tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824896765631412903.post1182847280821242991..comments2023-09-05T12:51:25.656-05:00Comments on edittorrent: A Few Thoughts on GrammarEdittorrenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14295505709568570553noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824896765631412903.post-25103941669988234322008-05-02T06:45:00.000-05:002008-05-02T06:45:00.000-05:00When I was first published, my editor went through...When I was first published, my editor went through and took out a lot of commas. I was stunned. I'd been told you put them in where you take a breath. I figured I must take lots of breaths! I still struggle with where to put in commas, despite trying to learn "the rules." It still feels most natural to me to put them in where I take breaths when reading.<BR/><BR/>Great blog post. I'm always trying to learn more about grammar and its various sides.Mechele Armstronghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02634624468197140712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824896765631412903.post-71362911067452832882008-04-29T09:56:00.000-05:002008-04-29T09:56:00.000-05:00Katrina, that rule is in flux. I prefer the comma,...Katrina, that rule is in flux. I prefer the comma, personally, but some publishers are treating them as optional. <BR/><BR/>Alicia, I do still have that list of insanely bad sentences. I use it in my grammar workshop. There are some real humdingers in that collection! <BR/><BR/>Grammar Geek, I promise, it was nothing personal. :)<BR/><BR/>TheresaEdittorrenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14295505709568570553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824896765631412903.post-19880006091984833912008-04-29T08:46:00.000-05:002008-04-29T08:46:00.000-05:00Hmmm. I thought you always needed a comma after an...Hmmm. I thought you <I>always</I> needed a comma after an introductory clause.<BR/><BR/>Guess you know which school educated me. And when I went to school!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824896765631412903.post-77097639644569533632008-04-29T08:00:00.000-05:002008-04-29T08:00:00.000-05:00Heh, I think I might be offended at the blatant in...Heh, I think I might be offended at the blatant insult of my name. *wink*<BR/><BR/>As a grammar geek (teehee), I've been known to advise writers to <A HREF="http://samhainpublishing.com/blog/2007/03/12/breaking-all-the-rules" REL="nofollow"> break the rules</A>. And while I admit to having four style guides sitting on my desk that I consult, I think once you get past the hard and fast rules (verbs are actions, nouns are things), there's only shoulds and evocative writing. <BR/><BR/>All those other nevers and musts? Don't believe 'em for a second.Laurie M. Rauchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02152907852739589235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824896765631412903.post-20434778174013953172008-04-29T06:33:00.000-05:002008-04-29T06:33:00.000-05:00Very sensible advice.Very sensible advice.Bernitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05264585685253812090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824896765631412903.post-82624849431816416852008-04-28T22:43:00.000-05:002008-04-28T22:43:00.000-05:00My students are forever telling me, "But you can't...My students are forever telling me, "But you can't start a sentence with 'but'!" and I say, "But you just did." <BR/><BR/>But there is so such a thing as a misplaced modifier, I see it all the time, and for awhile, I collected the funnier ones. Theresa, do you still have that list we made? Can't believe any good writer would cling to the need to misplace a modifier, or not recognize it when he/she commits it.<BR/><BR/>I'm always amused when a writer says, "But that's my voice!" as if voice should be dependent on such things. Voice partakes of many aspects, like intent and world-view, and should never rest on a mere twisting of grammar. Or if your voice IS dependent on that, expect to hate your editors. :)<BR/>AliciaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6824896765631412903.post-59749268548207017112008-04-28T21:55:00.000-05:002008-04-28T21:55:00.000-05:00The English major is sort of right. You should var...The English major is sort of right. You should vary your sentences, but throwing in an adverb to start things on a regular schedule isn't exactly cutting it... <BR/><BR/>They must have majored in lit. Us creative writing people, we make sweeping statements like ... Umm.... <BR/><BR/>Whoa. Did my brain shut down on that one, or what. Must have been too scary a memory to revisit.Susan Helene Gottfriedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12778191943289129869noreply@blogger.com