1For the sake of brevity, we shall frequently use herein the termprintedlanguage to includewrittenlanguage.
1For the sake of brevity, we shall frequently use herein the termprintedlanguage to includewrittenlanguage.
2In order to avoid the too frequent use of a formal word (thus, as follows, etc.), to introduce our illustrative examples, we use the colon, thus indicating that thecolonrelation exists between what precedes and what follows the mark. This somewhat uncommon use of the colon is explained on another page.
2In order to avoid the too frequent use of a formal word (thus, as follows, etc.), to introduce our illustrative examples, we use the colon, thus indicating that thecolonrelation exists between what precedes and what follows the mark. This somewhat uncommon use of the colon is explained on another page.
3Sentences herein numbered by hyphenated figures are modifications, with some exceptions, of preceding sentences designated by the first figures of the hyphenated numbers,—for example, Sentence 1-1 is a modification of Sentence 1 in its punctuation.
3Sentences herein numbered by hyphenated figures are modifications, with some exceptions, of preceding sentences designated by the first figures of the hyphenated numbers,—for example, Sentence 1-1 is a modification of Sentence 1 in its punctuation.
4A comma at this point does not appear in the original. We insert it because what follows is clearly explanatory.
4A comma at this point does not appear in the original. We insert it because what follows is clearly explanatory.
5As Sentence 22 is a quotation, we retain its two-word form of “for-ever,” which is the English style; but in No 22-2. which is our own language, we use the one-word form, which is the American style.
5As Sentence 22 is a quotation, we retain its two-word form of “for-ever,” which is the English style; but in No 22-2. which is our own language, we use the one-word form, which is the American style.
6No mark is used here before “and” because it connects two groups of words, each used as a whole, as indicated by marks of quotation.
6No mark is used here before “and” because it connects two groups of words, each used as a whole, as indicated by marks of quotation.
7See page vi.
7See page vi.
8The use of this comma is wrong, for what follows “sentence” is clearly restrictive.
8The use of this comma is wrong, for what follows “sentence” is clearly restrictive.
The following pages contain extracts from a few press notices of the first edition of this book.
The following pages contain extracts from a few press notices of the first edition of this book.
WHY WE PUNCTUATE
ORREASON VS. RULE IN THE USE OF MARKS(Published anonymously in 1896)EXTRACTS FROM PRESS NOTICES OF THE FIRST EDITION
The well considered contents of “Why We Punctuate” should work a reform in the manner of using points. The author proposes no startling innovations, but approaches his subject from the plane of pure reason, substituting carefully-thought-out principles for the empirical rules, which have too long governed American printing offices, and giving us for the first time a rationale as foundation for the entire system.
The work itself shows that practically nothing has been done to advance the science of punctuation for many years, the entire subject having apparently crystallized after the publication of Wilson’s book and the compendium of it prepared by Bigelow. How much these last lacked has not been apparent until this author took up the cudgels for less arbitrary rule and more distinctions based on good judgment. He throws light into dark places and makes it possible at last for a student to acquire a number of broad principles in place of the interminable rules and exceptions of the earlier writers.
The book is to be welcomed as a much needed contribution to a much neglected topic of universal interest.—Chicago Tribune.
No student of English should be without this book.—The Globe(Boston).
The work is valuable, not only to the learner, but also to the scholar.—Baltimore American.
The author has undoubtedly gone to the root of the matter in his fundamental theory.—The Beacon(Boston).
Though I have read proof twenty-five years or more, I find I can learn some valuable things from this book.—Henry R. Boss,Editor of the Proofsheet(Chicago).
With journalistic instinct the author has sought the reasons for the use of all marks; and instead of copying what previous authors have said, he has simply toldwhymarks are used.—Philadelphia Press.
This book unquestionably has a mission, and it seems to us that the author has performed his task with exceptional intelligence. The book may be said to represent the best American usage of our day.—Review of Reviews.
The author is a painstaking and intelligent writer, and the line of reasoning followed by him is original and convincing, while his explanations and illustrations make the subject of punctuation both interesting and easy to learn.—Philadelphia Telegraph.
It is philosophical, clear, simple, and teaches the intimate relation between punctuation and the meaning of language. It shows plainly that we must punctuate to suit our meaning. An excellent text-book for the schools and for practical reference.—The Union-Signal(Chicago).
The subject of punctuation seldom receives sufficient attention in our schools and colleges, and its importance is so great that such an intelligent discussion of it as that contained in these pages deserves commendation. It is surprising how much even educated persons, and even those accustomed to composition, may gain from such a treatise.—The Congregationalist(Boston).
The whole problem is reduced to the fundamental principles which control it. They are easily grasped, and the numerous examples and illustrations collected and arranged by the author, instead of scattering the impression of the book, only concentrate the reader’s attention on the few principles which control the subject. The book is one to be commended.—The Independent(New York).
The author takes the ground that the use of a mark of punctuation is determined by its meaning, and the meaning of the language it governs. He elucidates these meanings clearly, concisely, and logically. The book may be said to be the only one available which gives an exhaustive treatment of the reasons and rules of proper punctuation, plainly and intelligently set forth.—The Free Press(Detroit).
It is one of the most rational works ever issued on the subject, and will be of incalculable value as a guide to proper punctuation. The author departs from the usual set rules commonly taught in text-books, and simplifies the process by classifying the marks according to the necessity, or relative length of pause, required to give our language its proper meaning, not only as appears to the writer, but also as will appear to the reader.—The Bee(Omaha).
The author knows how to punctuate himself, and he knows how to make the principles that guide him clear to others.
“Why We Punctuate” is a valuable addition to the literature224of punctuation. Its examples are, as a rule, particularly happy. Some of them make plain at a glance the reasons for rules which have been disputed by many authorities, but which are based on common sense.... It is a practical guide to punctuation, and any one who masters it thoroughly ought to be able afterward always to punctuate correctly.—The Writer(Boston).
The distinctive feature of the book is that it is not a mere collection of cut-and-dried rules. It goes into the reasons for the use of the several marks, and deals with the logical relations of language. It is a book that helps to clear thinking on the part of the writer who employs it.—The Buffalo Express.
Punctuation is treated as based upon the science of language and not altogether upon grammatical construction. The author’s examples are all good and new and his ideas original. Some latitude is allowed, according to construction of sentences, and common sense is permitted to depart, if clearness of meaning is desired, from arbitrary rules.—Baltimore Sun.
The author of this work has not copied from previous authors, but has drawn largely upon current literature for illustrative examples, and has brought together several hundred short quotations of great interest, beyond the use of examples of correct punctuation. His reasoning is original. His theories, as explained and illustrated, make the subject both interesting and easy to understand.
The book is valuable to the learner, and the scholar, as well, and it cannot fail to attract the attention of students of the English language, and it merits the commendation of all competent judges.—Journal of Education(Boston).
If the author’s name were on the title-page of his book we would know whom to thank for the best and most sensible work on this subject that has yet been published.
The student of this book, if he masters its teachings, will not fall into the absurdities and obscurities of mechanical punctuation on the one hand, or of slovenly punctuation on the other, but will punctuate in such a way as to make his meaning clear—which is one essential art in good writing.
“Why We Punctuate” should be in the hands of every newspaper man and author, and it ought to become a text-book in advanced schools.—Democrat and Chronicle(Rochester, N. Y.).