Sometimes, people wonder whether colons and semi-colons are really necessary. Well, take this headline from today's paper, about the difficulties the broadcaster Clare Balding experienced when she told her grandmother she was gay:
Balding: grandma said being gay was disgusting.
Now remove the colon.
See what I mean?
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This , non-balding , grandma now chortling .
ReplyDeleteYes - its an amusing thought, isn't it?
DeleteExcellent example, Frances! 8-)
ReplyDeleteI hesitated before opening this post, as the title made me wonder if you'd veered off in an unsuspected direction. (Which I'm sure was your intention.)
ReplyDeleteGood point, Tim. I shall aim for less amabiguity next time...
DeleteI rather like the semi-colon, I see it as a slight intake of breath. I don't understand its bad reputation.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE colons and sem-colons, CM, especially the semis. I've read books recently that are just crying out for them. I find it impossible to write withough using them.
DeleteVery good example! I remember similar stories my husband told me about when he talked about the importance of correct punctuation with his students.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Meike.
DeleteExcellent example!
ReplyDeleteI just loved that headline, Rosemary. It made my day!
DeleteLOL
ReplyDeleteWatch out for balding grandmas! I worry about the loss of inverted commas. I've noticed that some authors have lost them. I suppose it's better than losing hair.
You're right, Fanny. I don't know why authors do this. It's very distracting, (apart from anything else) and confusing, as well. I guess it's a kind of gimmick.
DeleteThe trouble is, students are no longer being taught the proper use of punctuation. Those of us who understand punctuation were not born knowing it. We had to be taught, and such usage is no longer being emphasized in schools.
ReplyDeleteK
You're right, Kay, But isn't it sad?
DeleteLet's eat Grandma. Let's eat, Grandma. Punctuation can save lives. I love colons and semi-colons. I use the Cambridge comma, though, so perhaps, to some, I'm not a purist.
ReplyDeleteI think the Cambridge comma is optional. I used one yesteray, but don't always, But it doesn't quite alter meaning the way other punctuation marks do (although I'm sure you can think of an example, GB!)/
DeleteGood example. Colons and semi-colons are very, very important. I also like dashes and commas and all that stuff.
ReplyDeleteWe need "all that stuff", Yvonne!
DeleteI agree they are needed. I suspect all those who think they aren't are people who have no idea what to do with them.
ReplyDeleteQuite true, Patsy.
DeleteI'm intrigued. What is the Cambridge comma?
ReplyDeleteI think what we were both referring to is more commonly known as the Oxford comma, and it comes after the final 'and' in a list. Eg I packed socks, books, and potatoes.
DeleteNot sure the Cambridge comma itself exists, but no doubt GB will put me right!
It is, of course, the Oxford comma. I would like to think that I was being smart or bluffing or something but in fact I simply had a brain fart and named the wrong university. Silly me.
DeleteI should add that I wouldn't use it in the normal course of events for a list of single words but there are circumstances where I would use it (for example where there are lists of items also joined by 'and'). I once did a draft post on it but I don't think I ever finished it. I shall try and look it out sometime.
DeleteOh, GB - how would I manage without you?
DeleteThat's very interesting GB. I always thought that you shouldn't put a comma before 'and', but I can see how after a list it would work.
ReplyDeleteYou didn't mention it, but I love the exclamation!
ReplyDeleteWhat exclamation, Jill? Are you talking to me??
DeleteThis has been a fun post.
Delete