Thread: Tell me about grammer.

A , is used to create a pause that can change the meaning of a sentence and a . is used to end a sentence.

Tell me about grammer.

It's written as such:
Grammar

The way I look at commas, they separate off bits of sentences that don't have to be there but add useful information. In that last sentence, for example, the first bit can be left off and you'd still have a full sentence. In the second sentence, the "for example" can be removed and you'd still have a full sentence.

You could also use a final modifier, like in this sentence. Again, the comma separates off a bit that doesn't really need to be there to still have a properly constructed sentence.

Start with a simple sentence.

If you wish, you can add an initial modifier.

There are times, like right now, that you might want a medial modifier.

Or you can add a final modifier, as in this situation.

If you are feeling especially daring, you may even decide, as circumstances dictate, to use all three, though that can get a bit tiresome.

I just googled "Rules for Commas" and came up with a site that has a list of six general rules. There are more than that if you want to be very specific, but for the most part this is a good starting point:

http://www.dvc.edu/English/Learning_...heSixRules.htm

I used to have problems with commas, too. I'd use too many, then I'd use too few... and now I thank my senior year English teacher for all of her persistence!

Originally Posted by pj

The way I look at commas, they separate off bits of sentences that don't have to be there but add useful information. In that last sentence, for example, the first bit can be left off and you'd still have a full sentence. In the second sentence, the "for example" can be removed and you'd still have a full sentence.

You could also use a final modifier, like in this sentence. Again, the comma separates off a bit that doesn't really need to be there to still have a properly constructed sentence.

Start with a simple sentence.

If you wish, you can add an initial modifier.

There are times, like right now, that you might want a medial modifier.

Or you can add a final modifier, as in this situation.

If you are feeling especially daring, you may even decide, as circumstances dictate, to use all three, though that can get a bit tiresome.

That comma seem unnecessary to me. I don't think you are supposed to comma off prepositional phrases.

Originally Posted by Led

That comma seem unnecessary to me. I don't think you are supposed to comma off prepositional phrases.

Here's how that one you bolded works, according to the Christensen Rhetoric Method;

If you wish, you can add an initial modifier.

If you wish is the modifier. This is evidenced by the fact that removing it leaves a complete sentence; You can add an initial modifier, and that the modifier itself, if you wish, is not a complete sentence.

Therefore a comma is necessary.

Originally Posted by pj

Here's how that one you bolded works, according to the Christensen Rhetoric Method;

If you wish, you can add an initial modifier.

If you wish is the modifier. This is evidenced by the fact that removing it leaves a complete sentence; You can add an initial modifier, and that the modifier itself, if you wish, is not a complete sentence.

Therefore a comma is necessary.

Oh my bad.
that wasn't a prepositional phrase.

Originally Posted by wendylove

Well I am pretty poor at grammer, however I think with a few pointers I won't be so hopeless. All I want to know is when do you use a , and . also how does breathing determined how you write. I read really fast this means my , does not make sense as I don't need them.

Also if you make a point do you use , or do you use , when taking a breath. Is a full stop when you have finish making the point or is it more to do with breathing.

I had a crappy school and had a speech impairment so this gave me crap grammer, although I did get a C in English in GCSE. My sister also says when I read I correct my mistakes, however I still make them when I write. My main problem is with the letter S.

Help?

This may be completely off topic but I'd just like to say that - considering how you seem to love talking so much trash to people that don't know some of the things that (you think) you know, on this forum - it's amazing that people are still willing to offer you aid on something as fundamental as grammar, without taking the opportunity to throw insults at you.

Resisting the urge to do that very thing, I hope the insight that comes from this thread truly helps you.

That is all. Carry on.

it's amazing that people are still willing to offer you aid on something as fundamental as grammar, without taking the opportunity to throw insults at you.

I blame it on memory, most people have a poor memory. Whilst, I always remeber to insult people, however I'm not that insulting. Maybe I am watching too much House, he insults everyone, alternatively it could be scrubs.

considering how you seem to love talking so much trash to people that don't know some of the things that (you think) you know, on this forum

Is that a bad thing?

Resisting the urge to do that very thing, I hope the insight that comes from this thread truly helps you.

Well if I do correct my grammer issue, then it would proberly make me worse, seeing as my superiority complex would be more superior.

Originally Posted by wendylove

I blame it on memory, most people have a poor memory. Whilst, I always remeber to insult people, however I'm not that insulting. Maybe I am watching too much House, he insults everyone, alternatively it could be scrubs.
Is that a bad thing?

Objectively, maybe not, but I do find it kinda sad. Everyone has their pet-peeves(sp), and one of mine just happens to be arrogant people. Whenever possible, I like making arrogant people look like jackasses, preferably in front of as many people as possible, because it shows how hypocritical their feeling of "superiority" really is. It just urks me to see people that get their rocks off by talking down to other people, simply because they may either disagree, or be less-informed. House is no exception. I enjoy some of his quips, because he is a fictional character but, if I was one of his co-workers, I would have slapped the shit out of him, a long time ago.
In extreme cases, I find it pathetic, but I suppose you haven't been all that bad, which is why I didn't really take it any further. I had a few drinks last night, though, and just couldn't go without saying something, but I didn't want to make too big a deal out of it.
I'm not going to bog down your thread with all this, though. It's just one of those things that always seems to provoke a response from me. Actually...this has given me a good idea for a thread to start up, in "Philosophy," whenever I get a few more minutes.

A good start would be to spell the word right. grammAr.

Originally Posted by LucidMike14

A good start would be to spell the word right. grammAr.

Oh, what a witty reply! You know, you might want to look at some earlier posts before posting an irrelevant aside. Someone has already tried to be funny with that.


The main way to learn grammar is not by reading sterile textbooks and memorizing rules, but by reading often until the rules of grammar seem natural to you. You seem to read fast with little sub-vocalization. If possible, try to read slowly and to sub-vocalize the sentences in your head for a few days.

Originally Posted by M-Cat

The main way to learn grammar is not by reading sterile textbooks and memorizing rules, but by reading often until the rules of grammar seem natural to you. You seem to read fast with little sub-vocalization. If possible, try to read slowly and to sub-vocalize the sentences in your head for a few days.

I agree that reading is paramount. However, make sure you're reading good material. Especially be careful of picking up bad habits from the internet... a breeding ground for poor grammar habits.

And not to pick on M-Cat, but I should point out that "You seem to read fast" should be "You seem to read quickly." "Fast" is an adjective, "quickly" is an adverb; the latter is required in this case. I wouldn't normally nitpick on something like this, but considering the topic, I thought it might help to highlight this.

Oh, and one more thing. STAY AWAY FROM REALITY T.V.!

I won't speak here on its relative merits as entertainment... even I watch some of it. But for some reason, every single person on these shows seems to have some of the most glaring deficiencies in grammatical use. Even the hosts of these shows, (Trump, Probst, et al) throw out horribly incorrect pronouns and noun/verb disagreement.

My biggest pet peeve is the misuse of the pronouns "me," "myself," and "I."

Wrong: "The group included Joe, Fred, and myself."
Right: "The group included Joe, Fred, and me."

Wrong: "He kept talking about Kelly and I."
Right: "He kept talking about Kelly and me."

Worst Possible: "He came over to Bob and I's house."
You hear this one ALL THE TIME from these airheads on TV. "I's house???"

The main way to learn grammar is not by reading sterile textbooks and memorizing rules, but by reading often until the rules of grammar seem natural to you. You seem to read fast with little sub-vocalization. If possible, try to read slowly and to sub-vocalize the sentences in your head for a few days.

I guess better grammar is worth more then speed reading.

Oh, and one more thing. STAY AWAY FROM REALITY T.V.!

Big brother sucks this year, boring characters.

Coincidence is spelled like I spelled it.

I've done my part.

Originally Posted by skysaw

And not to pick on M-Cat, but I should point out that "You seem to read fast" should be "You seem to read quickly."

I was testing you.