Grammar/Spelling/Syntax/English lessons

[Tokyo Slim]

Originally Posted by matadorpoeta

i often use semi colons, though i don't really know the rules that pertain to them. i just go with my gut. everytime i use one in microsoft word, the spell checker says, "use of semi colon. consider revising," as though there were never a right time to use one.

capitalizing proper nouns is against my aesthetic. you know that.

Spell checker is marsupialed; Semicolons are awesome.

 

[Kent Wang]

The hyphen may be more appropriate there -- not that the semicolon is wrong, though.

 

[Britalian]

A, B, C, and D
That final serial, or Oxford, comma is generally omitted in modern British English (and in US journalism), contrary to general US English use, and Fowler's, too. If there are too many ands in the area, however, that final comma aids clarity.
The ampersand problems relates, I think, to proper nouns in lists. Turnbull & Asser but not ...fishing & hiking, unless used as informal shorthand.

 

[Full Canvas]

Originally Posted by matadorpoeta

i often use semi colons, though I don't really know the rules that pertain to them. i just go with my gut. everytime i use one in microsoft word, the spell checker says, "use of semi colon. consider revising." as though there were never a right time to use one.

Originally Posted by Tokyo Slim

Spell checker is marsupialed; Semicolons are awesome.

The semi-colon is often used to join together two independent clauses -- in other words, it joins two clauses that could be sentences. For example: "matadorpoeta drives an Aston-Martin; however, Tokyo Slim drives a Bentley."

These two clauses could be separate sentences: "matadorpoeta drives an Aston-Martin. Tokyo Slim drives a Bentley." However, when you use a semi-colon, you are generally suggesting that there is a relationship between the sentences, but you are not making that relationship clear.

Usually, you can tell from the context what the relationship is. In the example above, the relationship is probably contrast; you could also use "but" to make this clear: "matadorpoeta drives an Aston-Martin, but Tokyo Slim drives a Bentley." When you use a semi-colon, it is often because you want to make the reader think about the relationship. This is useful in many situations, such as when writing cautiously, ironically, or humorously.

_______________________

 

[Brian SD]

I find periods and commas to be overused in general. Both are aesthetically displeasing -- who wants text "full of birdshot and wormholes?"

(Quoted Robert Bringhurst, author of The Elements of Typographic Style)

 

[Gladhatter]

Originally Posted by johnapril

data is plural

Are Data's quadrupletts?

And while I am at it if purdy burd does not say pretty bird then what does it communicate?

 

[Gladhatter]

Originally Posted by Tokyo Slim

I personally prefer number three, number one is the next least offensive, and number two should burn in a firey hell.

Although I'd probably like it better if the names were capitalized.

I think the more correct for law firms is Hook, Lyon and Sinker.

or Drawn, Quartered and Decapitated.

As for insurance companies its "Elsewhere Insurance" cuz if you ever change they note you as going elsewhere.