1. Sarita Noel

    Sarita Noel New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2012
    Messages:
    16
    Likes Received:
    0

    Once in awhile

    Discussion in 'Word Mechanics' started by Sarita Noel, Nov 19, 2012.

    The sentence is:

    Once in awhile there may be something special like a car show to check out.

    Do I need a comma after once in awhile? And probably another comma in there somewhere...

    But I think I will re-word the sentence... something like:

    Once in awhile there may be something special to check out, like a car show.

    Or:

    Once in awhile there may be something special to check out - like a car show.

    Thanks!
    Sarita
     
  2. mammamaia

    mammamaia nit-picker-in-chief Contributor

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2006
    Messages:
    19,150
    Likes Received:
    1,034
    Location:
    Coquille, Oregon
    imo, a comma there is optional... and a comma is ok, a hyphen is not...

    if you meant that hyphen to be an em dash, you could use a dash, but it would have to be typed correctly... like--this... with no space before or after and a double hyphen used to show it is an em dash, so it won't be confused with a hyphen, by the editor and typesetter...
     
  3. Cogito

    Cogito Former Mod, Retired Supporter Contributor

    Joined:
    May 19, 2007
    Messages:
    36,161
    Likes Received:
    2,827
    Location:
    Massachusetts, USA
    By the way, it's once in a while, not once in awhile.

    Awhile is an adverb; a while is a noun phrase.
     
  4. mammamaia

    mammamaia nit-picker-in-chief Contributor

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2006
    Messages:
    19,150
    Likes Received:
    1,034
    Location:
    Coquille, Oregon
    yes, that, too!
     
  5. Sarita Noel

    Sarita Noel New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2012
    Messages:
    16
    Likes Received:
    0
    Thanks everyone for responding!

    I double checked "a while" in my submitted article (thank you Cogito), which hasn't been reviewed yet, and saw that I had typed it correctly. I was worried for a minute! I also changed the sentence to: Once in a while there may be something special to check out, like a car show.

    Mamma, thanks for the info on the m dash. I'm just starting out, so that's good stuff to know!

    Thanks,
    Sarita
     
  6. mammamaia

    mammamaia nit-picker-in-chief Contributor

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2006
    Messages:
    19,150
    Likes Received:
    1,034
    Location:
    Coquille, Oregon
    it's properly called an 'em' dash, btw...
     
  7. digitig

    digitig Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2010
    Messages:
    2,490
    Likes Received:
    81
    Location:
    Orpington, Bromley, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
    You don't show your location in your profile. The rules on dashes vary by country. Mamma gives you the USA rules, but if you are somewhere else you should find the local rules.
     
  8. mammamaia

    mammamaia nit-picker-in-chief Contributor

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2006
    Messages:
    19,150
    Likes Received:
    1,034
    Location:
    Coquille, Oregon
    do the rules differ in the uk, dig?
     
  9. Webster

    Webster Member

    Joined:
    Nov 27, 2012
    Messages:
    110
    Likes Received:
    3
    Location:
    France
    Once in a while there may be something special to check out, like a car show or a....
     
  10. digitig

    digitig Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2010
    Messages:
    2,490
    Likes Received:
    81
    Location:
    Orpington, Bromley, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
    Possibly :)

    You'll have gathered that things tend to be more flexible in the UK than in the USA; there's less agreement between style guides. I've certainly seen style guides advocate open en-dashes where closed em-dashes would be mandated in the USA.
     

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice