0
Usenet Posted 22 years ago
Usage

Eats, Shoots, and Leaves

I'm in shock.
Lynne Truss, the author, in the process of bemoaning the perils of being a punctuation stickler, makes mistake after mistake.
In the acknowledgements she thanks those who responded to her articles in "The Daily Telegraph, The Author and Writers' News". As it lacked the correct number of commas, I had to use other clues to determine the names of the publications. Looking carefully, I noticed that the word "and" was not in italics. So, I can deduce, there is no publication called, "The Author and Writers' News". OK, I can make a similar deduction from the fact that "Author" is not plural possessive. But why cause such confusion? For NO better reason that to save a keystroke?
Only a page later she criticizes the use of the word "enormity" in association with 9/11. While the word is commonly misused, in this case the usage would seem to be a perfect fit.
Dare I read on?

Peace,
Mike Long
To Reply to me by email
Change my country code
From Netherlands to New Zealand
  

Top answer

[nq:1]I'm in shock. Lynne Truss, the author, in the process of bemoaning the perils of being a punctuation stickler, makes ... that "Author" is not plural possessive.

  • [nq:1]I'm in shock.
  • Lynne Truss, the author, in the process of bemoaning the perils of being a punctuation stickler, makes ...
  • that "Author" is not plural possessive.
  • But why cause such confusion?
  • [/nq] I recommend you research the debate about the 'Oxford Comma' aka 'Harvard Comma' aka 'Serial Comma'.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

16 Answers
0
[nq:1]I'm in shock. Lynne Truss, the author, in the process of bemoaning the perils of being a punctuation stickler, makes ... that "Author" is not plural possessive. But why cause such confusion? For NO better reason that to save a keystroke?[/nq]
I recommend you research the debate about the 'Oxford Comma' aka 'Harvard Comma' aka 'Serial Comma'.

John Dean
Oxford
0
[nq:2]I'm in shock. Lynne Truss, the author, in the process ... confusion? For NO better reason that to save a keystroke?[/nq]
[nq:1]I recommend you research the debate about the 'Oxford Comma'aka 'Harvard Comma' aka 'Serial Comma'.[/nq]
Yes, Mike, and then report back. I will, at that time, offer official support to the notion that a comma was needed in the example you offered.
This b
0
[nq:1]I'm in shock. Lynne Truss, the author, in the process of bemoaning the perils of being a punctuation stickler, makes ... that "Author" is not plural possessive. But why cause such confusion? For NO better reason that to save a keystroke?[/nq]
Before you presume to prescribe the "correct number of commas", you'll need to do some research.
[nq:1]Only a page later she criticizes the use
0
[nq:2]I'm in shock. Lynne Truss, the author, in the process ... confusion? For NO better reason that to save a keystroke?[/nq]
[nq:1]I recommend you research the debate about the 'Oxford Comma' aka 'Harvard Comma' aka 'Serial Comma'.[/nq]
Is it that or is it a case of a comma being where an 'and' ought to be, plus the lack of italics Mr Long mentioned? For the OC, aka the HC and the SC, to
0
[nq:2]I recommend you research the debate about the 'Oxford Comma' aka 'Harvard Comma' aka 'Serial Comma'.[/nq]
[nq:1]Is it that or is it a case of a comma being where an 'and' ought to be, plus the ... For the OC, aka the HC and the SC, to come into play, don't we need three items or more?[/nq]
Yep. And those are:
- The Daily Telegraph
- The Author
- Writers' News

Mic
0
[nq:2]I'm in shock. Lynne Truss, the author, in the process ... confusion? For NO better reason that to save a keystroke?[/nq]
[nq:1]I recommend you research the debate about the 'Oxford Comma' aka 'Harvard Comma' aka 'Serial Comma'.[/nq]
Or perhaps he could read what Ms Truss has to say on the subject in the section "Commas for Lists" (p83); she is Sound on the matter.

Here's an
0
[nq:2]I recommend you research the debate about the 'Oxford Comma' aka 'Harvard Comma' aka 'Serial Comma'.[/nq]
[nq:1]Yes, Mike, and then report back. I will, at that time, offer official support to the notion that a comma ... of all we hold dear and correct.) I trust my sentiments are shared by the right-thinking and careful among us.[/nq]
I'd be astonished if the Trussmeisterette had any
0
"John Dean" (Email Removed) schrieb im Newsbeitrag
[nq:2]Yes, Mike, and then report back. I will, at that ... sentiments are shared by the right-thinking and careful among us.[/nq]
[nq:1]I'd be astonished if the Trussmeisterette had any thoughts of 'saving a keystroke'. She probably did the instinctive thing and ... item on the list is a publication called 'Writers' News' and not a public
0
[nq:2]I'd be astonished if the Trussmeisterette had any thoughts of ... and not a publication called 'The Author and Writers' News'?[/nq]
[nq:1]Not to mention that "The Daily Telegraph", "The Author" and "Writers' News" are all in italics, signifying that they are ... be a publication entitled "The Daily Telegraph, The Author" (unlikely, but not impossible), then we really do have a problem.[/
0
[nq:1]I'd be astonished if the Trussmeisterette had any thoughts of 'saving a keystroke'.[/nq]
I was picking up on a thought already expressed. From there, I got somewhat carried away.
Main point: There are those of us who use the "serial comma." We feel we are right. There are those who do not use the "serial comma." They feel they are right. But they are wrong. I point that out as a memb

Related Questions