I have just read the aforementioned book and I loved it! I can't stand wayward apostrophes!
Is anyone else out there a lover of correct punctuation?
2007-09-06 05:18:23 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
Me too!! I abhor incorrect grammar, spelling and punctuation - it's like a red rag to a bull!
Loved that book - try "Eats, Sh*tes and Leaves" too. It's extremely funny and has some wonderful quotations both from people who have got it entirely wrong, as well as from those who get it right!
2007-09-06 06:31:47 · answer #1 · answered by Cynical Girl 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
ghouly5, what an excellent example.
I have read Miss Truss's book, which is very good.
Misplaced or absent apostriphes do make me a bit cross, but if I point it out to other people they either can't see the error or just think I'm being too pedantic.
I have to admit that I get a bit confused myself sometimes, for example: "Prince Charles' speech about...." or "The Prince of Wales's speech on..." Both end in 'es', but where should the apostrophe be & why does one comment have an extra 's' but not the other?
On the other hand, when you're in a rush or just simply being lazy, it's all too easy to fall into very bad grammatical & spelling habits.
My philosophy is 'The difference is KNOWING the difference'
2007-09-06 12:31:00 · answer #2 · answered by funnygirl 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I read that book too, and also loved it. Then again I was a linguistics student at university, and work as a translator and English teacher. So I guess you could say that I'm a stickler for correct language use in all its aspects. Nice to know that there are at least some people out there who don't butcher the language at every given opportunity!
2007-09-06 05:30:53 · answer #3 · answered by psymon 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The book was terrific. It's hard to believe a book about punctuation was a best seller. Wow. There is hope for the world yet.
By the way, if you like to demonstrate the power of punctuation, use the two letters below which contain the same exact words but are punctuated differently. The tone and meaning of each are very different.
Dear John:
I want a man who knows what love is all about. You are generous, kind, thoughtful. People who are not like you admit to being useless and inferior. You have ruined me for other men. I yearn for you. I have no feelings whatsoever when we’re apart. I can forever be happy-will you let me be yours.
Harriet
Dear John:
I want a man who knows what love is. All about you are generous, kind, thoughtful people, who are not like you. Admit to being useless and inferior. You have ruined me. For other men, I yearn. For you, I have no feelings whatsoever. When we’re apart, I can forever be happy. Will you let me be?
Yours
Harriet
2007-09-06 05:29:38 · answer #4 · answered by ghouly05 7 · 7⤊ 0⤋
I have to admit, I am a stickler!! I read a question earlier with no commas, I couldn't make head nor tail of it!!
Incorrect use of apostrophes is my pet hate, but I try to refrain from picking people up on it, as that just makes me look like a snob!!
2007-09-06 05:28:57 · answer #5 · answered by Nickynackynoo 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Definately. I used to just type without capitalizing and punctuating. But now I try my best to remember to use correct typing skills.
2007-09-06 05:26:12 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yutsuko desu: Maybe, but not spelling, and it is so easy to click on spell checker.
Yes, I definitely am a stickler for correct punctuation AND spelling.
2007-09-06 05:29:34 · answer #7 · answered by ♂ ♫ Timberwolf 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Spelling, punctuation and grammar!
2007-09-06 07:22:02 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Technically speaking, all text, however trivial, should be correctly punctuated.
2007-09-08 04:48:47 · answer #9 · answered by Jack 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Miss Truss is always good value; have you heard her on the wireless?
2007-09-06 05:37:17 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋