What a difference a comma makes!
Moderators: carlson1, Charles L. Cotton
-
Topic author - Senior Member
- Posts in topic: 1
- Posts: 707
- Joined: Sat Jul 17, 2010 9:34 am
- Location: College Station, Texas
What a difference a comma makes!
The Houston Chronicle this morning has a brief blurb on page B2 reporting that two men are sought for a home invasion in The Woodlands late Saturday. They allegedly stole several pieces of jewelry.
The two perps allegedly rang the doorbell at 9:30 p.m. and "threatened the woman and her 12-year-old son, who answered the door, with handguns, according to the Sheriff's Office."
Elmo
The two perps allegedly rang the doorbell at 9:30 p.m. and "threatened the woman and her 12-year-old son, who answered the door, with handguns, according to the Sheriff's Office."
Elmo
Re: What a difference a comma makes!
Lets eat Grandma!
or
Lets eat, Grandma!
Punctuation saves lives!
or
Lets eat, Grandma!
Punctuation saves lives!
01/10/2009 - CHL class
06/16/2009 - Mailed application to DPS
06/18/2009 - Paperwork Received
06/25/2009 - Money Order Cashed
07/15/2009 - PIN Received
09/02/2009 - Application Completed
09/05/2009 - Plastic in Hand
Current Status: License in hand!
06/16/2009 - Mailed application to DPS
06/18/2009 - Paperwork Received
06/25/2009 - Money Order Cashed
07/15/2009 - PIN Received
09/02/2009 - Application Completed
09/05/2009 - Plastic in Hand
Current Status: License in hand!
-
- Senior Member
- Posts in topic: 1
- Posts: 4899
- Joined: Thu Dec 23, 2004 6:10 pm
- Location: Vidor, Tx
- Contact:
Re: What a difference a comma makes!
Coal in the stocking for both of us - - - you for suggesting that, me for knowing what you were inferring.AndyC wrote:I have an excellent example which illustrates the importance of appropriate capitalization - but it doesn't meet the 10-yr old rule so I can't share it....
But basically it involved assisting your aunt's husband, Jack, get down off a horse...



"To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them."
George Mason
Texas and Louisiana CHL Instructor, NRA Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun, Personal Protection and Refuse To Be A Victim Instructor
George Mason
Texas and Louisiana CHL Instructor, NRA Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun, Personal Protection and Refuse To Be A Victim Instructor
-
- Senior Member
- Posts in topic: 1
- Posts: 3166
- Joined: Thu Sep 02, 2010 1:39 am
- Location: Bay Area, CA
Re: What a difference a comma makes!
Speaking of punctuation, I tried to get my mom to put this up on the wall back when she taught English. She didn't go for it.


I am not a lawyer, nor have I played one on TV, nor did I stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night, nor should anything I say be taken as legal advice. If it is important that any information be accurate, do not use me as the only source.
Re: What a difference a comma makes!
Ah, that image reminds me of these informative comics:
How to use a semicolon: http://theoatmeal.com/comics/semicolon" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Hot To Use An Apostrophe: http://theoatmeal.com/comics/apostrophe" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
When to use i.e. in a sentence: http://theoatmeal.com/comics/ie" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Honorable mention (deals with grammar): http://theoatmeal.com/comics/misspelling" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
How to use a semicolon: http://theoatmeal.com/comics/semicolon" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Hot To Use An Apostrophe: http://theoatmeal.com/comics/apostrophe" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
When to use i.e. in a sentence: http://theoatmeal.com/comics/ie" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Honorable mention (deals with grammar): http://theoatmeal.com/comics/misspelling" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
-
- Senior Member
- Posts in topic: 4
- Posts: 11203
- Joined: Sat Mar 08, 2008 10:15 pm
- Location: Pineywoods of east Texas
Re: What a difference a comma makes!
Thanks for the grammar refresher. We didn't have electronic visuals (or air conditioning) when I was in school.Thomas wrote:Ah, that image reminds me of these informative comics:
How to use a semicolon: http://theoatmeal.com/comics/semicolon" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Hot To Use An Apostrophe: http://theoatmeal.com/comics/apostrophe" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
When to use i.e. in a sentence: http://theoatmeal.com/comics/ie" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Honorable mention (deals with grammar): http://theoatmeal.com/comics/misspelling" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Speaking of being in school, is grammar still taught in Texas' schools or is it all about the TAKS test? Some of the posts here, and elsewhere, give me pause to wonder.
-
- Senior Member
- Posts in topic: 2
- Posts: 17350
- Joined: Tue Jul 03, 2007 12:53 pm
- Location: Houston
Re: What a difference a comma makes!
Thomas wrote:Ah, that image reminds me of these informative comics:
How to use a semicolon: http://theoatmeal.com/comics/semicolon" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Hot To Use An Apostrophe: http://theoatmeal.com/comics/apostrophe" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
When to use i.e. in a sentence: http://theoatmeal.com/comics/ie" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Honorable mention (deals with grammar): http://theoatmeal.com/comics/misspelling" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

NRA Endowment Member
-
- Senior Member
- Posts in topic: 2
- Posts: 17350
- Joined: Tue Jul 03, 2007 12:53 pm
- Location: Houston
Re: What a difference a comma makes!
MoJo wrote:Coal in the stocking for both of us - - - you for suggesting that, me for knowing what you were inferring.AndyC wrote:I have an excellent example which illustrates the importance of appropriate capitalization - but it doesn't meet the 10-yr old rule so I can't share it....
But basically it involved assisting your aunt's husband, Jack, get down off a horse...![]()
![]()

NRA Endowment Member
-
- Senior Member
- Posts in topic: 4
- Posts: 11203
- Joined: Sat Mar 08, 2008 10:15 pm
- Location: Pineywoods of east Texas
Re: What a difference a comma makes!
There was a time (back in the good 'ol days) when only a few of a certain age would see through this pun. The rest would feign genteel ignorance or self-rightous indignation.WildBill wrote:MoJo wrote:Coal in the stocking for both of us - - - you for suggesting that, me for knowing what you were inferring.AndyC wrote:I have an excellent example which illustrates the importance of appropriate capitalization - but it doesn't meet the 10-yr old rule so I can't share it....
But basically it involved assisting your aunt's husband, Jack, get down off a horse...![]()
![]()
I can dig it!

Re: What a difference a comma makes!
I have no ideaOldgringo wrote:Thanks for the grammar refresher. We didn't have electronic visuals (or air conditioning) when I was in school.Thomas wrote:Ah, that image reminds me of these informative comics:
How to use a semicolon: http://theoatmeal.com/comics/semicolon" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Hot To Use An Apostrophe: http://theoatmeal.com/comics/apostrophe" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
When to use i.e. in a sentence: http://theoatmeal.com/comics/ie" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Honorable mention (deals with grammar): http://theoatmeal.com/comics/misspelling" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Speaking of being in school, is grammar still taught in Texas' schools or is it all about the TAKS test? Some of the posts here, and elsewhere, give me pause to wonder.

I think they are still teaching the tests. I haven't really witnessed anything promising to the contrary.
-
- Senior Member
- Posts in topic: 1
- Posts: 812
- Joined: Mon Feb 09, 2009 12:48 pm
- Location: NW Houston, TX
- Contact:
Re: What a difference a comma makes!
Based on what I'm seeing with my kids, they're all about the TAKS test...and somewhere along the line, everyone has forgotten that the "standardized" testing was supposed to reflect upon the teachers, not the students...did anyone ever buy that line though?Oldgringo wrote: Speaking of being in school, is grammar still taught in Texas' schools or is it all about the TAKS test? Some of the posts here, and elsewhere, give me pause to wonder.

American by birth, Texan by the grace of God!