The English Language…
Here is a brief education in the english language as it is today. I know some of you english is a 2nd language and sometimes when writing, you need to proof your writing or have some else proof read it for you. You might find an error, but someone else might spot that punctuation, grammar, etc…
So here goes, as hubby is very particular in the english languare especially the spelling, I thought I would share with you what he has written, and think it migh help some and understand… Read on!
Proofreading your text for misspelled words and grammatical mistakes
is essential. What about the punctuation, though?
Despite being more subtle, these errors can equally hurt your
credibility. I’m going to point out six common punctuation errors that
you shouldn’t be making, and give you examples so you’re sure about
the right way to handle these situations.
Ready? Let’s go.
1. Apostrophe for Plurals
This mistake is particularly common among foreigners who are learning
English as a second language. After all, you would expect native
English speaks to know how to form plurals (right?). The apostrophe is
used to form contractions (e.g., It’s time to go) and to indicate
possession (e.g., Mary’s car is blue), but never to form plurals.
Wrong: The boy’s will go to the school tomorrow.
Right: The boys will go to the school tomorrow.
2. The Comma Splice
When the comma is used to separate independent clauses, there must be
a conjunction connecting them. If the conjunction is not there, we
have a comma splice. You can fix this mistake by using a period
instead of the comma, or by adding a coordinating conjunction.
Wrong: The car costs $10000, I am going to buy it.
Right. The car costs $10000. I am going to buy it.
Right: The car costs $10000, and I am going to buy it.
3. Quotation Marks for Emphasis
Quotation marks are mainly used to quote speech, sentences or words.
They can also be used to denote irony. They can’t be used, however, to
add emphasis to a word or sentence. It is not rare to find
advertisements or promotional flyers carrying this error. If you want
to add emphasis to a word, use the boldface type and not the quotation
marks.
Wrong: This gift is “free”!
Right: This gift is free!
4. Multiple Punctuation Marks
Unless you want to sound like an overly emotional teenager writing on
MySpace, you should limit yourself to one exclamation point,
regardless of how excited you might be when writing that sentence. The
same applies to question marks and to the ellipsis (which should have
only three dots). Also, keep in mind that exclamation points are not
used that frequently in business and formal writing. If your text is
loaded with them, you probably should review it.
Wrong: This is amazing!!!!
Wrong: The man was silent……
Right: This is amazing!
Right: The man was silent…
5. Punctuation Outside the Quotation Marks
If you are writing in American English, other punctuation should go
inside the quotation marks, even if it is not part of the quotation
itself. British English, on the other hand, places punctuation that is
not part of the quoted sentence outside of the quotation marks.
Wrong in American English: Uncle John said, “My car is blue”.
Right in American English: Uncle John said, “My car is blue.”
6. The Missing Comma After Introductory Elements
Sometimes you want to give an introduction or provide a background to
a certain sentence. That is fine, but do not forget to place a comma
after that introductory element. Notice that an introductory element
can be a sentence (like in the example below) or a single word (e.g.,
however, moreover and so on).
Wrong: Before going to the school Joe stopped at my house.
Right: Before going to the school, Joe stopped at my house.
What other punctuation mishaps do you make, or what drives you crazy
when others fracture the rules?
