Punctuation that denotes pauses like , ; : should be placed based on where the writer wants a pause and how long the pause should be, or when needed to avoid ambiguity, NOT on the bullshit arbitrary grammar “rules” that got made up to sell grammar books and enforce the class divide.
It’s very easy to find classics full of “bad” grammar when it comes to the punctuation because it’s in fact not bad.
Writer here. Don’t blindly follow dumb style rules. I write how I speak; and when you write how you speak, you end up using a lot of semicolons and em dashes (if you’re competent). Each “pausing-type” punctuation means something specific, and they are all vital for clarity and natural flow. And informal or spliced sentences are good. Style rules are too formal, and sometimes as antiquated as “‘ain’t aint’ a word”. So instead do what works— what makes things natural and easy to read.
Punctuation that denotes pauses like , ; : should be placed based on where the writer wants a pause and how long the pause should be, or when needed to avoid ambiguity, NOT on the bullshit arbitrary grammar “rules” that got made up to sell grammar books and enforce the class divide.
It’s very easy to find classics full of “bad” grammar when it comes to the punctuation because it’s in fact not bad.
Writer here. Don’t blindly follow dumb style rules. I write how I speak; and when you write how you speak, you end up using a lot of semicolons and em dashes (if you’re competent). Each “pausing-type” punctuation means something specific, and they are all vital for clarity and natural flow. And informal or spliced sentences are good. Style rules are too formal, and sometimes as antiquated as “‘ain’t aint’ a word”. So instead do what works— what makes things natural and easy to read.
Nice to see another fan of the Shatner Comma on the fediverse.
Holy shit, another person who calls it that! I found it on accident years ago and I love to use that term.
I’ve never heard it called the “Shatner Comma” until today, and I will never, call it anything else.
Discovered it years ago!