Punctuation Standards
Moderator: Official Reviewer Representatives
- Manang Muyang
- Previous Member of the Month
- Posts: 11174
- Joined: 02 May 2017, 20:17
- Favorite Book:
- Currently Reading: Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventures
- Bookshelf Size: 686
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-manang-muyang.html
- Latest Review: Your Great Name by Shawn Funk
- Reading Device: B00KC6I06S
Re: Punctuation Standards
I believe Scott also mentioned in an earlier post that it would be difficult to pinpoint a particular "style" or "standard" to follow. So we will just have to do our best and hope that the editor who picks our reviews will speak the same English we do.
-
- Posts: 230
- Joined: 11 Sep 2018, 11:07
- Currently Reading: The Lady of the Lakes
- Bookshelf Size: 77
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-raqstar1.html
- Latest Review: First Lessons by Lina J. Potter
- MrsCatInTheHat
- Posts: 3817
- Joined: 31 May 2016, 11:53
- Favorite Book: Cry the Beloved Country
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 376
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-mrscatinthehat.html
- Latest Review: Marc Marci by Larry G. Goldsmith
- Reading Device: B00JG8GOWU
- Publishing Contest Votes: 0
A big thing to watch for with commas is whether the conjunction is connecting two independent clauses or an independent with a dependent. The first uses a comma, the latter does not. My point is that your sentences might be similarly structured but that aspect makes a huge difference. Note that I did not use a comma before "but" as it connects a dependent clause with an independent clause.raqstar1 wrote: ↑03 Nov 2018, 06:20 As with most everyone else here, I get dinged with commas almost every time. I use 3 or 4 different grammar websites and inevitably every time I change a comma use based on the corrections, it is listed as one of my errors. It's very frustrating, to say the least. I'll get dinged for a comma in one sentence, then in another for no comma, and they are relatively similar sentence structures.
- jgraney8
- Posts: 163
- Joined: 09 May 2018, 18:08
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 37
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-jgraney8.html
- Latest Review: Murder in Memory by Mike Thorne
- Reading Device: B00JG8GOWU
Please don't hate me as I get pedantic.CatInTheHat wrote: ↑03 Nov 2018, 08:44A big thing to watch for with commas is whether the conjunction is connecting two independent clauses or an independent with a dependent. The first uses a comma, the latter does not. My point is that your sentences might be similarly structured but that aspect makes a huge difference. Note that I did not use a comma before "but" as it connects a dependent clause with an independent clause.raqstar1 wrote: ↑03 Nov 2018, 06:20 As with most everyone else here, I get dinged with commas almost every time. I use 3 or 4 different grammar websites and inevitably every time I change a comma use based on the corrections, it is listed as one of my errors. It's very frustrating, to say the least. I'll get dinged for a comma in one sentence, then in another for no comma, and they are relatively similar sentence structures.
Actually, you should have used a comma before the but because aspect is the subject of your second independent clause and makes is the verb. There are two independent clauses in your compound sentence: (1) My point is that your sentences might be similarly structured, (2) that aspect makes a huge difference. Furthermore, "The first uses a comma, the latter does not." is a comma splice. You could use a semicolon to join the two. The first uses a comma ; the latter does not. or a coordinating conjunction The first uses a comma, and the latter does not.
― Michel de Montaigne, The Complete Essays
- MrsCatInTheHat
- Posts: 3817
- Joined: 31 May 2016, 11:53
- Favorite Book: Cry the Beloved Country
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 376
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-mrscatinthehat.html
- Latest Review: Marc Marci by Larry G. Goldsmith
- Reading Device: B00JG8GOWU
- Publishing Contest Votes: 0
I'm going to stand corrected on my example. Call it replying when I'm in the middle of watching my constantly moving nephew... In your example of the comma splice, either can be used: a comma or a semicolon. Often, a comma instead of a semicolon when the clauses are short. It is an acceptable stylistic choice.jgraney8 wrote: ↑03 Nov 2018, 23:01Please don't hate me as I get pedantic.CatInTheHat wrote: ↑03 Nov 2018, 08:44A big thing to watch for with commas is whether the conjunction is connecting two independent clauses or an independent with a dependent. The first uses a comma, the latter does not. My point is that your sentences might be similarly structured but that aspect makes a huge difference. Note that I did not use a comma before "but" as it connects a dependent clause with an independent clause.raqstar1 wrote: ↑03 Nov 2018, 06:20 As with most everyone else here, I get dinged with commas almost every time. I use 3 or 4 different grammar websites and inevitably every time I change a comma use based on the corrections, it is listed as one of my errors. It's very frustrating, to say the least. I'll get dinged for a comma in one sentence, then in another for no comma, and they are relatively similar sentence structures.
Actually, you should have used a comma before the but because aspect is the subject of your second independent clause and makes is the verb. There are two independent clauses in your compound sentence: (1) My point is that your sentences might be similarly structured, (2) that aspect makes a huge difference. Furthermore, "The first uses a comma, the latter does not." is a comma splice. You could use a semicolon to join the two. The first uses a comma ; the latter does not. or a coordinating conjunction The first uses a comma, and the latter does not.
- jgraney8
- Posts: 163
- Joined: 09 May 2018, 18:08
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 37
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-jgraney8.html
- Latest Review: Murder in Memory by Mike Thorne
- Reading Device: B00JG8GOWU
It may be acceptable as a stylistic choice, but do all the reviewers of reviews agree upon this? It appears that different reviewers have slightly different standards.CatInTheHat wrote: ↑04 Nov 2018, 08:31
I'm going to stand corrected on my example. Call it replying when I'm in the middle of watching my constantly moving nephew... In your example of the comma splice, either can be used: a comma or a semicolon. Often, a comma instead of a semicolon when the clauses are short. It is an acceptable stylistic choice.
― Michel de Montaigne, The Complete Essays
- MrsCatInTheHat
- Posts: 3817
- Joined: 31 May 2016, 11:53
- Favorite Book: Cry the Beloved Country
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 376
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-mrscatinthehat.html
- Latest Review: Marc Marci by Larry G. Goldsmith
- Reading Device: B00JG8GOWU
- Publishing Contest Votes: 0
Do you mean editors? They are the ones that score the reviews.jgraney8 wrote: ↑04 Nov 2018, 13:08It may be acceptable as a stylistic choice, but do all the reviewers of reviews agree upon this? It appears that different reviewers have slightly different standards.CatInTheHat wrote: ↑04 Nov 2018, 08:31
I'm going to stand corrected on my example. Call it replying when I'm in the middle of watching my constantly moving nephew... In your example of the comma splice, either can be used: a comma or a semicolon. Often, a comma instead of a semicolon when the clauses are short. It is an acceptable stylistic choice.
- jgraney8
- Posts: 163
- Joined: 09 May 2018, 18:08
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 37
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-jgraney8.html
- Latest Review: Murder in Memory by Mike Thorne
- Reading Device: B00JG8GOWU
CatInTheHat wrote: ↑04 Nov 2018, 14:37jgraney8 wrote: ↑04 Nov 2018, 13:08Yes, I couldn't think of their title, but those are who I mean. Thank you for the correction.CatInTheHat wrote: ↑04 Nov 2018, 08:31
Do you mean editors? They are the ones that score the reviews.
― Michel de Montaigne, The Complete Essays
- Mary WhiteFace
- Previous Member of the Month
- Posts: 549
- Joined: 05 Apr 2018, 11:29
- Favorite Book: Stranger in a Strange Land
- Currently Reading: Elemental Magic
- Bookshelf Size: 384
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-mary-whiteface.html
- Latest Review: Bravehorse Adventures by Louise Cleveland
- Reading Device: B00IKPYKWG
This is exactly why we need a style guide. Reviewers and editors need to be on the same page. Choosing one really wouldn't be a difficult task. We could borrow one of the numerous ones that are posted online for the public to use. Every college has one. It would assure that the majority of the published reviews would have a more polished and professional flair.jgraney8 wrote: ↑04 Nov 2018, 13:08It may be acceptable as a stylistic choice, but do all the reviewers of reviews agree upon this? It appears that different reviewers have slightly different standards.CatInTheHat wrote: ↑04 Nov 2018, 08:31
I'm going to stand corrected on my example. Call it replying when I'm in the middle of watching my constantly moving nephew... In your example of the comma splice, either can be used: a comma or a semicolon. Often, a comma instead of a semicolon when the clauses are short. It is an acceptable stylistic choice.
- jgraney8
- Posts: 163
- Joined: 09 May 2018, 18:08
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 37
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-jgraney8.html
- Latest Review: Murder in Memory by Mike Thorne
- Reading Device: B00JG8GOWU
I agree. Hoping you don't rock someone's hobby horse makes writing for the editors frustrating at times. Most of the time they are correct. However, a style sheet would help with some of the times when an editor makes a big deal out of something the other editors miss entirely or editors may differ on like the Oxford comma. In fact, the Oxford comma should be an issue addressed in the style sheet.Tiny_Turtle wrote: ↑06 Nov 2018, 20:13 This is exactly why we need a style guide. Reviewers and editors need to be on the same page. Choosing one really wouldn't be a difficult task. We could borrow one of the numerous ones that are posted online for the public to use. Every college has one. It would assure that the majority of the published reviews would have a more polished and professional flair.
― Michel de Montaigne, The Complete Essays
- Mr Benji
- Posts: 420
- Joined: 16 Jan 2018, 03:34
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 73
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-mr-benji.html
- Latest Review: Dynomike: Pay It Forward by Frankie B. Rabbit
I suggest if you have issues with its use, you must first understand these topics separately.
1 clause
2 independent clause
3 dependent clause
4 coordinating conjunctions
Then you can easily see their relation at the time.
Yours sincerely,
Mr Benji
- Mary WhiteFace
- Previous Member of the Month
- Posts: 549
- Joined: 05 Apr 2018, 11:29
- Favorite Book: Stranger in a Strange Land
- Currently Reading: Elemental Magic
- Bookshelf Size: 384
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-mary-whiteface.html
- Latest Review: Bravehorse Adventures by Louise Cleveland
- Reading Device: B00IKPYKWG
Thank youMr Benji wrote: ↑10 Dec 2018, 22:54 You guys are not alone on this struggle against comma misuse, especially if your grammar checker is unable to flag it.
I suggest if you have issues with its use, you must first understand these topics separately.
1 clause
2 independent clause
3 dependent clause
4 coordinating conjunctions
Then you can easily see their relation at the time.
Yours sincerely,
Mr Benji
- jgraney8
- Posts: 163
- Joined: 09 May 2018, 18:08
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 37
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-jgraney8.html
- Latest Review: Murder in Memory by Mike Thorne
- Reading Device: B00JG8GOWU
If I may, you might also be helped if you learned how to use commas with subordinating conjunctions - because, although, if - in constructing complex sentences and adverbial conjunctions - therefore, however, furthermore - in constructing compound and simple sentences.Mr Benji wrote: ↑10 Dec 2018, 22:54 You guys are not alone on this struggle against comma misuse, especially if your grammar checker is unable to flag it.
I suggest if you have issues with its use, you must first understand these topics separately.
1 clause
2 independent clause
3 dependent clause
4 coordinating conjunctions
Then you can easily see their relation at the time.
Yours sincerely,
Mr Benji
― Michel de Montaigne, The Complete Essays
- Mr Benji
- Posts: 420
- Joined: 16 Jan 2018, 03:34
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 73
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-mr-benji.html
- Latest Review: Dynomike: Pay It Forward by Frankie B. Rabbit
jgraney8 wrote: ↑15 Dec 2018, 19:49If I may, you might also be helped if you learned how to use commas with subordinating conjunctions - because, although, if - in constructing complex sentences and adverbial conjunctions - therefore, however, furthermore - in constructing compound and simple sentences.Mr Benji wrote: ↑10 Dec 2018, 22:54 You guys are not alone on this struggle against comma misuse, especially if your grammar checker is unable to flag it.
I suggest if you have issues with its use, you must first understand these topics separately.
1 clause
2 independent clause
3 dependent clause
4 coordinating conjunctions
Then you can easily see their relation at the time.
Yours sincerely,
Mr Benji
Thank you for the additional explanation.
I hope it makes it clear for everyone.
And everyone has to do further studies on this personally for deeper understanding.
- Mr Benji
- Posts: 420
- Joined: 16 Jan 2018, 03:34
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 73
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-mr-benji.html
- Latest Review: Dynomike: Pay It Forward by Frankie B. Rabbit
Tiny_Turtle wrote: ↑15 Dec 2018, 14:22Thank youMr Benji wrote: ↑10 Dec 2018, 22:54 You guys are not alone on this struggle against comma misuse, especially if your grammar checker is unable to flag it.
I suggest if you have issues with its use, you must first understand these topics separately.
1 clause
2 independent clause
3 dependent clause
4 coordinating conjunctions
Then you can easily see their relation at the time.
Yours sincerely,
Mr Benji
You really welcome.
I'm glad to be of help, Tiny_Turtle.