THE BORE

General => The Superdeep Borehole => Topic started by: CHOW CHOW on July 03, 2008, 08:53:03 PM

Title: redundant, comma, usage
Post by: CHOW CHOW on July 03, 2008, 08:53:03 PM
can't, stand, it

the absolute worst is when someone drops commas left and right thinking he's coming off as this literary beast yet they're used incorrectly

i just wanna punch 'em in the face

elitist internet scum

if you're using commas properly...

OK...

that's fine

but when you're whoring them out in every sentence you use when they're not even supposed to be there, your nerdy little ass should be curbed

thoughts?
Title: Re: redundant, comma, usage
Post by: BlueTsunami on July 03, 2008, 08:55:10 PM
I don't think I've ever used a semi-colon... like, ever
Title: Re: redundant, comma, usage
Post by: CHOW CHOW on July 03, 2008, 09:15:42 PM
i use "thoughts?" in a joking manner
Title: Re: redundant, comma, usage
Post by: Cormacaroni on July 03, 2008, 09:18:21 PM
My current pet peeve is when folks on podcasts find themselves speechless, and rush to fill the gap with '....wow'.

You can make a drinking game out of this on 1Up Yours. Somebody makes a moderately edgy wisecrack, and 3 people do the '....wow.' thing...

(oh fuck, i used a comma! What a pretentious cock! Crap, there's another one! And another! noooooooooooooo)
Title: Re: redundant, comma, usage
Post by: CHOW CHOW on July 03, 2008, 09:27:09 PM
corma:  your first two commas really were unnecessary and used incorrectly

these ones:
Quote
My current pet peeve is when folks on podcasts find themselves speechless, and rush to fill the gap with '....wow'.
^ shouldn't be there

Quote
You can make a drinking game out of this on 1Up Yours. Somebody makes a moderately edgy wisecrack, and 3 people do the '....wow.' thing...
^ also shouldn't be there

just sayin'
Title: Re: redundant, comma, usage
Post by: cool breeze on July 03, 2008, 09:29:03 PM
I do this.  Not so much when I need to write a paper for class, (YEAH) but on the internet I don't give a damn.  Fuck your literacy, G.
Title: Re: redundant, comma, usage
Post by: Tucah on July 03, 2008, 09:32:39 PM
I do this a lot on message board posts. Even with my 115 posts here, I've probably incorrectly used commas on no less than 20 posts.
Title: Re: redundant, comma, usage
Post by: Cormacaroni on July 03, 2008, 09:37:31 PM
corma:  your first two commas really were unnecessary and used incorrectly

these ones:
Quote
My current pet peeve is when folks on podcasts find themselves speechless, and rush to fill the gap with '....wow'.
^ shouldn't be there

Quote
You can make a drinking game out of this on 1Up Yours. Somebody makes a moderately edgy wisecrack, and 3 people do the '....wow.' thing...
^ also shouldn't be there

just sayin'


Uhhh, get back to me when you learn how to capitalize and use a period! People in glass houses...

and: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_comma

This is an ongoing debate. There is no definitive right or wrong.
Title: Re: redundant, comma, usage
Post by: CHOW CHOW on July 03, 2008, 09:42:01 PM
but i'm obviously doing that on purpose

illiterate scum!
Title: Re: redundant, comma, usage
Post by: Cormacaroni on July 03, 2008, 09:44:37 PM
but i'm obviously doing that on purpose

illiterate scum!

Right, you're the guy who hasn't read a book since High School, while I only have a degree in English Literature, 1st grade Japanese language proficiency, 9 years of professional translation & editing experience...I guess I better concede defeat right now :rolleyes
Title: Re: redundant, comma, usage
Post by: Vizzys on July 03, 2008, 09:47:45 PM
in b4 "dont address me, I beat you up in high school"
Title: Re: redundant, comma, usage
Post by: CHOW CHOW on July 03, 2008, 09:48:24 PM
but the two sentences i quoted weren't examples of serial commas
Title: Re: redundant, comma, usage
Post by: CHOW CHOW on July 03, 2008, 09:52:42 PM
my posting style varies from day to day

Title: Re: redundant, comma, usage
Post by: CHOW CHOW on July 03, 2008, 09:54:37 PM
commaroni, i'm just messing around... don't take offense

waiting for my download of 'Never Back Down' to finish
Title: Re: redundant, comma, usage
Post by: Mupepe on July 03, 2008, 10:01:14 PM
never back down! :rock :rock

i made an appreciation thread when it first came out
Title: Re: redundant, comma, usage
Post by: CHOW CHOW on July 03, 2008, 10:04:07 PM
Yeah, I hear it's actually pretty entertaining.
Title: Re: redundant, comma, usage
Post by: cool breeze on July 03, 2008, 10:04:51 PM
I heard it is like a less awesome Karate Kid.
Title: Re: redundant, comma, usage
Post by: Mupepe on July 03, 2008, 10:05:08 PM
it really is in a terrible way.  SO MANY MUSICAL MONTAGES!
Title: Re: redundant, comma, usage
Post by: CHOW CHOW on July 03, 2008, 10:06:49 PM
Here's the release name for anyone interested: 

Never Back Down DVDSCR XviD-COCAIN

It's about 1.4 GB
Title: Re: redundant, comma, usage
Post by: Flannel Boy on July 03, 2008, 10:13:31 PM
I'm not going to take punctuation advice from someone who hasn't read a single book since leaving high school.
Title: Re: redundant, comma, usage
Post by: recursivelyenumerable on July 03, 2008, 10:23:43 PM
Quote
I don't think I've ever used a semi-colon... like, ever

you really need to get your shit together while you still can; you don't want to turn out a 40-year-old semicolon virgin, do you?
Title: Re: redundant, comma, usage
Post by: Bildi on July 03, 2008, 10:28:06 PM
I'm a bit of a fan of dashes myself - they're awesome.
Title: Re: redundant, comma, usage
Post by: recursivelyenumerable on July 03, 2008, 10:33:05 PM
your purported dash fandom is belied by your post --- that's not a dash, it's a hyphen!
Title: Re: redundant, comma, usage
Post by: Cormacaroni on July 03, 2008, 10:45:41 PM
commaroni, i'm just messing around... don't take offense

waiting for my download of 'Never Back Down' to finish

'I'm not offended but please consider how little this sentence is changed by the addition or removal of a comma.'

'I'm not offended, but please consider how little this sentence is changed by the addition or removal of a comma.'

Read them both aloud and see which one captures how best you would say it. Posting on the net is not how people write for publication; it's intended to be a reflection of how they would converse, for the most part. At the very least, short posts are.

Oops on the 'serial comma' link. I had a brain freeze there. It's a similar situation to the serial comma though. Many people argue against any overly-strict interpretation of the rules because it stifles expressiveness and emphasis. The debate will never end, and people won't stop using commas just like this.

http://www.absolutewrite.com/novels/comma_usage.htm

'(4) And finally, THE rule. It works for narrative and it works for dialogue. Read what you've written aloud. Wherever you would pause for breath, whack in a comma. Because, you have internalized the rules. You've been speaking English all your life. But as an aspiring writer, you've been so busy trying to learn "the rules" that you've forgotten the rule you've known all along. And you DO know it.

If you'd like, you can look over some sentences in the preceding paragraphs. You'll note some commas where they're not strictly necessary. Often, it's where I begin a sentence with a conjunction, also an alleged no-no. But that device can be used sparingly to emphasize a point. And when I do that, sometimes I whip in a comma for extra emphasis. A comma is a pause. That's what you should note if you indulge in this exercise. I'm pausing for emphasis. Read my sentences aloud. Pause at every comma. The rhythm works. It's how I talk, and you won't be all freaked out and confused as you listen because I paused in funny places.'
Title: Re: redundant, comma, usage
Post by: Joe Molotov on July 03, 2008, 10:57:10 PM
commaroni, i'm just messing around... don't take offense

waiting for my download of 'Never Back Down' to finish

'I'm not offended but please consider how little this sentence is changed by the addition or removal of a comma.'

'I'm not offended, but please consider how little this sentence is changed by the addition or removal of a comma.'

Read them both aloud and see which one captures how best you would say it. Posting on the net is not how people write for publication; it's intended to be a reflection of how they would converse, for the most part. At the very least, short posts are.

Oops on the 'serial comma' link. I had a brain freeze there. It's a similar situation to the serial comma though. Many people argue against any overly-strict interpretation of the rules because it stifles expressiveness and emphasis. The debate will never end, and people won't stop using commas just like this.

http://www.absolutewrite.com/novels/comma_usage.htm

'(4) And finally, THE rule. It works for narrative and it works for dialogue. Read what you've written aloud. Wherever you would pause for breath, whack in a comma. Because, you have internalized the rules. You've been speaking English all your life. But as an aspiring writer, you've been so busy trying to learn "the rules" that you've forgotten the rule you've known all along. And you DO know it.

If you'd like, you can look over some sentences in the preceding paragraphs. You'll note some commas where they're not strictly necessary. Often, it's where I begin a sentence with a conjunction, also an alleged no-no. But that device can be used sparingly to emphasize a point. And when I do that, sometimes I whip in a comma for extra emphasis. A comma is a pause. That's what you should note if you indulge in this exercise. I'm pausing for emphasis. Read my sentences aloud. Pause at every comma. The rhythm works. It's how I talk, and you won't be all freaked out and confused as you listen because I paused in funny places.'

Best, Post, Ever,
Title: Re: redundant, comma, usage
Post by: xnikki118x on July 03, 2008, 11:08:03 PM
I use the serial comma.

Cormacaroni's post is ace.



With love from a former newspaper editor. :)
Title: Re: redundant, comma, usage
Post by: Bildi on July 03, 2008, 11:10:44 PM
your purported dash fandom is belied by your post --- that's not a dash, it's a hyphen!

Thank you!  I was drawing an annoying total blank on what it was called.
Title: Re: redundant, comma, usage
Post by: CHOW CHOW on July 04, 2008, 08:29:01 AM
commaroni, i'm just messing around... don't take offense

waiting for my download of 'Never Back Down' to finish

'I'm not offended but please consider how little this sentence is changed by the addition or removal of a comma.'

'I'm not offended, but please consider how little this sentence is changed by the addition or removal of a comma.'

Read them both aloud and see which one captures how best you would say it. Posting on the net is not how people write for publication; it's intended to be a reflection of how they would converse, for the most part. At the very least, short posts are.

Oops on the 'serial comma' link. I had a brain freeze there. It's a similar situation to the serial comma though. Many people argue against any overly-strict interpretation of the rules because it stifles expressiveness and emphasis. The debate will never end, and people won't stop using commas just like this.

http://www.absolutewrite.com/novels/comma_usage.htm

'(4) And finally, THE rule. It works for narrative and it works for dialogue. Read what you've written aloud. Wherever you would pause for breath, whack in a comma. Because, you have internalized the rules. You've been speaking English all your life. But as an aspiring writer, you've been so busy trying to learn "the rules" that you've forgotten the rule you've known all along. And you DO know it.

If you'd like, you can look over some sentences in the preceding paragraphs. You'll note some commas where they're not strictly necessary. Often, it's where I begin a sentence with a conjunction, also an alleged no-no. But that device can be used sparingly to emphasize a point. And when I do that, sometimes I whip in a comma for extra emphasis. A comma is a pause. That's what you should note if you indulge in this exercise. I'm pausing for emphasis. Read my sentences aloud. Pause at every comma. The rhythm works. It's how I talk, and you won't be all freaked out and confused as you listen because I paused in funny places.'
CHOWNED  :-[
Title: Re: redundant, comma, usage
Post by: APF on July 04, 2008, 01:13:39 PM
I toss them shits all over the place.  And don't get me started on hyphens.  HYPHENS  :hump
Title: Re: redundant, comma, usage
Post by: Madrun Badrun on July 04, 2008, 01:39:23 PM
Don't be such a commanist!
Title: Re: redundant, comma, usage
Post by: Tauntaun on July 04, 2008, 02:16:49 PM
,
Title: Re: redundant, comma, usage
Post by: Rain on July 04, 2008, 02:46:16 PM
I like to use commas, dashes...etc because they make reading more fun. May be I don't use them properly but at least it's better than, let's say, righting an impression like this:

Anyone who’s played one of the Lego Star Wars games will know exactly what
they’re getting into here, since Lego Indy is basically one of those games with
different levels and characters slapped on. It represents all three of the original
movies (sorry, Crystal Skull) with six levels each, and every level brings in the
relevant story characters to plow through a bunch of enemies, collectables, and
some easy environmental puzzles.

When done in message boards it's reaaaally bad and irritating.
Title: Re: redundant, comma, usage
Post by: rodi on July 04, 2008, 04:04:06 PM
I have to say this: who the fuck cares?
Title: Re: redundant, comma, usage
Post by: recursivelyenumerable on July 05, 2008, 05:52:30 PM
Quote
I like to use commas, dashes...etc because they make reading more fun.

Try interposing spaces between your ellipses and the preceding and following text ... it makes you look more European and literary and stuff.
Title: Re: redundant, comma, usage
Post by: Tauntaun on July 05, 2008, 06:07:49 PM
I have to say this: who the fuck cares?

I would say I wouldn't care but oh wait I have too much time on my hands cause I don't have a .50 cal sniper rifle to keep me occupied.   >:(

spoiler (click to show/hide)
:P
[close]
Title: Re: redundant, comma, usage
Post by: FatalT on July 05, 2008, 08:24:39 PM
I hate people who abuse ellipses.

...

.........................

.........................................

LOOK AT ALL THESE DOTS GODDAMN
Title: Re: redundant, comma, usage
Post by: lordmaji on July 05, 2008, 08:24:45 PM
BBQing w/ beer, brats, family, steak, , , , ,  rox!

thoughts?!
Title: Re: redundant, comma, usage
Post by: Oblivion on July 05, 2008, 08:41:06 PM
No, the most annoying grammatical issue is when people start their sentences with a capitalized letter, but don't end in a fucking period. Reminds me of Nathan Drake, with his stupid half tucked in shirt.
Title: Re: redundant, comma, usage
Post by: Jabberwocky on July 05, 2008, 08:53:02 PM
It's worse when people use the comma to signify a short pause in dialogue.
Title: Re: redundant, comma, usage
Post by: Vizzys on July 05, 2008, 08:55:50 PM
I hate people who abuse ellipses.

...

.........................

.........................................

LOOK AT ALL THESE DOTS GODDAMN

lol...
Title: Re: redundant, comma, usage
Post by: Jabberwocky on July 06, 2008, 06:29:03 AM
I hate people who abuse ellipses.

...

.........................

.........................................

LOOK AT ALL THESE DOTS GODDAMN

I always feel so uncomfortably embarrassed for people who use it whenever they're depressed.

because they talk like this... to sound mysterious and roguelike...
Title: Re: redundant, comma, usage
Post by: recursivelyenumerable on July 06, 2008, 04:55:10 PM
http://www.evilbore.com/forum/index.php?topic=19997.0

I'm a trend-setter.
Title: Re: redundant, comma, usage
Post by: Tieno on July 06, 2008, 06:34:01 PM
I don't like excessive use of the enter-break. Redundant breaks are just as bad as redundant commas. You're not writing a poem, CHOW CHOW!

Another thing: if you're going to be a twat about commas, then at least capitalize.
Title: Re: redundant, comma, usage
Post by: Bildi on July 07, 2008, 08:35:05 PM
I always feel so uncomfortably embarrassed for people who use it whenever they're depressed.

because they talk like this... to sound mysterious and roguelike...

I wouldn't feel too bad for depressed males... because the guys who talk like this... are more likely to get chicks...

girls love guys with a problem... and these guys have problems...