Comma Usage in Dictation Passages - Inconsistent?
Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2009 11:08 am
Hello Ladies,
I am hugely impressed with the dictation included in the Preparing and Creation to Christ guides and we are loving HOD! I am not a grammar "guru" by any means but have noticed that comma usage seems to vary or not be what I would expect in some passages. For example, in the Preparing guide, both number 3 and 5 have items in a series. Number three reads "... a root, a stem, and leaves" and number five reads "In March, April, May and June.." Now, I believe the R&S texts (I looked ahead) explain that commas in series include the word right before "and." Both ways are correct (in Canada actually we don't usually put the comma before the "and" in a series) but I wanted to have a rule for my kids to follow and so thought we would do what R&S is going to teach us. I also thought that convention would be reflected in the passages. Is there a difference because the word "a" preceeds each item in number 3?
Also, in the CTC guide, number 5 dictation says, "He's very sorry now, because his grandma, who is dead gave it to him on his birthday." I thought there should be a comma after "dead" as you do naturally pause there when reading and didn't think one was necessarily needed after "now." Clear as mud?
I insist the kids have it perfect including punctuation so it makes it difficult if it is not consistent in the models. This is not a big issue - I side with the book and tell them it has to be as written there. Just looking for clarification or explanation? Has anyone else noticed this or am I making a mountain out of a molehill? 
Blessings,
Rachael
I am hugely impressed with the dictation included in the Preparing and Creation to Christ guides and we are loving HOD! I am not a grammar "guru" by any means but have noticed that comma usage seems to vary or not be what I would expect in some passages. For example, in the Preparing guide, both number 3 and 5 have items in a series. Number three reads "... a root, a stem, and leaves" and number five reads "In March, April, May and June.." Now, I believe the R&S texts (I looked ahead) explain that commas in series include the word right before "and." Both ways are correct (in Canada actually we don't usually put the comma before the "and" in a series) but I wanted to have a rule for my kids to follow and so thought we would do what R&S is going to teach us. I also thought that convention would be reflected in the passages. Is there a difference because the word "a" preceeds each item in number 3?
Also, in the CTC guide, number 5 dictation says, "He's very sorry now, because his grandma, who is dead gave it to him on his birthday." I thought there should be a comma after "dead" as you do naturally pause there when reading and didn't think one was necessarily needed after "now." Clear as mud?
I insist the kids have it perfect including punctuation so it makes it difficult if it is not consistent in the models. This is not a big issue - I side with the book and tell them it has to be as written there. Just looking for clarification or explanation? Has anyone else noticed this or am I making a mountain out of a molehill? Blessings,
Rachael
These books have stood the test of time and were suggested for use on Ambleside. Carrie is blessed to have obtained them as they are difficult and almost near to impossible to find. The copies she has even had leaves and flowers pressed between the pages - and notes in the margins. It felt as if we were holding a special piece of history in our hands as we went through them.