Oxford English Dictionary

[joseftu]

The FAQ for this forum says that the OED is the authoritative dictionary for ultimate appeals in this forum, but that most people won't want to pay the high price for the multi-volume set.

So I'm making an offer! I didn't pay the high price, but I did receive the single-volume (teeny tiny print) edition with the magnifying glass as a wedding present, and because I work for a university, I also have access to the full online edition.

Anyone want an OED definition for any word? Just ask! (PM or post, it's up to you). I'll look it up for you, and send you what you want to know.

This offer presented to you, free of charge, courtesy of your friendly neighborhood English teacher!
:)

[ethics]

Wow, very nice of ya!

Thanks!

[jfcjrus]

{snip}I'll look it up for you, and send you what you want to know.
Is the comma really necessary in that sentence?
Just asking.

Regards,

[ethics]

Comma is great because it intonates a pause. :P

[ditch]

How about the exclamation mark at the end?;)

[ethics]

To emphasize excitement. Honestly, folks, I hope you are all kidding with these.

[ditch]

I know I am.

A generous offer Joe, thanks!;)

[jfcjrus]

Is the comma really necessary in that sentence?
Just asking.

Regards,

Comma is great because it intonates a pause. :P
Well, that was why I was asking.
I was taught, a very long time ago, to write as you would verbalize.
So, does the sentence sound better with, or without, a <i>pause</i>?

Would you say to someone, "Give me a call, {pause} and we'll finalize the plans."
Or, would you say, "Give me a call and we'll finalize the plans."
Say it out loud, which sounds more natural to you?
I think the latter sounds better, so I was just curious about the <i>rules</i>.

I'm sure that the <i>Professor</i> did it correctly, I was just wondering why a {pause} would be necessary there, that's all. ;)

Regards,

[Techie2000]

I don't think that comma should be there; generally commas are used before the word "and" only when using it as a conjoiner or part of a list. JMHO.

[joseftu]

I'll admit to overusing exclamation marks in this forum--it's a weakness of which I'm aware. But it's often difficult to convey tone and mood appropriately in this medium. In this forum, we're not writing formally, and we're often joking or sarcastic. It's a conversational medium, translated into print.

The comma is frequently, in many sentences, somewhat optional. So while my comma above may not have been necessary, it did (as ethics said) serve a function--it was an attempt to communicate the sound of how I would have said that sentence. If you read the sentence aloud, with a pause or without a pause, it works, it makes sense, either way. But there is a subtle difference in the sense of the sentence, or at least its tone, with the pause and without. So I wrote it to capture the way I would say it, which might not be the same way someone else would say it.

In your example, Joe, that comma can either be there or not. The latter sounds better to you, but the former might sound better to someone else. I myself would certainly, in informal conversation, use the pause there. But by the strictest interpretation of the rules, that comma is superfluous--or even (arguably) incorrect.

You may have noticed (or may not care!) that I also use the double dash pretty frequently. That's an even stronger pause for me--just trying to capture the rhythms of (my own) normal speech.

It's fun to argue these things. I share my office with two other people. All of us have Ph.D.'s in English (one also has a law degree). The three of us frequently ask each other about commas, read sentences to each other out loud and say "does that sound right?" and argue about which grammatical structure or pattern of punctuation is correct.

Sometimes this stuff just doesn't have one single correct answer! It's all (as I say so often) opinion and interpretation.

[Sir Joseph]

That comma is called an Oxford comma. The author of "Eats, Shoots and Leaves" notes that there are two types of people in this world: those that love the Oxford comma and those that hate it; never put them in a room together.

[Fiona]

hahaha. Good stuff.

So! What do you mean Joe? The Scrabble Player's Dictionary is substandard here?

hahaha :rofl: just messin

I've always had a thing for English teachers ;)

[ditch]

I'll admit to overusing exclamation marks in this forum--it's a weakness of which I'm aware. But it's often difficult to convey tone and mood appropriately in this medium. In this forum, we're not writing formally, and we're often joking or sarcastic. It's a conversational medium, translated into print.

The comma is frequently, in many sentences, somewhat optional. So while my comma above may not have been necessary, it did (as ethics said) serve a function--it was an attempt to communicate the sound of how I would have said that sentence. If you read the sentence aloud, with a pause or without a pause, it works, it makes sense, either way. But there is a subtle difference in the sense of the sentence, or at least its tone, with the pause and without. So I wrote it to capture the way I would say it, which might not be the same way someone else would say it.

In your example, Joe, that comma can either be there or not. The latter sounds better to you, but the former might sound better to someone else. I myself would certainly, in informal conversation, use the pause there. But by the strictest interpretation of the rules, that comma is superfluous--or even (arguably) incorrect.

You may have noticed (or may not care!) that I also use the double dash pretty frequently. That's an even stronger pause for me--just trying to capture the rhythms of (my own) normal speech.

It's fun to argue these things. I share my office with two other people. All of us have Ph.D.'s in English (one also has a law degree). The three of us frequently ask each other about commas, read sentences to each other out loud and say "does that sound right?" and argue about which grammatical structure or pattern of punctuation is correct.

Sometimes this stuff just doesn't have one single correct answer! It's all (as I say so often) opinion and interpretation.

I didn't have the impression that your use of the exclamation mark was excessive Joe. I was joking in my previous post when I commented on your use of it in your opening post. I agree that conversations online require plenty of punctuation as it helps convey emotion and tone that is normally conveyed easily in conversation.

[joseftu]

Hey! Forget about it!!!

I still like the moment in Flowers for Algernon when Charlie learns for the first time about punctuation:
"One thing? I, like: about, Dear Miss Kinnian: (thats, the way? it goes; in a business, letter (if I ever go! into business?) is that, she: always gives me' a reason" when - I ask. She"s a gen'ius! I cou'd be smart like-her,

Punctuation , is? fun!"

[Domh]

What is the proper pronunciation of the word LITHE?

:haha:

[joseftu]

See the other thread! And learn patience, please! :)

[Domh]

And learn patience, please! :)

Yeah... whatever, "dad". :P

[Fiona]

See the other thread! And learn patience, please! :)Why!? He ain't no doctor!


hehe

[joseftu]

Oh, Fiona. I'm very disappointed in you.
Go to your room!

;)

[Fiona]

Oh, Fiona. I'm very disappointed in you.
Go to your room!

;)
Don't you mean, "Go to your room?"


English Professors R Hawt!