National Punctuation Day

Simon · 2007-09-24, 07:42 AM

National Punctuation Day is meant to be a celebration of the lowly comma, correctly used quotes and other proper uses of periods, semicolons and the ever-mysterious ellipsis. It's also the holiday that reminds America that "a semicolon is not a surgical procedure."

Since many of us here on this board owe part of our success (or lack of it) to our ability to construct sentences and paragraphs, I thought it would be a good idea to take a moment to remember how important punctuation can be.

Here's a often-used example of how punctuation can completely change the meaning of something you write:

Dear John:
I want a man who knows what love is all about. You are generous, kind, thoughtful. People who are not like you admit to being useless and inferior. You have ruined me for other men. I yearn for you. I have no feelings whatsoever when we're apart. I can be forever happy--will you let me be yours?
Gloria

Dear John:
I want a man who knows what love is. All about you are generous, kind, thoughtful people, who are not like you. Admit to being useless and inferior. You have ruined me. For other men, I yearn. For you, I have no feelings whatsoever. When we're apart, I can be forever happy. Will you let me be?
Yours,
Gloria

Don't think punctuation is all that important? Check out this story:
Errant comma costs company $2.13 million

And a quick story about someone whose pet peeve about punctuation actually increased traffic to her website:
Blogger 'Exposes' Annoying Quote Abuse

Happy Punctuating!

.

lorsha · 2007-09-24, 08:21 AM

wHat, duz; pUNCtuashun@ meen"

terry · 2007-09-24, 09:25 AM

And here I thought this thread was going to be about "being on time".

ArtWilliams · 2007-09-24, 09:47 AM

Punctuation? Are we for it or against it?

docholly · 2007-09-24, 10:06 AM

They don't use punctuation in babelfish

Those were two good examples, Simon.

Cleo · 2007-09-24, 10:29 AM

I went to school in south Florida... what is this thing called punctuation?

Toby · 2007-09-24, 10:32 AM

Reminds me of a recurring line in Benny Hill skits...

What is this thing called love?

or

What is this thing called, Love?

GinaCochina · 2007-09-26, 02:56 PM

What a great day! I think we should have National Spelling Awareness Day as well. Emphasis on the difference between "breathe" and "breath," and also on how to spell "definitely."

Mister E · 2007-09-26, 03:08 PM

Oh no, my girlfirend didn'y get her '.'

sue-fl · 2007-09-26, 08:46 PM

I truly suck at punctuation so I don't like the fact we have a day to celebrate it...

2007-09-24, 07:42 AM	#1
Simon That which does not kill us, will try, try again. Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Conch Republic Posts: 5,150	National Punctuation Day National Punctuation Day is meant to be a celebration of the lowly comma, correctly used quotes and other proper uses of periods, semicolons and the ever-mysterious ellipsis. It's also the holiday that reminds America that "a semicolon is not a surgical procedure." Since many of us here on this board owe part of our success (or lack of it) to our ability to construct sentences and paragraphs, I thought it would be a good idea to take a moment to remember how important punctuation can be. Here's a often-used example of how punctuation can completely change the meaning of something you write: Dear John: I want a man who knows what love is all about. You are generous, kind, thoughtful. People who are not like you admit to being useless and inferior. You have ruined me for other men. I yearn for you. I have no feelings whatsoever when we're apart. I can be forever happy--will you let me be yours? Gloria Dear John: I want a man who knows what love is. All about you are generous, kind, thoughtful people, who are not like you. Admit to being useless and inferior. You have ruined me. For other men, I yearn. For you, I have no feelings whatsoever. When we're apart, I can be forever happy. Will you let me be? Yours, Gloria Don't think punctuation is all that important? Check out this story: Errant comma costs company $2.13 million And a quick story about someone whose pet peeve about punctuation actually increased traffic to her website: Blogger 'Exposes' Annoying Quote Abuse Happy Punctuating! . __________________ "If you're happy and you know it, think again." -- Guru Pitka

2007-09-24, 08:21 AM	#2
lorsha So much sperm ... So little time! Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 1,433	wHat, duz; pUNCtuashun@ meen" __________________ Sexy-Milf-Money

2007-09-24, 09:25 AM	#3
terry You can now put whatever you want in this space :) Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Montreal Posts: 5,883	And here I thought this thread was going to be about "being on time". __________________ Stop That 9 To 5 Go Green Grocery Store

2007-09-24, 10:06 AM	#5
docholly Nothing funnier than the ridiculous faces you people make mid-coitus Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Sin-City USA Posts: 4,973	They don't use punctuation in babelfish Those were two good examples, Simon. __________________ Support Indie Porn Sites OMGoddess You know you need some Bling!!

2007-09-24, 10:29 AM	#6
Cleo Subversive filth of the hedonistic decadent West Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Southeast Florida Posts: 27,936	I went to school in south Florida... what is this thing called punctuation? __________________ Free Rides on Uber and Lyft Uber Car: uberTzTerri Lyft Car: TZ896289

2007-09-24, 09:47 AM	#4
ArtWilliams You can now put whatever you want in this space :) Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 6,244	Punctuation? Are we for it or against it?

2007-09-24, 10:32 AM	#7
Toby Lonewolf Internet Sales Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Houston Posts: 4,826	Reminds me of a recurring line in Benny Hill skits... What is this thing called love? or What is this thing called, Love? __________________ Latex Vixens Babes In Boots Well Heeled Women Dressing For Sex Stocking Vixens

2007-09-26, 02:56 PM	#8
GinaCochina Shut up brain, or I'll stab you with a Q-tip! Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 117	What a great day! I think we should have National Spelling Awareness Day as well. Emphasis on the difference between "breathe" and "breath," and also on how to spell "definitely."

2007-09-26, 03:08 PM	#9
Mister E Rock stars ... is there anything they don't know? Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 15	Oh no, my girlfirend didn'y get her '.' __________________ elliot elliot@guerillatraffic.com ICQ 382987380 www.guerillatraffic.com

2007-09-26, 08:46 PM	#10
sue-fl You can now put whatever you want in this space :) Join Date: May 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 2,837	I truly suck at punctuation so I don't like the fact we have a day to celebrate it...

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