Just as I begin to forget the frustrations teachers have to deal with, Mollie will call and tell me about her day.
You could talk with my amazing editor, Rosie Dee, and she would tell you I’m no expert on comma placement. But I’m better than some. Mollie got the following note from a parent the first week of school.
My child will be a bus rider Thursday and Friday he will be a car rider from then on.
Okay, in your mind, what is the father saying?
In Mollie’s mind, and mine, the kid would ride the bus Thursday and Friday and then be a car rider from then on.
No, no…
He was trying to say that the child would ride the bus on Thursday (comma) and (beginning) Friday he would be a car rider from then on.
It pissed me off that he called the office to tell them how stupid Mollie was. She just shrugged it off. But pointing out to the office staff that commas save lives:
Let’s eat Grandma.
Let’s eat, Grandma.
Let's eat Grandma lol. I interpreted the note the same way PK. I'm not expert either.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Roz
Parents and their notes could be very confusing.
Delete"Eats, Shoots & Leaves" by Lynne Truss.
ReplyDeleteExactly, LOL!
DeleteThis is so funny! All we need to do is say it out loud and listen. Put a comma in when you pause. You’ll usually be correct. I love the grandma example.
ReplyDeleteRosie Dee
Oh, I'm still trying - but I'm glad you have my back!
DeleteWell, I'm with Molly. Sigh. Commas are so important. Especially the oxford comma, I hate it when people don't use that one!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Rosie, that is how I do comma placement too!
Hugs
Boo
I am grateful to have Rosie Dee to help me. I wished the parents writing some of these unclear notes had help too.
DeleteRead it just a Molly did. Amazing what a difference a bit of grammar cam make...
ReplyDeleteSeriously!
Delete