When “yes” and “no” are being used generically, there are no quotes. That is, when they are being used to refer to a positive or negative answer, they are not quoted. Attorneys are generally looking for a generic response and are not requiring that those words and only those words be used. When the “yes” and “no” are mixed in …
The Connecting Adverb
A “conjunctive adverb” is a word that is usually an adverb that has been pulled out to the front of the sentence to connect the sentence it is in to the one in front of it. It has a semicolon in front of it and a comma after it if it is more than one syllable. …He had been on …
Court Reporting Summer School Is Here!
How long has it been since you went to summer school? I am sure you loved it! So Margie Holds Court is bringing it back! “Court Reporting Summer School” Three classes between now and the end-of-September CEU deadline. Choices galore! Can’t make it to the NOLA convention? Here are your CEU choices, and it is sooooo much cheaper!! No airfare, …
The Word “Whelm”
I get a word every day from Merriam-Webster — it is free. You might want to sign up for it. I just found this word intriguing — “whelm.” I am sure I have never used the word without a prefix. Here are the three definitions given: to turn (something, such as a dish or vessel) upside down usually to cover …
Birthday Sale
My birthday is next week. They are all big these days! To celebrate, we are having a book sale. Order from the bookstore on www.margieholdscourt.com. CR: Bad Grammar/Good Punctuation 10 percent off. Discount code: HBDMARGIECR Buy this text in combination with the Workbook or Word Pears, Pares, Pairs 15 percent off. Discount code: HBDMARGIECOMBO Hurry. The sale ends at midnight …
More on Hyphenation
There are some hyphenation questions that fall into a “gray” area. This is the method I would try when you are in doubt — or maybe when you just want to figure it out. …sunny breakfast room First, it is a room. Then, it is a breakfast room. Last, it is a breakfast room that is sunny. If this works, …
I know we have done this before but… Distinguishing “awhile/a while” need not continue to be an issue. As one word, “awhile” is an adverb; as two words, “a while” is a noun. Each means “for an indefinite period of time.” There are some contexts that demand that it be two words, that is, that call for a noun. …in …
“That Is…” and Others
This is an abbreviated version of what is in my book on these eight parentheticals. PARENTHETICAL TO INTRODUCE AN APPOSITIVE Sometimes, when a person wants to explain, reiterate, rename, or restate something — that is, he wants to use an appositive — he uses a parenthetical before the appositive. These are the expressions most commonly used as parentheticals before an …
What about…? How about…?
“What about…?” and “How about…?” are idiomatic expressions that are meant to ask a question. It is true that they are not grammatically complete sentences in that they do not have a verb. However, idioms are unique unto themselves, and these two indicate questions and must stand alone with a question mark. If there is a question after this expression, …
Holiday Sale
The holidays are upon us. You are looking for that perfect gift for your son who is in court reporting school, your colleague whom you share an office with, your daughter who is in high school. Would you have thought to look at Margie Holds Court? We can all use the definitive text for punctuation or a book that lays …