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Actually, the Comma Goes Here: A Practical Guide to Punctuation
Fun, funny, and factual--the most complete guide to punctuation for beginners and experts alike. Period.
No one's ever said that learning punctuation is fun--until now. Actually, The Comma Goes Here takes a lighthearted yet highly informative approach to ensuring you never misplace a comma again.
Whether it's semicolons or exclamation points, this primer has you covered with chapters that dive deep into the correct use for each and every piece of punctuation. You'll find plenty of fun (and funny) examples of proper writing while also learning how punctuation has changed throughout history.
Actually, The Comma Goes Here includes:
A complete crash course--Keep things simple with chapters that progress from the most basic punctuation (like periods) to more advanced or uncommon punctuation (like brackets).
Memorable advice--Never mix your clauses up again thanks to easy-to-remember breakdowns, handy mnemonics, and entertaining sample sentences.
Matters of style--Discover a quick reference chart that details the differences between the most common style guides, including the Chicago Manual of Style and Associated Press.
Perfect your punctuation with the help of this comprehensive guidebook.
No one's ever said that learning punctuation is fun--until now. Actually, The Comma Goes Here takes a lighthearted yet highly informative approach to ensuring you never misplace a comma again.
Whether it's semicolons or exclamation points, this primer has you covered with chapters that dive deep into the correct use for each and every piece of punctuation. You'll find plenty of fun (and funny) examples of proper writing while also learning how punctuation has changed throughout history.
Actually, The Comma Goes Here includes:
A complete crash course--Keep things simple with chapters that progress from the most basic punctuation (like periods) to more advanced or uncommon punctuation (like brackets).
Memorable advice--Never mix your clauses up again thanks to easy-to-remember breakdowns, handy mnemonics, and entertaining sample sentences.
Matters of style--Discover a quick reference chart that details the differences between the most common style guides, including the Chicago Manual of Style and Associated Press.
Perfect your punctuation with the help of this comprehensive guidebook.
166 pages, Paperback
Published March 31, 2020
402 people are currently reading
276 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
August 31, 2020
It has been ages since I looked at the rules of grammar. As a result, I know for a fact that my punctuation is atrocious at times. I spotted this easy-read, whimisically-toned book on grammar punctuation and decided it was high time I review the punctuation rules without feeling brow-beaten at the same time.
Actually, the Comma Goes Here hit the spot. It nailed that balance between rubber meets road rule and a fun discussion of the history and advances of each punctuation as well as what the typical errors and confusions are. It never felt like a textbook and yet it didn’t leave me confused or hanging out after each chapter’s punctuation point discussion. Oh, and it also clarified some of the non-punctuation symbols that typically get lumped in with punctuation like the ampersand, hash, and accent marks.
Personally, I’ve always found myself getting hung up on semi-colons vs commas as well as dashes vs parentheses so I found the clarifications immensely helpful. Turns out, there were different things about each punctuation point I was mistreating so nothing in the book went to waste.
What I found particularly helpful was the explanation of how the various manuals differ and who is meant to be using specific manuals. Like, if you’re a journalist, you follow Associated Press rules and if you’re a lawyer, The Blue Book. But, if you’re a writer or writing a formal letter, probably the Chicago Manual of Style. She included a handy chart in the back of the book with each rule and which manual did what with it.
So, all in all, this was a no-angst reunion with grammar punctuation that I can recommend to others who just want a fast bone-up or clarification after decades from your last grammar class.
My thanks to Callisto Publishing for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Actually, the Comma Goes Here hit the spot. It nailed that balance between rubber meets road rule and a fun discussion of the history and advances of each punctuation as well as what the typical errors and confusions are. It never felt like a textbook and yet it didn’t leave me confused or hanging out after each chapter’s punctuation point discussion. Oh, and it also clarified some of the non-punctuation symbols that typically get lumped in with punctuation like the ampersand, hash, and accent marks.
Personally, I’ve always found myself getting hung up on semi-colons vs commas as well as dashes vs parentheses so I found the clarifications immensely helpful. Turns out, there were different things about each punctuation point I was mistreating so nothing in the book went to waste.
What I found particularly helpful was the explanation of how the various manuals differ and who is meant to be using specific manuals. Like, if you’re a journalist, you follow Associated Press rules and if you’re a lawyer, The Blue Book. But, if you’re a writer or writing a formal letter, probably the Chicago Manual of Style. She included a handy chart in the back of the book with each rule and which manual did what with it.
So, all in all, this was a no-angst reunion with grammar punctuation that I can recommend to others who just want a fast bone-up or clarification after decades from your last grammar class.
My thanks to Callisto Publishing for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 4, 2020
This is about as entertaining as a book about punctuation can be. Short. Easy to read. Easy to find what you're looking for. Primarily follows Chicago Manual of Style (CMS), noting some Associated Press (AP) disagreements - i.e. Oxford comma vs. serial comma.
Great little reference book.
Great little reference book.
September 4, 2024
This book had me with the chapter on apostrophes. It's worth the price just for that!
I cringe—and I mean, really cringe—when I see words incorrectly masquerading as plurals by using an apostrophe. You've seen it a lot, too. Holiday cards, sidewalk chalkboard signs outside restaurants, and even fancy paintings people have custom made for their homes with their last names: The Smith's wish you happy holidays. Today's special: Taco's! Ugh. (Don't tell! I have been known to wipe off errant apostrophes from sidewalk chalkboard signs.) An apostrophe does not create a plural. Ever.
Oh, I love this book.
Expertly written by Lucy Cripps—with lots of funny, snide, and smart remarks scattered throughout just to make it enjoyable—this short book is a clear-cut, easy-to-follow guide to English punctuation. It's what you should have learned in seventh grade but may have forgotten. Cripps makes it clear in the first few pages that punctuation is not a secret code; instead, punctuation allows us to better understand one another.
I read the book from cover-to-cover, but it's also a wonderful reference tool and handy guide to have on your desk. Even if you only write emails (and holiday cards), this is a handy tome to have sitting on your desk.
Find out:
• Why it's probably OK to put a comma in a sentence just because "it feels right" to you.
• The four types of commas and how to use each one.
• How to correctly use question marks—even in the middle of a sentence.
• Historical background on punctuation marks, including how they were first used and why. The ancient Greeks and a few monks figure heavily in most of these fascinating stories.
• The difference between the em dash and the en dash and when you should (and shouldn't) use both of them.
• Why you should use exclamation points sparingly.
• Weird, esoteric punctuation marks. My favorite is the "interrobang": ?! (Yes, it's a real punctuation mark!)
Bonus: Cripps also includes the different punctuation rules proscribed by the most used style guides, including the AP Stylebook (journalism); the Modern Language Association (academia); American Psychological Association (engineering, social sciences, and business); The Blue Book (law); and The Chicago Manual of Style (fiction and nonfiction authors).
I cringe—and I mean, really cringe—when I see words incorrectly masquerading as plurals by using an apostrophe. You've seen it a lot, too. Holiday cards, sidewalk chalkboard signs outside restaurants, and even fancy paintings people have custom made for their homes with their last names: The Smith's wish you happy holidays. Today's special: Taco's! Ugh. (Don't tell! I have been known to wipe off errant apostrophes from sidewalk chalkboard signs.) An apostrophe does not create a plural. Ever.
Oh, I love this book.
Expertly written by Lucy Cripps—with lots of funny, snide, and smart remarks scattered throughout just to make it enjoyable—this short book is a clear-cut, easy-to-follow guide to English punctuation. It's what you should have learned in seventh grade but may have forgotten. Cripps makes it clear in the first few pages that punctuation is not a secret code; instead, punctuation allows us to better understand one another.
I read the book from cover-to-cover, but it's also a wonderful reference tool and handy guide to have on your desk. Even if you only write emails (and holiday cards), this is a handy tome to have sitting on your desk.
Find out:
• Why it's probably OK to put a comma in a sentence just because "it feels right" to you.
• The four types of commas and how to use each one.
• How to correctly use question marks—even in the middle of a sentence.
• Historical background on punctuation marks, including how they were first used and why. The ancient Greeks and a few monks figure heavily in most of these fascinating stories.
• The difference between the em dash and the en dash and when you should (and shouldn't) use both of them.
• Why you should use exclamation points sparingly.
• Weird, esoteric punctuation marks. My favorite is the "interrobang": ?! (Yes, it's a real punctuation mark!)
Bonus: Cripps also includes the different punctuation rules proscribed by the most used style guides, including the AP Stylebook (journalism); the Modern Language Association (academia); American Psychological Association (engineering, social sciences, and business); The Blue Book (law); and The Chicago Manual of Style (fiction and nonfiction authors).
June 1, 2020
Punctuation is the one part of the grammatical world that I feel I have a firm grasp on, but I still love a good refresher.
Laid out into 15 chapters, each focusing on a different punctuation mark, Cripps details the times to use each mark, when definitely NOT to use the mark, and highlights some history of the mark and how different pub/style guides use the mark (spoiler: the AP pretty much breaks all the standards). It would be an excellent book to use in lower-level composition classes, as a stepping stone for higher level grammar classes, as well as classes focusing on citing and writing in “insert publication style here”.
I specifically loved the sections detailing the differences between the hyphen and the en- and em-dashes. Three VERY different things that I finally understand the differences between (hyphens are the shortest and used for compounds and prefixes; en dashes are for date ranges and multi-compounds; em dashes are for offsetting things like lists or sentence breaks).
It’s a brief enough intro to punctuation that provides enough info to be useful on its own, while still providing lots of breadcrumbs to research further. That being said, there was one major issue with the book.
There is a complete lack of references, bibliography, or further reading section. Historical and “first” usages of punctuations are cited in here, various style guides are referenced, as well as a few other grammar/punctuation guides. None are cited or are listed in the back, so I have to eliminate one star solely because of this. Please note that I did read an ARC copy of this book, so these sections may not have been finalized yet at the time of ARC release. However, most ARCs I have read typically have a section header placeholder page for these sections and there was not one.
I was also a little disappointed in presentation of info. While Cripps does highlight the differences in usage between style guides, she many times just throws up her hands and says “use this however you want, just say you’re using X style instead of Y, and it’s perfect!” Which does work in casual writing and conversation, but doesn’t work when writing academically/professionally to a style, and I feel like the differences should have been somehow more emphasized. She does give a chart at the end of the book that’s a “cheat sheet” on style differences, which was quite helpful and did bring the importance of style differences to focus, but the actual text seemed to be “meh” towards it.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free copy to review!
(Cross posted on my blog.)
Laid out into 15 chapters, each focusing on a different punctuation mark, Cripps details the times to use each mark, when definitely NOT to use the mark, and highlights some history of the mark and how different pub/style guides use the mark (spoiler: the AP pretty much breaks all the standards). It would be an excellent book to use in lower-level composition classes, as a stepping stone for higher level grammar classes, as well as classes focusing on citing and writing in “insert publication style here”.
I specifically loved the sections detailing the differences between the hyphen and the en- and em-dashes. Three VERY different things that I finally understand the differences between (hyphens are the shortest and used for compounds and prefixes; en dashes are for date ranges and multi-compounds; em dashes are for offsetting things like lists or sentence breaks).
It’s a brief enough intro to punctuation that provides enough info to be useful on its own, while still providing lots of breadcrumbs to research further. That being said, there was one major issue with the book.
There is a complete lack of references, bibliography, or further reading section. Historical and “first” usages of punctuations are cited in here, various style guides are referenced, as well as a few other grammar/punctuation guides. None are cited or are listed in the back, so I have to eliminate one star solely because of this. Please note that I did read an ARC copy of this book, so these sections may not have been finalized yet at the time of ARC release. However, most ARCs I have read typically have a section header placeholder page for these sections and there was not one.
I was also a little disappointed in presentation of info. While Cripps does highlight the differences in usage between style guides, she many times just throws up her hands and says “use this however you want, just say you’re using X style instead of Y, and it’s perfect!” Which does work in casual writing and conversation, but doesn’t work when writing academically/professionally to a style, and I feel like the differences should have been somehow more emphasized. She does give a chart at the end of the book that’s a “cheat sheet” on style differences, which was quite helpful and did bring the importance of style differences to focus, but the actual text seemed to be “meh” towards it.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free copy to review!
(Cross posted on my blog.)
March 27, 2024
When I was writing stories, I used to be interested in punctuation because I was afraid of making mistakes. Now, that doesn't concern me so much, but occasionally I still look through books about punctuation so that's why I am reviewing this book. The problem with books like this is 1. They try to be too humorous (and aren't). 2. Most normal people rely on just a few of the key types of punctuation, and don't really need the 'fancy' ones so they tend to skip over them. (I know I did.). Anyway, it was okay if you are writing stories or really 'need' to know this stuff, but practically, I found it almost boring. Perhaps, that's my fault, but it really wasn't worth my time even as short as it is.
March 17, 2023
Why do I love these sorts of books so much? You'd think they'd be all the same. And most are. This one has a bit of a twist in it by comparing the mayhem caused by many of the major style manuals -- each of which claims to be the Ultimate Law of the Land. Seeing the differences side-by-side, it's clear why Americans' punctuation is a complete mess. Half of us are using literary-focused style guides, and half of us are using journalism guides. (Probably more like 80% of us use nothing but a vague notion and chutzpah, and the other 20% are split between the literary-journalism divide.). In any event, this was a fun, short read and managed to point out the mess that is English punctuation without being dry or pedantic.
April 13, 2020
I was given an opportunity, via the publisher, to read Actually, the Comma Goes Here: A Practical Guide to Punctuation. I voluntarily chose to review this publication and my opinion is freely given.
The book is separated into different sections, with lessons on how to use The Comma, The Question Mark, The Slash, and so forth. Punctuation is often misused in the English language and it can be confusing to know which rules to follow.
Writing standards differ depending on the type of professional application being used. This book shows the Chicago Manual of Style, starting with the period and moving on to other punctuation. I like how the author explains the history behind each, giving the punctuation's origin stories. Although I had a strong grasp on punctuation already, there were a few interesting tidbits along the way that were unknown to me. This reference guide is handy and informative, worth having on a bookshelf within reaching distance.
The book is separated into different sections, with lessons on how to use The Comma, The Question Mark, The Slash, and so forth. Punctuation is often misused in the English language and it can be confusing to know which rules to follow.
Writing standards differ depending on the type of professional application being used. This book shows the Chicago Manual of Style, starting with the period and moving on to other punctuation. I like how the author explains the history behind each, giving the punctuation's origin stories. Although I had a strong grasp on punctuation already, there were a few interesting tidbits along the way that were unknown to me. This reference guide is handy and informative, worth having on a bookshelf within reaching distance.
March 14, 2020
This is a fantastic little book that explains the ins and outs of all of the punctuation marks used in contemporary English language. Cripps shares the history of each mark, the various ways it can be used, and the rules that apply to them all. She even covers the unusual punctuation marks like the interrobang and the hashtag, as well as a few fun extras. This would be a great reference book to add to any writer's shelf. *Advance copy provided by the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
June 19, 2020
For finicky English writers (and we ought to all be finicky), this is a must-read book.
It's short and practical.
Each chapter is devoted to a topic. It covers the following punctuation marks:
; : ! . , - / ( )
Lucy Cripps often addresses the English writing "snobs."
She is not super dogmatic, which is practical and fair.
It's short and practical.
Each chapter is devoted to a topic. It covers the following punctuation marks:
; : ! . , - / ( )
Lucy Cripps often addresses the English writing "snobs."
She is not super dogmatic, which is practical and fair.
March 11, 2022
Great book. Well written, easy to understand with great examples. Whether English is your first language or not, it's a great reference.
May 17, 2020
This book not only reveals the correct use of a comma, but the correct use of all forms of punctuation. It is fun and informative, offering both correct and incorrect examples.
This pocket-sized guide to punctuation is a convenient and valuable writing reference tool.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.
This pocket-sized guide to punctuation is a convenient and valuable writing reference tool.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.
July 17, 2022
Wow, where was this book when I was in school? Why aren't more people reading this gem? I am simply floored at how well this book is written. Nothing confusing, great examples, & has some humor thrown in there as well. I never learned so much about punctuation as I have reading this book. I mean who the hell know the difference between an en dash & em dash? Not many. This book is super helpful, so I decided to buy one so that I can reference it when I need to. Now I am concerned at whether or not I am putting the punctuation in the right place in this review. YIKES! Point is–get this to read because you will learn something which is important for proper writing. They only thing I wish is that there was more to this book, it's too short. Maybe there's another one out there to read–like a sequel?
April 17, 2022
Fascinating and fun
I love the humor and teasing that is included in each section. Those parts make a reader laugh, which helps keep them engaged. This also presents specifics on how each style guide can differ. Altogether, this was a pleasure to read—even if I didn't already love grammar.
I love the humor and teasing that is included in each section. Those parts make a reader laugh, which helps keep them engaged. This also presents specifics on how each style guide can differ. Altogether, this was a pleasure to read—even if I didn't already love grammar.
April 24, 2022
I might be a nerd, or even a snob, but this book was excellent. Crystal-clear writing, tremendous examples, and jokes! The author’s got jokes, (most of which are subtle and only work if you understand the prior text). A great, fun way to learn about everything from the period to the Morgan Freeman mark, “Actually, A Comma Goes Here” was a joy to savor.
May 15, 2020
“You’ll find plenty of fun (and examples) of proper writing while also learning how punctuation has changed throughout history!” states the back cover of Lucy Cripps’s book, Actually, the Comma Goes Here: A Practical Guide to Punctuation.
~ What ~
This one-hundred-and-sixty-six-page paperback targets those who want to improve their punctuation skills. After an introduction, the book is divided into fifteen chapters, followed by style guides, an index, acknowledgments, and the author’s biography.
From six to seventeen pages each, the chapters cover the period, comma, apostrophe, question and exclamation marks, the hyphen, em and en dash, parenthesis and brackets, ellipsis, slash, unusual characters, and “not-punctuation points.” Most sections contain explanations, rules, history lessons, and How to Beat the Snobs inserts.
~ Why ~
Since I read a lot, I instantly notice punctuation and grammar errors, so I have to constantly confirm writing rules. I love having a small, pocket-sized book on the topic that can be checked quickly for verification. This read is thorough by offering correct and incorrect examples, highlighted bullet points, rule charts, and different acceptable styles of writing. Adding the history of some of the marks is educational.
Some of the notable rules include:
* Single spacing between sentences
* Serial (Oxford) comma
* Apostrophe in shared possession
* Semi-colon with related thoughts
* Em dash for sentence breaks
* Spacing of the ellipsis
~ Why Not ~
Those who do not like to write properly or do not care if they are incorrect will not be interested in this compilation. Others may not like the many differences in style that may confuse the writer further. I prefer cut-and-dry rules and examples that are simplified, but this layout may be helpful for some readers.
~ Wish ~
Loving punctuation, I appreciate such a book as this, but I wish it was formated differently and did not contain the humor.
~ Want ~
While so many current-day writers seem to ignore many punctuation rules, claiming it is their style, this book hones in on what to and not to do when putting pen to paper. It is a good reference tool for quick access or to avoid getting out the heavy Chicago Manual of Style.
Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Thanks to Callisto Publisher’s Club and the author for this complimentary book that I am under no obligation to review.
~ What ~
This one-hundred-and-sixty-six-page paperback targets those who want to improve their punctuation skills. After an introduction, the book is divided into fifteen chapters, followed by style guides, an index, acknowledgments, and the author’s biography.
From six to seventeen pages each, the chapters cover the period, comma, apostrophe, question and exclamation marks, the hyphen, em and en dash, parenthesis and brackets, ellipsis, slash, unusual characters, and “not-punctuation points.” Most sections contain explanations, rules, history lessons, and How to Beat the Snobs inserts.
~ Why ~
Since I read a lot, I instantly notice punctuation and grammar errors, so I have to constantly confirm writing rules. I love having a small, pocket-sized book on the topic that can be checked quickly for verification. This read is thorough by offering correct and incorrect examples, highlighted bullet points, rule charts, and different acceptable styles of writing. Adding the history of some of the marks is educational.
Some of the notable rules include:
* Single spacing between sentences
* Serial (Oxford) comma
* Apostrophe in shared possession
* Semi-colon with related thoughts
* Em dash for sentence breaks
* Spacing of the ellipsis
~ Why Not ~
Those who do not like to write properly or do not care if they are incorrect will not be interested in this compilation. Others may not like the many differences in style that may confuse the writer further. I prefer cut-and-dry rules and examples that are simplified, but this layout may be helpful for some readers.
~ Wish ~
Loving punctuation, I appreciate such a book as this, but I wish it was formated differently and did not contain the humor.
~ Want ~
While so many current-day writers seem to ignore many punctuation rules, claiming it is their style, this book hones in on what to and not to do when putting pen to paper. It is a good reference tool for quick access or to avoid getting out the heavy Chicago Manual of Style.
Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Thanks to Callisto Publisher’s Club and the author for this complimentary book that I am under no obligation to review.
June 11, 2020
In case you missed it in elementary school, here are the rules for using punctuation so that your writing will make sense. There are snippets from history about how punctuation was first invented in the library at Alexandria, and how the Greeks and Romans developed their own styles of punctuation that morphed into what we use today. There are tons of examples of correct and incorrect punctuation in different types of sentences, questions, quotations, and clauses.
The best thing about this book is the comedic writing style. The author uses humor to make the punctuation rules memorable and fun.
There are sections for the period, comma, apostrophe, question mark, colon, semicolon, and a dozen others, and an entire chapter for markings that look like punctuation but aren't, like the & and @ symbols.
One of the things I really appreciated was how the author referenced different style guides (Chicago Manual Style, Modern Language Association, The Blue Book, and Associated Press) that are used by newspapers, educational and science journals, and fiction and non-fiction publishers to explain why there is some controversy about different punctuation usage. The press have their own set of rules because of the nature of their format, as do scientific writings because of the subject material. I loved that this book explains the different style guides and the various rules that apply to each.
However, I got tired of the author being so sarcastic about "punctuation snobs". I mean, it's fine to have some light-hearted humor and laugh at ourselves when we care so much about each little comma and apostrophe, but the author kept making the same joke over and over about "punctuation pedants". There is even a recurring section in the book entitled "How to Beat the Snobs". After 100 pages of non-stop mocking, I got tired of it. The author is a self-proclaimed punctuation snob, so I guess they were poking fun at themselves, but I think they went overboard with it. It was funny the first time; after that, not so much.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher/ author in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
The best thing about this book is the comedic writing style. The author uses humor to make the punctuation rules memorable and fun.
There are sections for the period, comma, apostrophe, question mark, colon, semicolon, and a dozen others, and an entire chapter for markings that look like punctuation but aren't, like the & and @ symbols.
One of the things I really appreciated was how the author referenced different style guides (Chicago Manual Style, Modern Language Association, The Blue Book, and Associated Press) that are used by newspapers, educational and science journals, and fiction and non-fiction publishers to explain why there is some controversy about different punctuation usage. The press have their own set of rules because of the nature of their format, as do scientific writings because of the subject material. I loved that this book explains the different style guides and the various rules that apply to each.
However, I got tired of the author being so sarcastic about "punctuation snobs". I mean, it's fine to have some light-hearted humor and laugh at ourselves when we care so much about each little comma and apostrophe, but the author kept making the same joke over and over about "punctuation pedants". There is even a recurring section in the book entitled "How to Beat the Snobs". After 100 pages of non-stop mocking, I got tired of it. The author is a self-proclaimed punctuation snob, so I guess they were poking fun at themselves, but I think they went overboard with it. It was funny the first time; after that, not so much.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher/ author in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
June 5, 2020
My husband made fun of me as I sat down to actually read a grammar book. But it was so much fun. And I should know, I have a bunch of them. This was a light (much lighter than the Chicago Manual of Style on which it is based) read with fun examples of different types of punctuation. It targets anyone who wants to learn the finer points of grammar, but does note that this is based on CMoS and that there are other styles depending on what you’re writing—including APA, Turabian, MLA, Associated Press, and individual house styles. In fact, that’s the only nit I have with the book. The author gives you the basics but then tells you to do what you want depending on which style you want to use. However, it is also something every writer should read. I’ve reviewed way too many books of late where there is barely a passing grade when it comes to proper punctuation and grammar. This book is laid out in fifteen chapters, each one focusing on a specific punctuation mark like periods, commas, parentheses, em dashes, and more, when to use each—and when *not* to use them.
What I liked: She uses the Oxford comma! Yay! I also enjoyed that it was on the light-hearted side. There is a lot of good information here that is easily accessible and understandable. I loved the chart at the end that compared all the different styles.
What I didn’t like: The multiple references to other styles. I suggest just mentioning the styles—including house styles—once at the beginning and note that this is based on CMOS and let it go at that. Grammar is confusing enough without muddling it even more. Also, there is a complete lack of references, resources or anything else for more information.
Recommendation: This is a brief, light introduction to punctuation and has enough good information to be useful. It’s a good place to start, but if you really care about grammar, it’s not the place to end. Keep going. But I’d definitely recommend this as a decent starting reference point.
Disclaimer: I received this book gratis from the publisher. All opinions are my own and are not influenced by anyone or anything.
What I liked: She uses the Oxford comma! Yay! I also enjoyed that it was on the light-hearted side. There is a lot of good information here that is easily accessible and understandable. I loved the chart at the end that compared all the different styles.
What I didn’t like: The multiple references to other styles. I suggest just mentioning the styles—including house styles—once at the beginning and note that this is based on CMOS and let it go at that. Grammar is confusing enough without muddling it even more. Also, there is a complete lack of references, resources or anything else for more information.
Recommendation: This is a brief, light introduction to punctuation and has enough good information to be useful. It’s a good place to start, but if you really care about grammar, it’s not the place to end. Keep going. But I’d definitely recommend this as a decent starting reference point.
Disclaimer: I received this book gratis from the publisher. All opinions are my own and are not influenced by anyone or anything.
July 9, 2020
I am and have always been terrible at grammar. Writing papers has never been my strong suit, and I find myself always 2nd guessing my sentence structure. I was the kid that had to write my papers early so I could have someone proofread them ahead of time. Because I am fully aware of my weaknesses, I am constantly trying to learn and refresh my understanding of correct punctuation. Math is easy. Science is easy. Punctuation? Not so much. I've read and referenced many books throughout my writing history, and can't believe it took until 2020 to find one I actually like, and plan to fiercely commit to memory.
I like how everything is organized and explained. The examples are helpful, and geared towards real world questions in order to improve and refine understanding. Grammar traps are highlighted with "Careful Now!" headers, and topics are easily but logically explained. How grammar became opinion and preference based is beyond me, and I hope to commit the mathematical like rules to memory through the use of this helpful book.
***Special thanks to NetGalley, Callisto Media, and Lucy Cripps for sharing this ARC COPY with me in exchange for my honest review***
Overall Rating → 5 STARS
Price is Right? → Yes! Kindle version $8.99 RN on Amazon.
Would I recommend? → YES
Would I re-read? → Yes!
Would I read more from this author? → MOST DEFINITELY!
I like how everything is organized and explained. The examples are helpful, and geared towards real world questions in order to improve and refine understanding. Grammar traps are highlighted with "Careful Now!" headers, and topics are easily but logically explained. How grammar became opinion and preference based is beyond me, and I hope to commit the mathematical like rules to memory through the use of this helpful book.
***Special thanks to NetGalley, Callisto Media, and Lucy Cripps for sharing this ARC COPY with me in exchange for my honest review***
Overall Rating → 5 STARS
Price is Right? → Yes! Kindle version $8.99 RN on Amazon.
Would I recommend? → YES
Would I re-read? → Yes!
Would I read more from this author? → MOST DEFINITELY!
January 31, 2024
So, I generally don't write reviews anymore, specifically because it's about subjective opinion. I just categorize my ratings by whether I'd read something again (stars 3-5). The writing of this book is really easy to read and understand, but more importantly, I want to hit on punctuation as a whole. This might come across as a tangent or a rant, so I apologize in advance. This author is generally spot on with the punctuation advice—I can't remember every detail, so don't come at me—and the vast majority of ... well ... anyone who writes in the English language should pick up a copy and brush up on punctuation. I can't begin to tell you how many debates I've had with other writers from various backgrounds about whether or not you need a comma after an introductory phrase. In case you're wondering, the answer is yes, you do. But over the years, I've grown appalled by the lack of punctuation and grammar, simple things that almost everyone should know ... and that's why I've got to say, I highly recommend this book. It wasn't stuffy with all those boring lessons in school that no one remembers now. It was simple and down-to-earth, and it covered subjects that most wouldn't really know, like the hyphen, en dash, and em dash. So, if you're wanting to touch up on your commas, grab a copy.
May 16, 2020
I chose to read this book after receiving a free copy from the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.
When I’m proofreading, commas are the most difficult. There are hard and fast rules for some of them, but some are subjective. Many authors have difficulty with commas, so I try to make sure the sentences convey their intent.
Whenever I come across a punctuation book that looks interesting, I get it because I’m not an expert, and I want to see what the author has to say. I think I can say that this is the first book about punctuation that is humorous.
Most of the information here is what I already know, but it never hurts to brush up. And near the end is some punctuation that isn’t used very often that I may find helpful in the future. At the end, there is a reference chart that lists the different style guides. Remember when there had to be 2 spaces after a period? The American Psychological Association, which is used by engineering, social sciences, and business, still does. I had no idea!
This is a great little reference for anyone who writes and wants it to be punctuated correctly. The best thing about it is the author’s style which makes it easy to learn or use as a reference.
When I’m proofreading, commas are the most difficult. There are hard and fast rules for some of them, but some are subjective. Many authors have difficulty with commas, so I try to make sure the sentences convey their intent.
Whenever I come across a punctuation book that looks interesting, I get it because I’m not an expert, and I want to see what the author has to say. I think I can say that this is the first book about punctuation that is humorous.
Most of the information here is what I already know, but it never hurts to brush up. And near the end is some punctuation that isn’t used very often that I may find helpful in the future. At the end, there is a reference chart that lists the different style guides. Remember when there had to be 2 spaces after a period? The American Psychological Association, which is used by engineering, social sciences, and business, still does. I had no idea!
This is a great little reference for anyone who writes and wants it to be punctuated correctly. The best thing about it is the author’s style which makes it easy to learn or use as a reference.
May 31, 2020
Actually, the Comma Goes Here is a light, easy-to-understand resource for people who want to shut up the grammar-pendants and bone-up on their punctuation. It breaks down what each punctuation mark does and what it doesn’t do. How to use it and how not to use it.
The book makes much over how most grammar confusion comes from the many many different style guides out there and that there are really only a few hard and fast rules to follow. (Never more than two spaces between sentences -- for example.) The bigger take away when there is confusion is to pick one rule and be consistent. Using a serial comma aka the Oxford comma? Then you need to use that for all serials.
The book was light and easy to read. The rules were broken up into digestible chunks peppered with anecdotes, historical information, and how to deal with pendants. The author gave examples of both the right and the wrong way to do things and also explained why it was wrong. OMG! Super useful!
I read this book quickly... which considering this is book on punctuation was a bid deal.
Frankly, I learned stuff. I had fun while doing it. And it’s a useful resource for the future.
And for that, I give this:
Five Stars
The book makes much over how most grammar confusion comes from the many many different style guides out there and that there are really only a few hard and fast rules to follow. (Never more than two spaces between sentences -- for example.) The bigger take away when there is confusion is to pick one rule and be consistent. Using a serial comma aka the Oxford comma? Then you need to use that for all serials.
The book was light and easy to read. The rules were broken up into digestible chunks peppered with anecdotes, historical information, and how to deal with pendants. The author gave examples of both the right and the wrong way to do things and also explained why it was wrong. OMG! Super useful!
I read this book quickly... which considering this is book on punctuation was a bid deal.
Frankly, I learned stuff. I had fun while doing it. And it’s a useful resource for the future.
And for that, I give this:
Five Stars
March 20, 2020
Punctuation made fun! Have you, like me, had trouble understanding punctuation and how to use it appropriately? Lucy Cripps in her intensely lively and colorful book, Actually, the Comma Goes Here: A Practical Guide to Punctuation, makes the process easy, entertaining, highly informative.
It is a very fun read which you should pick up for a few laughs. Then you will get hooked and want to read the entire book, as she takes you on a journey through the most common (and sometimes uncommon) punctuation marks. Along the way she scatters a few historical facts but never takes the matter so seriously as to make it boring. This is one of those books you will read for information and entertainment. Then you will want to hold onto it [buying another one for that special friend] in order to use it as a reference partner.
Oops! I’m sure I have made numerous errors in this review, so I’d better quit while I’m behind.
Upon request the publisher sent me a copy of the book to review.
It is a very fun read which you should pick up for a few laughs. Then you will get hooked and want to read the entire book, as she takes you on a journey through the most common (and sometimes uncommon) punctuation marks. Along the way she scatters a few historical facts but never takes the matter so seriously as to make it boring. This is one of those books you will read for information and entertainment. Then you will want to hold onto it [buying another one for that special friend] in order to use it as a reference partner.
Oops! I’m sure I have made numerous errors in this review, so I’d better quit while I’m behind.
Upon request the publisher sent me a copy of the book to review.
February 3, 2022
This is a clever little book that helps define the uses of the various punctuation marks we find in English, with an emphasis on American English. Should you use a comma here? An em-dash? How about a colon? You'll find the answer in this book, but not held on such a tight leash that you can't employ some discretion.
I did have a chuckle in one area of the book, however, and will put on my scientist's hat here. It has to do with the use of the slash [/] where she discusses how the slash is employed in scientific terms. Dear Lucy, if a scientist wishes to say "per mile", the correct way is "/mi", not "/m" ["per meter"]. Even more correct (she says, putting on her aviator's hat) would be to say "/sm" or "/nm" ["per statute mile or per nautical mile"] as there's more than one kind of mile out there. Who'd have thunk it?
Just one more reason to ditch the English system of measurement in favor of metric. But then, that's another book.
I did have a chuckle in one area of the book, however, and will put on my scientist's hat here. It has to do with the use of the slash [/] where she discusses how the slash is employed in scientific terms. Dear Lucy, if a scientist wishes to say "per mile", the correct way is "/mi", not "/m" ["per meter"]. Even more correct (she says, putting on her aviator's hat) would be to say "/sm" or "/nm" ["per statute mile or per nautical mile"] as there's more than one kind of mile out there. Who'd have thunk it?
Just one more reason to ditch the English system of measurement in favor of metric. But then, that's another book.
June 6, 2020
Actually, the Comma Goes Here: A Practical Guide to Punctuation by Lucy Cripps is a compact, easy-to-use guide for punctuation. The author uses humor to help make some dense areas easier to read.
Being an editor, I find it essential to have reliable resources as reference material. It also helps to keep current and keep learning. Actually, the Comma Goes Here is a good resource to have on hand for simple punctuation questions or to help guide you when a pesky rule seems unclear in a style manual. The one area that is out of date is the APA portion on spacing after a period. The APA has now moved away from two spaces after a period and adopted the one-space rule.
The examples are easy to follow. I often chuckled when she described various punctuation rules and how "commas can traumatize," which is so true!
#ActuallytheCommaGoesHere #NetGalley
Being an editor, I find it essential to have reliable resources as reference material. It also helps to keep current and keep learning. Actually, the Comma Goes Here is a good resource to have on hand for simple punctuation questions or to help guide you when a pesky rule seems unclear in a style manual. The one area that is out of date is the APA portion on spacing after a period. The APA has now moved away from two spaces after a period and adopted the one-space rule.
The examples are easy to follow. I often chuckled when she described various punctuation rules and how "commas can traumatize," which is so true!
#ActuallytheCommaGoesHere #NetGalley
March 23, 2020
I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review:
Actually, the Comma Goes Here by Lucy Cripps is a good basic starter book on punctuation for anyone who's looking to understand the topic a little better. It has helpful information, and easily identified sections to make looking up information a breeze. I docked it one star for this review because it was slightly more verbose than I think was necessary, which sometimes made it hard to follow, and it really only goes through the basics - so if you're looking to get in-depth about punctuation, there are probably better finds out there - but if you're looking for a quick reference, basic information to remind yourself with, or just a clear introduction to the topic, this is a great little book.
Actually, the Comma Goes Here by Lucy Cripps is a good basic starter book on punctuation for anyone who's looking to understand the topic a little better. It has helpful information, and easily identified sections to make looking up information a breeze. I docked it one star for this review because it was slightly more verbose than I think was necessary, which sometimes made it hard to follow, and it really only goes through the basics - so if you're looking to get in-depth about punctuation, there are probably better finds out there - but if you're looking for a quick reference, basic information to remind yourself with, or just a clear introduction to the topic, this is a great little book.
April 6, 2020
Thank you to the publisher for sending a copy of this book to me. I wrote this review by choice and honestly.
Actually, the Comma Goes Here is a great resource for learning how to use, and/or clarify, the proper use of simple punctuation marks. Each chapter is dedicated to a single punctuation mark, which makes searching for specific information much easier. If you are looking for an example to verify if you're using a specific mark correctly, they're in yellow conversation boxes, so they're quick and easy to reference.
There is a lot of information packed into this book, and I'm happy to add it to my arsenal of reference books to use for various writing projects. I believe that anyone from students to professionals would find this book useful.
Actually, the Comma Goes Here is a great resource for learning how to use, and/or clarify, the proper use of simple punctuation marks. Each chapter is dedicated to a single punctuation mark, which makes searching for specific information much easier. If you are looking for an example to verify if you're using a specific mark correctly, they're in yellow conversation boxes, so they're quick and easy to reference.
There is a lot of information packed into this book, and I'm happy to add it to my arsenal of reference books to use for various writing projects. I believe that anyone from students to professionals would find this book useful.
June 5, 2020
I love the small size of this guide (5" X 7") because it doesn't feel like a daunting reference book. It will definitely stay on my desk shelf for easy access. The author's writing is straightforward and she uses simple language to explain punctuation rules. I didn't quite care for how she talks about "how to beat the snobs" but I do appreciate that she presents multiple angles on why a punctuation rule exists. At the back of the book is a chart for comparing style guide, which will definitely be useful for me in the future. I highly recommend this concise guide for anyone looking for a quick way to brush up on punctuation guidelines. I received my book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
April 1, 2020
The rules in this book are based on the CMS (Chicago Manual of Style) used mainly by fiction and non-fiction writers. IMPORTANT to note that there are quite a few author house rules though.
Did you know that punctuation goes all the way back to Aristophanes, a Greek in the third century? I think my favorite parts of the book are the historical information. Each featured punctuation has its own chapter. Yes, this book is more than just talking about commas! At the end you will find cheat charts and index.
This is an easy read and a small enough book to put in your bag to read on your commute etc. I was provided a copy of the book by the publisher. Thanks, Liz
Did you know that punctuation goes all the way back to Aristophanes, a Greek in the third century? I think my favorite parts of the book are the historical information. Each featured punctuation has its own chapter. Yes, this book is more than just talking about commas! At the end you will find cheat charts and index.
This is an easy read and a small enough book to put in your bag to read on your commute etc. I was provided a copy of the book by the publisher. Thanks, Liz
June 1, 2020
***Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Release date March 31, 2020.***
4 - 4.5 stars
WOW...who'd have thought my favorite book so far this year would be a book about punctuation?
Each chapter concentrated on a specific mark, including a few that I hadn't heard of. It was surprising to learn that some of the "rules" that we had to learn in school are now open to interpretation depending on the writing style that one is following. There was just enough snarkiness along with the actual information to stay entertaining.
4 - 4.5 stars
WOW...who'd have thought my favorite book so far this year would be a book about punctuation?
Each chapter concentrated on a specific mark, including a few that I hadn't heard of. It was surprising to learn that some of the "rules" that we had to learn in school are now open to interpretation depending on the writing style that one is following. There was just enough snarkiness along with the actual information to stay entertaining.
June 20, 2020
A thoroughly delightful book that will make grammar nerds smile, and is accessible enough for those of us who barely know what a conjunction is. (And I call myself an English major...)
It's divided into sections for each type of punctuation, paired with short history lessons on the origins of the punctuation mark. The examples of sentences in each section are extremely useful and funny from time to time.
All in all, a great book for someone who wants to brush up on their grammar skills.
Thank you to Callisto Publishers for providing me with a review copy of this book. I really liked it!
It's divided into sections for each type of punctuation, paired with short history lessons on the origins of the punctuation mark. The examples of sentences in each section are extremely useful and funny from time to time.
All in all, a great book for someone who wants to brush up on their grammar skills.
Thank you to Callisto Publishers for providing me with a review copy of this book. I really liked it!
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