Couch 200: The Bicentennial Couch.

NP_Complete · Jul 17, 2019 at 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atisketatasket

ETA: Okay, Couch poll: do you use a comma before a conjunction connecting two independent clauses? For instance, “I saw a Martian, but he ran away from me” or “I saw a Martian but he ran away from me”?

I tend to do the former, but I'm not sure which is technically correct. Either way, the sentence makes sense.

Omers · Jul 17, 2019 at 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WarmFuzzySocks

I love commas, but sometimes I use them and sometimes I don't.

I often read the sentence out loud and comma where I pause. Or just sprinkle them in liberally and then take them out later, kind of like planting too many carrots and thinning the row.

This, but I warned you all of my struggles with English.

LonesomeTonight · Jul 17, 2019 at 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atisketatasket

I just went over the proposed edits for my second story. It was virtually all "remove this comma" and "consider a comma here." I didn't agree with most of them, but said fine, except for the two suggested using the comma for "and" that made the sentence nonsense.

ETA: Okay, Couch poll: do you use a comma before a conjunction connecting two independent clauses? For instance, “I saw a Martian, but he ran away from me” or “I saw a Martian but he ran away from me”?

Yes, I use the comma in this case. It's connecting two phrases that could stand on their own as sentences. Independent clauses, I think? (I know the rules but not the terms so much.)

No comma if, say, you said, "I saw a Martian but walked away."

atisketatasket · Jul 17, 2019 at 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LonesomeTonight

Yes, I use the comma in this case. It's connecting two phrases that could stand on their own as sentences. Independent clauses, I think? (I know the rules but not the terms so much.)

No comma if, say, you said, "I saw a Martian but walked away."

Okay, so the comma coming before a conjunction indicates a change of subject in the next independent clause, but no comma if the subject of the second clause is the same as the first clause?

LonesomeTonight · Jul 17, 2019 at 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atisketatasket

Okay, so the comma coming before a conjunction indicates a change of subject in the next independent clause, but no comma if the subject of the second clause is the same as the first clause?

Well, if you said, "I saw a Martian, but I walked away," then there would be a comma because you're including a subject again. At least, that's how I handle it, and I've managed to hold a copy-editing job for a while

Though there are certain rules that are still rather unclear to me.

atisketatasket · Jul 17, 2019 at 09:02 PM

I just told a student they could remember the meaning of cata- (under, down, below) by thinking of cats, because cats are always under something—feet, furniture, etc.

Jul 17, 2019 at 09:03 PM

Warning rant ahead iammarriedtoa64yearoldchild he had a dr appointment today during the time i was out doing a social responsibility thing with a coworker. he called me from the dr's office mid-temper-tantrum because they wanted him to fill out new paperwork (like they do every few years, this is normal) oh, the horrors. so i had to walk him through filling out the paperwork over the phone so he didn't just cancel his appointment. then he came home and ate half a container of chocolate frosting (!) and now he has gone to bed moaning and groaning because he has a stomach ache. well duh, genius, what did you THINK would happen if you ate that much frosting?! I swear I just do NOT understand that man. Although there may be method to his madness. Since he is now in bed, that means I have to do all the packing for our trip. As usual. I have half a mind to pack nothing for him. Would serve his stupid *** right. Rant over.

NP_Complete · Jul 17, 2019 at 09:16 PM

Hugs, Artie. My tolerance for man-children is at an all-time low. Let him pack his own ****.

NP_Complete · Jul 17, 2019 at 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atisketatasket

I just told a student they could remember the meaning of cata- (under, down, below) by thinking of cats, because cats are always under something—feet, furniture, etc.

I forget. What class are you teaching? It sounds intriguing. Word origins are interesting. The only thing I've learned recently is that the plural of octopus is not octopii, but octopuses because octopus is Greek not Latin. I hope I got that correct.

unaluna · Jul 17, 2019 at 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlessedCheeseMaker

My ex has a girlfriend and I like her. On first seeing her I heard Deliverance banjos but she is quite nice and i would probably get in a canoe with her.

Omg you are so funny. I have been watching Randy Felt Face on youtube. He is quite crude but so so funny.

atisketatasket · Jul 17, 2019 at 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NP_Complete

I forget. What class are you teaching? It sounds intriguing. Word origins are interesting. The only thing I've learned recently is that the plural of octopus is not octopii, but octopuses because octopus is Greek not Latin. I hope I got that correct.

Greek and Latin roots of medical terminology. Octopuses is fine, though technically it’s octopodes. Octopi is used even if wrong, kind of like people say “ad nauseUm” instead of “ad nauseAm.”

ETA: two cats harnessed together would be octopussies.

unaluna · Jul 17, 2019 at 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atisketatasket

ETA: Okay, Couch poll: do you use a comma before a conjunction connecting two independent clauses? For instance, “I saw a Martian, but he ran away from me” or “I saw a Martian but he ran away from me”?

I would just say, "i saw Uranus."

I didnt think Martians had butts.

But we have different writing styles.

unaluna · Jul 17, 2019 at 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atisketatasket

That is my uneducated opinion as well.

I was going to agree, but thought i SHOULD vote for no comma.

NP_Complete · Jul 17, 2019 at 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atisketatasket

Greek and Latin roots of medical terminology. Octopuses is fine, though technically it’s octopodes. Octopi is used even if wrong, kind of like people say “ad nauseUm” instead of “ad nauseAm.”

ETA: two cats harnessed together would be octopussies.

The woman who wrote that octopus book I loved should have consulted you. Damnit, I was led astray. How would you pronounce that? Podes or Poh-dees? Or something else I haven't thought of?

atisketatasket · Jul 17, 2019 at 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NP_Complete

The woman who wrote that octopus book I loved should have consulted you. Damnit, I was led astray. How would you pronounce that? Podes or Poh-dees?

Two syllables, and the e is short in Greek but in English pronounce like Antipodes (from the same word).

The plural of cactus really is cacti, btw.

unaluna · Jul 17, 2019 at 09:52 PM

Artie - when i was on weight watchers a few years ago, and also because of MKAC (remember her?

), i was looking at frosting cans in the grocery store. HAVE YOU EVER READ THE INGREDIENT LIST???!!! Regular or sugar free, doesnt matter. I couldnt put one in my cart. Its not food in there.

atisketatasket · Jul 17, 2019 at 09:53 PM

So it’s like Cool Whip.

Omers · Jul 17, 2019 at 10:08 PM

I have a container of cream cheese frosting with “no artificial flavor or color” but it doesn’t have to be refrigerated. I am creeped out to say the least seeing As I mostly cook from scratch, but it was a desperate moment.

I think couch 201 needs to be the grammatically incorrect couch or an edited couch.

WarmFuzzySocks · Jul 17, 2019 at 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NP_Complete

The woman who wrote that octopus book I loved should have consulted you. Damnit, I was led astray. How would you pronounce that? Podes or Poh-dees? Or something else I haven't thought of?

This is next up on my reading stack. I've been looking forward to reading it.

unaluna · Jul 17, 2019 at 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atisketatasket

So it’s like Cool Whip.

Good point!

But cool whip only pretends to be one thing, which is questionable to begin with in my book. Whipped cream is airy tasteless white curly stuff.

Frosting otoh can be chocolate or darker chocolate, which is actual food.

or german chocolate. Or pink.

Anyway - i did not overheat today. It didnt get too hot, but even so, i think stayed cooler by actions i took or didnt take. So i am feeling better about the next few days heatwave. Friday is supposed to be the worst. Geez what have i become?

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atisketatasket Child of a lesser god Member Since Jun 2015 Location: Tartarus Posts: 19,149 (SuperPoster!) 8 12.4k hugs given	Jul 17, 2019 at 09:02 PM #846 I just told a student they could remember the meaning of cata- (under, down, below) by thinking of cats, because cats are always under something—feet, furniture, etc.

NP_Complete Grand Magnate Member Since Feb 2017 Location: the upside down Posts: 3,808 7 6,352 hugs given	Jul 17, 2019 at 09:16 PM #848 Hugs, Artie. My tolerance for man-children is at an all-time low. Let him pack his own ****.

unaluna Elder Harridan x-hankster Member Since Jun 2011 Location: Milan/Michigan Posts: 39,868 (SuperPoster!) 12 66.4k hugs given	Jul 17, 2019 at 09:52 PM #856 Artie - when i was on weight watchers a few years ago, and also because of MKAC (remember her? ), i was looking at frosting cans in the grocery store. HAVE YOU EVER READ THE INGREDIENT LIST???!!! Regular or sugar free, doesnt matter. I couldnt put one in my cart. Its not food in there.

atisketatasket Child of a lesser god Member Since Jun 2015 Location: Tartarus Posts: 19,149 (SuperPoster!) 8 12.4k hugs given	Jul 17, 2019 at 09:53 PM #857 So it’s like Cool Whip.