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What a difference a comma makes!

Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2010 9:58 am
by b322da
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

Re: What a difference a comma makes!

Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2010 2:58 pm
by RiveraRa
Lets eat Grandma!
or
Lets eat, Grandma!

Punctuation saves lives!

Re: What a difference a comma makes!

Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2010 4:29 pm
by MoJo
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...
Coal in the stocking for both of us - - - you for suggesting that, me for knowing what you were inferring. :evil2: "rlol" :evil2:

Re: What a difference a comma makes!

Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2010 5:49 pm
by Dave2
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.

Image

Re: What a difference a comma makes!

Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2010 6:02 pm
by Thomas
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;

Re: What a difference a comma makes!

Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2010 6:21 pm
by Oldgringo
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;
Thanks for the grammar refresher. We didn't have electronic visuals (or air conditioning) when I was in school.

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.

Re: What a difference a comma makes!

Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2010 6:26 pm
by WildBill
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;
:thumbs2: Very useful grammar refresher.

Re: What a difference a comma makes!

Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2010 6:28 pm
by WildBill
MoJo wrote:
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...
Coal in the stocking for both of us - - - you for suggesting that, me for knowing what you were inferring. :evil2: "rlol" :evil2:
:nono:

Re: What a difference a comma makes!

Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2010 8:22 pm
by Oldgringo
WildBill wrote:
MoJo wrote:
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...
Coal in the stocking for both of us - - - you for suggesting that, me for knowing what you were inferring. :evil2: "rlol" :evil2:
:nono:
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.

I can dig it! :evil2:

Re: What a difference a comma makes!

Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2010 8:55 pm
by Thomas
Oldgringo wrote:
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;
Thanks for the grammar refresher. We didn't have electronic visuals (or air conditioning) when I was in school.

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 have no idea :confused5

I think they are still teaching the tests. I haven't really witnessed anything promising to the contrary.

Re: What a difference a comma makes!

Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2010 12:17 am
by cbunt1
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.
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? :evil2: