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What grammatical quirk do you overuse?

AreaCode707

AreaCode707

Lifer
I'm a semi-colon fanatic. A few years ago I found myself overusing parenthetical statements and I started to intentionally avoid them. This led to an overuse of semi-colons in my writing which, I believe, isn't actually a bad thing but is kind of distracting.

On the other hand, I also overuse commas but that bothers me less because my bad habit there has roots in reading too much early 20th century British literature. 🙂

So, grammar nazis, what's your foible?
 
Profanity. I swear a cubic fuck-ton. I've actually extended sentences just so I could find a few more ways to squeeze the word "asscunt" in. While it's not necessarily wrong from a grammar standpoint, it's considered inappropriate when you do it in interoffice e-mails to the CFO. You live, you learn.
 
I'd like to reply you your post; I have no idea where to begin though. Parenthetical statements aren't a problem (as long as they're not overused that is), and there's nothing (inherently) wrong with using commas either; however, watch where you use them, because, if they're misplaced it can make the whole sentence look messed up.
 
Originally posted by: Atomic Playboy
Profanity. I swear a cubic fuck-ton. I've actually extended sentences just so I could find a few more ways to squeeze the word "asscunt" in. While it's not necessarily wrong from a grammar standpoint, it's considered inappropriate when you do it in interoffice e-mails to the CFO. You live, you learn.
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LOL

I hate voicemail with a passion and for a while had my voicemail message set to, "I don't check my voicemail often so if this is urgent please email me." That ended when the CPO (chief people officer, I know it's a dumb title) called my desk when I was away.
 
I type fast and type what I'm thinking so mess up your/you're a lot.

I love me some semi-colons; it's a misunderstood and seldom used properly punctuation.
 
Originally posted by: Farang
Whatever it is called--that is, whatever you call it--when you do this.
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dashes?

I use ellipses too much... I also border on straight-out valspeak too much IRL; I think I had too much exposure to too much Clueless, Wayne's World, and VG at an impressionable age.
 
Originally posted by: AreaCode707
I'm a semi-colon fanatic. A few years ago I found myself overusing parenthetical statements and I started to intentionally avoid them. This led to an overuse of semi-colons in my writing which, I believe, isn't actually a bad thing but is kind of distracting.

On the other hand, I also overuse commas but that bothers me less because my bad habit there has roots in reading too much early 20th century British literature. 🙂
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No you don't!

Let me rephrase your former statement:

"This led to an overuse of semi-colons in my writing; which, I believe, isn't actually a bad thing, but which is somewhat distracting."
 
Originally posted by: Atomic Playboy
Profanity. I swear a cubic fuck-ton. I've actually extended sentences just so I could find a few more ways to squeeze the word "asscunt" in. While it's not necessarily wrong from a grammar standpoint, it's considered inappropriate when you do it in interoffice e-mails to the CFO. You live, you learn.
Click to expand...

😕 What kind of job do you do that let's you get away with this?
 
Originally posted by: aloser
I'd like to reply you your post; I have no idea where to begin though. Parenthetical statements aren't a problem (as long as they're not overused that is), and there's nothing (inherently) wrong with using commas either; however, watch where you use them, because, if they're misplaced it can make the whole sentence look messed up.
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Parentheticals make you sound unsure of yourself. I would rewrite your second sentence as, "As long as they're not overused, parenthetical statements aren't a problem. Similarly, commas are not inherently wrong, but if they're misplaced it can make the whole sentence look messed up."

Without changing the words used, I altered the tone of that sentence. I don't agree that certain writing conventions are good or bad. They simply set the tone. Sometimes you want to sound authoritative, and sometimes you are unsure and would have no problem being corrected. Punctuation helps to convey these tones, as do word usage and construction. Being aware of the tone that you wish to establish, and what conventions establish it will make you a better writer.
 
I'm a comma abuser. I put commas everywhere, and I'm a big fan of the serial comma. I also tend to convert essential relative clauses into non-essential ones, sometimes erroneously, because of my insistence on the comma separating the independent and dependent clauses. I also tend to comma splice, which is really kind of bad. >_<
 
Writing on the internet has ruined my ability to write well.

I string random thoughts together, use too many commas, use too many parenthetical statements, end sentences with prepositions, and generally rape the English language on a daily basis. The only thing that makes me feel better is that I know I can do better if I only dedicated the time and energy... and if I stopped posting here.
 
none. My speling, and grammer: are perfekt.

But I ALWAYS type "i" for "I" and have to correct it.
 
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