Fun Friday: Commas and Pants, Both Needed

In case you all haven't noticed, Debbie Ridpath Ohi is hilarious and wickedly talented. The illustrator of I'm Bored (written by Michael Ian Black; Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2012) and the cool new Judy Blume covers, Ohi also maintains a fantastic website here. Here, reprinted with her permission, is one of her classic strips, Will Write for Chocolate.

Used with permission from Debbie Ridpath Ohi at Inkygirl.com under the provisions outlined here.

Fun Friday: Who Gives a #^(! About an Oxford Comma?

I'm a fan of the Oxford comma, people, and not just because it's named after the Oxford University Press, which makes it sound like a supersmart thing. It's come from years of editing using the style book most favored by American publishers, The Chicago Manual of Style. But its use is--gasp--optional. Here's today's informative video on the topic:




And here's today's irreverent take on the topic. (Caution: an R-rated word is featured. You've been warned.)

Hyphen Redux

I just found this handy infographic poster for those who are still scratching their heads on the use of the hyphen. It comes courtesy of Grammar.net, which specifically invites folks to embed it on their own sites. So, yeah. I'm not stealing it.


[Infographic provided by Grammar.net]

Pet Peeve: Adverbs and Hyphens

It's come to my peevish attention that hyphens are fast becoming the new scare quotes. In other words, people are suddenly confused about where hyphens are needed, and in a panic, they're inserting them all over the place. But here's a place where you don't need them:

between an -ly adverb and the word it modifies

First of all, a refresher course: An adverb is a word that modifies (i.e., describes) a verb or adjective. Adverbs often (but NOT always) end in -ly:

perfectly

nastily

swimmingly

knowingly

Now, no one seems to want to stick in a hyphen when these adverbs modify verbs, as in:

Dumbledore winked slyly.

Hermione calmly stowed her wand and climbed on Buckbeak's back.

Filch smiled nastily.

But for some reason, when the adverbs modify adjectives, hyphens are applied willy-nilly. There's no need. So:

The Triwizard Tournament includes three extremely dangerous tasks. (NOT: extremely-dangerous)

Ron had a perfectly good reason for avoiding the Forbidden Forest. (NOT: perfectly-good)

"Thanks for helping us fight those Death Eaters," said Harry to Neville. "That's awfully decent of you." (NOT: awfully-decent)

 "A poorly brewed potion will earn you a failing grade," Snape said. (NOT: poorly-brewed)

The confusion may have arisen because according to the venerable Chicago Manual of Style, adverbs that DON'T end in -ly (and thus, may be mistaken for some other kind of word) do take a hyphen:

"I must admit, Potter, that's a well-cast spell," said Professor Flitwick.

Because this isn't a grammar blog (anymore), I won't go into all the ins and outs of adverbs and adjectives, but you may certainly surf on over to The Grammar Girl  for more info. It won't bother me one bit.

Back to your studies now. You never know when a pop quiz may be in the offing.

Hyphen update: More, and perhaps clearer, info on the use of the hyphen is in this nifty infographic.