Use / placement of "is", commas and hyphen?

Question

I posted my question on my "About me" profile space. If you have advice / answers, I'll return here to this thread & read any replies. Thanks.

About me
Grammar Question: Use / placement of "is", commas and hyphen?

What I'm writing below is kind'a poetry....

AlpheccaStars · Accepted Answer

Hi and welcome to the Forums!

Please post your questions in a thread, not in your profile. People cannot discuss it there!

In writing poetry, there is a lot of room for artistic license.

e.e. cummings never capitalized his name, and positioned text all over the page; a magical combination of art and poetry.

USA-76 · Answer

Grammar Question: Use / placement of "is", commas and hyphen?

What I'm writing below is kind'a poetry. It may end up on a sign, or in a design or in a logo. I'm not sure if perfect grammar is critical. Is there some 'artistic license' allowed for this verse. However, I definitely don't want bad grammar to be a distraction, or annoyance.

There are two parts to this. I have some question about the first part, but my main question concerns how to best write the second part. I am guessing that there are three options.

(Below is a variation of what I am writing.) (May 2009)

The two parts, a question and a answer (with option "b." included), are as follows:

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Was it real?
- I'll never know.

What I do know,
- is that I will never forget.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

1.]- For the second part, which is the best option?

a.) What I do know is,
is that I will never forget.

b.) What I do know,
- is that I will never forget.

c.) What I do know is,
that I will never forget.

Option "a." may be the (most) correct, using "is" twice.
(...do know is, is that...) I will use this option if the experts suggest it. "a." sounds most proper, but I'm wondering if the "is, is" is a distraction.

Initially, I think that I have a preference for option "b."
(...do know, - is that...) If it is close enough to proper English and sounds good, I'm inclined to use it. (With the hyphen, if that is okay.)

There may be an option "c." (...do know is, that...) It's doesn't sound quite right.

-----------

2.]- Questions about the first part:

Initially, I like to write it on two lines as shown. However, if I have to write in on one line, I still like the hyphen.

Was it real? - I'll never know.

Was it real?
- I'll never know.

-----------

Thanks for any info and advice.

AlpheccaStars · Answer

As prose, I would write:

Was it real? I'll never know.
What I do know is that I will never forget.

It seems your question might be reduced to how to arrange the words into one or more lines for dramatic effect.

I've rambled on with some musings....

Poetic lines do not have to end with a punctuation mark. Older traditional poems did, because the end of a line was coincidental with a pause in speech and emphasized the rhythm or meter of the poem. More modern poetry does not require a pause at the end of a line, but it could be a visual effect for meter. Some modern poets have rebelled against meter, too, and just employ visual layouts!

The em dash is a device to indicate interrupted thought or a person who stops speaking because of being emotionally moved. See this article on . An ellipsis can also be used to show omitted text, a pause or an unfinished thought.

To me, a line beginning a line with punctuation looks mechanical, like starting an itemized list. You might consider ending the line with the dash or ellipsis, indicating a visual as well as emotional pause. You can also use white space for effect.

In the end, is up to you - the artist - to select the form that best conveys your own inner intentions.

USA-76 · Answer

To AlpheccaStars: Thank you for that. Your suggestion is a very simple layout. And I like it!
It looks good, and says what needs to be said. And more versatile than my idea,
on a sign or logo.

Thanks!

Use / placement of "is", commas and hyphen?

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions