Comments on: Punctuation is Not Grammar

By: Diagramming Sentences | Tucson Tired

Diagramming Sentences | Tucson Tired — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 12:45:06 +0000

[...] They don’t teach diagramming in school anymore. Do they still teach English? Hi, [...]

By: Melissa Donovan

Melissa Donovan — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 21:01:45 +0000

I think a lot of writing books focus on punctuation because that's where a lot of errors fall. I am in agreement though -- punctuation and grammar are separate although they definitely overlap! Melissa Donovan's last blog post..When it All Comes Crashing Down

By: --Deb

--Deb — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 01:12:32 +0000

I agree. Commas ARE easier. So, for tomorrow’s “Mangled Monday?” I’m tackling verb tenses!

And, I know–I thought diagramming sentences was fun, too. In fact, it makes me want to try it again, just to see if I remember how…

By: Rebecca Reid

Rebecca Reid — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 00:22:31 +0000

I loved diagramming sentences in 7th grade! It really helped me falling in love with the English language. And yet, I graduated college without ever again diagramming sentences. As to why books skip the grammar, I have no idea. I love grammar. I just went and read the other comments and I second Lori's comment: commas are easier to explain. Rebecca Reid's last blog post..Dark

By: --Deb

--Deb — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:39:06 +0000

Yes–changeable from book to book and also hard to explain!

By: Lori

Lori — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:40:17 +0000

Never diagrammed a sentence in my life. And I’m old. )

I think the “experts” use punctuation issues as book fodder because grammar is so very confusing and so changeable with every style book. In her book Grammar Snobs are Great Big Meanies, June Casagrande takes on the grammar elements we struggle with, but she points out that our style books often don’t agree, so how can we?

It’s true. I commented on one blog post that a certain sentence was incorrect according to Strunk & White. The responses I got were revealing; one person poo-pooed Strunk & White as “antiquated” while another called it her “go-to book” while another hadn’t read it. Oy. I think that’s why there are so many comma-related books – it’s just easier! LOL

Lori’s last blog post..The Difference Between a Startup and a Startup

By: --Deb

--Deb — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:08:01 +0000

I only remember diagramming in 7th grade--she was the only teacher who I remember teaching it, and certainly the only one who got excited about grammar. And because of her, I loved it, too. But then, I enjoy that whole "a place for everything and everything in its place" thing. --Deb's last blog post..Punctuation is Not Grammar

By: Julie

Julie — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:03:56 +0000

Ugh -- diagramming sentences! I had a grade school teacher for 4th - 8th grade who loved sentence diagramming. I spent most of my English classes for those 4 years drawing lines and writing words on them. The horror! (And you know, it seemed fun at first, but by the 4th year I thought I would rather poke my eye out than look at another diagram.) Julie's last blog post..Best Lunch Ever

By: --Deb

--Deb — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:58:17 +0000

Of course, they don't teach real grammar, either .... (grin) --Deb's last blog post..Punctuation is Not Grammar

By: Brad Shorr

Brad Shorr — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:16:09 +0000

Probably all of the above. Unfortunately there seems to be a great need for basic punctuation books because they don't teach it in school any longer. Brad Shorr's last blog post..Thanks to Word Sell’s Co-Conversationalists