search

331576717 / vim

Automatically exported from code.google.com/p/vim
0 stars 0 forks source link

[PATCH] Missing comma in usr_10.txt #16

Closed GoogleCodeExporter closed 9 years ago

GoogleCodeExporter commented 9 years ago 
"In chapter 4 several ways to make small changes were explained." - missing 
comma after "4". Patch attached.

Original issue reported on code.google.com by shlomif@gmail.com on 25 Jun 2011 at 6:47

Attachments:

GoogleCodeExporter commented 9 years ago 
It reads fine without the comma.

Original comment by brammool...@gmail.com on 25 Jun 2011 at 11:27

GoogleCodeExporter commented 9 years ago 
It does not read fine to me and other people:

<rindolf> Hi all. http://paste.debian.net/121122/ - “In chapter 4 several 
ways to make small changes were explained.” - I think there should be a comma 
after the “chapter 4” - am I right?
<Elench> I'd use one, yes
<rindolf> Elench: are you talking to me?
<Elench> rindolf: yes, sorry
<rindolf> Elench: OK.
<rindolf> Elench: thanks.
<Elench> Np

Also see: http://www.google.com/search?q=%22in%20chapter%22 .

Original comment by shlomif@gmail.com on 27 Jun 2011 at 9:43

GoogleCodeExporter commented 9 years ago 
Style guides for English generally recommend using commas for introductory 
phrases of more than four or five words.  Because "in chapter 4" is only three 
words, it's okay to omit it.  Four or five is a general rule of thumb, not an 
absolute.

Your search returned many results about "Chapter X" bankruptcy (where X = 7 or 
11 or 13).  Perhaps a better example search is: 
http://www.google.com/search?q=%22in+chapter+%2A+we%22 (more likely to be found 
in prose)

It's split fairly evenly on the first couple results pages between using the 
comma or not.

Other references:

Yahoo! Style Guide: 
http://styleguide.yahoo.com/editing/punctuate-proficiently/commas (§ Setting 
off introductory elements - uses 4+ as the rule of thumb).

The Economist Style Guide: 
http://www.economist.com/research/styleGuide/index.cfm?page=805695 (comma not 
necessary after a short phrase at the start)

Many more at: 
http://www.google.com/search?q=style+guide+comma+introductory+phrase

Several of the top results in that search point out that short introductory 
phrases often require a judgment call.

Original comment by ben...@benizi.com on 27 Jun 2011 at 11:13