The importance of punctuation 1

[acl03]

I think it's funny to show how punctuation really can make a difference in the way we come across. Take this example. The words are the same in each, but the punctuation is different. This is something my dad told us as kids. He always corrected our grammar, but never in a condescending way, and I am glad he did.

Private. No swimming allowed.

Private? No. Swimming allowed!

Thanks,
Andrew

 

[ChrisHunt]

This one's good too:

Pardon impossible, to be sent to Siberia

Pardon, impossible to be sent to Siberia

It's supposedly a true story, but I wouldn't put too much weight on it. It's a dramatic illustration of the power of punctuation though!


-- Chris Hunt
Webmaster & Tragedian
Extra Connections Ltd

 

[SkipVought]

History version 1:
Captain James Lawrence's dying words, in the battle between the USS Chesapeake and t the HMS Shannon,
"Don't give up the ship!"

History version 2:
Captain James Lawrence's dying words to the first mate,
"When is the ship not a ship?"
"Know it?"
"Don't?"
"Give up?"
"The ship..."
and he expired!

The answer he never uttered, "The ship is not a ship when it's afloat."

Skip,
[sub]
Just traded in my old subtlety...
for a NUANCE![/sub]

 

[SamBones]

Reminds me of Benny Hill...

"What's this thing called Love?"

"What's THIS thing called, Love?"

 

[vanka25]

There is a very good example of this in Russia which is what I believe ChrisHunt was referring to:

Kaznit, nelza pomilovat.
Kaznit nelza, pomilovat.

Condemn(Execute), cannot pardon.
Condemn(Execute) cannot, pardon.

You'll have to excuse the translation, I tried to translate it word for word to show that moving just one comma changes the meaning completely. The second sentence is not awkward in Russian.

The story goes that a clerk was taking dictation and placed the comma in the wrong place - thereby robbing a man of his life.

 

[Turkbear]

Hi,

One Way:

Woman without her man is nothing.

Or:

Woman;without her, man is nothing.






To Paraphrase:"The Help you get is proportional to the Help you give.."

 

[acl03]

I like that one Turk, very clever!



Thanks,
Andrew

 

[assarvahid]

Here is another example that caused fighting in our office:
Yes, you are right for the first time. it was tested during March exhibition.
The person writting the mail meant to great his colleuge telling him that he was right and the test was carried out for the first time during March.
his colleuged read it as if he was told that he was right for the first time in his life!!!!!

 

[genomon]

"Let's eat people!"
or
"Let's eat, people!"

hmmmmm

"Don't be irreplaceable. If you can't be replaced, you can't be promoted."

 

[Remou]

In came Caesar on his head
A helmet on each foot
A sandal in his hand
His trusty sword to boot