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Re: Punctuation question

Subject: Re: Punctuation question
From: Dan Roberts <DRoberts -at- ISOGON -dot- COM>
Date: Thu, 5 Aug 1999 15:52:20 -0400

this is punctuated using rules from HS and college:
        From the toolbar<comma> click Add and then select New Record from the Add menu.

this is how I did a lot of procedures:
        From the toolbar<comma> click Add<comma> and then select New Record from the Add menu.
Not as correct, but is a bit easier to read (imho).

or you could go with this:
        From the toolbar<comma> click Add<period>
        Select New Record.
or
        From the toolbar<comma> click Add, then select New Record.

compound sentences require a comma to separate the 2 independent clauses, unless the clauses are short (a judgement call). "He ate, and she drank."

compound subjects or compound verbs do not require commas, unless you have 3 or more subjects or 3 or more verbs. "He and she ate and drank."

Dan Roberts
droberts -at- isogon -dot- com

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Adsit, Fred [mailto:fred -dot- adsit -at- EDS -dot- COM]
> Sent: Thursday, August 05, 1999 3:16 PM
> To: TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU
> Subject: Punctuation question
>
>
> Dear list persons,
>
> How do you punctuate this sentence? We are having a war about compound
> sentences vs sentences with compound subjects and verbs. Any
> insights you
> have would be appreciated.
>
> If you look at most help files, you'll see how they punctuate
> this typical
> software construct; however, their way may or may not be
> correct. What do
> you think?
>
> Example: From the toolbar click Add and then select New
> Record from the Add
> menu.
>
> Please RSVP quickly.
>
>
> Fred Adsit
> EDS/NHIC C21 Documentation T.E.A.M.
> 12365-I Riata Trace Parkway
> Austin, TX 78727
> 512-514-8018
>
> fred -dot- adsit -at- eds -dot- com
>
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