Re: grammar tricks

[Margaret Clark <clark@uhdux2.dt.uh.edu>]

On Fri, 22 Nov 1996, Carol Finke wrote:

> Nevertheless, the more I think about it, the more I think the 
> join/separate distinction is pretty arbitrary.  After all, don't 
> semi-colons not only join two independent clauses within one sentence 
> but also separate them for the reader?  This strikes me as a true 
> "trick" (as opposed to a trick?) -- it may help some students, but it 
> certainly wouldn't stand up to those students who like to scrutinize 
> one's explanations.

Should I ask you to explain the difference between a "trick" and a trick? 
Nah. 

Okay, I had this epiphany in the shower this morning. About commas, yes. 
I really irritate myself when I forget that the function of some things is
to indicate a relationship between elements, and that of course (I know
you just said this, but I wanna tell my epiphany) that relationship is by
definition at least bi-directional if not multidirectional
(omnidirectional? perhaps not.) and I was just plain silly for trying to say
that the darn things work in just one direction. 

Did you say anchovies?

> And now for something completely different . . . 

Yeah, like grrrrrading papers.

See you --

Margaret 
calrk@dt.uh.edu