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Underwater Posted 15 years ago
Grammar
Punctuation
Hi,
I’m reading a book on ‘English Language/Grammar’ and there’s something that I couldn't understand in the section of punctuation.
It says“When we re-punctuate the phrases, we find completely different meaning:
Bring me the ball boy - Bring me the ball, boy (It’s obvious)
Ladies clearance sale – Ladies’ clearance sale (OK)
The boy’s like chocolate - The boy’s like chocolate (that’s OK, too)
Thirty minute meals – Thirty-minute meals : I couldn’t understand the difference. OK, usage of hypens make differences, I know and understand that but here I can’t figure it out. If you help me I’ll appreciate.
Thanks in advance
I’m reading a book on ‘English Language/Grammar’ and there’s something that I couldn't understand in the section of punctuation.
It says“When we re-punctuate the phrases, we find completely different meaning:
Bring me the ball boy - Bring me the ball, boy (It’s obvious)
Ladies clearance sale – Ladies’ clearance sale (OK)
The boy’s like chocolate - The boy’s like chocolate (that’s OK, too)
Thirty minute meals – Thirty-minute meals : I couldn’t understand the difference. OK, usage of hypens make differences, I know and understand that but here I can’t figure it out. If you help me I’ll appreciate.
Thanks in advance
Top answer
t] ), while the latter is clearly concerned with time. Respectfully, Gleb Chebrikoff
- t] ), while the latter is clearly concerned with time.
- Respectfully, Gleb Chebrikoff
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8 Answers
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Greetings,
Respectfully, Gleb Chebrikoff
underwaterThirty minute meals – Thirty-minute mealsThe former means 'thirty small meals', since 'minute' can also be an adjective meaning 'very small in size' (pronounced [ma?'n(j)u?t]), while the latter is clearly concerned with time.
Respectfully, Gleb Chebrikoff
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I didn't even think that the meaning of 'minute' may be different. Of course, there should have been one other meaning 
Thank you so
Thank you so00
You are most welcome.
Which is more, the word can be:
1. A noun
2. An adjective
3. A verb (to minute the speed of the train = to determine the speed to the minute)
By the way, the general rule with that hyphen in your case may be stated this way: hyphenate two or more words which, when combined, form one description that precedes the word bein
Which is more, the word can be:
1. A noun
2. An adjective
3. A verb (to minute the speed of the train = to determine the speed to the minute)
By the way, the general rule with that hyphen in your case may be stated this way: hyphenate two or more words which, when combined, form one description that precedes the word bein
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What does this mean?
The boy’s like chocolate - The boy’s like chocolate
The boy’s like chocolate - The boy’s like chocolate
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Sorry, there is a mistake. It should be like this: The boy’s like chocolate - The boys like chocolate
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underwaterSorry, there is a mistake. It should be like this: The boy’s like chocolate - The boys like chocolateOkay - you realize the first version is not grammatical, right? There's no change in meaning -- it goes from being ungrammatical to grammatical.
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Yes, I know the first one(s for all) are wrong. I just wanted to give them so that they lead to the real question (but wrote it wrong
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I suppose in a tennis match, you might have a chance to say "Bring me the ball boy."
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