Cato's Grammar Grumble

[Cato]

Is the above post punctuated correctly? Especially the second sentence

Does it mean that they'll have sufficient test data by then to say to the relevant bodies "We're ready to roll it out to the general public?"

The problem I have is that the vaccine companies are not asking a question, so it bugs me that I've put a question mark inside the quotation mark. I also am not sure if there ought to be a comma after bodies. I'm pretty sure that the capital W in we're is OK.

Greetings Mandryka!

You are right to be "bugged" about the sentence. 

One way to solve it is through re-phrasing and not using an imaginary question: e.g. 

Does it mean they will have sufficient test data by then, and can say to the relevant bodies that their company is ready to roll out their product to the general public?

If you want to keep (most) of your original sentence, I would suggest this:


Does it mean that they'll have sufficient test data by then and can say to the relevant bodies: "We're ready to roll it out to the general public" ?

Speaking of correct punctuation
https://twitter.com/RamsesThePigeon/status/1466168057676578818

FUN WITH PUNCTUATION!!! 

[Cato]

There is a fast-food restaurant in America called "Arby's" (a joke on Roast  Beef), which I do not order, preferring instead fish or turkey.

Anyway, I noticed on the side of their ice machine a sign warning employees: "Water in drains must be ran slow."   

The machine was "Made in America."  Certainly such grammar comes from Planet Duhhh!   

[k a rl h e nn i ng]

Woof!

[Mandryka]

Does it mean that they'll have sufficient test data by then and can say to the relevant bodies: "We're ready to roll it out to the general public" ?

FUN WITH PUNCTUATION!!! 

It looks so strange to me to have no punctuation between public and the final quotation mark. I've got Hart's Rules somewhere I think, it may say something about this.

[steve ridgway]

This sign in a local Chinese restaurant has afforded me much amusement over the last few years.

[k a rl h e nn i ng]

This sign in a local Chinese restaurant has afforded me much amusement over the last few years.

Nice!

[Cato]

It looks so strange to me to have no punctuation between public and the final quotation mark. I've got Hart's Rules somewhere I think, it may say something about this.

Cato is quite flexible on this question!   


Feel free to do the following, if you insist on keeping it a direct statement rather than rephrasing it into an indirect clause...


"Does it mean that they'll have sufficient test data by then and can say to the relevant bodies: "We're ready to roll it out to the general public," ?



"Does it mean that they'll have sufficient test data by then and can say to the relevant bodies: "We're ready to roll it out to the general public." ?

[Cato]

I was reminded of a pronunciation grumble recently.

The nasalized and highly annoying pronunciation by (especially) young women on television of the (usually) simple word "Food."

The double "o" is beaten and smeared through their noses, as if they had smelled a skunk: "EWWW!"  It also sounds similar - but not quite - to the o-umlaut in German.

It is not quite a rhyme with "feud," as it lacks a "y" sound.  I suspect this is a descendant of the "Valley-Girl" accent from the 1980's.

[k a rl h e nn i ng]

I was reminded of a pronunciation grumble recently.

The nasalized and highly annoying pronunciation by (especially) young women on television of the (usually) simple word "Food."

The double "o" is beaten and smeared through their noses, as if they had smelled a skunk: "EWWW!"  It also sounds similar - but not quite - to the o-umlaut in German.

It is not quite a rhyme with "feud," as it lacks a "y" sound.  I suspect this is a descendant of the "Valley-Girl" accent from the 1980's.

Grody to the max!

[Cato]

Grody to the max!

Did kids say that back then...for real?   

[k a rl h e nn i ng]

Did kids say that back then...for real?   

fer sher!

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Grody to the max!

fer sher!

Oh, 'the good ole days'--not!

PD

[k a rl h e nn i ng]

Oh, 'the good ole days'--not!

PD

(* chortle *)

[Cato]

In an Ohio newspaper article about a local "chicken factory" applying for a renewal of its permit to operate with "2.2 million laying hens," also known these days as "hens a-laying," we find the following very interesting information and euphemism:

"Each year the facility produces 18,633 tons of solid poultry manure and 48 tons of composted mortality material."

So, I am wondering: Can we assume the existence of "liquid" poultry manure?   

And "mortality material" - composted or otherwise - is a fascinating euphemism for "entrails, beaks, feet, and bones." 

[k a rl h e nn i ng]

Could almost make me a vegetarian.

[steve ridgway]

I saw this and thought of you Cato.

[Cato]

I saw this and thought of you Cato.

Thank you!

What's next?  Grammar Crackers?   

Mrs. Cato and I have recently been noticing advertisements for new drugs which use a "Q" in the name...but without a "u" following, and therefore without the "kw" sound.

Why not use a "K" therefore?

e.g. A medicine whose chemical name is tramadol hydrochloride somehow has a brand name of Qdolo   .

(I have not heard the seemingly unpronounceable name spoken, but assume it might be "Cue-dolo" (?).   Otherwise "Kwadolo" or "Ka-dolo" ?)

Then we have "Collagenase clostridium histolyticum" sold under the inscrutable name of "Qwo."      "Cue-wo"?  or is it the same as Latin's "Quo" ?  And if the latter, why not just call the drug Quo?

Not to be forgotten: Rinvoq where the "q" makes no sense, since it is a "K" sound.  Why not "Rinvoak" or "Rinvoke"?

[JBS]

Thank you!

What's next?  Grammar Crackers?   

Mrs. Cato and I have recently been noticing advertisements for new drugs which use a "Q" in the name...but without a "u" following, and therefore without the "kw" sound.

Why not use a "K" therefore?

e.g. A medicine whose chemical name is tramadol hydrochloride somehow has a brand name of Qdolo   .

(I have not heard the seemingly unpronounceable name spoken, but assume it might be "Cue-dolo" (?).   Otherwise "Kwadolo" or "Ka-dolo" ?)

Then we have "Collagenase clostridium histolyticum" sold under the inscrutable name of "Qwo."      "Cue-wo"?  or is it the same as Latin's "Quo" ?  And if the latter, why not just call the drug Quo?

Not to be forgotten: Rinvoq where the "q" makes no sense, since it is a "K" sound.  Why not "Rinvoak" or "Rinvoke"?

Most likely a ploy to increase name recognition and memorability.

[k a rl h e nn i ng]

I guess Geo. Eastman shoulda gone with Qodaq

[Cato]

I guess Geo. Eastman shoulda gone with Qodaq

Yes, think of the possibilities for new states or cities!  Qansas, Qentuqy,  Qoqomo (Indiana), and my favorite: Qanqaqee, Illinois!