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View Full Version : Tell me there's a comma here...

Provrb1810meggy
10-09-2007, 11:44 PM
So I was at the library, and someone asked me to proofread their flyer. There was a sentence as follows.

You can access Power Library, PA's online resources from home.

I said that the sentence should be like this.

You can access Power Library, PA's online resources, from home.

Then the guy (mind you, I'm a teenager and they're adults, so they probably didn't take me seriously) said there wouldn't be a comma there, called over another volunteer to look at it, and she said the thing. I still think there should be a comma.

Who's right?
JoNightshade
10-09-2007, 11:45 PM
YOU ARE.
Bubastes
10-09-2007, 11:49 PM
You are.

ETA: if they need proof, tell them to Google "non-restrictive clause" and "comma."
Provrb1810meggy
10-10-2007, 12:00 AM
Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I felt like they thought I was stupid for suggesting a comma, so this makes me feel good. Nobody takes teenagers' proofreading seriously these days. Not that I can blame them in most cases, but still.
Nymtoc
10-10-2007, 12:45 AM
You are right, and they are dummies. :e2point:
jannawrites
10-10-2007, 12:52 AM
Yup. You totally got this one, bub. :D
Sandi LeFaucheur
10-10-2007, 02:04 AM
You are right. They are wrong. Stick your tongue out at them and go "nyah!" They shouldn't ask you to proofread if they don't want you to find errors, should they? :)
J. Weiland
10-10-2007, 02:05 AM
You are correct.
melaniehoo
10-10-2007, 02:34 AM
You're right. Maybe you could remind them this stuff's still fresh in your mind since you're still in school? We actually ask our teenaged nephews about some things we can't remember anymore.

Good for you!
Dawnstorm
10-10-2007, 04:29 AM
Do you need a voice to tell you that you're right? Probably not, but anyway...
donroc
10-10-2007, 04:40 AM
I am unanimous in agreement.

www.donaldmichaelplatt.com
Provrb1810meggy
10-10-2007, 05:58 AM
Wow. Cool. Awesome.

And it's not just fresh in my mind because I'm in school; it's fresh in my mind because I'm a professional writer. On a technicality, of course.
benbradley
10-10-2007, 06:14 AM
I agree with others that you're technically right (BUT DON'T STOP READING NOW!), but there's one thing I've only learned through the long, hard process of becoming an old fart (can I say that, Shwebb???) or maybe it's that I'm a slower learner in social areas, is that correcting others, even (or especially!) when you have very strong evidence you're right, isn't always the best thing to do. I won't say if you should or shouldn't go back to them in this situation, but it's always something to consider. Take into account the politics of the sitiation: Might these people hate you for correcting them like this? If they do, will it bother you (as in do you have to work closely with them)? Bla bla bla...
Provrb1810meggy
10-10-2007, 06:18 AM
I didn't plan on going and telling them they were wrong, since they didn't believe me. I just wanted to know to boost my own confidence.
jannawrites
10-10-2007, 06:48 AM
I didn't plan on going and telling them they were wrong, since they didn't believe me. I just wanted to know to boost my own confidence.

This is a great gang to give a boost, no?
ErylRavenwell
10-10-2007, 10:52 AM
You're on spot. They suck. :D
Bufty
10-10-2007, 07:06 PM
Yup- you're dead right, Provmeg.

Hey, with your new found confidence, I hope you're spraying all this generous goodwill and happiness around. :hooray:
Jamesaritchie
10-10-2007, 08:11 PM
I'd correct them. Not because you were right and they were wrong, but because it's always good to learn, and always good to have literate people in the world.

You can correct them nicely, humbly, etc.,you can even act surprised at being right, but correct them.
ResearchGuy
10-10-2007, 08:12 PM
. . . Who's right?
Let me pile on. You are right.

--Ken