Starting food

[TatteredShoeLace]

You're right Mortaine, it isn't. *highlights his book for writers* But it is an unnecessay comma.

Mortaine gets an A- for peer editing.

[mortaine]

It is NOT an unnecessary comma.

"GET YOUR OWN RELIGEON, SIR!!!"

The spelling error is an error, but leaving that aside, we have a imperative statement, followed by a comma and a direct address ("Sir").

P. 252 of the Bedford "A Writer's Handbook" by Diana Hacker: "Use commas to set off nouns of direct address, the words yes and no, interrogative tags, and mild interjections." The example for direct address is "Forgive us, Dr. Spock, for spanking Brian." Replace "Dr. Spock" with "Sir" if you want to make this more specific to Agar's post.

(From the Bedford Writer's Reference): Cases of unnecessary commas:
Between compound elements that are not independent clauses.
Separating a verb from its subject or object.
Before the first or after the last item in a series.
Between cumulative adjectives, between an adjective and a noun, or between an adverb and an adjective.
Setting off restrictive or mildly parenthtical elements.
Setting off a concluding adverb clause that is essential to the meaning of the sentence.
After a coordinating conjunction
After "such as" or "like"
Before "than"
After "Although"
Before a parenthesis
To set off an indirect quotation
With a question mark or exclamation point.

TSL: D for arguing with the teacher.

Oh, and the "weak verb use" comment on Agar's first line is also incorrect. It's an inversion for poetic purpose, and legit. It needs a comma after "Agar," but is otherwise acceptable English.

[Surly]

I'll go get Rev to come in here and end this pointless, and irrelevant, bickering...

[TatteredShoeLace]

Your example is not the same as the poem's. In the example it is used to frame the person being spoken to, in this case Mr. Spock, from the action. What action is Agar seperating? It is an unnecessary comma. And as for the first line, a comma would make it legit, but left alone it is nonetheless still a weak verb.

And I'm the teacher Mortaine. Go to the principal.

[The Sociologist]

Apart from the spelling error, I see nothing wrong with what Agar wrote.

Isn't there an emoticon for looking bored?

[mortaine]

What action is Agar seperating? It is an unnecessary comma. And as for the first line, a comma would make it legit, but left alone it is nonetheless still a weak verb.

"Get" is the verb. As in, "Get your own religion." "Sir" is the direct address. It is no different from:
"Get your own religion, TSL."
"Get your head on straight, dolt."
"Get a clue, idiot."

The verb in the first line is "met." What, exactly, do you find "weak" about it? It is simply an inverted way of saying "have you met Agar?"

Your problem is that you're wrong, I called you on it, and now you can't even admit that you're wrong.

TSL: Flunked for attitude.

[Surly]

Let's try a less subtle approach...

SHUT THE HELL UP AND GET YOUR OWN THREAD FOR THIS

Clearer?

[mortaine]

Wow, Surly. You sound like no thread has ever strayed from its initial topic.....

[The Industriallist]

Um. Actually, more like they shouldn't...but this one's gone meandering off so far you can't see back to cantr from it. That's definitely not good.

[formerly known as hf]

no,... newspawn's should not, have food:;

and, no, that commma, was, not out, of place......!

(And off topic discussion (for discussion read: bickering) can stop now please, or this'll just get locked...)

[Surly]

I'm sorry, I'm just frustrated with the level of bickering lately. Good to see that the CD (in this case Farmer) has noticed my frustrations...

Anyway, no food for newspawns. That's all that matters on this thread.