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Sashadroogie · Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2011 6:07 pm Post subject:

Dear Johnslat

I'm not convinced it is any more 'mercan grammar than would be British. I'll stand corrected, I may be wrong, but as far as I know this little tic is simply one publishing house's idiosyncrasy that got out of control.

I think you are not comparing like with like with your mother and sisters example - there are two separate verbs for two different people there. Grammar girl, however, is basically saying that commas can surround a clause and precede it. But they can't precede the clause unless she means there are two commas do the preceding.

Men have died for less than this. Indeed some have been hanged for this type of punctuation confusion...

johnslat · Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2011 6:22 pm Post subject:

Dear Sasha,

War is hell:

"Grammar Wars: The Oxford Comma
One of the best ways to spark a heated argument between writers is to bring up the Oxford comma. For example, some writers might write: "Lions, tigers and bears". Others will write: "Lions, tigers, and bears". The difference is that second comma, after tigers. It's called the Oxford comma.

I always use the Oxford comma. It just sounds weird, to me, without it. It drives me nuts when books don't use it."

http://anniesepicblog.blogspot.com/2011/09/grammar-wars-oxford-comma.html

"The Semicolon Wars

Throughout history the semicolons of Punctuation Island have been forced to live on the swampy side of the island by their more powerful neighbors, the period, comma, and the dreaded colon. For thousands of years the semicolons have endured the abuse. Not until the present have they had the kind of leader to help them rise up and conquer their neighbors. Luckily, you have arrived. Lead the semicolons to stirring victories over their neighbors by using semicolons, periods, commas, and colons correctly by blasting them into their correct places in the sentences that appear! If you succeed, you can print out your semicolon supreme ruler certificate."

http://www.mrnussbaum.com/semicolonwars/index.html

So, are these the first shots fired in The Which/That War?

Regards,
John

Sashadroogie · Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2011 6:35 pm Post subject:

Dear Johnslat

Poor Roger Casement, of 'hanged for a comma' fame. Not as much fun as this web link may make you think:

http://www.funtrivia.com/askft/Question43706.html

Should you lay down your arms, and cause no more disturbance to other relative clauses, we may be impressed upon to be lenient towards your previous and grievously rebellious use of that. Simply adopt the orthodox practice of a heterodox use of both which and that and catastrophe can be avoided. Our Apostrophe warheads need not reduce your semi-colonized settlements to ashes. Submit to all our articles of faith and you shall be warmly received, as all relatives should without restriction. Refuse, and ye shall perish and be left dangling outside civilized discourse!

General Supremo Sasha

johnslat · Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2011 6:45 pm Post subject:

Dear Sasha,

NEVER - Blood and destruction shall be so in use, And dreadful objects so familiar, That mothers shall but smile when they behold Their infants quartered with the hands of war; All pity choked with custom of fell deeds: And Caesar's spirit, ranging for revenge, With Ate by his side come hot from hell, Shall in these confines with a monarch's voice Cry 'Havoc', and let slip the dogs of war; That this foul deed shall smell above the earth With carrion men, groaning for burial.
Twisted Evil

Regards,
John

Sashadroogie · Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2011 7:32 pm Post subject:

Dear Johnslat

Shakespeare will not help you. Not even Pushkin would be able to protect you from the Mongol yoke that/which henceforth you shall be labouring under. Prepare for the Apostrophe attack! You have had your two-minute warning. Our comma strike forces have already mobilised and are pouring over your frontiers. Prepare to learn from the Great Vozhd!

But I have to go to bed now so please don't do anything too sneaky until I'm up again.

Victory belongs to the most persevering!

Warlord Sasha

johnslat · Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2011 7:38 pm Post subject:

Dear Sasha,

Of COURSE not - just because we are (grammatically) at war doesn't mean that we shouldn't behave in gentlemanly fashion.

Sleep well, sweet prince, and may flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.

Regards,
John