tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post5048516490986837542..comments2024-03-18T21:16:14.441-04:00Comments on Jungle Red Writers: Jungle Reds sweat the small stuffJungle Red Writershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646429819267618412noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-86775771234493265472016-11-16T15:59:43.259-05:002016-11-16T15:59:43.259-05:00I cringe when I hear the misuse of subjective and ...I cringe when I hear the misuse of subjective and objective pronouns! I believe "I" and "me" have become so mixed up we'll never hear them used correctly again.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-79427230481818117792016-11-16T13:41:18.429-05:002016-11-16T13:41:18.429-05:00Hi!
I was taught in school that P's and Q'...Hi!<br />I was taught in school that P's and Q's have apostrophes, as they indicate letters of the alphabet. I just checked on google grammar sites and that appears correct.<br />Thank you!<br />Love the column!!<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-43465826486939846432016-11-14T20:36:30.433-05:002016-11-14T20:36:30.433-05:00I'm feeling very overwhelmed by all of this. M...I'm feeling very overwhelmed by all of this. Maybe you should've written about politics after all. :-P<br /><br />But no. I love this post. And I use too many commas, and way too many em-dashes. They're so convenient though.Holly Westhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08910436592791818527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-90607527576490711502016-11-14T20:18:25.330-05:002016-11-14T20:18:25.330-05:00Late to the party, as I often am. I taught sevent...Late to the party, as I often am. I taught seventh and eighth grade English including lots of grammar and punctuation. We actually had an extra Study Skills class for the 7th graders, containing a workbook on the comma. The written-out text explanations were pretty complicated, but the time spent wrestling with the issue got us somewhere. Where? Personally I love grammar and punctuation. I try not to be judgmental, but there are certain things that I hate. They have been mentioned above. This was fun to read and think about. Thanks!<br />Denise Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02790883493798517829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-53210123328135223042016-11-14T19:41:32.843-05:002016-11-14T19:41:32.843-05:00Hallie, you are right about red brick!
And can I ...Hallie, you are right about red brick!<br /><br />And can I just say how much I hate "alright"???? It is two words. ALL RIGHT. Okay? :-)Deborah Crombiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16988750789088153601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-15615910014277882902016-11-14T19:12:15.363-05:002016-11-14T19:12:15.363-05:00A favorite book of last year was Between You &...A favorite book of last year was Between You & Me: Confessions of a Comma Queen by Mary Norris. If you haven't read this, you must. <br /><br />Yes, I know book titles should be underlined. Try that on an iPhone. ��Ann in Rochesternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-62989767494511585502016-11-14T17:45:05.041-05:002016-11-14T17:45:05.041-05:00Impactful. AHHHHHHHHImpactful. AHHHHHHHHHank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420701704169428286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-53129164791136604502016-11-14T17:33:00.559-05:002016-11-14T17:33:00.559-05:00I was taught British grammar rules here in CT.
Th...I was taught British grammar rules here in CT.<br /><br />The wrong use of apostrophes is aggravating, isn't it? I work in a building named in honor of someone whose last name was Parsons. You'd be surprised how much mail is addressed to The Parson's building.<br /><br />Deb Romano Deb Romanohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01650858888197217258noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-57021864865548969722016-11-14T17:07:07.150-05:002016-11-14T17:07:07.150-05:00Diana, we forgive you.
Kait! Thank you for asking...Diana, we forgive you.<br /><br />Kait! Thank you for asking - I just looked it up and the Writers Digest web site says it's shipping mid December! Pre-order now! http://www.writersdigestshop.com/writing-and-selling-your-mystery-novel-revised-and-expandedHallie Ephronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04759439029582054503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-22375809450855735422016-11-14T17:02:32.631-05:002016-11-14T17:02:32.631-05:00"Retreating to a safe topic: grammar and punc..."Retreating to a safe topic: grammar and punctuation."<br /><br />Seriously? Safe?<br /><br />I mental composed a dozen responses while scrolling down the comments, and then finally decided to just leave it all alone. Playing safe.Susan Dhttp://www.susandaly.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-47320349886232718262016-11-14T15:48:04.746-05:002016-11-14T15:48:04.746-05:00Kathy, I wish I shared your love for the Oxford co...Kathy, I wish I shared your love for the Oxford comma. I just don't like the way it looks, but since it's part of my publisher's house style, I'm trying to get over it!Ingrid Thofthttp://www.ingridthoft.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-40098045169302058452016-11-14T15:46:14.308-05:002016-11-14T15:46:14.308-05:00Hallie - thank you! And you can be sure you will ...Hallie - thank you! And you can be sure you will be quoted :). When is the revised edition of Writing and Selling Your Mystery coming out? My edition is in danger of falling apart.Kaithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07758348842858993203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-30222518977848829852016-11-14T15:13:04.499-05:002016-11-14T15:13:04.499-05:00Hank.
Thank you!!!! I do not know why that throw...Hank.<br /><br />Thank you!!!! I do not know why that throws me off when I see "and" more than once in the same sentence!<br /><br />Hallie,<br /><br />I think I see what you are trying to say. I will have to try that mindset when I read that kind of sentence. It just throws me off when I see "and" more than once in the same sentence. <br /><br />When I see a book with many "and" in the same sentence, I stop reading because it gets harder for me to follow the story. I am sorry!<br /><br />DianaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-72331713870963216942016-11-14T14:52:50.082-05:002016-11-14T14:52:50.082-05:00I'm the grammar geek who has always enjoyed re...I'm the grammar geek who has always enjoyed reading grammar books. Yes, I take great delight in picking up a grammar book and perusing it. That doesn't mean I'm flawless in my writing, and I have given in to some of the laxity of computer generated casualness. However, I do strive to maintain a healthy respect for grammatical rules, and my love for the Oxford comma is unshakeable. Kathy Reelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17004247271452356577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-72574442239866030762016-11-14T13:50:40.716-05:002016-11-14T13:50:40.716-05:00Agreed, Ingrid - Impactful is awful. Actually, imp...Agreed, Ingrid - Impactful is awful. Actually, impact as a verb is pretty ugly, too. I also hate utilize, a perfectly good word by completely unnecessary when we have USE lying about.Hallie Ephronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04759439029582054503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-2116361469623676072016-11-14T13:46:59.879-05:002016-11-14T13:46:59.879-05:00But Libby, if it's red brick the it's red ...But Libby, if it's red brick the it's red brick But if it's a chimney made of red brick then it's a red-brick chimney. According to my editor. And Imhbowo (in my humble but often wrong opinion)<br />Hallie Ephronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04759439029582054503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-37358361594740500362016-11-14T13:09:34.159-05:002016-11-14T13:09:34.159-05:00When did "impactful" become a word? Not...When did "impactful" become a word? Not only do I have to contend with the challenges of the English language, my hubby works at Microsoft, which seems to have a language all its own (was that which correct? How about the parentheses?) I'm waging a constant battle in my house to stick to English, not technical jargon used by thousands of employees the world over. I don't think my chances are good, Hank; I'm losing the battle.Ingrid Thofthttp://www.ingridthoft.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-3723465634861348282016-11-14T13:02:34.686-05:002016-11-14T13:02:34.686-05:00I am by no ways a perfect grammarian; is there eve...I am by no ways a perfect grammarian; is there even such a thing? Doubtful. There are so many gray areas, especially these days. I'm most likely guilty of misusing em dashes, parentheses, and ellipses from time to time. (Notice that Oxford comma in there? ;)) I thought I was using ellipses correctly, but then a friend told me that it irritates her when people don't space them right.. (For some reason, I wasn't leaving a space between the end of the word and the ellipsis, which now that it's pointed out to me, seems obvious. *sigh*)<br /><br />I understand, Hallie, about the effectiveness of all the ands in an action scene, and I've even used them that way myself. It still looks wrong to me, though, and bothers me. A little. <br /><br />It also bothers me when people use lie/lay wrong, but it's understandable when the incorrect use has become almost common usage. I think I hear it used incorrectly much more than correctly. <br /><br />Possessives for plurals are a pet peeve of mine. I can kind of understand that people get confused using apostrophes or can't seem to get it's/its straight; but why, oh why, would you need to ADD an apostrophe when it's a simple plural??? And I see it on signage ALL THE TIME. <br /><br />I also see loose used for lose quite frequently. NO, you didn't loose it, you lost it!<br /><br /><br /><br />MaryChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10410779359733661454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-40219156366493775472016-11-14T13:00:12.158-05:002016-11-14T13:00:12.158-05:00Diana, I think the "and" thing is about ...Diana, I think the "and" thing is about rhythm and subtext. I'll use multiple ands if I'm trying to indicate that whatever I'm describing is...endless, or overwhelming. So if she's stuffing herself, it'd be<br />She ate apples and pears and beans.<br />Otherwise, if it's an ordinary thing, it's She ate apples, pears, and beans. <br />Unless it's franks and beans. In which case, it's she ate apples, and franks and beans. Which you would never write because it's confusing.<br /><br />And now I've confused myself.<br />Lions and tigers and bears, oh my.<br />At the zoo she saw lions, and tigers, and bears.<br /><br />Off to get lunch. An apple, a sandwich, and a diet coke.<br /><br />xoxoHank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420701704169428286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-67809743682670234672016-11-14T12:52:19.784-05:002016-11-14T12:52:19.784-05:00Oh, I love this!
Oxford comma forever!
Elisabeth I...Oh, I love this!<br />Oxford comma forever!<br />Elisabeth I heartily concur with your appreciation of the words these women string together, with or without commas, hyphens, etc.<br />I/Me? Heaven help us! That makes my skin crawl.<br />Hallie--The brick is red. So it's red brick. The dog is brown, not browndog. IMHOP? I like IMHBAO (in my humble, but accurate, opinion)<br /><br />If you can't write cogently, how can you think cogently? Texting and laziness is creating a world of sloppy thinkers, I believe.Libby Doddhttp://www.libbydoddart.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-86487349023682217142016-11-14T12:14:03.591-05:002016-11-14T12:14:03.591-05:00Hi, Jenn! Sometimes it's best to just surrende...Hi, Jenn! Sometimes it's best to just surrender.Jungle Red Writershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16646429819267618412noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-60337926148624668782016-11-14T11:49:35.594-05:002016-11-14T11:49:35.594-05:00Recently my copyeditor has had me boggled with &qu...Recently my copyeditor has had me boggled with "each other" and "one another". I didn't even know this was a thing but it seems whenever I use either I am wrong. Struck and White's Elements of Style is my usual go to resource but I have misplaced my copy. Sigh. Jenn McKinlayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03214926031147370862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-339755230232363912016-11-14T11:36:02.383-05:002016-11-14T11:36:02.383-05:00Diana, that multiple "and" thing can be ...Diana, that multiple "and" thing can be used to good effect in an action scene. Here's from a Lee Child's novel THE ENEMY:<br /><br />I stood up and raced the last ten feet and hauled Marshall around to the passenger side and opened the door and crammed him into the front. Then I climbed right in over him and dumped myself into the driver’s seat. Hit that big red button and fired it up. Shoved it into gear and stamped on the gas so hard the acceleration slammed the door shut. Then I turned the lights full on and put my foot to the floor and charged.Hallie Ephronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04759439029582054503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-29459554084643813192016-11-14T11:34:45.261-05:002016-11-14T11:34:45.261-05:00Colloquialisms... hmmm. I woulnd't use either ...Colloquialisms... hmmm. I woulnd't use either single or double quotes. Sometimes italics. Or just text.Hallie Ephronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04759439029582054503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-48056871281181415602016-11-14T11:07:58.558-05:002016-11-14T11:07:58.558-05:00What a great post, Hallie!
As a young child, I wo...What a great post, Hallie!<br /><br />As a young child, I would write letters to relatives, including those who were born when Queen Victoria was still Queen of England. Yes, they were quite elderly by the time I arrived in the world :-) My letters were always edited for grammar and I would rewrite my letters before we sent them to relatives.<br /><br />As an adult, I automatically edit as I write out of habit. I am shocked that educated people have grammar errors. For example, the other day I was watching a movie on TV. The story was about an author who also plays Santa. When someone sends a letter to Santa, he answers the letter. I was shocked that the character wrote "alot" instead of "a lot". I was taught that you have to write "a lot" instead of "alot". Unless I am mistaken?<br /><br />I have a question for JRW authors. What is the rule about using "and" in a story? I notice sometimes I see "and" three times in the same sentence. For example, it makes sense if I read "She ate an apple and a banana". But if I read "an apple and a banana and an orange", it throws me off. Why not "an apple, a banana and an orange"?<br /><br />DianaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com