Punctuation Standards

[Manang Muyang]

In a book I reviewed, the author (a word fanatic) mentioned that there's no single standard for writing in English. (The Spanish, French, and the Italians apparently have governing bodies for their languages.)

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.

[raqstar1]

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.

[MrsCatInTheHat]

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.

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.

[jgraney8]

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.

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.

Please don't hate me as I get pedantic.
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.

[MrsCatInTheHat]

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.

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.

Please don't hate me as I get pedantic.
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.

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]

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.

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.

[MrsCatInTheHat]

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.

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.

Do you mean editors? They are the ones that score the reviews.

[jgraney8]

Do you mean editors? They are the ones that score the reviews.

Yes, I couldn't think of their title, but those are who I mean. Thank you for the correction.

[Mary WhiteFace]

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.

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.

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]

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.

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.

[Mr Benji]

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

[Mary WhiteFace]

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

[jgraney8]

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

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]

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

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.

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]

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

You really welcome.

I'm glad to be of help, Tiny_Turtle.