Punctuation, spelling and text speak.

[Ploggers]

Note to new members.
Apart from the “who is best” question, you will find that the members of this forum hate nothing more that the modern tendency of poor writing techniques. Specifically; text speak, poor grammar and bad spelling.

Despite the fact that you may have an interesting point to make or have a response of real significance: if it is written badly, your post will not be taken seriously.

Point 1) The use of punctuation makes your post readable.
Point 2) For those who simply can’t spell, use a spell checker.
Point 3) For those who type in text speak – don’t!!

Basic explanation of common punctuation.

Full stop (.) The full stop marks the end of a sentence. Example; Please do not use text speak.

Comma (,) The comma is generally used to signify a pause in a sentence. Actually it has 4 uses: Listing, joining, gapping and bracketing, but don't worry I’m not going to turn this post into an English A level paper Another issue with the comma is that for whatever reason people seems to be replacing the comma with the word 'and' when a comma would be far more appropriate.

For instance, consider the readability of these two sentences;
French is spoken in France, Canada, Senegal and Haiti.
French is spoken in France and Canada and Senegal and Haiti.
Get the point?

Question mark: Signifies a question.
Example; Why do some people insist on using text speak?

Exclamation mark: Commonly over-used . Signifies a sense of surprise or frustration:
Example; he is still using text speak!

Colon ( : ) Why does the colon mystify so many people? It is very simple: it is used to separate a sentence with an explanation
Example; I propose the creation of a new unit: the text speak assassination squad.

Semi colon ; Used to join two closely related sentence. It is also used in listing.
Example; Text speak should never be used on this forum; this method of communication gives the impression of a lack of intelligence.

We all make errors but we do at least try.

Lecture over, I have to take my medicine now.

[Sully]

Good effort PL - there are no excuses now as the old saying goes.

But all you students out there remember that PL is a cunning old stoat - do not fall for his trap of using a capital letter after a semi-colon. He has only done this because he knows it's my 'pet hate' and sends me balistic

[Ploggers]

Bollox! I knew I had to make a mistake somewhere on a post like that. [resists temptation to edit post] Fortunately I had the foresight to put a disclaimer at the end.

[Sully]

Amen - balistic

No excuses on a post that short

[anglo-saxon]

people seems to be replacing the comma with the word 'and'

Oh, they duz, duz they?

Other common mistakes with the comma include:

1. Incorrect usage within a series of three or more terms with a single conjunction. For instance, "they were red, white and blue" should read "they were red, white, and blue (unless some of whatever "they" were, were white and blue at the same time).

2. Joining independent clauses. Two or more clauses, grammatically complete should be joined by a semi-colon, not a comma. For instance, "my local pub is great, it has good beer", should read "my local pub is great; it has good beer". The alternative would be to retain the comma, by adding a conjunction, as in "my local pub is great, and it has good beer".

3. Introduction of independent clauses following a conjunction: "The situation for the patrol was perilous but there was still one chance for escape" should read as "The situation for the patrol was perilous, but there was still one chance for escape."

The use of the semi-colon is a common mistake as it is frequently used where the colon would be more appropriate. The best and most common use of the semi-colon is to join together two closely related independent clauses into one sentence. This avoids monotony within a paragraph and adds formal tone. The exception to this is where the two clauses are particularly short, or where the specific intent of the tone is conversational.

The colon, on the other hand is particularly well suited to the purposes of introducing lists of particulars and introducing quotations. Regrettably, therefore, Mr. PongoLogs usage of the semi-colon to introduce the list in the explanation of the comma, as well as following the word Example in the three instances later in his submission, is incorrect. The colon should have been used in all four instances as the intent is clearly to introduce the reader to a list of particulars in the first, and to introduce amplification in the latter. The colon's other functions, include the separation of hours from minutes in a notation of time (10:43), following a salutation in a formal letter (Dear Mr. Smith:), the separation of a sub-title from it's title (The Holy Grail: A study in Templar myth and mystery), and the separation of a Bible chapter from its verse (John 3:2).

Exclamation marks (or points) are not only over-used, but are generally used incorrectly. An exclamation mark should, of course, only be used following a statement of exclamation, and not following a simple statement. To say "it was a wonderful show!" is incorrect. To say "what a wonderful show!" is correct. It is also correct to place the exclamation mark following an order, such as "halt!".

All of the above is clearly explained in Strunk and White's The Elements of Style, 3rd Ed., Macmillan. ISBN 0-02-4182001

Just my ten cents' worth (it used to be two cents, but inflation has taken its toll...and, yes, I know this is a sentence fragment).

No offense intended of course.

[Sticky Blue]

It looks as though the natives are getting as threaders with some people's attempts at posting as I am!
Sully, I'd like to say your pet hate is petty... but it isn't as petty as mine. The double exclamation mark really, really, really, gets right on mine mate.
Great post PL, keep up the good work.