I suck at applying proper punctuation.

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   IntimatEvolutionposted 14 years ago

   I suck when it comes to knowing when to use commas and when not too.  I have always sucked at knowing when to use commas, semicolons, and other writing basics.  Know of any good hubs or websites I could visit that might be of use?  Or if you have a tip or two to share with me that would be fantastic.

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      Uninvited Writerposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      http://www.stevetoms.net/punct.htm

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         IntimatEvolutionposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Great recommendation!  Thanks.  I just glanced at it and it says that it is no longer necessary to space twice after a period.  Hmmm, I wonder why not.

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            Uninvited Writerposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            That has something to do with typewriters. A site I write for is always warning me against that, I usually do it accidentally

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               Aficionadaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               So do I, and I actually prefer the way it looks.  I don't mean to be a punctuation dinosaur, and I'm not really one - but I like the extra space! [Technically, I'm not doing it accidentally.  I know exactly that I'm adding it. ]

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               wildernessposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               Probably because a typewriter puts all letters into the same fixed size space.  Large capital letters eliminate all or nearly all the white space following the previous letter or mark.  Computers vary the size of the space allotted for a letter based on the size of that letter.
               
               I didn't know this about periods, though.  I always double space after a period - like afficionada I prefer the appearance and will probably never change.  I've noticed some places that won't let me do it, and after trying several times I just give up and let it happen with that ugly single space.

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            Shadesbreathposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            The double space was a way to make sure the typesetter at the print house knew it was a new sentence. With nothing being typeset anymore, you don't need double spaces.
            
            As for commas and semicolons, there's lots of good places to find that info online. Learning semicolons and colons will add power to your writing. So will learning how to use dashes and ellipses. They aren't hard, particularly if you make a point of practicing them right after you read up on them.
            
            Hmmm... maybe I could write a humorous grammar hub, make it fun. You just gave me an idea.

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            KBowdenposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            They like changing stupid little rules every year to confuse the hell out of us.  I'd like to strangle the people responsible.  I don't keep up with fashion, because it changes too much. I'm about to stop writing for the same damn reason. By the time I've learned the preferred formats of each publisher and sent my manuscript in, the rules, and their preferences, are already changed!

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      thisisoliposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      You're punctuation, looks fine. to me!

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   seanorjohnposted 14 years ago

   Mark Twain was lousy at punctuation, so you are in good company.
   He wrote to the editors - ,,.,.,,:;:,.,.,. disperse these at your pleasure sir.

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      Uninvited Writerposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      

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      IntimatEvolutionposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Oh thank goodness.  That's an amazing quote.  I feel the same way.  Thank you for the smile.

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      Pamela N Redposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I love Mark Twain. He's a man after my own heart.

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      earnestshubposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I try to use commas to indicate the flow of what I write, cos god knows it needs all the help it can get!

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   Pamela N Redposted 14 years ago

   Try using Word. It isn't always right but helps you correct most mistakes. Also read basic grammar books; they help quite a bit.
   
   When in doubt, leave it out. I've followed that philosophy over the years and it hasn't failed me yet.

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      IntimatEvolutionposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Yeah that doesn't work as well as I like it to.  But thanks for the suggestion.

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   Muldanianmanposted 14 years ago

   Punctuation has hardly been used in England for years.  Birmingham City Council has abolished the use of the apostrophe, because people find it too confusing.  In fact, English is rarely spoke proper, like wot it is supposed to be. Innit!

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      earnestshubposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I'll take all the apostrophes they don't want.
      
      I dunno where they go properly so I just spray lots of them around.

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         wildernessposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Lets see:
         "I'll take all the 'postrophes they'sa don't want."  "I don't know where they'sa go properly so I'sa just spray lots of 'em 'round."
         
         Would this not be better?

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      Kangaroo_Jaseposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Oops see's them like words a're a'vin a spot ov bother den. darn wot 'spoons to da Queens words thes days, innit!

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         wildernessposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         OMG!  You two belong somewhere in a small padded room just for the two of you.

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            Kangaroo_Jaseposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            Buahahahaha!
            
            Jar Jar Binks responds with....
            
            Meesa so happy to be Hubbin wit you all! When all of us are Jubbin, everyone is soooo Moi Moi

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               Cagsilposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               

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   Shadesbreathposted 14 years ago

   Posting to undo the "follow topic"... OMG that is sooooo annoying.

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      Cagsilposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Hey Shades,
      
      Maybe this will help?
      
      http://hubpages.com/my/activity/forum-topics-following

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         Shadesbreathposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         OMG... thank you, Cags.
         
         I kept forgetting to uncheck those, or was too lazy to wait for my phone to load the page to unsubscribe. Totally annoying default setting, IMO.

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            Cagsilposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            You're quite welcome Shades.

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      wildernessposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Ain't it the truth!  I really miss being notified when someone replies to my own posts, but just can't put up with the hundreds of emails.
      
      Sure wish they'd change it back.

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         Cagsilposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Hey Wilderness, check out my post to Shadesbreath for a link, see where it leads you?

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            wildernessposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            Yes, I unchecked it some time ago when I found 69 emails in about 2 hours.  When you do, however, you no longer get notified when someone replies to your post.

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   WryLiltposted 14 years ago

   I for, one know: exactly what; you mean.

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      Aficionadaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Love it!

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   Capable Womanposted 14 years ago

   http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/index.htm
   
   I have found this site to be very helpful with my own punctuation and other grammar-related challenges.

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   ladyjojoposted 14 years ago

   Me too i just drop full stops and comma's wherever my mind tells me too. I am not and never was good at punctuations. Yes Hubpages has been making too many demands recently. All of a sudden they got super perfect. If a fullstop missing they will  not publish your hub.
   
   I always justify my writing so it will align properly when i copy and paste it into the text capsule. Hubpages has it look helter skelter then they wanna talk about appropriateness my foot. I get very discourage to write but i still do

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   TMMasonposted 14 years ago

   "English Grammer For Dummies", by, Geraldine Woods. She is very good at logically explaining the do's and don'ts, and which do's and don'ts are uneccessary, or necccessary, to even bother with.
   
   It is a very good guide for any who have issues with grammer.

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    SomewayOuttaHereposted 14 years ago

    ...me too...sshpelling cauzes me greef too sumtimes

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    allisonaaposted 14 years ago

    a ton of style manuals out there that make life much easier for anyone who wants to write or has to write. just to name a few:
    
    the elements of style--strunk and white
    when words collide--lauren kessler & duncan mcdonald
    a writer's reference--diana hacker
    eats, shoots & leaves--lynne truss
    mla handbook--latest edition available
    chicago manual of style--latest edition available
    
    there are many more and it's just crazy to not use them.

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