posted
Use the first sentence with no comma. That last example is too confusing. Love....Jill
Posts: 8834 | From: Butler, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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-------------------- a.k.a. Brian Born www.CheckersCustom.com Harrisburg, Pa Work Smart, Play Hard Posts: 3775 | From: Harrisburg, Pa. U.S.A. | Registered: Nov 1998
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-------------------- Jane Diaz Diaz Sign Art 628 W. Lincoln Ave. Pontiac, Il. 61764 815-844-7024 www.diazsignart.com Posts: 4102 | From: Pontiac, IL USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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posted
It's not a matter of punctuation; it's a matter of grammar. The proper sentence structure should be: "We consider the opportunity to vent as a First Amendment right." The inclusion of the word "as" corrects it and you don't need the comma.
-------------------- Ricky Jackson Signs Now 614 Russell Parkway Warner Robins, GA (478) 923-7722 signpimp50@hotmail.com
"If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." Sir Issac Newton Posts: 3528 | From: Warner Robins, GA | Registered: Oct 2004
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posted
Since he left, I'm going to make a quick comment on my own. Though it's true that I'm only 17 (16, really, he's trying to make himself seem less inferior), I'm not the 'standard' teenager. I have an above-average level of intelligence (if I may say so myself!), and when all of the lesser children were receiving (not recieving roflasdkjPFFT) the regular work, I was receiving extra work. Grammar practice sheets were usually included.
I, for one, am disgusted by the revolting TXT language. rofl jk i m just a regulr luzr lololol. ol. olol. o. Don't take us all for granted, I'm going to grow up to be J. K. Rowling's editor, or something really nifty like that. END RANT. Thanks to all those who've told my father that I'm right and he's wrong. (Love you, Daddy.) Salutations. ~Emily Golden
-------------------- Gene Golden Gettysburg Signs Gettysburg PA 17325 717-334-0200 genegolden@gettysburgsigns.com
"Art is knowing when to stop." Posts: 1578 | From: Gettysburg, PA | Registered: Jun 2003
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posted
Oh gawd Emily, quick, get out and rule the world while you still know it all For the record, I was agreeing that you were correct.
Havin' fun,
Checkers
-------------------- a.k.a. Brian Born www.CheckersCustom.com Harrisburg, Pa Work Smart, Play Hard Posts: 3775 | From: Harrisburg, Pa. U.S.A. | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
The original sentence is correct. I don't see a need for the comma, and the inclusion of "as" hurts the sentence more than it helps. That's my take on it.
My mind wanders. And that's not a good thing, 'cause it's too small to be out there alone. Posts: 3129 | From: Tooele, UT | Registered: Mar 2005
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"We consider the opportunity to vent a First Amendment right".
I'd hate to tell you Gene, but your daughter is correct. And her correction of Checker's is correct as well ("daughter, Gene", not daughter Gene) lol
-------------------- Randy Graphic Details Promotional Merchandise Distributor South Glens Falls, NY Posts: 381 | From: South Glens Falls, NY USA | Registered: Mar 2001
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posted
I'm going to have to dig out my English handbook, but I remember there being a rule about using a comma to avoid confusion.
For example:
"For Jake, the nasty food tasted like poop" would be correct, even though there is not a rule that says a comma should go there.
"For Jake the nasty food tasted like poop" is confusing because it sounds like we are saying "Jake the nasty".
So technically, it would be alright to insert a comma in that sentence as it is confusing without it... for the life of me I can't figure out what it means to "vent a First Amendment right." I agree with most of you, there is not a grammatical reason to put one in.
However, whether Ricky's version was right or wrong, the best thing to do would be to rephrase the sentence to avoid confusion.
Even professional writers sometimes agonize over putting a comma in a sentence... or leaving it out.
-------------------- Jon Jantz Snappysign.com jjantz21@gmail.com http://www.allcw.com Posts: 3395 | From: Atmore, AL | Registered: Nov 2005
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Gene, the first sentence needs no comma. The first amendment sentence can take a totally different meaning with or without it, so adding "as" like Ricky says, removes the potential for a misunderstanding.
I'd italicise "First Amendment" for clarity also, as suggested above.
-------------------- "Stewey" on chat
"...there are no limits when you aim for perfection..." Jonathan Livingston Seagull Posts: 7014 | From: Highgrove via Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia | Registered: Dec 2002
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posted
Actually, after looking it over, both "as" and "to be" (although proper usage), are actually surperfluous to the verb consider - making both you and your daughter technically correct. It being basically a matter of style.
However, the written word, in my view, needs to be more succinct. And I would have used the more stylistically apropos "to be".
-------------------- Steve Purcell Purcell Woodcarving & Signmaking Cape Cod, MA
************************** Intelligent Design Is No Accident Posts: 900 | From: Cape Cod, MA | Registered: Oct 1999
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posted
The new sentence is much, much better. (noticed I had to add a comma) Or is that more betterer? Love, Jill
Posts: 8834 | From: Butler, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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