Monday, September 9, 2019

Introducing Miss Pembroke



Good morning, Lords, Ladies, and Gentlemen.

Welcome to Miss Pembroke’s Fine Finishing School for Writers and Others of Extraordinary Intelligence. Come right in. Once everyone has found their seats, we’ll get started.

*hand waving in the air*

Yes, Miss-

The name’s Flora, Miss Pembroke.

Yes, Flora. What did you wish to say?

What’er you gonna learn us about?

You mean, “What will we learn in this class?”

That’s what I said, ain’t it? 

Not quite. But you have asked a good question. In this class we will be learning about that finest of all the Arts: Grammar.

*hand waving in the air*

Yes, Flora?

I already know my grammar. And my gramper, too.

Class, stop laughing. We don’t want to encourage such low humor.

*clears throat*

Now, what do we know about commas? Yes, Flora?

I know all about commas, you know, like, first of all, what commas are, and how to use them, you know, correctly. 

I have a feeling you need to brush up on your comma usage.

Hunh? Whadyasay???

Look at the sentence you just said. How many commas are in it?

I know all about commas, (one) you know, (two) like, (three) first of all, (four) what commas are, (five) and how to use them, (six) you know, (seven) correctly.

There were only seven.


Tell us how you decided to use seven commas in that one sentence?

I just stick ‘em in when they sound good. Ain’t nothin’ wrong with that.

I suppose when you are speaking you can use them as often as you wish. But when you are writing you need to keep your reader’s comfort in mind.

Horny toads. Why would I want to do that?

Because readers are our friends.

Humph.

Because we want readers to read our books.

Them readers again. Tykes yer hats off to ‘em. Next thing you’ll be tellin’ me is that without them there’d be no books.

That is correct.

Humph. Okay, okay. I know you’re stewin’ somethin’ fierce. Go ahead and spill the beans. Tell us what YOU know about commas. *aside to the class* Like she knows anything!

All right. Listen carefully, everyone. The comma indicates the smallest break in a sentence. There are many ways to use commas correctly, depending on the context. In formal prose, logical considerations are paramount. In fiction, the ease of reading is the biggest consideration.

Hoity-toity. What’s it means?

If we use too many commas, the sentence becomes clogged and reading becomes difficult. Too many commas slow the reader down.

You’re talkin’ nonsense now. Slow down the reader? How’s anyone suppose ta figure out what’s the right way and what’s the wrong way?

It does help to have a style or grammar manual. Writers should ask their publisher if they have a style manual for their publishing house. Otherwise, they should choose one school of thought and stick with it. I use the Chicago Manual of Style (16th edition) but I do make changes according to how my publisher prefers it. Those kinds of details are often taken care of during the editing stage, before your book goes to print.

Another way is to learn is to practice, like in our little classroom here at Seekerville.

Cain’t do it.

Why is that, Flora?

All them… *glares at the class*…they’s smarter n me. Tykes a bunch o’ courage to spout off in front o’ the likes o’ them.

Now, now. We are all friends here. No one will think less of you if you happen to get an answer wrong. After all, that is how we learn!

Speaking of learning, where did you learn your accent, Flora?

Accent? I ain’t got no accent.

*smiling* It seems you waver between West Texas and London’s East Side.

*nose in the air* I have no idea what yer talkin’ about.

All right, everyone. Let’s get started. First of all, let’s see if we can rewrite Flora’s sentence without so many commas, shall we?

Here’s the original sentence:

"I know all about commas, you know, like, first of all, what commas are, and how to use them, you know, correctly."

Whew! Not only did she use an excess of commas, she also used an excess of words.

Here is a corrected form after I have cleaned it up a bit:

I know all about commas, what they are, and how to use them correctly.

*waving hand in the air* 

*sigh* Yes, Flora. What is it now?

Did you use one of them fancy Oxford commas in that sentence, or just the regular loafing kind?

Loafing?

You know, like shoes. If they ain’t oxfords, then they’re loafers. 

*face palm* I used the Oxford comma in that sentence, as the Chicago Manual of Style and one of my publishers prefers. We may cover Oxford commas verses the non-Oxford comma in a future lesson.

*clears throat again*

Let’s do an exercise. Class, I’m going to write a few incorrect sample sentences below. Comment by placing the commas correctly in one or more of the sentences. You can copy and paste the sentence or sentences you choose into the comment section of the blog and then place your commas in the proper places.

The names of all the participants will be entered in a drawing to win a prize!

Oh, and a word of warning: there is a tricky sentence included!

So, let’s get started. Here are your sample sentences:



1. Hiking and sightseeing are two favorite activities in Rapid City South Dakota for the many tourists who visit the area each year.



2. I prefer to share the road with drivers who pay attention to traffic rather than their phone.



3. I don’t think I’ll ever forget my trip to Germany which happened in 1979 because the weather was so beautiful.



4. That dog is a cute funny playful furry corgi.



5. “I feel faint” she said.

He replied “I can understand why.”



6. The compass stand or binnacle must be situated within the helmsman’s field of vision.



Did you have fun playing? The answers will be posted at the end of this blog on Tuesday afternoon, September 10th, 2019. Until then I or one of the wonderful Seekers will be able to give feedback to your comments throughout the day!

Have fun!

(KEEP SCROLLING FOR THE ANSWER KEY!)

Oh! And the prize? One participant in the exercise will receive a $10.00 Amazon Gift Card! Of course, Miss Pembroke recommends that you put that amount toward a grammar style book of your own!

Miss Pembroke would also like to thank her friend and alter-ego, Jan Drexler, for donating the prize. Be sure to check out Jan's new books that are coming out this fall!

An Amish Christmas Kitchen is available now...

Order from Amazon!
As the weather grows cold and the nights grow long, the cheer and warmth of the Christmas season is one thing all readers can find comfort in. This collection from bestselling Amish fiction novelists Leslie Gould, Jan Drexler, and Kate Lloyd finds the beating heart at the center of the holiday and offers three novellas that celebrate family, faith, and especially the sights and smells of a bustling holiday kitchen.

Leslie Gould tells the story of how, in the wake of a heartbreaking loss, a young Amish woman finds unexpected comfort and hope in a yearly baking tradition surrounding the local Lancaster Christmas market. Jan Drexler offers a sweet tale of a shy Amish woman who decides to use her gift for sweets to woo a local Amish boy with her beloved Christmas cookies. And Kate Lloyd offers a heartwarming tale of a woman's unexpected discovery about the truth of her past, and the warm and welcoming Amish family table she finds herself invited to on Christmas.


The Roll of the Drums will be released on October 3, 2019!

Pre-order from Amazon here!
Ruby Weaver's curly red hair isn't the only thing that sets her apart from her Amish community in 1863. Twenty-eight and single, Ruby doesn't believe a woman needs to be married in order to be happy. Her ailing friend Lovinia Fischer, however, has other ideas and wants Ruby to promise to marry her husband after she dies. Never imagining she'd have to fulfill that vow, Ruby agrees. And she's not the only one. Lovinia has extracted a similar promise from her husband, Gideon.

With both Ruby and Gideon reluctant to keep their promises, a compromise must be reached. Ruby will spend her days with Gideon's family--helping to raise the children and keep the house--but her nights will be spent at her sister's neighboring house. But this arrangement raises eyebrows in their conservative Amish community, and it soon becomes clear that Ruby must make a decision--marry Gideon or turn her back on her friend, the children she's grown to love . . . and their father.


ANSWER KEY!



1. Hiking and sightseeing are two favorite activities in Rapid City, South Dakota, for the many tourists who visit the area each year. (Whenever a comma is used to set off an element, a second comma is required if the phrase of sentence continues beyond the element being set off.)

2. I prefer to share the road with drivers who pay attention to traffic rather than their phone. (This is a restrictive relative clause, which is usually introduced by that, rather than, who/whom/whose, and does not require a comma. A quick way to tell if it’s a restrictive relative clause is if the sentence is nonsense without it, i.e., it’s necessary to the meaning of the sentence.)


3. I don’t think I’ll ever forget my trip to Germany, which happened in 1979, because the weather was so beautiful. (This is a nonrestrictive clause, which is often introduced by the word which or who/whom/whose. A quick way to tell if it is a nonrestrictive clause is if the sentence is complete without it.)


4. That dog is a cute, funny, playful, furry corgi. (Commas with coordinating adjectives preceding a noun. If there are two or more adjectives and the meaning of the sentence will not be changed if you substitute the word and for the commas, you use a comma to separate the adjectives.)

5. “I feel faint,” she said.

He replied, “I can understand why.” (A quote in dialogue requires a comma before or after the attribution.)


6. The compass stand, or binnacle, must be situated within the helmsman’s field of vision. (When or is used to mean “in other words” or “that is,” the phrase it introduces is set off by commas.)

75 comments:

  1. Oh, gadzooks, I love it when people make grammar FUN!!!!!

    Miss Pembroke, welcome to Seekerville! It is absolutely charming and lovely to have you here, and I brought coffee and fresh apple fritters from the Ridge Donut Cafe to share with everyone!

    And I can't wait to see what folks say because commas are their own conundrum at times!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ruthy, what is the Ridge Donut Cafe? Is it a place in Upstate, or from your books? I love apple fritters, especially when they're warm and the apple filling kind of oozes out.
      And I love the phrase "commas are their own conundrum."
      KB

      Delete
    2. Good morning, Ruth dear.

      Thank you for the warm welcome. I will take some Earl Grey tea, if you have any. And please pass one of those apple fritters. I say! You need a knife and fork to eat them properly, don't you?

      Delete
    3. I LOVE apple fritters, but I swear they must have 50 grams of fat!

      Delete
    4. Kaybee, it's an old-fashioned donut shop in Rochester that we re-discovered last year and has the best apple fritters.... we love them!

      And I sure do stand by that phrasing because I find comma acceptance and/or outright rejection to vary from publisher to publisher and now I kind of let them adjust at will... unless they grievously offend me with a BAD COMMA PLACEMENT.... which has never happened because they sign the checks, darling. :)

      Miss Pembroke! I have some Earl Grey and I'm happy to oblige. And I suppose some uppity folk use a knife and a fork, but we normals of The Race that Knows Joseph kind of just tear them apart with our hands and then lick our fingers...

      But I've got a plastic knife and fork right here!

      Delete
    5. Plastic?

      No thank you, dear. I have brought my own sterling silver.

      Delete
    6. OH my my, I just love fresh apple fritters and a spot of tea sounds downright delightful! Good Day Miss Pearl and welcome to Seekerville! Ruth Dear, do you have any Vanilla Chai? with just a spot of sugar & cream! Miss Pearl, you must forgive Ruth, somedays I think the farm & fresh air has made her forget she is a refined lady of Hilton...smile Plastic Ruth really? sigh

      Delete
  2. Good morning, I'm back, I even missed myself! Minor computer issues kept me from posting last week. I brought apple cider doughnuts, which are HUGE in New England in the fall. Almost as huge as pumpkin spice.
    Jan, this is good, we haven't had a grammar person since Myra left.
    Here's mine, for what it's worth.
    1. Hiking and sightseeing are two favorite activities in Rapid City, South Dakota, for the many tourists who visit the area each year.



    2. I prefer to share the road with drivers who pay attention to traffic, rather than their phone.



    3. I don’t think I’ll ever forget my trip to Germany, which happened in 1979, because the weather was so beautiful.



    4. That dog is a cute, funny, playful, furry corgi.



    5. “I feel faint,” she said.

    He replied “I can understand why.”



    6. The compass stand or binnacle must be situated within the helmsman’s field of vision.
    Commas are like salt, too much can kill you, so I've learned to go lighter over the years.

    Other than that, I'm fine-tuning things for my release Sept. 20 my novella release Dec. 1, and ACFW. A lot going on, easy to panic but not if I stay organized. My one tip to newer writers would be, build in the habits now, before you get that first set of galleys.
    Did galleys for my novella over the weekend, but not hard with only 10 chapters.
    My first three contracted/published books are Westerns, and the next two will probably be Western too, so I've been steeping myself in that ambience. My husband and I rented Stephen Ives' "The West" and are watching it. I'm also indulging myself in TV Westerns on the nostalgia channels and am starting to talk like one of them, saying stuff like "much obliged." Also I was talking with someone this weekend about a mutual friend and I said, "Dave and I are right fond of her." Where is this coming from, I may show up at ACFW wearing a gun belt and chaps...
    Your Kaybee
    Obsessed with the West

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good morning, Kaybee!

      Computer issues are the pits, aren't they? We're traveling this week and when I turned on my little traveling tablet/computer last night, it showed me the "blue screen of death!" I need my little tablet! I have a deadline coming up that doesn't care about moving, family weddings, or wonky computers! Thankfully, this morning it seems to have straightened itself out.

      And I love westerns, too! Although where I live, it doesn't look so strange to wear cowboy boots and talk with a bit of a drawl. :-)

      Delete
    2. Good morning, Kaybee, and thank you for attempting all six sentences. I can tell that you are a busy, productive, and organized writer!

      Your comment, "Commas are like salt, too much can kill you, so I've learned to go lighter over the years," is very appropriate. Too many commas create more confusion than clarity!

      However, in three of your sentences you use commas in a way that is not consistent with the Chicago Manual of Style. Notice that I did not say they were wrong answers, just not consistent with my favorite style manual.

      One of the reasons why comma usage is such a "conundrum," as you and our dear friend Ruth pointed out, is because the rules regarding them are fluid.

      But in one sentence there is a situation where all style manuals agree. Look again at example number 5. You missed putting a comma in the second phrase, "He replied, 'I can understand why.'" Commas must always be used to separate the attribution from the quote in a sentence of this type.

      You made a wonderful effort, however, and you receive full points and are entered in the drawing!

      Delete
    3. Kathy, we're so glad to see you back! So sorry about the computer issue you had!

      Delete
    4. Oh, computer issues wreak havoc with us, don't they????

      And Miss Pembroke, what a lovely way you have of setting the commenter at ease.

      Well done.

      Delete
  3. How fun!!!! Welcome, Miss Pembroke!

    1. Hiking and sightseeing are two favorite activities in Rapid City, South Dakota, for the many tourists who visit the area each year.

    2. I prefer to share the road with drivers who pay attention to traffic, rather than their phone. (This is a tricky one for me. Part of me wants to add the comma, another part doesn't think it's necessary).

    3. I don’t think I’ll ever forget my trip to Germany, which happened in 1979, because the weather was so beautiful.

    4. That dog is a cute, funny, playful, furry corgi.

    5. “I feel faint,” she said.
    He replied, “I can understand why.”

    6. The compass stand, or binnacle, must be situated within the helmsman’s field of vision.

    Okay, I'm putting my editing career to the test & *hopefully* didn't make too much of a fool of myself! ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You made a wonderful effort, Beth!

      The only comment I will make is that you should have gone with your instincts on example number two.

      Congratulations!

      Delete
    2. LOL, Beth! When I saw you participated, I at first thought it risky. haha But then I remembered what a great editor you are! :)

      Delete
    3. Thanks, ladies! I did add the comma in #2, but wasn't 100% sure it was necessary. :)

      As an editor, I figure if I add too many commas (or other punctuation), the author can always decide to delete if they disagree with me. :)

      Delete
  4. This will be fun. My critique partners and I always differ on comma placement. My publisher doesn't use the oxford comma and hers does, so it's always a debate, lol!
    1. Hiking and sightseeing are two favorite activities in Rapid City, South Dakota for the many tourists who visit the area each year.

    2. I prefer to share the road with drivers who pay attention to traffic rather than their phone.

    3. I don’t think I’ll ever forget my trip to Germany, which happened in 1979, because the weather was so beautiful.

    4. That dog is a cute, funny, playful, furry corgi.

    5. “I feel faint,” she said.

    He replied, “I can understand why.”

    6. The compass stand, or binnacle, must be situated within the helmsman’s field of vision.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LeAnne, thanks for joining in! Yours looks pretty similar to my stab at the commas. The only thing I would change on yours would be to add the comma after South Dakota. I wonder what Miss Pembroke will say?! :)

      I'm grinning thinking of you and your critique partners debating about this. hahaha

      Delete
    2. Well done, LeAnne!

      Our friend Missy has gently pointed out the only error you made in your submission.

      Your comment about the different publishers having different standards points out exactly why comma placement is so difficult. My main rule is to be consistent in our own writing and let the publishers have the final say.

      Delete
    3. And I KNEW that one was supposed to be there, lol! I just got in a hurry...the story of my life. :)

      Delete
  5. Okay, I'm filling these out without looking anything up in a style manual, so I imagine I'll miss several. Unlike Flora, I tend to be skimpy on commas!

    1. Hiking and sightseeing are two favorite activities in Rapid City, South Dakota, for the many tourists who visit the area each year.



    2. I prefer to share the road with drivers who pay attention to traffic rather than their phone.



    3. I don’t think I’ll ever forget my trip to Germany, which happened in 1979, because the weather was so beautiful.



    4. That dog is a cute, funny, playful, furry corgi.



    5. “I feel faint,” she said.

    He replied, “I can understand why.”



    6. The compass stand, or binnacle, must be situated within the helmsman’s field of vision.


    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well done, Missy. You may join the others at the head of the class.

      Unlike Flora, you have set a fine example of the judicious use of commas.

      Delete
  6. Jan, I did not become comatose reading about commas!
    Kathy

    ReplyDelete
  7. How fun to meet Ms Pembroke! ;) I tend to be an over-user of commas. Grammarly calls me on my comma usage all the time. :) So, here's my attempts at proper comma usage:

    1. Hiking and sightseeing are two favorite activities in Rapid City, South Dakota, for the many tourists who visit the area each year.

    2. I prefer to share the road with drivers who pay attention to traffic rather than their phone.

    3. I don’t think I’ll ever forget my trip to Germany, which happened in 1979, because the weather was so beautiful.

    4. That dog is a cute, funny, playful, furry corgi.





    5. “I feel faint,” she said.

    He replied, “I can understand why.”

    6. The compass stand, or binnacle, must be situated within the helmsman’s field of vision.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well done, Jeanne! Take a seat next to Missy and the others at the head of the class!

      Delete
  8. Next, I guess I'd better work on my spacing! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  9. 3. I don’t think I’ll ever forget my trip to Germany, which happened in 1979, because the weather was so beautiful.

    4. That dog is a cute, funny, playful, furry corgi.

    This was a great post. Thanks to Miss Pembroke!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well done, Paula! Take your place at the head of the class!

      Delete
    2. Thank you for joining in, Paula! I'm glad you enjoyed meeting Miss Pembroke.

      Delete
  10. Miss Pembroke, I have a question. The Corgi sentence... I know some publishers now are allowing two descriptors/adjectives before a noun. So in that case, would it be "The dog is a cute, funny, playful furry Corgi."?????

    Or would you need that third comma? Or is that if there are simply two adjectives, like "The playful Corgi rand to grab the long gray stick."

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That is an excellent question, Ruth.

      Your second example, "The playful Corgi ran to grab the long gray stick," shows acceptable usage.

      In my example, there is a list of four adjectives before the noun. I admit that it is an excessive amount of adjectives, and better writers would limit themselves to two, perhaps three, adjectives. In the case of three or more adjectives (and I would still say two or more) there should be a comma between every adjective.

      However, if your publisher allows, or even prefers, two adjectives before a noun without a comma separating them, that is perfectly fine. At least, as long as you are writing for that particular publisher. Other publishers will not allow it, which reinforces the necessity to know your publisher's grammar and punctuation preferences.

      Delete
    2. I wondered if there was a rule about number of adjectives... and lovely Miss Pembroke, I extend my DEEPEST APOLOGIES if you took even the slightest level of offense because you used a gazillion descriptors.

      You know I loved it.

      I would hug it if I could.

      For of course, the reason you have a television show and international acclaim is because you are so stinkin' smart.

      I have more tea.

      Would you like some?

      Delete
    3. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    4. You flatter me too much, Ruth dear.

      The only reason why my television program is so popular is because so many people are hungry for the truth about correct grammar.

      Delete
    5. Ruthy, you just made me laugh out loud. Way to try to get in Miss Pembroke's good graces after challenging her!

      Delete
    6. Stinking Smart! Ruth!!! Miss Pearl, I told you that fresh farm air is getting to her! It is evident that Miss Pembroke is highly intelligent and possess the mannerisms of a well refined lady... Must you tempt her so? Now try to behave Ruth!

      Delete
  11. Jan, er, Miss Pembroke, I don't think grammar has ever been so much fun. I forgot I was reading a blog post and thought I was reading a scene in a book.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh my stars, wouldn't that be so much fun to write?????

      Delete
    2. My dear Mindy, I think you have just discovered the concept that reality can be much more entertaining that fiction

      Delete
  12. 3. I don’t think I’ll ever forget my trip to Germany, which happened in 1979, because the weather was so beautiful.

    But if one went that year because it was the first without an excess of miserable, rainy days in the forecast, might it be said, "I don’t think I’ll ever forget my trip to Germany, which happened in 1979 because the weather was so beautiful"?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I will have to defer to Jan on the veracity of that statement, but it was correctly punctuated, Rachael! Join the others at the head of the class!

      Delete
    2. Hi Rachael!

      That's an interesting look at the absence or presence of the commas! Actually, the first statement is correct, since I had no idea what the weather was going to be like when I planned my trip and purchased my plane ticket. :-)

      However, despite some rainy and cold days, overall the weather was warm, sunny, and fabulous!

      Delete
  13. Good morning, Miss Pembroke. This is a lovely, and needed, lesson on commas. I do have a question. When writing an informal email greeting, is a comma necessary BEFORE the name? Hi Pearl or Hi, Pearl? Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good afternoon, Sherida.

      As you can see, I used a comma before your name in my greeting, but it is not necessary in an informal setting.

      Thank you for your question!

      Delete
    2. Sherida, I'll take a stab at that. I think it's always appropriate in that case to use the comma. At least that's what I do!

      Delete
    3. Well, there you go. I had that one wrong! :)

      Delete
  14. Ooh! I always like playing these kinds of games, whether I get the answers correct or not. (I just blush if I don't...) So I will try them all (go big or go home, right?), without looking at anyone else's answers.

    1. Hiking and sightseeing are two favorite activities in Rapid City South Dakota for the many tourists who visit the area each year.

    Hiking and sightseeing are two favorite activities in Rapid City, South Dakota, for the many tourists who visit the area each year.



    2. I prefer to share the road with drivers who pay attention to traffic rather than their phone.

    I do believe this is the "tricky sentence"! I wouldn't change a thing about it.

    3. I don’t think I’ll ever forget my trip to Germany which happened in 1979 because the weather was so beautiful.

    I don't think I'll ever forget my trip to Germany, which happened in 1979, because the weather was so beautiful.

    4. That dog is a cute funny playful furry corgi.

    That dog is a cute, funny, playful, furry Corgi.

    5. “I feel faint” she said.

    He replied “I can understand why.”

    "I feel faint," she said.

    He replied, "I can understand why."

    6. The compass stand or binnacle must be situated within the helmsman’s field of vision.

    The compass stand, or binnacle, must be situated within the helmsman's field of vision.


    Hopefully I didn't mess up too badly! ;-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That was a stellar effort, Melanie. Well done!

      You may take your place with the rather large crowd at the head of the class.

      Delete
  15. I love this post! I'm such a grammar nerd.

    1. Hiking and sightseeing are two favorite activities in Rapid City, South Dakota for the many tourists who visit the area each year.

    2. I prefer to share the road with drivers who pay attention to traffic, rather than their phone.

    3. I don’t think I’ll ever forget my trip to Germany which happened in 1979, because the weather was so beautiful.

    4. That dog is a cute, funny, playful furry corgi.

    5. “I feel faint,” she said.
    He replied, “I can understand why.”

    6. The compass stand, or binnacle, must be situated within the helmsman’s field of vision.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Heidi, we love grammar nerds around here!

      Delete
    2. Welcome to the class, Heidi. Fellow grammar enthusiasts are always welcome!

      There are a few errors in your comma usage. Since you are a self-proclaimed "grammar nerd," I am sure you will want to correct the answers yourself. Please come back tomorrow afternoon when the answer key will be available on the blog, then use you your sleuthing skills to find the correct comma usage in this exercise.

      Delete
    3. Hello Heidi!

      I apologize for Miss Pembroke's somewhat stilted language. *sigh* She can be a little hard to manage at times. In case you didn't catch it, the answer key will be on the blog tomorrow. Check it out and see how close you came!

      Delete
  16. At first when I started reading this blog I thought I'd entered an alternate Regency timeline and I went into a swoon of delight but then I read that dreaded word grammar and went into a free fall concussion inducing nosedive. Please note the absence of any commas since my horror of all things grammarly has left me frozen in fear. Ach!

    But, since we're talking commas --- I have a question. Miss Pembroke could you please tell me when to use a comma when pairing a name with a title or profession? Like (ach never start a sentence with like but now that I have do I follow it with a comma or just blunder on?) ahem -- I'm always left wondering about proper comma use when I read the back blurbs of books. Sometimes it will be -- college professor, Mary Smith, and sometimes it will be college professor Mary Smith. Which is right? sign me Confused.

    PS -- I like the corgi sentence but I'm still not gonna comma it.
    PPS -- I acknowledge that the deliberate lack of commas in this comment is an act of cowardice.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kav, you crack me up!!

      You know, I can try to help on your question because the Grammar Queen really helped me on this. I even have a note stored in my phone from where I texted Myra once to ask for her help, and I reference this all the time!

      "A restrictive descriptor is essential to the meaning of the sentence, whereas a nonrestrictive descriptor, if removed from the sentence, would not affect the meaning. Nonrestrictive descriptors are set off by commas; restrictive descriptors are not."

      So I would think that in a bio, the college professor part is essential. In that case, no commas would be needed. But we'll see what Miss Pembroke says! :)

      Delete
    2. Kav, I would never have thought you were a coward from what Jan has told me about you. Except, perhaps, when cats are involved.

      In the case of "College professor, Mary Smith..." vs. "College professor Mary Smith," you have brought up an interesting situation.

      Officially, according to the Chicago Manual of Style, a word or phrase that identifies a noun should be set apart with commas. For example, "The university's newest college professor, Mary Smith, has come to us from Cambridge University in England." In this case, there are many college professors at this university and Mary Smith is being identified as one of them.

      On the other hand, in the following sentence only one college professor is being discussed. The identifier "college professor" gives the reader more information about her. "College professor Mary Smith has published several articles on the psychic abilities of cats."

      So it really is a matter of context, and both are correct.

      Delete
  17. Welcome, Miss Pimbroke.

    It's lovely to have you guest blog with us today. I have a question. Often I see city and states used in a sentence without a comma following the state. Is that correct now? I always added a comma after the state. I would appreciate your expertise on this matter.

    An example: She will drive home to Atlanta, Georgia on May 5th.

    Is that now the approved form of punctuation?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Debby, I've been seeing this more often lately too and just assumed people had forgotten to add it. I'm interested to hear whether that's correct in another style guide.

      Delete
    2. Ah, Debby! You have broached one of my favorite quirks of the English language! It is a living language and constantly changing!

      However, this is not one of those situations where the language should change. In my opinion, those who neglect to use both commas in the name of a city and state should be taken to task. In my opinion, dropping the second comma is an example of carelessness of the highest degree.

      It may be used more commonly than in the past, and some publishers may even accept this type of lazy punctuation, but that doesn't make it correct.

      That is only my opinion. If your publisher has decided to leave off the last comma, then that is the way you should write it. Only after you have argued for correct punctuation, of course.

      Delete
    3. Hi Debby and Missy!

      I'm sorry Miss Pembroke became so flustered in her answer. I sent her off to relax with a cup of mint tea.

      I know that in the 16th edition of the Chicago Manual of Style, they recommend using two commas (as in "She will drive home to Atlanta, Georgia, on May 5th.")

      Since it is becoming more prevalent as you say, some style manuals give the single comma option as an accepted alternative. I would have to do some research on that.

      Delete
    4. I would think that the Lavender Tea with Chamomile would have been more soothing, unless of course this whole lesson has made her feel downright sick? In which case the Mint Tea will do the trick. So glad to see you here tonight Jan! It is always nice to be in good company!

      Delete
  18. 1. Hiking and sightseeing are two favorite activities in Rapid City, South Dakota, for the many tourists who visit the area each year.



    2. I prefer to share the road with drivers who pay attention to traffic rather than their phone. (None needed.)



    3. I don’t think I’ll ever forget my trip to Germany, which happened in 1979, because the weather was so beautiful.



    4. That dog is a cute, funny, playful, furry corgi.



    5. “I feel faint,” she said.

    He replied, “I can understand why.”



    6. The compass stand, or binnacle, must be situated within the helmsman’s field of vision.

    Fun post, Jan. I have put in my commas above.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hi Penny:

    I edit advertising copy to make it easy to read. I also want each sentence to have only the meaning that I intended. For example: I would not want to see an advertising sentence like the below:

    "Hurry in! These chairs wont last long at these low prices."


    Besides, I don't like ending a sentence with a preposition because that is the kind of pedantic nonsense up of which I will not put. :)


    1. Hiking and sightseeing are two favorite activities in Rapid City, South Dakota, for the many tourists who visit the area each year.

    2. I prefer to share the road with drivers who pay attention to traffic rather than their phone.

    3. I don’t think I’ll ever forget my trip to Germany -- which happened in 1979 -- because the weather was so beautiful.

    4. That dog is a cute, funny, playful, and furry Pembroke Welsh Corgi.

    5. “I feel faint,” she said.

    He replied, “I can understand why.”

    6. The compass stand or binnacle must be situated within the helmsman’s field of vision.

    BTW: Don't the Brits refer to the East side of London as the East End? Also, I like to use the dashes, really two hyphens used as a dash, when the parenthetical comment is intended to be more emphatic than the main sentence. Just a different view of comma use (or should that be 'usage'?)


    Vince



    P.P.S.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Vince, I love how you danced all around that sentence not to end it with a preposition! haha

      Delete
  20. I’m late reading this, as I was canning applesauce and made chili and homemade bread for supper. I enjoy reading this. Thank you for sharing Miss Pembroke.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oooh, Lucy, I wish I could have eaten at your house last night! :)

      Delete
  21. I was at Back to School (Meet the Teachers) Night, so I didn't get to play yesterday, but I am looking forward to catching up today. Pleasure to meet you, Miss Pembroke.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cate, I hope you have lots of great kids and parents this year!

      Delete
  22. What a fun post, Jan! I went through the sentences in my mind before I saw the answer key. I'm happy to say I got them all right.

    I've noticed a lot of the rules of grammar and writing have apparently changed from when I was in school. Many authors today write in incomplete sentences, and sometimes it drives me crazy. It sounds so disjointed and choppy to me. If it's just an occasional sentence, I usually don't notice it, but when most of the book is written that way it takes me out of the story.

    ReplyDelete

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