Punctuation Workshop
Anonymous
<< post removed >>
Is this poor punctuation anonymous?
Okay here goes nothing ........ ummmmmmmm ....... hows it go, oh yeah I got it.
Hello,
My name is Swagger, and I am an over user of commas, except where they truly belong.
WOW, that is a load off my shoulders
Thank you so much
i'm gonna read through this forum now and see where else I am a mess .... *coughs* semi colon
Okay here goes nothing ........ ummmmmmmm ....... hows it go, oh yeah I got it.
Hello,
My name is Swagger, and I am an over user of commas, except where they truly belong.
WOW, that is a load off my shoulders
Thank you so much i'm gonna read through this forum now and see where else I am a mess .... *coughs* semi colon
Sky, if you have insecurities they certainly don't show!
LOL Swagger! Welcome! We haven't quite reached the comma or semi yet; but, we're getting there! Happy to see so many anxious to acclimate themselves with punctuation!
One last note regarding the period ( before moving ) on is the difference in American ( Canadian ) and British ( Australian and New Zealand ) use.
Titles
As previously mentioned, Mr., Mrs., and Ms. all take periods in American English. In British English, the periods are omitted.
Time
American use dictates a colon colon (e.g., 10:30), while British usage dictates a period (e.g., 10.30).
Dates
American usage puts the month first, followed by the day, and then year. Thus, 11/5/2020 means November 5, 2020. The British usage is to list the day first, followed by the month. Hence, 5/11/200 means November 5, 2020.
Notation: The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has established the YYYY-MM-DD format, in which November 5, 2020, would be written 2020-11-05. Whether this will catch on with American writers remains to be seen. In the meantime, writing out the month will avoid confusion.
Sources:
https://www.onlinecollegecourses.com/2012/01/23/the-20-biggest-differences-between-british-and-american-english/
https://www.thepunctuationguide.com/british-versus-american-style.html
LOL Swagger! Welcome! We haven't quite reached the comma or semi yet; but, we're getting there! Happy to see so many anxious to acclimate themselves with punctuation!
One last note regarding the period ( before moving ) on is the difference in American ( Canadian ) and British ( Australian and New Zealand ) use.
Titles
As previously mentioned, Mr., Mrs., and Ms. all take periods in American English. In British English, the periods are omitted.
Time
American use dictates a colon colon (e.g., 10:30), while British usage dictates a period (e.g., 10.30).
Dates
American usage puts the month first, followed by the day, and then year. Thus, 11/5/2020 means November 5, 2020. The British usage is to list the day first, followed by the month. Hence, 5/11/200 means November 5, 2020.
Notation: The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has established the YYYY-MM-DD format, in which November 5, 2020, would be written 2020-11-05. Whether this will catch on with American writers remains to be seen. In the meantime, writing out the month will avoid confusion.
Sources:
https://www.onlinecollegecourses.com/2012/01/23/the-20-biggest-differences-between-british-and-american-english/
https://www.thepunctuationguide.com/british-versus-american-style.html
I had a message about the French use of 'Le Point'. For the sake of simplicity, I'll highlight the differences only.
As the English, le point can be used to separate the elements of a date: 10 septembre 1973 = 10.9.1973. Whereas, spaces ( vs commas ) are more common when the date is written out, as noted in the above example.
Another numerical difference is that le point can be omitted for spaces when used: 1,000,000 (English) = 1.000.000 or 1 000 000 ( French ).
It's not used to indicate a decimal point.
Sources:
https://study.com/academy/lesson/french-punctuation-marks-rules.html
https://www.thoughtco.com/how-to-use-french-punctuation-4086509
As the English, le point can be used to separate the elements of a date: 10 septembre 1973 = 10.9.1973. Whereas, spaces ( vs commas ) are more common when the date is written out, as noted in the above example.
Another numerical difference is that le point can be omitted for spaces when used: 1,000,000 (English) = 1.000.000 or 1 000 000 ( French ).
It's not used to indicate a decimal point.
Sources:
https://study.com/academy/lesson/french-punctuation-marks-rules.html
https://www.thoughtco.com/how-to-use-french-punctuation-4086509
Ahavati said:
Awesome! I was hoping you'd jump in!
I've been quietly reading lol
And ofcourse I would happily jump in when i feel i have something valueable to offer.
Btw, not only this thread is a great learning tool for writers but also for anyone in general to learn the writing system of other countries when traveling. Imagine when someone goes to an arabic country and sees a dot next to a 1. They think its just a period/stop, but it actually means 10 rather than 1
and two dots after a 1.. doesn't mean its ellipses, its actually 100
One last note, the arabic language didn't implement usage of punctuation till around the turn of 19th century because of the influence of English to their parts of the world. Even then most Quran scholars rejected because the sacred text didn't contain any punctuation.
Awesome! I was hoping you'd jump in!
I've been quietly reading lol
And ofcourse I would happily jump in when i feel i have something valueable to offer.
Btw, not only this thread is a great learning tool for writers but also for anyone in general to learn the writing system of other countries when traveling. Imagine when someone goes to an arabic country and sees a dot next to a 1. They think its just a period/stop, but it actually means 10 rather than 1
and two dots after a 1.. doesn't mean its ellipses, its actually 100
One last note, the arabic language didn't implement usage of punctuation till around the turn of 19th century because of the influence of English to their parts of the world. Even then most Quran scholars rejected because the sacred text didn't contain any punctuation.
Ahavati said:Sky, if you have insecurities they certainly don't show!
LOL Swagger! Welcome! We haven't quite reached the comma or semi yet; but, we're getting there! Happy to see so many anxious to acclimate themselves with punctuation!
One last note regarding the period ( before moving ) on is the difference in American ( Canadian ) and British ( Australian and New Zealand ) use.
Titles
As previously mentioned, Mr., Mrs., and Ms. all take periods in American English. In British English, the periods are omitted.
Time
American use dictates a colon colon (e.g., 10:30), while British usage dictates a period (e.g., 10.30).
Dates
American usage puts the month first, followed by the day, and then year. Thus, 11/5/2020 means November 5, 2020. The British usage is to list the day first, followed by the month. Hence, 5/11/200 means November 5, 2020.
Notation: The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has established the YYYY-MM-DD format, in which November 5, 2020, would be written 2020-11-05. Whether this will catch on with American writers remains to be seen. In the meantime, writing out the month will avoid confusion.
Sources:
https://www.onlinecollegecourses.com/2012/01/23/the-20-biggest-differences-between-british-and-american-english/
https://www.thepunctuationguide.com/british-versus-american-style.html
After my stint in the USAF,
i've adopted the 24 hr clock as there is zero confusion (for me) especially if someone forgets to notate << am or pm >>
& the US Military does Dates as -- 29 JAN 20
and i always find myself trying to remember how to use the back slashes or hyphens - lol
LOL Swagger! Welcome! We haven't quite reached the comma or semi yet; but, we're getting there! Happy to see so many anxious to acclimate themselves with punctuation!
One last note regarding the period ( before moving ) on is the difference in American ( Canadian ) and British ( Australian and New Zealand ) use.
Titles
As previously mentioned, Mr., Mrs., and Ms. all take periods in American English. In British English, the periods are omitted.
Time
American use dictates a colon colon (e.g., 10:30), while British usage dictates a period (e.g., 10.30).
Dates
American usage puts the month first, followed by the day, and then year. Thus, 11/5/2020 means November 5, 2020. The British usage is to list the day first, followed by the month. Hence, 5/11/200 means November 5, 2020.
Notation: The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has established the YYYY-MM-DD format, in which November 5, 2020, would be written 2020-11-05. Whether this will catch on with American writers remains to be seen. In the meantime, writing out the month will avoid confusion.
Sources:
https://www.onlinecollegecourses.com/2012/01/23/the-20-biggest-differences-between-british-and-american-english/
https://www.thepunctuationguide.com/british-versus-american-style.html
After my stint in the USAF,
i've adopted the 24 hr clock as there is zero confusion (for me) especially if someone forgets to notate << am or pm >>
& the US Military does Dates as -- 29 JAN 20
and i always find myself trying to remember how to use the back slashes or hyphens - lol
Layla said:
I've been quietly reading lol
And ofcourse I would happily jump in when i feel i have something valueable to offer.
Btw, not only this thread is a great learning tool for writers but also for anyone in general to learn the writing system of other countries when traveling. Imagine when someone goes to an arabic country and sees a dot next to a 1. They think its just a period/stop, but it actually means 10 rather than 1
and two dots after a 1.. doesn't mean its ellipses, its actually 100
One last note, the arabic language didn't implement usage of punctuation till around the turn of 19th century because of the influence of English to their parts of the world. Even then most Quran scholars rejected because the sacred text didn't contain any punctuation.
I hadn't thought of that, Layla!
I had an aunt who was Egyptian, my uncle was USAF and met her somewhere over there. I spent a summer with them once in Wisconsin, and she tried to teach me some things. I remember being mind-boggled!
I read a translation of the Quran in college when working on a thesis involving world religions. I always wished I could've read all those holy books in their native tongues. I am certain things were lost in translation.
Tallen said:
After my stint in the USAF,
i've adopted the 24 hr clock as there is zero confusion (for me) especially if someone forgets to notate << am or pm >>
& the US Military does Dates as -- 29 JAN 20
and i always find myself trying to remember how to use the back slashes or hyphens - lol
I don't even want to discuss military time! LOL! Remember, I was a AF brat as well!
I've been quietly reading lol
And ofcourse I would happily jump in when i feel i have something valueable to offer.
Btw, not only this thread is a great learning tool for writers but also for anyone in general to learn the writing system of other countries when traveling. Imagine when someone goes to an arabic country and sees a dot next to a 1. They think its just a period/stop, but it actually means 10 rather than 1
and two dots after a 1.. doesn't mean its ellipses, its actually 100
One last note, the arabic language didn't implement usage of punctuation till around the turn of 19th century because of the influence of English to their parts of the world. Even then most Quran scholars rejected because the sacred text didn't contain any punctuation.
I hadn't thought of that, Layla!
I had an aunt who was Egyptian, my uncle was USAF and met her somewhere over there. I spent a summer with them once in Wisconsin, and she tried to teach me some things. I remember being mind-boggled!
I read a translation of the Quran in college when working on a thesis involving world religions. I always wished I could've read all those holy books in their native tongues. I am certain things were lost in translation.
Tallen said:
After my stint in the USAF,
i've adopted the 24 hr clock as there is zero confusion (for me) especially if someone forgets to notate << am or pm >>
& the US Military does Dates as -- 29 JAN 20
and i always find myself trying to remember how to use the back slashes or hyphens - lol
I don't even want to discuss military time! LOL! Remember, I was a AF brat as well!
Ahavati, Egyptian arabic is considered the most sophisticated and the most eloquent, that's why most of the movies, books are spoken/written in the egyptian format, its the equivelant of the British english, where T or the R is pronounced and empashized. Saudi or jordanian is more traditional while Lebanese is more relaxed and easier on the ear because of its French influence (it was owned and governed by france till the '60s) and also because its the only christian arab country so the dialect is not as restricted as islam counterparts.
I'm not sure which year you visited your aunt, but Wisconsin (Milwaukee) has been expanding with arab immigrants they have so many grocery stores, a mosque and a school up to 8th grade teaching arabic and religion (located by the airport area, around 13th street) but the biggest community is in Michigan. I remember the first time i was there, exiting along Ford road, i was in awe of a street full of churches and a mosque, all kinds on one row, if one wanted to visit some of the major religions of the world in one afternoon of walking block they gotta go there :))
I'm not sure which year you visited your aunt, but Wisconsin (Milwaukee) has been expanding with arab immigrants they have so many grocery stores, a mosque and a school up to 8th grade teaching arabic and religion (located by the airport area, around 13th street) but the biggest community is in Michigan. I remember the first time i was there, exiting along Ford road, i was in awe of a street full of churches and a mosque, all kinds on one row, if one wanted to visit some of the major religions of the world in one afternoon of walking block they gotta go there :))
I believe there's been a change in general British usage when it comes to the period/full stop when applied to honorifics/titles. My initial 6 years at a Roman Catholic school taught me to always use the full stop after Mr., Mrs., Dr., etc.... But, then again, we were also taught to use this symbol here :- in certain instances instead of the regular colon. It's not one I ever see now or have seen for half a century. Lord, I'm old :D
butters said:I believe there's been a change in general British usage when it comes to the period/full stop when applied to honorifics/titles. My initial 6 years at a Roman Catholic school taught me to always use the full stop after Mr., Mrs., Dr., etc.... But, then again, we were also taught to use this symbol here :- in certain instances instead of the regular colon. It's not one I ever see now or have seen for half a century. Lord, I'm old :D
Tallen said:
yeah, funny stuff it's obsolete! lmao
i looked that :— up and found this:
8
This is an old usage, now obsolete. Graves and Hodge (The Reader Over Your Shoulder, 1943) describe it thus:
A long dash may be put after a colon, for emphasis. For example:
‘The Captain arose and said: “Come, Antonio, amuse the men, and tell them one of your favourite stories!” Antonio arose, rolled the quid from side to side in his coarse mouth and, after a pause, began thus:—
“About the year 1874, in Lisbon . . . ”’
Note that the colon-dash construction is distinct from the internal colon.
OED 1 employs :— in etymologies to signify an “extant representative, or regular phonetic descendant of”. According to tchrist, OED 2 and OED 3 employ it similarly to signify “normal development of”.
yeah, funny stuff it's obsolete! lmao i looked that :— up and found this:
8
This is an old usage, now obsolete. Graves and Hodge (The Reader Over Your Shoulder, 1943) describe it thus:
A long dash may be put after a colon, for emphasis. For example:
‘The Captain arose and said: “Come, Antonio, amuse the men, and tell them one of your favourite stories!” Antonio arose, rolled the quid from side to side in his coarse mouth and, after a pause, began thus:—
“About the year 1874, in Lisbon . . . ”’
Note that the colon-dash construction is distinct from the internal colon.
OED 1 employs :— in etymologies to signify an “extant representative, or regular phonetic descendant of”. According to tchrist, OED 2 and OED 3 employ it similarly to signify “normal development of”.
