(no subject)

[wickedflea]

Why do we put commas before quotations? I know it's the convention, but what's the reasoning behind it? That's always bothered me. The quotation essentially functions as an object of the verb, right? And we don't normally put commas between verbs and their objects, right? "He played, basketball." That just looks stupid. So why do we write, "Fred said, 'I played basketball.'"? It's goofy.

TELL ME WHY OMG

Comments

[girl-on-a-stick.livejournal.com]

I believe it goes back to the old printing presses. Commas were very small and fragile, so putting them inside quotes kept them from breaking off. Someone correct me if this is just an urban legend.

[wickedflea.livejournal.com]

Hmmmm. What about commas without quotation marks, though? And periods?

[girl-on-a-stick.livejournal.com]

http://webster.commnet.edu/grammar/marks/quotation.htm

[wickedflea.livejournal.com]

Oh, wait--that's a different question, though I see that the way I phrased it was confusing. That answers why we put commas inside the quotes instead of outside, but I'm asking why we have the comma there at all. That is, why is it

Dewayne said, "Hocknoffer fleeginsnug."

instead of

Dewayne said "Hocknoffer fleeginsnug."

Sorry, I'm a nerd. =)

[girl-on-a-stick.livejournal.com]

Oooo! Sorry, totally misunderstood. *slaps head*
Well, now you know some random trivia! :P

[dob.livejournal.com]

It's so you have time to pause to imitate the voice.

[carocrow.livejournal.com]

This guess wins in my book.

[dob.livejournal.com]

you dumbass! Milk is so cute.

[carocrow.livejournal.com]

Mr. President is pretending to know again!

[wickedflea.livejournal.com]

But if you're as good with voices as I am, you don't need a pause! Damn that.

[wild-magnolia.livejournal.com]

FOR DRAMATIC EFFECT.

See:

I said "OH MY GOD THAT IS CRAZY."

I said, "OH MY GOD THAT IS CRAZY."

It builds tension. And gives you space to breathe before you yell.





I don't know. Good question.

[wickedflea.livejournal.com]

I think it's just another case of The Man trying to keep us down.

[wild-magnolia.livejournal.com]

Lord loves a workin' man, don't trust Whitey, see a doctor and get rid of it.

[wickedflea.livejournal.com]

Shit . . . Shinola. Shit . . . Shinola.

[wild-magnolia.livejournal.com]

Thank God you got that. Otherwise I would have just sounded retarded. I'm gonna buy you a diamond so big it's gonna make you PUKE.

[wickedflea.livejournal.com]

I'm picking out a Thermos for you! Not an ordinary Thermos for you. But the extra best Thermos that you can buy, with vinyl and stripes and a cup built right in!

[wild-magnolia.livejournal.com]

And what else can I buy
So on me you'll rely?
A rear-end thermometer too


I sing that whole song at karaoke sometimes. Nobody understands.

[dichotomous.livejournal.com]

You people are straaaaange...

[dob.livejournal.com]

yeah they are

[wickedflea.livejournal.com]

Nice. ;)

[buscemi.livejournal.com]

Don't forget the thermometer. :P

[ex-thebellja885.livejournal.com]

you is crasy mang.

And THEN it's the scooter.
it's the infamous scooter.

and Mini Me said, "I'm naked right now, so"

[theodicy.livejournal.com]

P.D. James uses colons, just to be all creepy and Brit n' stuff.