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Writing/grammar/punctuation queries
We've always got them, so I thought it might be useful to keep them in one place.
My query:
Would you use a hyphen in the phrase 'newly-empty space'?
Comments
My query: semi-colon. I can never tell whether to use it or not. I know the 'rules' of when to use one, but somehow, that never seems to help. It was the one thing I got marked down for at uni, and it's bugged me since!
Here's an example of how I used one in the story I'm working on:
'The recollection was not engulfing enough to satisfy my physical need; I wanted more.'
Don't judge me! It's out of context.
or
Don't judge me; it's out of context.
Oops! - edited to change comma to full stop!!!
">
More than a comma, and less than a full stop.
A comma before 'and' is known as an Oxford comma. (I don't care what they call it; I use it if I feel it belongs there.)
I'm going to blog about em and en dashes, Carol. Can't explain it on this Chromebook as I don't know how to do the em dash on here yet!
TN, yes to the hyphen in newly-empty space, because it's making a compound word. It's not a newly space, which makes no sense, nor an empty space, in this instance; it's a newly-empty one.
Semi-colons are a little out of fashion, as are colons, but I use them anyway. They are value-added commas: they do a bigger job than a comma, but they don't bring things to a halt as a full stop does. The two parts of a sentence separated by a semi colon could stand as separate sentences, which is why a comma is no good, but they're more closely related than that would imply.
Hoorah for Mrs Bear!
En dash – hyphen -
Yes, em and en dashes confuse me, I would be interested to know when to use those!
The only other way around it is 'recently vacated'.
But then that may be too correct/posh for the character in question, where newly-empty might seem to fit them.
So, why would a hyphen be used for 'gilt-edged sword', for example, but not for 'newly-empty space'?
I don't think it looks completely wrong, but don't think it's necessary either.
e-mail or email: that's changed since the item itself has become ubiquitous.
Oxford A-Z of Grammar and punctuation says there is no simple rule: right-handed, for example, takes one as a compound adjective, so why not newly-empty?
The Oxford A-Z also says they're being used less now, so it's up to you and your own ear, really.
There's a different nuance there.
En dashes: – (ctrl+num-)
Non-breaking hyphen: (ctrl+shift+_)
The em dash does not have a space on either side; the en dash does, except when it’s used in sequences (eg 2004–2008)
If you use the em dash to mark an insertion—as I am doing here—it must have no spacings.
If you use the en dash to mark an insertion – as I am doing here – you must have spacings.
An em dash is used alone if, for example, you have a line of dialogue breaking off mid-sentence:
‘You mean, if I were to—‘ with no space between it and the last word or the closing inverted comma(s).
You wouldn’t use an en dash in that way.
While both are correct for insertions, choose one and stick to it; and if approaching a particular publisher, go with the house style.
But honestly cooperative just doesn't read as well as co-operative.
OED: in modern English usage the use is decreasing, esp. in compound nouns like website and air raid. Still often used when a compound expression precedes a noun (twenty-odd people - for obvious reasons - or first-rate musicians, or in TN's case, newly-empty space) but there is a growing tend to omit them.
So there you have it - neither is wrong.
Take care with those dashes – those used to finish dialogue invariably corrupt the closing speech marks, turning them:
‘You mean, if I were to—‘
‘You mean, if I were to—’
Also, use them sparingly. Em dashes look particularly odd on e-readers. If a reader notices something like that, it’s because of the oddness – not because they like ’em.
But I'm seeing commas before 'and' a lot recently, like this: apples, oranges, bananas, and pears.
...state of humility and humbleness (prostrating.)
...state of humility and humbleness (prostrating).
You can use an Oxford comma (as it is known), but only if it is needed for clarity - ie.
I was dancing with the idiots, my mother and father.
I was dancing with the idiots, my mother, and father.
In the first sentence I have made my mother and father idiots. In the second it is clear i was dancing with some idiots and also my mother and father.
Be tucked away: located in an inconspicuous place.
No dead bodies in this one (at this point in the story). Later on, maybe... 8-X
Or, Oxford says: 'pushbike'. One word.