I thought I knew how to use semi-colons correctly, but J.K. Rowling uses them in a completely different fashion. Half the time, I don't know why she didn't just use a period instead.
The external examiner for my MSc thesis informed me that I had no idea how to use commas. In a literal sense, he's right - I don't remember ever being taught where to put them. I do remember reading that George Bernard Shaw put them where ever he wanted his actors to take a breath, which I thought was a nicely functional way to do it. I think I put them in where I hear a sentence pause or change in tone in my head. Which means I'm probably wrong alot.
Someone on LJ finally gave me an explanation of when to use the subjunctive tense last year. Three languages - English, French, and Spanish - and I never understood the subjunctive. Guess I'll have to hunt someone down who can explain commas. Think there's a grammar community on LJ? :-)
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branchandroot
no subject
Date: 2005-07-22 02:25 am (UTC)The external examiner for my MSc thesis informed me that I had no idea how to use commas. In a literal sense, he's right - I don't remember ever being taught where to put them. I do remember reading that George Bernard Shaw put them where ever he wanted his actors to take a breath, which I thought was a nicely functional way to do it. I think I put them in where I hear a sentence pause or change in tone in my head. Which means I'm probably wrong alot.
Someone on LJ finally gave me an explanation of when to use the subjunctive tense last year. Three languages - English, French, and Spanish - and I never understood the subjunctive. Guess I'll have to hunt someone down who can explain commas. Think there's a grammar community on LJ? :-)