoever when we’re apart. I can be forever happy–will you let me be yours?

Jane

Or the alternative:

Dear John,

I want a man who knows what love is. All about you are generous, kind, thoughtful people, who are not like you. Admit to being useless and inferior. You have ruined me. For other men, I yearn. For you, I have no feelings whatsoever. When we’re apart, I can be forever happy. Will you let me be?

Yours,

Jane
I believe in offering every assistance short of actual help but then mainly just want to be left to be myself in all my difference and uniqueness.
User avatar
crfriend
Master Barista
Posts: 14431
Joined: Fri Nov 19, 2004 9:52 pm
Location: New England (U.S.)
Contact:

Re: The Importance of Punctuation

Post by crfriend »

Dennis -- brilliant! Scintillating, even. Ms. Truss would be proud. (And, yes, I have a copy of Eats, Shoots and Leaves on my nightstand.)
Retrocomputing -- It's not just a job, it's an adventure!
trainspotter48
Member Extraordinaire
Posts: 243
Joined: Tue May 19, 2009 7:23 pm
Location: West of England

Re: The Importance of Punctuation

Post by trainspotter48 »

Here's a piece of text with and without punctuation:-

Ceasar entered on his head
His helmet on his feet
His sandals in his eye
An angry glare

And now with the correct punctuation

Ceasar entered, on his head
His helmet. On his feet
His sandals, in his eye
An angry glare

As you can see, the punctuation makes a world of difference to the meaning.
User avatar
Uncle Al
Moderator
Posts: 3861
Joined: Tue Oct 21, 2003 10:07 pm
Location: Duncanville, TX USA

Re: The Importance of Punctuation

Post by Uncle Al »

We MUST include Grammar in this as well as Punctuation :D
Grammar JPG 2022-05-14.jpg
:hide:

Uncle Al
:mrgreen: :ugeek: :mrgreen:
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Kilted Organist/Musician
Grand Musician of the Grand Lodge, I.O.O.F. of Texas 2008-2009, 2015-2016,
2018-202 ? (and the beat goes on ;) )
When asked 'Why the Kilt?'
I respond-The why is F.T.H.O.I. (For The H--- Of It)
User avatar
Jim
Member Extraordinaire
Posts: 1551
Joined: Mon Aug 27, 2012 1:39 am
Location: Northern Illinois, USA

Re: The Importance of Punctuation

Post by Jim »

I think this is an example of spelling differences, not grammar.
User avatar
Uncle Al
Moderator
Posts: 3861
Joined: Tue Oct 21, 2003 10:07 pm
Location: Duncanville, TX USA

Re: The Importance of Punctuation

Post by Uncle Al »

Jim wrote: Sun May 15, 2022 11:12 amI think this is an example of spelling differences, not grammar.
Nope, this is grammar.

Your Nuts means they, the nuts, are owned by you.

You're is a contraction of You Are, therefore

You're Nuts means You Are Nuts(crazy).

I'll go back under my rock now and :hide:

Uncle Al
:mrgreen: :ugeek: :mrgreen:
Kilted Organist/Musician
Grand Musician of the Grand Lodge, I.O.O.F. of Texas 2008-2009, 2015-2016,
2018-202 ? (and the beat goes on ;) )
When asked 'Why the Kilt?'
I respond-The why is F.T.H.O.I. (For The H--- Of It)
Post Reply