Job Discussion Forums

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

Zorro (3), why didn't you use a capital 'Y'?

zorro (3) · Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 202

couldn't be bothered. i'm typing with one hand at the minute. sorry.

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

Thumb on the shift button and pinkie on the y button... not that difficult.(not having a go, I am a lazy git too)

zorro (3) · Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 202

Where are your subjects and verbs?

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

as said, lazy git=dmb

bigbadsuzie · Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007 10:54 am Post subject:

But a good teacher nonetheless!

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

bigbadsuzie · Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007 12:49 pm Post subject:

Takes one to know one !

cangringo · Joined: 18 Jan 2007 Posts: 327 Location: Vancouver, Canada

Ah see but it also helps if the reader reads what the writer actually wrote, and doesn't insert words...if you go back Stephen you'll see I actually said - "This is a message board" I didn't say only anywhere in there.

The big thing that makes reading easier is new paragraphs, which I try to do as much as possible because it's tiring reading long messages with no breaks. So, that said perhaps everyone could remember to do multiple paragraphs for easier reading. However, the rest of the punctuation such as capitals or commas in the wrong places does not make it harder to read. I don't always put commas in the right places I have to admit.

I am very bad for the ... as well as - but sometimes it just makes it easier to accentuate my point without too many commas - I hate too many commas. Isn't it better to have a comma in the wrong place than not at all.

I also didn't say that the readers of the messages are not valued but I hate when people get picky about things like punctuation on message boards or msn or even friendly emails. I guess what I'm trying to say is we should all be friends here and when I write to my friends I have to admit that I don't always punctuate correctly. I think the use of language is more important...

Put it this way, if your job is a speech therapist or professor of linguistics, does that mean you can't engage in casual banter and talk slang with your friends??

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

Dear Cangringo

Your last piece is exquisitely punctuated and easy to read. I agree with you about too many commas; there are American 'authorities' that lay down rules that have no basis in usage.

But faux stream-of-consciousness writing, with no capitals or full stops, is difficult to follow, and, moreover, when deciphered often proves to be sloppily constructed anyway. Throw in a good dash of misspellings and malapropisms and reading the offending message becomes a lot of effort for little return.

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

cangringo · Joined: 18 Jan 2007 Posts: 327 Location: Vancouver, Canada