Abigail4476 Posted December 20, 2010 Share Posted December 20, 2010 In the introduction to a recipe, my husband wrote: "This is my sister-in-law, _____'s recipe...." The copy editor is saying that as written, it says that he only has one sister-in-law. How should it read to show that the recipe came from my sister? I'm not sure I understand how it's showing only one SIL. :confused: (I'm also not sure why this is terribly important for a cookbook, but I'm just along for the ride. :D) Copy editor's exact comment: "____, do you have one or more sister-in-laws? Believe it or not, the punctuation would be different! (As punctuated, _____is your only sister-in-law.)" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathmom Posted December 20, 2010 Share Posted December 20, 2010 Well, I would leave out the comma, but I don't think it implies that you only have one sil! That's a really nitpicky copyeditor! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Classical Country Mama Posted December 20, 2010 Share Posted December 20, 2010 Back in my classroom days, students lost points for this error--the comma turns it into an antecedent. My sister-in-law, Susie, makes great cookies. = ONE sil My sister-in-law Susie makes great cookies. = undetermined number of sisters-in-law. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abigail4476 Posted December 20, 2010 Author Share Posted December 20, 2010 Back in my classroom days, students lost points for this error--the comma turns it into an antecedent. My sister-in-law, Susie, makes great cookies. = ONE sil My sister-in-law Susie makes great cookies. = undetermined number of sisters-in-law. Okay, I see that. So how would it be correctly written to show ownership? Just eliminate the comma? "This is my sister-in-law P.J.'s recipe...." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Classical Country Mama Posted December 20, 2010 Share Posted December 20, 2010 ? "This is my sister-in-law P.J.'s recipe...." Gorgeous! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colleenebeans Posted December 20, 2010 Share Posted December 20, 2010 Back in my classroom days, students lost points for this error--the comma turns it into an antecedent. My sister-in-law, Susie, makes great cookies. = ONE sil My sister-in-law Susie makes great cookies. = undetermined number of sisters-in-law. Ut-oh...I dont even know what an antecedent is...:tongue_smilie: Apparantly, we haven't covered that yet. The only sister in law that I have is named Susie! HAHAHAHA But if I had to write a sentence about any of her recipes, it would probably sound like this... Tell my sister in law, Susie, that she doesn't have to bring anything to the potluck. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leola Posted December 20, 2010 Share Posted December 20, 2010 In the introduction to a recipe, my husband wrote: "This is my sister-in-law, _____'s recipe...." The copy editor is saying that as written, it says that he only has one sister-in-law. How should it read to show that the recipe came from my sister? I'm not sure I understand how it's showing only one SIL. :confused: (I'm also not sure why this is terribly important for a cookbook, but I'm just along for the ride. :D) Copy editor's exact comment: "____, do you have onehttp://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=2272321 or more sister-in-laws? Believe it or not, the punctuation would be different! (As punctuated, _____is your only sister-in-law.)" I agree take out the comma. But I have to ask did he really write sister-in-laws? Or did he write sisters-in-law? Cause if he's nit picking the comma (really does it matter how many he has?) and says sister-in-laws... :tongue_smilie: Seriously, that would drive me crazy working with him.... LOL! :lol: Just wondering.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lara in Colo Posted December 20, 2010 Share Posted December 20, 2010 I agree take out the comma. But I have to ask did he really write sister-in-laws? Or did he write sisters-in-law? Cause if he's nit picking the comma (really does it matter how many he has?) and says sister-in-laws... :tongue_smilie: Seriously, that would drive me crazy working with him.... LOL! :lol: Just wondering.... I was about to say the same thing!!! Lara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abigail4476 Posted December 20, 2010 Author Share Posted December 20, 2010 I agree take out the comma. But I have to ask did he really write sister-in-laws? Or did he write sisters-in-law? Cause if he's nit picking the comma (really does it matter how many he has?) and says sister-in-laws... :tongue_smilie: Seriously, that would drive me crazy working with him.... LOL! :lol: Just wondering.... HAHA!!! NICE CATCH! He wrote "sister-in-laws." *smirk* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leola Posted December 20, 2010 Share Posted December 20, 2010 HAHA!!! NICE CATCH! He wrote "sister-in-laws." *smirk* LOL! I wasn't sure if that was his mistake or yours. :lol: That is hilarious! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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