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Usenet Posted 21 years ago
Usage
To err is human...
"To err is human, to be mauled by Spyware is, criminal".
I came across this phrase on a Windows Experts website today.
It wasn't a speed-writing error as it is used by the author of the phrase as a sig-line.
I can't get my head around the punctuation used :-((
"To err is human; to be mauled by Spyware is criminal".
That is, a semi-colon in place of the first comma and no second comma.
I would have thought that the second comma could only be there in such a case as:
"To err is human; to be mauled by Spyware is, to say the least, criminal".
Right, wrong?
(I know Joseph - I don't need my commas for carnaval - but I might just have to leave a note when I dive out very early in the morning ;-)
paulo
I came across this phrase on a Windows Experts website today.
It wasn't a speed-writing error as it is used by the author of the phrase as a sig-line.
I can't get my head around the punctuation used :-((
"To err is human; to be mauled by Spyware is criminal".
That is, a semi-colon in place of the first comma and no second comma.
I would have thought that the second comma could only be there in such a case as:
"To err is human; to be mauled by Spyware is, to say the least, criminal".
Right, wrong?
(I know Joseph - I don't need my commas for carnaval - but I might just have to leave a note when I dive out very early in the morning ;-)
paulo
Top answer
This sentence sucks on many levels. It's illogical. At best, distributing the spyware is criminal.
- This sentence sucks on many levels.
- It's illogical.
- At best, distributing the spyware is criminal.
- Accidentally installing the spyware on your own system is your prerogative.
- "mauled" is poor diction.
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44 Answers
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This sentence sucks on many levels.
It's illogical. At best, distributing the spyware is criminal. Accidentally installing the spyware on your own system is your prerogative.
"mauled" is poor diction.
I'm most offended by how unnaturally it reads. The first sentence is punchy, the second sentence is meandering.
"criminal" just ruins the rhythm. Better yet:
"To err is hum
It's illogical. At best, distributing the spyware is criminal. Accidentally installing the spyware on your own system is your prerogative.
"mauled" is poor diction.
I'm most offended by how unnaturally it reads. The first sentence is punchy, the second sentence is meandering.
"criminal" just ruins the rhythm. Better yet:
"To err is hum
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[nq:1]This sentence sucks on many levels. It's illogical. At best, distributing the spyware is criminal. Accidentally installing the spyware on ... meandering. "criminal" just ruins the rhythm. Better yet: "To err is human. To be mauled by Spyware just sucks." Joseph[/nq]
So you would have used a full-stop instead of a semi-colon if you were forced to write this "abominable" phrase?
So you would have used a full-stop instead of a semi-colon if you were forced to write this "abominable" phrase?
00
[nq:2]This sentence sucks on many levels. It's illogical. At best, ... err is human. To be mauled by Spyware just sucks."[/nq]
[nq:1]So you would have used a full-stop instead of a semi-colon if you were forced to write this "abominable" phrase? Serious question. Thanks[/nq]
If a connection or relationship is to be indicated between the two thoughts, a semicolon does that better than a per
[nq:1]So you would have used a full-stop instead of a semi-colon if you were forced to write this "abominable" phrase? Serious question. Thanks[/nq]
If a connection or relationship is to be indicated between the two thoughts, a semicolon does that better than a per
00
A full-stop. Because it sounds better, and because the two phrases have little to do with each other.
00
[nq:1]"To err is human; to be mauled by Spyware is criminal". That is, a semi-colon in place of the first comma and no secondcomma.[/nq]
I prefer comma to the semi-colon in order to keep the flavor of the original: "Errare humanum est, perseverare diabolicum".
I believe many other takeoffs keep the original punctuation, e.g. "To err is human, to forgive is devine".
I prefer comma to the semi-colon in order to keep the flavor of the original: "Errare humanum est, perseverare diabolicum".
I believe many other takeoffs keep the original punctuation, e.g. "To err is human, to forgive is devine".
00
[nq:1]"To err is human; to be mauled by Spyware is criminal". That is, a semi-colon in place of the first comma and no secondcomma.[/nq]
I prefer comma to the semi-colon in order to keep the flavor of the original: "Errare humanum est, perseverare diabolicum".
I believe many other takeoffs keep the original punctuation, e.g. "To err is human, to forgive is divine".
I prefer comma to the semi-colon in order to keep the flavor of the original: "Errare humanum est, perseverare diabolicum".
I believe many other takeoffs keep the original punctuation, e.g. "To err is human, to forgive is divine".
00
[nq:1]"To err is human; to be mauled by Spyware is criminal".[/nq]
Right.
Adrian
To err is, human.
Right.
Adrian
To err is, human.
00
[nq:2]I prefer comma to the semi-colon in order to keep ... original punctuation, e.g."To err is human, to forgive is divine".[/nq]
[nq:1]Ok, then. That fulfills the "say it thrice" requirement. ;-)[/nq]
Oops, sorry. After I hit "post message" I saw the word "divine" misspelled and I corrected it while the blue bar was still developing its course. I'm new to Google Groups postings, so it w
[nq:1]Ok, then. That fulfills the "say it thrice" requirement. ;-)[/nq]
Oops, sorry. After I hit "post message" I saw the word "divine" misspelled and I corrected it while the blue bar was still developing its course. I'm new to Google Groups postings, so it w
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Arcadian Rises filted:
[nq:1]I believe many other takeoffs keep the original punctuation, e.g. "To err is human, to forgive is devine".[/nq]
Plunk your magic twanger, Froggie!...
"To err is human, but some people abuse the privilege"..r
[nq:1]I believe many other takeoffs keep the original punctuation, e.g. "To err is human, to forgive is devine".[/nq]
Plunk your magic twanger, Froggie!...
"To err is human, but some people abuse the privilege"..r
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[nq:1]"To err is human; to be mauled by Spyware is criminal". That is, a semi-colon in place of the first ... a case as: "To err is human; to be mauled by Spyware is, to say the least, criminal". Right, wrong?[/nq]
Perhaps what they meant to say was:
To err is human.
To be mauled by spyware is...
... criminal.
Steve Hayes from Tshwane, South Africa
Perhaps what they meant to say was:
To err is human.
To be mauled by spyware is...
... criminal.
Steve Hayes from Tshwane, South Africa
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