Hatrack River Forum: Grammar Nazis Rejoice!

This is topic Grammar Nazis Rejoice! in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.

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Posted by Godric (Member # 4587) on :

Your new bible arrives!

But before any holy wars break out, let's just take a moment to reflect on past glories.

[Hail]

Posted by ak (Member # 90) on :

Just thought I'd include a link with the homepage for the Chicago Manual of Style. I really would love to get it on CD-rom, AFTER I get the OED.

Posted by Storm Saxon (Member # 3101) on :

Serious, yet mildly silly, question, shouldn't grammar be decided on a state or community level rather than from one source (a federal, if you will) level?

Posted by The Editor-in-Chief (Member # 5014) on :

[Hail]

Chicago

The OED

Storm, The Chicago Manual of Style isn't a grammar book. It's just a style guide. What most people call "grammar" is really a combination of grammar, usage, style, punctuation, and spelling. Grammar isn't decided by any one source. Grammar is actually a descriptive science, unless you're one of those old-school grammarians who think everything should be based on Latin.

Posted by Duragon C. Mikado (Member # 2815) on :

Harbrace rules puny Chicago manual.

Posted by Storm Saxon (Member # 3101) on :

Yeah, I know that's how it works in reality. But if that's so, how come I can't make up my own grammar rules without being put up against the brick by the grammar nazis? If grammar ruls are in flux and decided upon by communities, then why be upset when people speak in the vernacular-use double negatives and the like-- or don't put a space between their '...', for instance?

Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :

Strunk and White

Posted by Storm Saxon (Member # 3101) on :

Why do the comma go in with the ellipses in quotations? Why it not go outside the quotations?

Posted by fugu13 (Member # 2859) on :

Commas usually do go outside in English (meaning, from England) style.

Posted by Storm Saxon (Member # 3101) on :

It doesn't make sense to put the comma inside the quotations whatever your country. [Smile]

Posted by Kayla (Member # 2403) on :

http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/features/columns/?article=grammarmain

[Smile]

Posted by Jon Boy (Member # 4284) on :

quote:
Yeah, I know that's how it works in reality. But if that's so, how come I can't make up my own grammar rules without being put up against the brick by the grammar nazis? If grammar ruls are in flux and decided upon by communities, then why be upset when people speak in the vernacular-use double negatives and the like-- or don't put a space between their '...', for instance?

In a lot of ways, language is like clothing. You can pretty much wear whatever you want, but people will always judge you on the way you look. There's a huge spectrum of style faux pas, ranging from a brown belt with black shoes to plaid pants and polka dot shirts. You can wear that if you want, and you can say, "But I'm just creating my own rules of style," but people will still judge you and criticize you. It's just like language. It's just the way people are, I think. People still like to have guidelines and rules to follow when it comes to something as open and variable as language or dress.