Grammar police, unite!

[Guy Fawkes]

[whipped guy]

quoting here from Wikipedia:

 

In some circumstances using the serial comma can create ambiguity. If the book dedication above is changed to

 

To my mother, Mother Teresa, and the Pope

the serial comma after Mother Teresa creates ambiguity about the writer's mother because it uses punctuation identical to that used for an appositive phrase, leaving it unclear whether this is a list of three entities (1, my mother; 2, Mother Teresa; and 3, the Pope) or of only two entities (1, my mother, who is Mother Teresa; and 2, the Pope). Without a serial comma, the above dedication would read: To my mother, Mother Teresa and the Pope, a phrase ambiguous only if the reader accepts the interpretation my mother, who is both Mother Teresa and the Pope.

 

Having spent more years in parochial school under the tutelage of the "good sisters" than was healthy for my existence, we were always instructed to use the serial comma as in general it would create less ambiguity. I'm quite sure that Sister Ann Felicitas (whose mission in life was emphatically NOT to spread felicity in any of its various forms) would definitely extol the necessity, sanctity, and virtues of the serial comma!

[+ glennnn]

I wonder if this possible ambiguity is the reason for a grammar dictum from my childhood regarding using commas? We were told, "When in doubt, leave it out".

[+ sync]

I am so guilty of comma overuse. But, it's not an addiction, I can stop anytime I want to, I think, possibly, probably, maybe, hopefully, whatever, leave me alone!

[rvwnsd]

I am so guilty of comma overuse. But, it's not an addiction, I can stop anytime I want to, I think, possibly, probably, maybe, hopefully, whatever, leave me alone!

That addiction is better than an addiction to run-on sentences that make your eyes bleed and your brain hurt.

 

On a related topic, I downloaded a free tool called "Grammarly" that denotes grammar, punctuation, and spelling mistakes. In another thread I typed "blow job" and it suggested "blowjob." However, when I typed "power fuck" it didn't suggest "power-fuck." Get what you pay for, I guess.

[rvwnsd]

quoting here from Wikipedia:

 

In some circumstances using the serial comma can create ambiguity. If the book dedication above is changed to

 

To my mother, Mother Teresa, and the Pope

the serial comma after Mother Teresa creates ambiguity about the writer's mother because it uses punctuation identical to that used for an appositive phrase, leaving it unclear whether this is a list of three entities (1, my mother; 2, Mother Teresa; and 3, the Pope) or of only two entities (1, my mother, who is Mother Teresa; and 2, the Pope). Without a serial comma, the above dedication would read: To my mother, Mother Teresa and the Pope, a phrase ambiguous only if the reader accepts the interpretation my mother, who is both Mother Teresa and the Pope.

Alternatively, one could use semi-colons. "To my mother; Mother Theresa; and The Pope."

[rvwnsd]

I think this is a worthy footnote to the discussion of the Oxford Comma:

 

http://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/blog/2017/03/15/oxford-comma-maine-labor-dispute/

 

 

Oxford Comma Decides Court Case in Maine Labor Dispute

Never underestimate the power of good grammar.

By Kyle Scott Clauss | Boston Daily | March 15, 2017, 11:12 a.m.

34.3K143234.7K

http://cdn1.bostonmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2017/03/oakhurst-dairy.jpg

Photo via AP

 

Vampire Weekend and the AP Stylebook be damned! The Oxford comma—or rather, the lack of one—helped decide a Maine court case over overtime pay for dairy workers earlier this week.

Also known as the serial comma, the Oxford comma is used before a conjunction like “and” or “or” in a series of three or more items. (For example: “I’m going to buy some eggs, milk, and bread.”) Critics feel it’s clunky and superfluous, while diehard supporters believe it’s absolutely essential for clarity. (For what it’s worth, Boston magazine’s official style uses the Oxford comma.)

Delivery drivers for Oakhurst Dairy won their suit against the Portland milk and cream company, after a U.S. court of appeals found that the wording of Maine’s overtime rules were written ambiguously. Per state law, the following activities are not eligible for overtime pay:

The canning, processing, preserving,

freezing, drying, marketing, storing,

packing for shipment or distribution of:

(1) Agricultural produce;

(2) Meat and fish products; and

(3) Perishable foods.

Oakhurst argued that “distribution of” was separate from “packing for shipment,” which would allow the company to claim exemption from paying its delivery drivers over time. In trying to prove lawmakers’ intent, Oakhurst even pointed to Maine’s legislative style guide, which advises against using the Oxford comma.

“For want of a comma, we have this case,” U.S. appeals judge David J. Barron wrote.

The appeals court ruled in favor of the five delivery drivers Monday, citing the “remedial purpose” of the state’s overtime laws as reason to interpret them liberally. So rejoice, grammar nerds, and know that the law is on your side.

This just in from The Onion.

[Despardo]

I can no longer tell what is the Onion and what isn't.

[rvwnsd]

More shocking news from The Onion.

[sincitymix]

how about THIS for an Oxford Comma

 

https://rent.men/Oxfordcomma

[rvwnsd]

how about THIS for an Oxford Comma

 

https://rent.men/Oxfordcomma

He can demarcate the penultimate items in my list any day.

[+ purplekow]

Alternatively, one could use semi-colons. "To my mother; Mother Theresa; and The Pope."

To my mother and to Mother Theresa and to the Pope Clearly 3 people

To my mother, Mother Theresa and to the Pope Probably 2 people

To my mother, Mother Theresa and the Pope. Possibly 1 person

 

As to Oxfordcomma, his picture of his underwear straining under the power or his manhood, made me stop, and take a breath, before proceeding. In other words, right, or wrong, I want to stuff in as much of the Oxfordcomma as I possibly can.

[Deadlift1]

Isn't there another way to show your grammatical superiority like volunteering and helping others who have trouble or are unable to read instead of wasting in on people who don't give a shit? The way technology is moving it will only get worse. Put a fork in yourself you are done.

[bigvalboy]

how about THIS for an Oxford Comma

 

https://rent.men/Oxfordcomma

 

Nice find...passing this link on to friends on the west coast.

[MikeBiDude]

Explain? Wasting??

instead of wasting in on people who don't give a shit

12 pages of posts here, apparently some DO enjoy the topic and "give a shit"

Please research the "ignore" function here it will save you a lot of time

[Deadlift1]

I have seen the grammar police ridicule the postings of others. Bullying takes many forms. Grow up.

[mike carey]

I was going to start a new thread, but this article talking about why English is odd as a language, and not necessarily in the ways we think it is, seems to fit in well here.

https://aeon.co/essays/why-is-english-so-weirdly-different-from-other-languages

[Cannon]

http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g367/Rickeeee/Mobile%20Uploads/F8DEC969-A1A4-4A82-86FF-5707E9403481_zpsqkhi9ulh.jpg

I need this shirt.

[TruHart1]

http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g367/Rickeeee/Mobile%20Uploads/F8DEC969-A1A4-4A82-86FF-5707E9403481_zpsqkhi9ulh.jpg

 

@Mikegaite correcting my grammar (and not silently!) would be welcum. Cum to think about it, he could do some one-on-one grammar lessons with me, as long as he is interactive!!! :)

 

TruHart1

[+ WmClarke]

@Mikegaite correcting my grammar (and not silently!) would be welcum. Cum to think about it, he could do some one-on-one grammar lessons with me, as long as he is interactive!!! :)

 

TruHart1

I'm sure he would be!

 

(Still basking in the afterglow of meeting @Mikegaite last night)

[mike carey]

(Still basking in the afterglow of meeting @Mikegaite last night)

What a lovely man!

[TruHart1]

I'm sure he would be!

 

(Still basking in the afterglow of meeting @Mikegaite last night)

Lucky you, @WmClarke, @Mikegaite last night and @andrewjustice in your avatar pic!!! :)

 

TruHart1

[+ WmClarke]

Lucky you, @WmClarke, @Mikegaite last night and @andrewjustice in your avatar pic!!! :)

 

TruHart1

Ya gotta open the door when opportunity knocks.

 

Or, better yet, knock on the door yourself....

[mike carey]

I can say @Mikegaite is wonderful, I can't say anything about Andrew Justice, although I wish I could!

[mike carey]

Including some masseurs.