Random grammar/writing question

newbie · #1 06-20-2001, 08:07 PM

OK, this might seem like a silly question--but I've been wondering about this for a long time! I see several posters here who use hyphens like this - (space, hyphen, space). But I've always been taught that it's like this--(double hyphen, no space). Sorry this seems sooo random, but I've always wondered, which is the correct form?

In several newspapers, it used to be what I used. But then I was reading the paper the other day, and it was like this - . Have the rules changed?

This is just for future reference...hopefully I can learn now so that I won't make mistakes in the future!!

Again, so sorry for it being so off-topic!!!

CRMSNTiDEGRL717 · #2 06-20-2001, 08:29 PM

sorry newbie, i have no idea. however, i always do the double hyphen no space thingy.

greeklawgirl · #3 06-20-2001, 08:33 PM

As far as I know, its double hyphen with no spaces. But a good place to check to see if the other method is becoming more prevalent is the APA Manual of Style. Hope this helps!

newbie · #4 06-20-2001, 09:13 PM

Thanks guys for the tips!!!

This weekend I have to go to the bookstore anyway, so I will pick up that manual! Is it expensive greeklawgirl?

newbie · #5 06-20-2001, 09:17 PM

LOL, sorry again...

I've also noticed that these things--> ... (forgot what these are called...are they called "series"??) are also used differently by some people.

I have always been taught it's like this: ... (No space between each "dot"), but I've also seen this: . . . (space between each "dot")

Any comments??

Again, so sorry for verging way off-topic!!

[This message has been edited by newbie (edited June 20, 2001).]

33girl · #6 06-20-2001, 10:49 PM

...is an ellipses (I probably misspelled that)

I don't think you put spaces between them. I also think a lot of it depends what form the writing is appearing in. Sometimes things get spaced out by computer programs so they're centered.

newbie · #7 06-20-2001, 10:51 PM

Oh, ok, thanks a lot 33girl!!

greeklawgirl · #8 06-20-2001, 11:25 PM

Hi Newbie,

33girl is right on the money--no spaces between the periods in an ellipse! You can find the APA Manual of Style in just about any bookstore, and the prices vary depending on whether you want hardback or paperback. Mine cost about $20.
Finally...all those years of copy-editing for the high school paper paying off!

KSig RC · #9 06-20-2001, 11:54 PM

OK - well, the elipses? I think the more 'modern' way (according to an english prof I had) is spaced (. . .), if it's as part of a quote, and (. . . .) if it's at the end of the quote. This also is what's allowed by the grammer check on word 2000 (b/c let's face it, that's the grammar authority we probably use most unfortunately). I'm probably wrong though . . .

For hyphens, that also depends - it depends on whether you're using a 'dash' or a 'hyphen' . . . the '--' turns up as one longer line, demarking a hyphen, in many programs, and doesn't require a space. A dash, however, does require a space (again all from EN220) . . . so yeah, i guess there's so many different ways to write, plus it all depends on if you're doing technical writing or descriptive or blah blah . . . i'd go w/ what's natural for you.

newbie · #10 06-20-2001, 11:59 PM

Thanks you guys!! Oh, Greeklawgirl, I'll tell you what I end up getting!

Rob, what's this called again? -- Is that a dash?

[This message has been edited by newbie (edited June 21, 2001).]

newbie · #11 06-21-2001, 12:11 AM

Never mind, KSig RC explained the hyphen/dash thing to me online...I get it now! Thanks everyone

!